295 



life resources by preventing loss of and dam- 

 age to such resources Certainly the wild- 

 life conservation aspect of the project must be 

 explored and evaluated." 



1967, 387 U.S. 428. 443-44, 87 S.Ct. 1712, : , 18 L.Ed.2d 



869, 879. 



The meaning and applicatioi. -f the Act are also 

 reflected by the actions of th. ^ ecutive that show 

 the statute authorizes and directs the Secretary to con- 

 sult with the Fish and Wildlife Service in deciding 

 whether to grant a dredge and fill permit. 



In a Memorandum of Understanding^' between the 



«t "POLICIES 



1. It is the policy of Ihc two Secretaries that there 

 shall be full coordination and cooperation between 

 their respective Departments on the above responsi- 

 bilities at all organizational levels, and it is their view 



. that maximum efforts in the discharge of those re- 

 sponsibilities, including the resolution of differing 

 views, must be undertaken at tlie earliest practicable 

 time and at the field organizational unit most direct- 

 ly concerned. Accordingly, District Engineers of the 

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shall coordinate with 

 the Regional Directors of the Secretary of the Interior 

 on fish and wildlife, recreation, and pollution prob- 

 lems associated with dredging, filling, and excavation 

 operationc to be conducted under permit*? issued 

 under the J 899 Act in the navigable waters of the 

 United States, and they shall avail themselves of tlie 

 technical advice and assistance which such Directors 

 may provide. 



2. The Secretary of the Army will seek the adA^ice 

 and counsel of the Secretary of the Interior on difficult 

 cases. If the Secretary of the Interior advises that 

 proposed operations will unreasonably impair natural 



