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USDA, Forest Service OMB 0596-0217 <br />FS -1500-15 <br />I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this MOU is to document the cooperation between the <br />parties to : designate DRMS as aCooperating Agency in the SEIS process; <br />provide a framework for cooperation and coordination between the Forest <br />Service and the Cooperator that will ensure successful completion of the SEIS in <br />a timely, efficient, and thorough manner; recognize that the Forest Service is the <br />lead agency with responsibility for the completion of the SEIS; and describe the <br />respective responsibilities, jurisdictional authority, and expertise of each of the <br />Parties in the planning process in accordance with the following provisions. <br />II. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS: <br />A. The Parties agree to participate in this SEIS process in good faith and make all <br />reasonable efforts to resolve disagreements. <br />B. The Parties agree to comply with the schedule provided as Attachment A, which <br />includes dates for SEIS milestones and timeframes for Cooperator's reviews and <br />submissions. <br />C. Each Party agrees to fund its own expenses associated with this SEIS. <br />D. The Parties agree to carefully consider whether proposed meetings or other <br />activities would waive the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act exception to the <br />In consideration of the above premises, the parties agree as follows: <br />IILDRMS SHALL: <br />A. DRMS is a Cooperating Agency in this EIS and are recognized to have <br />jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise in the following areas: All phases of <br />coal mine permitting, inspection and enforcement. <br />B. DRMS will participate to the extent reasonable and resources allow. DRMS will, <br />to the extent resources allow, provide information, comments, and technical <br />expertise to the Forest Service regarding those elements of the EIS, and the data <br />and analyses supporting them, in which they have jurisdiction or special expertise, <br />or for which the Forest Service requests their assistance. In particular, the DRMS <br />will, to the extent resources allow, provide information on the following topics: <br />1. Environmental resources, operation plan, reclamation plan and mitigation <br />of impacts to the extent reasonable and resources allow. <br />2. Other such information that is relevant to planning issues or data needs. <br />C. Within the areas of its jurisdiction or special expertise, the Cooperator may <br />participate in any of the following activities: providing guidance on public <br />involvement strategies, identifying data needs, suggesting management actions to <br />resolve planning issues, identifying effects of alternatives, suggesting mitigation <br />measures, working with the Forest Service to draft technical analysis for the SEIS, <br />and providing written comments on working drafts of the SEIS and supporting <br />documents. <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />