MOU - FIRE SAFE COUNCIL, KINGS VIEW, CHAWANAKEE
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between the EASTERN MADERA COUNTY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL KINGS VIEW READY SET GO PROGRAM CHAWANAKEE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT and the COARSEGOLD RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT For their Cooperation in the Conservation of Natural Resources,
Community Environs, and Training and Education of Individuals This
Cooperative Agreement (Agreement) is entered into by the Coarsegold
Resource Conservation District (CRCD), the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe
Council, hereinafter referred to as Fire Safe Council, the Kings View
Ready Set Go Program (RSG), and the Chawanakee High School District,
hereinafter referred to as Chawanakee School District. The Agreement
is entered into under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and
Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (H.R. 2389 Title III Projects);
State of California Public Resource Code, Div. 9.; and the Memorandum of
Understanding dated February 28, 1998. STATEMENT
OF PURPOSE All parties
have the common objectives of 1) improving and enhancing the land health
and the forest ecosystem of Eastern Madera County and 2) assisting Eastern
Madera County residents in breaking the cycle of generational
unemployment. To achieve
these objectives, the collaborating parties have agreed to combine their
resources to support a Title III funded project entitled “Conservation
Occupations and Resource Education, hereinafter referred to as CORE (See
Attachment A for Title III proposal); and any program, grant, funding or
contribution which meets the plans and objectives of the CRCD. All parties
recognize that the collaborative project CORE will allow the
accomplishment of both objectives and that Eastern Madera County will reap
the benefits of an improved economy and environment for Eastern Madera
County residents. While each party is independent and has its own
respective responsibilities, all parties recognize the need to coordinate
as a federal/local partnership for the successful delivery of a
conservation program that will improve land health as well as the
employment health of Eastern Madera County. IT IS
UNDERSTOOD THAT: CRCD will be
recognized as the lead agency in this cooperative project CRCD is a legal
subdivision of the State of California, which is the primary provider of
administrative, financial, educational and other assistance. The
Coarsegold Resource Conservation District is blessed with very strong
powers and authority. At the County level they are appointed by the Board
of Supervisors, a the State level is empowered under the Public Resource
Code, and at the Federal level are a legal empowerment under the State
Soil Conservation District Law and the Farm Bills. They have a Mutual
Agreement between the U.S.D.A., State of California and the SRCD signed by
the Secretary of Agriculture, dated February 26, 1998. This was authorized
by the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act:16:590; the Department
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994, Public Law No. 103-354; and the Secretary’s Memorandum #
1010-1, dated October, 1994. CRCD will be
the responsible agency for management of Madera County Board of
Supervisor’s approved Title III monies used to support CORE and all
other funds. The Fire Safe Council, Chawanakee School District, and RSG
will cooperate with CRCD to implement the specific goals and objectives of
the CORE Project. Therefore, all parties will cooperate to implement the
CORE project according to their available resources, statutory
authorities, and regulations. Broad based
forestry conservation and employment programs delivered through the
cooperation of the CDRC, Fire Safe Council, RSG, and the Chawanakee School
District are vital to the conservation of the natural resources, economic
stability and well being of our nation. The parties
affirm the desire for a strong working relationship between the Fire Safe
Council, RSG, Chawanakee School District and the CDRC. This
agreement establishes an enduring basis for cooperation and assistance
between the parties to achieve common natural resources conservation and
economic stability goals and objectives. Authority to carry out specific
projects or activities, such as the transfer of funds, acquisition of
services, and property will be carried out under separate fund obligating
documents. The Chawanakee High School
District Agrees To:
The
Eastern Madera County Fire Office Agrees To: 1.
Recognize CRCD as a subdivision of State government working at the
local level. 2.
Work cooperatively with the CRCD for management of natural
resources on Public lands and private forest lands as requested by the
landowner or land managing agency within the statutory requirements of the
State of California and Federal authorities. 3.
In accordance with existing agreements, assist in preparation of
fire prevention and fuel treatment plans. 4.
Enter into subsequent agreements as needed to accomplish CORE or
other specific projects or to transfer funds, materials and expertise as
needed between the parties for mutual support. 5.
Provide research results and other public information to the CRCD
to assist in preparing its program and work plan. 6.
Meet with local representatives of the CRCD periodically to review
opportunities for conservation planning and application, and on issues of
mutual concern. The
Kings View Ready Set Go Program Agrees To: 1.
