US Anny Corps 

of Engineers• 

The National Great Rivers 

Research & Education Center 

REGIONAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

BETWEEN 

THE NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS RESEARCH 

AND EDUCATION CENTER 

AND THE 

UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION 

ARTICLE I- PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY 

This Memorandum ofUnderstanding ("MOU") is made and entered into by the United 

States Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division (hereinafter referred to as the 

"Corps"), represented by its Commander and the National Great Rivers Research and Education 

Center (hereinafter referred to as "NGGREC"), represented by its Chairman (hereinafter jointly 

referred to as the "Parties"). The purpose of this MOU is to establish a general framework of 

cooperation to plan and implement mutually beneficial programs, projects, and activities that 

maintain and enhance environmental and natural resource stewardship, further the study of river 

ecology, develop sound watershed and river management strategies, and to promote educational 

programs that foster a greater awareness and appreciation of water resources and the importance 

of healthy rivers and the ecological services provided by aquatic ecosystems. The geographic 

scope of this Regional MOU shall be the Mississippi River and its floodplain, from its 

headwaters to its delta, and major tributaries and distributaries of exceptional ecological value 

(including, but not limited to, the Illinois Waterway, the Hatchie River and Bottoms, the Cache 

River, the Lower White River and Basin, the Lower Arkansas River, the Yazoo River and Basin, 

and the Atchafalaya River and Basin). 

This MOU is entered into under the authority of the Economy in Government Act (P.L. 

97-258), the Forest Cover Act (P. L. 86-717); the Water Resources Development Act of2007 

(P.L. 110-114); the Federal Water Recreation Act (P.L. 89-72); the National Historic 

Preservation Act, as amended (P.L. 89-665); and the National Environmental Policy Act (P.L. 

89-190). 

ARTICLE II- SCOPE 

The Corps is committed to the following: 

a future vision for the Mississippi River watershed, the third largest watershed in the 

world; 

adding value to the overall stewardship of the Mississippi River aquatic ecosystem; 

advancing adaptive management principles to protect the system's natural capital; 
water resource strategies that recognize and further the value of river-related 

educational and research programs; and 

the use of scientific information to better inform stakeholders and decision makers. 

NGRREC is committed to the following: 

developing strategies designed to further scientific inquiry into river floodplains and 

their ecology and productivity; 

establishing cooperative ventures to facilitate ongoing research and education 

relevant to riparian habitats and their use and enjoyment by human communities; and 

ecologically-based management systems, river and riparian ecology, watershed 

management, aquatic community quality, outdoor recreational opportunities, and the 

economics of river communities and river resources. 

In furtherance ofthese shared commitments, the Corps and NGRREC intend to cooperate 

in water resource management programs, activities, and interpretive functions to benefit and 

educate the general public. 

ARTICLE III- COMMUNICATIONS 

To provide consistent, transparent, and effective communication between the Corps and 

the NGRREC, each party shall appoint a regional principal representative to serve as its primary 

point of contact (POC) on matters relating to this MOU. The Action District for the Corps is the 

St. Louis District. 

ARTICLE IV- RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Parties, to the extent authorized by law and in accordance with policies established 

by the Parties, agree as follows: 

that there is a necessity for, and value to be gained by, the establishment of a regional 

and national perspective on the Mississippi River watershed, the third largest 

watershed in the world; 

that the vision for a sustainable river requires collaboration and partnerships across 

multiple disciplines and with other regional watershed partners; 

to share information and expertise in exploring current knowledge and best available 

technology, collaborating on adaptive management designs, and advancing the stateof-the-art for engineering projects that are ecologically sustainable while 

acknowledging the need for a diversity of uses. This may include, where authority 

and funding are available, jointly undertaking demonstration projects, sharing 

personnel, and identifying and pursuing policies and programs needed to implement 

any such projects; 

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to work together to monitor and assess the success of any joint projects, and to 

disseminate lessons learned to stakeholders to benefit restoration and water 

management projects throughout the region; 

to promote the broader use of environmental stewardship tools and techniques that 

have proven successful; 

to meet annually to discuss proposed projects and programs that will be carried out 

for public benefit under a mutually arrived and agreed to action plan; and 

to strive toward a strategy for long-term improvement of water quality and water 

quantity to ensure the sustainability of the third largest watershed in the world. 

ARTICLE V- RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES 

In the exercise of their respective rights and obligations as the Parties under this MOU, 

the Corps and NGRREC each act in an independent capacity, and neither is to be considered the 

officer, agent, or employee of the other. 

Nothing in this MOU shall be construed as obligating the Corps or NGRREC to expend 

funds or involve any contract or obligation for future payment of money. The Corps 

responsibilities hereunder are subject to availability of appropriated funds. 

This MOU shall be subject to the laws of the United States governing the Corps and to 

the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, whether now in force or hereafter enacted or 

provided; and the mention of stipulations herein shall not be construed as in any way impairing 

the general powers of supervision, regulation and control by the Corps. 

This MOU in no way obviates the responsibilities of the Corps or NGRREC as may be 

required under any realty lease, license, or any other agreement signed by the Parties or their 

assigns. In situations where NGRREC or its proponents lease or license facilities or areas from 

the Corps, this MOU may become null and void upon revocation of any relevant lease or license. 

ARTICLE VI- AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, AND TERMINATION 

Modifications and amendments to this MOU may be made from time to time upon the 

mutual written consent of the Division Commander and the authorized representative of 

NGGREC. Either party reserves the right to terminate this MOU or any parts thereof at any time 

upon 30-days written notice. Prior to giving such notice, the party seeking termination will 

provide the other party with the reasons for such termination. 

ARTICLE VII- EFFECTIVE DATE 

This MOU shall be effective for 5 years commencing on the day following the ratification 

of this MOU by the Parties. This MOU shall automatically renew for another 5-year period on 

November 1 of the last year, unless either party gives notice of cancellation before the date of 

renewal. 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, on this 26111 day of October 2010, have 

executed this Memorandum ofUnderstanding. 

United States Army Corps of Engineers 

Honorary Signatory and Witness 

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National Great Rivers Research 

and Education Center