Naturall'lesources 

~NRCS Conservation Service 

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN THE 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE 

AND THE 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (Civil Works) 

Purpose: To promote a long-term working relationship between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army 

(Civil Works)(OASA(CW)) on collaborative efforts to improve the management of water and related 

natural resources under the missions and authorities of NRCS and the Department of the Army (DA) Civil 

Works mission through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 

Goals: NRCS and OASA(CW) have established the following partnership goals: 

• To express mutual commitment to comprehensive water and related natural resources management 

and conservation in support of Executive Order 13352, Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation. 

• To create and support three national teams to review existing authorities and programs, identify 

areas of concern and need for increased collaboration, and support implementation of actions 

identified for: 

(1) Watershed Planning and Implementation, 

(2) Wetland Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement, and 

(3) Natural Disaster Recovery. 

• To coordinate other programs and activities including Wetland Conservation Compliance 

(Swampbuster) and Regulatory (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act). 

• To support and encourage the establishment of six to ten Field Implementation Teams to serve as 

pilot activities for implementing innovations, removing impediments to the NRCS/USACE 

partnership, and engaging and supporting local leadership in solving water and related natural 

resources problems. 

Implementation: We commit to achieve our goals by fostering a spirit of teamwork between our 

organizations at all levels. We will meet in partnering sessions as needed, but at least annually, to ensure 

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to fund particular initiatives, as funding commitments must be addressed pursuant to a more formal 

document. 

Effective Date: This agreement is effective when signed by both parties and should be reviewed annually 

to renew our commitment and consider needed changes. 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Chief 

Natural Resources Conservation Service 

United States Office of the 

Assistant Secretary of the Army 

(Civ· orks) 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 

:.:~A<A ~~00~ 
PARTNERSHIP PRINCIPLES 

to accompany 

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 

between the 

NRCS A-3A 75-5-109 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE 

and the 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (Civil Works) 

I. Background 

A. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 

provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners, State and local units of 

government, Tribes, other Federal agencies, and international governments through a 

partnership effort to conserve, maintain, and enhance natural resources and the environment. 

B. The Department of the Army (DA) Civil Works mission through the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers (USACE) provides planning, design, and construction services to civil and military 

customers, and other agencies, worldwide. The USACE also develops, manages, and protects 

water and related land resources. 

C. The NRCS and USACE (subsequently referred to as the Agencies) both have 

responsibilities for carrying out policies and programs that address water and related natural 

resources issues. Both Agencies recognize that the policies, programs, plans, and activities 

that are used to carry out their respective responsibilities may significantly affect the other 

agency. 

D. There are often opportunities for Federal agencies, such as the Agencies, to cooperate 

under their respective jurisdictions. Opportunities also exist for the Agencies to provide each 

other with needed technical expertise. Cooperative management and technical assistance 

efforts can help: improve resources management and protection; improve public services; 

provide a better understanding of the Agencies' goals, objectives, and programs; and help 

minimize conflicts. 

E. Each Agency retains full responsibility-and-authority-to-execute and accomplish their 

programs. All duties and commitments described herein are contingent on the availability and 

administrative allocation of funding. Nothing in this document shall be construed as 

authorizing either agency to provide any goods or services to the other agency. 

II. Purpose 

The purpose of the Partnership Agreement between the Agencies and the associated 

Partnership Principles is to: 

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NRCS A-3A75-5-109 

A. Improve public services, management of water, and related natural resources through 

harmonious and effective cooperative agency efforts. 

B. Establish a framework for coordination and communication between officials and staff at 

every level of the Agencies. 

C. Encourage the use ofNRCS expertise in application of upstream conservation practices to 

enhance the effectiveness of appropriate USACE water resources projects. 

D. Foster the early identification of overlapping interests in the Agencies' plans, programs, 

and activities in order to minimize conflicts and maximize synergy whenever possible, and to 

facilitate collaborative efforts to address water resources needs. 

III. Areas of Cooperation and Mutual Interest 

Listed below are areas of cooperation that may initially be pursued between the Agencies. 

The items listed are by no means all inclusive since as this partnership develops, it is likely 

that other areas of cooperation and mutual interest will be identified at all levels of the 

Agencies. 

A. Wetlands Conservation Compliance (Swampbuster) and Regulatory (Section 404 Clean 

Water Act). The Agencies should review existing policies and agreements related to 

wetland conservation compliance and regulation, update them as needed, and identify 

additional opportunities for cooperation. 

