Transmittal of Master Bureau-Wide Memorandum of Understanding Between the Bureau of Land Management and the Western States Land Commissioners Association

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govMarch 18, 2013In Reply Refer To: 2000 (300) PEMS TRANSMISSION 03/21/2013Information Bulletin No. 2013-047To:                   All Field Officials      From:               Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management          Subject:           Transmittal of Master Bureau-Wide Memorandum of Understanding Between the Bureau of Land Management and the Western States Land Commissioners Association      This Information Bulletin (IB) transmits the new Master Bureau-Wide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Western States Land Commissioners Association (WSLCA).  This MOU supersedes and replaces the MOU between the BLM and the WSLCA dated January 8, 1981 (1981 MOU), concerning State indemnity selection rights. Under this MOU, the BLM and the WSLCA reaffirm the purposes, goals, commitments, and policies set forth in the 1981 MOU.  A specific issue of mutual concern to the BLM and the WSLCA is the realignment and consolidation of land ownership between the BLM and the WSLCA 23-member States through land exchanges, State indemnity selections, and other realty actions.  Both parties commit to working together identify, evaluate, and transfer appropriate lands to the various States in fulfillment of State selection rights with reasonable and appropriate public notice and involvement. Please review this MOU closely and become familiar with the specific commitments made by the BLM.  In particular, Section IIIF of the MOU states that the BLM will encourage BLM State Offices with outstanding State selection rights to work with the WSLCA member States to convey all remaining indemnity selections in a timely manner.  Section IV addresses the commitment by the BLM to give priority to and to expedite exchanges of State trust lands.The MOU also states that the BLM will encourage State Directors and District, Field, and Unit Managers to meet annually with their respective State land commissioners, directors, and administrators and communicate with WSLCA personnel at appropriate levels on issues of mutual importance.If you have any questions, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact Kim Berns, Division Chief, Lands, Realty and Cadastral Survey (WO-350), at 202-912-7350 or Diane Simpson, Land Exchange Program Lead (WO-350), at 202-912-7337.Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:Michael Nedd                                                             Robert M. WilliamsAssistant Director                                                       Division of IRM Governance,WO-560Minerals and Realty Management1 Attachment1­­­ - Master Bureau-Wide Memorandum of Understanding Between the Bureau of Land Management and the Western States Land Commissioners Association (11 pp)