MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
between
FOREST SERVICE-USDA
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT-USDI, UTAH
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE-USDI
STATE OF UTAH

A. Introduction
The State of Utah holds a vast storehouse of prehistoric and historic values left by numerous inhabitants ranging from many centuries BC to recent times.

The scientific value and data from the state have only been partially recovered through scientific archaeological investigations.  However, since settlement in the 19th century, archaeological materials have been subject to unscientific recovery processes, vandalism, and damage to varying degrees over much of the area formerly inhabited by ancient cultures.

The majority of the culturally rich land is federally administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and the National Park Service, as well as intermingled State lands.  Various laws governing the protection and mangement of cultural resources on federal lands pertain to all three agencies.  Separate management by each agency over the state often results in duplication and overlapping management actions that could be coordinated toward more efficient management and protection of the cultural values in an integrated manner.  It is to the mutual benefit of the people of the United States and the State of Utah for the federal agencies and the state to mutually agree to a process leading to coordinated management and protection of the cultural resources in the state.

This Memorandum of Understanding sets forth a process for the development of coordinated plans of management for various parts of the state as federal land managers and the state deem necessary for protection and management of the cultural and archaeological resources.  A pilot coordinated plan will be developed for an area in the southeast portion of the state.

Within this area of the state there exists a wealth of prehistoric cultural data, information, and materials including that left by the Anasazi Indians who inhabited the area until about 1300 AD.  This culturally rich area is nationally significant as well as an important asset to the people of the State of Utah. However, it has been vandalized and damaged over a large part of the area for decades.

While much scientific data remains, a coordinated management plan needs to be developed to focus efforts toward protection, stabilization and data recovery for appropriate interpretation and preservation for future generations.

B. Organization
There is hereby established an Interagency Steering Committee consisting of the following membership:

The Associate State Director, Bureau of Land Management, State of Utah

The Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Region

The Deputy Regional Forester, Forest Service, Intermountain Region

The Utah State Historic Preservation Officer

There are hereby established four subcommittees whose membership will be one or more representatives from each of the three federal agencies and the State of Utah at the discretion of the Steering Committee;

A Subcommittee on Cultural Resources
A Subcommittee on Public Education
A Subcommittee on Public Involvement
A Subcommittee on Law Enforcement

Additional subcommittees may be added or deleted from time to time at the discretion of the Steering Committee.

There is hereby established an ad hoc interagency work group to develop and implement an operating plan for the Southeast Utah Pilot Plan consisting of the following:

The Superintendent of the Canyonlands National Park
The Forest Supervisor of the Manti-LaSal National Forest
The District Manager of the Moab District of the Bureau of Land Management
The Regional Manger-SE Region-Utah State Division of Parks and Recreation

Ad hoc interagency work groups may be established or deleted by the Steering Committee as the need exists, and other operating plans may be developed as needed.

In addition, coordination may be needed from time to time with other federal and state agencies and interested parties.

C. Operations and Responsibilities
Steering Committee

The Steering Committee sets policy and overall direction for the management and protection of the cultural resources of the area; develops long-term goals and objectives and gives general direction for development of operating plans to ad hoc interagency groups. Concurs with annual operating plans and assists implementation by arranging interagency/state financing and/or contributed services to the protection and management of the cultural resources in accordance with operating plans. Arranges for the cultural resources in accordance with operating plans. Arranges for appropriate membership on subcommittees and ad hoc interagency groups. Adds or deletes subcommittees and ad hoc interagency groups as needed. Develops subsequent memorandums of understanding or agreement as needed.

Subcommittee
Acts as staff expertise to the Steering Committee and ad hoc interagency groups as needed in developing staff papers or assisting with technical expertise. Prepares reports as needed and directed. The Chairmen of the subcommittees may be changed periodically at the discretion of the Steering Committee.

Ad Hoc Interagency Groups
Utilizing the goals, objectives, and direction of the Steering Committee and with the assistance of subcommittees as needed, develop and revise annual and longer term operating plans for the management and protection of the cultural resources of a selected area of the State. Assume leadership for implementation of the operating plans and maintain a coordination link between field implementation and the Steering Committee. Prepare and present written and verbal reports to the Steering Committee as needed.

Meetings and Chairmanship
Chairmanship of the Steering Committee will rotate every two years among the four members with no member serving consecutive terms. The Associate State Director, BLM will be the initial Chairman. Succeeding chairmen will be selected by the Committee. The Committee will meet at least annually with other meetings called as needed by the Chairman.

Chairmanship of any interagency group will be determined by the group with the Chairman serving two years and no member may serve consecutive terms. The initial chaiman for the Southeast Utah Pilot Plan will be the Superintendent of Canyonlands National Park. Meetings will be called as needed by the Chairman.

Annual proposed operating plans will be presented to the Steering Committee by October 15 annually, and finalized by February 1. A report on the past year's accomplishments will be submitted annually with the proposed plan.

Nothing in this Memorandum of Understanding shall be construed as obligating the United States Government or the State of Utah in the expenditure of funds or for the future payment of money in excess of appropriations authorized by law.

This Memorandum of Understanding shall become effective when signed by all parties, and shall remain in force until thirty (30) days after written notice of a desire to terminate by any party.

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