B. Wetland Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement. The Agencies should create a 

National Wetland Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement Team to review existing 

authorities and ongoing programs, identify areas of concern and need for increased 

collaboration. Topics to be addressed may include: 

1. Identification and importance of wetlands and aquatic resources functions; 

2. Develop processes to coordinate wetlands projects and programs; 

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4. Develop an action register to implement the President's Wetland Initiative. 

C. Natural Disaster Recovery. The Agencies should create a National Natural Disaster 

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management agreements for Presidentially Declared Disasters, working closely with the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and major flood response and 

recovery actions requiring coordinated response for Flood Control and Coastal 

Emergencies (FCCE) and Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) activities. 

Items to be addressed may include: 

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NRCS A-3A75-5-109 

1. Review areas of responsibility; and 

2. Coordinate disaster recovery activities. 

D. Watershed Planning and Implementation. The Agencies should create a National 

Watershed Planning and Implementation Team to seek ways to integrate water resources 

programs and initiatives in order to develop more complete and efficient water resources 

projects for project sponsors, and improved watershed resources management for the 

broader range of watershed stakeholders. Topics to be addressed may include: 

1. Increase the Agencies' coordination and collaboration in water resources 

activities; 

2. Establish a sediment work group to collaboratively identify system approaches to 

managing sediment and potential pilot projects; 

3. Establish a workgroup to coordinate models, tools, and technologies related to 

water and natural resources planning; 

4. Establish pilot water resources projects and/or interagency planning teams to 

identify innovations and impediments to collaborative watershed approaches to 

resource development and management; 

5. Establish watershed planning, training, and technology exchange; 

6. Develop an integrated process to assist watershed project sponsors in obtaining 

404 permits; and 

7. Increase technology, services, and data exchange to assure safety of new and 

existing dams. 

IV. Communications and Coordination 

A. The Agencies should provide each other with a list of points of contact responsible for 

program areas and other areas of mutual interest. Early communication should improve 

public services and resources management consistent with the above mission statements for 

both Agencies, through increased efficiency and avoidance of potential conflict. 

Coordination should occur for planning, programs, and other management actions of mutual 

interest. Each Agency should offer the other opportunities for early coordination regarding 

the modification of significant policies and procedures that may affect subject areas of this 

--------=a,greement and have impacts on the pro_gmms_and_mission_o_f_the_o1heLAgencJ'~-----------

B. Frequent informal consultation on matters of mutual interest should be encouraged at all 

levels. The NRCS State Conservationists and USACE District Engineers should be the 

primary conduit through which field coordination should take place. Each Agency should 

be responsible for ensuring that personnel are informed and involved. To encourage 

District/State communications, the Agencies, with staff support from the Liaisons, should: 

1. Issue communication from headquarters to NRCS State Conservationists and 

USACE District Engineers encouraging communication and providing examples 

of success stories; 

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NRCS A-3A75-5-109 

2. Publicize through newsletters, websites, etc. examples ofNRCS/USACE 

collaboration resulting from planned District/State communications; and 

3. Provide points of contact by subject matter for each State NRCS Office and each 

USACE District. 

V. Implementation 

A. Responsibility. Lead responsibility for overall coordination and implementation of the 

Partnership Agreement should be assigned as follows: NRCS - Mississippi River Basin 

Coordinator, USACE- Northwestern Division Regional Integration Team Leader, or 

their designees. 

B. National Teams. The Agencies should establish three National Teams to 

coordinate activities, identify needs, present findings, and document agency 

leadership decisions in support of this agreement. 

C. Field Implementation Teams. The Agencies should support and encourage the 

establishment of six to ten Field Implementation Teams to serve as pilot activities 

for implementing innovations, removing impediments to the NRCS/USACE 

partnership efforts, and engaging and supporting local leadership in solving water 

and related natural resources problems. 

D. Liaison Exchange. The Agencies should continue their existing liaison exchange, at 

mutually agreed to locations and duration. Liaisons should provide staff support to help 

carry out actions identified through this Partnership Agreement. 

E. Goods and Services. The Agencies should explore mechanisms that provide for the 

effective and efficient exchange of goods and services necessary to accomplish the intent 

of each Agency's legislative responsibilities and mandates, as appropriate. 

F. National Points of Contact. National points of contact should be established by each 

Agency by subject matter for coordination on program and technology issues. Points of 

Contact should be reviewed annually and kept current. 

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