Memorandum of Understanding Between the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Promote the Conservation of Migratory Birds

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
August 31, 2010

In Reply Refer To: 6500 (230) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 09/08/2010

Information Bulletin No. 2010-110

To: All Field Officials

From: Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject: Memorandum of Understanding Between the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Promote the Conservation of Migratory Birds

This Information Bulletin transmits the final, signed, national-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concerning promoting the conservation of migratory bird populations. The MOU became effective upon its signing.

Pursuant to Executive Order 13186, 66 Federal Register 3853, (January 17, 2001), Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, this MOU outlines a collaborative approach to promote the conservation of migratory bird populations. The MOU is intended to strengthen migratory bird conservation efforts by identifying and implementing strategies to promote conservation and reduce or eliminate adverse impacts on migratory birds through enhanced collaboration between the BLM and the FWS, in coordination with State, tribal, and local governments.

The MOU also identifies migratory bird conservation as a significant part of the BLM National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and planning process. Strategic planning for migratory bird conservation is a key element to the MOU implementations. Very soon, a representative team will draft and finalize the strategic plan for bird conservation as identified in the MOU.

In the meantime, please review the MOU closely as conservation activities will coordinate with most BLM programs and activities, and input will be solicited from many programs to make the conservation measures as comprehensive as possible. The MOU also provides for an exchange of information, creates opportunities for cooperation on preparation of NEPA documents, and encourages the involvement of various existing education and partnership projects.

Thank you in advance for transmitting this MOU to the Field Offices, and reminding them that the BLM actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with the FWS to help conserve migratory bird populations as we implement our multiple-use mission. The MOU can be reviewed at the BLM intranet. If you have any questions, please contact Dwight Fielder, Chief, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation at 202-912-7230 or Geoff Walsh, Wildlife Biologist, at 202-912-7271.

Signed by: Marci Todd, Acting, Assistant Director,  Renewable Resources and Planning

Authenticated by: Robert M. Williams Division of IRM Governance, WO-560

Attachment 1 - Final BLM-FWS Memorandum of Understanding (14 pp)