Recognize CRCD as a subdivision of State government working at the
local level. 2.
Work cooperatively with the CRCD for management of natural
resources on Public lands and private forest lands as requested by the
landowner or land managing agency within the statutory requirements of the
State of California. 3.
In accordance with existing agreements, assist in preparation of
fire prevention and fuel treatment plans. 4.
Enter into subsequent agreements as needed to accomplish CORE or
other specific projects or to transfer funds, materials and expertise as
needed between the parties for mutual support. 5.
Provide research results and other public information to the CRCD
to assist in preparing its program and work plan. 6.
Meet with local representatives of the CRCD periodically to review
opportunities for conservation planning and application, and on issues of
mutual concern. 7.
Provide classroom based education to increase the job readiness
skills of youth ages 14-21 involved in the CORE project. 8.
Conduct pre and post testing on all classroom learning materials
(see Attachment B for curriculum). 9.
Provide classroom and hands-on learning experiences (job shadowing)
to educate youth on forestry and natural resources. 10.
Collect needed data required for reports, outcomes, billing of
Title III funds, and other funds for support of
CORE. 11.
Provide all qualified Eastern Madera County youth (meeting the
Madera County Workforce Investment Board’s requirements) with paid work
experience. 12.
Process payment to CORE participants The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District Agrees to
a)
Instructor fees for classroom forestry curriculum b)
Contracted service to cover costs of the position to supervise work
experience students during their work on the core projects c)
Instructional supplies d)
Travel expenses e)
Administrative costs at 8% of the total invoices submitted
It is
Further Mutually Agreed
1. To
the maximum extent possible, the CDRC and the aforementioned parties will
mutually support soil and water conservation programs to promote proper
conservation of land resources within the District. 2 All
specific future projects will be conducted under separate fund obligation
documents made in writing and authorized by appropriate statutory
authority. This agreement shall not be construed to affect the
jurisdiction of the Forest Service over public lands administered by the
Forest Service within the boundaries of the District. This agreement shall
not be construed to affect the private ownership or private property
rights within the District. 3.
Cooperative projects are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (Public Law91-190, January 1, 1970; 83 Stat. 852, as it relates to
National Forest lands. Private lands shall be subject to the California
Environmental Act of 1970. These both are covered under the “Negative
Declaration: Community Based Wildfire Prevention and the Conservation,
Occupation, Resource, and Education Program-ND 2003-001”. 4.
Technical assistance in meeting the forest management needs of individual
cooperators will ordinarily be met by the State agency charged with the
responsibility for furnishing technical forestry assistance to private
landowners 5. This
agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of the parties,
or can be terminated by one party by giving 60 days written notice to the
other parties. 6. This
agreement in no way restricts the aforementioned parties or the CDRC from
participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies,
organizations, and individuals. 7. This
MOU will become effective on the last date shown below. This instrument
expires on _______ The
signatories will be in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions
contained in Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 ( Public Law 100-259)
and other nondiscrimination statutes, namely Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture
(7 CFR 15, Subparts A and B.) These provide that no person in the United
States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, gender,
religion, marital status, or disability be excluded from participation in,
be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from
the Department of Agriculture or any Agency thereof. This
agreement is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any
provision of this agreement or endeavor involving reimbursement or
contribution of funds among the parties to this agreement is subject to
the availability of appropriations and will be handled in accordance with
applicable laws, regulations, and procedures, including those for
Government procurement and printing. Any endeavor among the parties which
is not expressly provided for by the terms of this agreement, will be
outlined in a separate agreement that shall be made in writing by
representatives of the parties, and shall be independently authorized by
appropriate statutory authority. This agreement does not provide such
authority. Specifically, this agreement does not establish authority for
noncompetitive awards to Conservation Districts or Commissions. Any
contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply
with all applicable requirements for competition. * (signed)
____________________________________ THOMAS WHEELER, CHAIR, COARSEGOLD
RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT * (signed)
____________________________________
DATE________________________________ BOB BUCKLES,
CHAIRMAN, FIRE SAFE COUNCIL * (signed)
____________________________________
DATE________________________________ TED KIMBLER,
AGRICULTURE INSTRUCTOR, CHAWANAKEE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT * (signed)
____________________________________
DATE________________________________ DEBBY ESTES
LCSW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KINGS VIEW READY SET GO |
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