MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:
CREATING THE INTERAGENCY INFORMATION COOPERATIVE

          WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Minnesota has created [M.S. Chapter 89A] the  Forest Resources Council to develop recommendations to the Governor and federal and local governments with respect to forest resources policies and practices that result in the sustainable management, use and protection of the state's forest resources;

         WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Minnesota has recognized the need to coordinate the development and use of forest resources data in the state and has directed the Commissioner of Natural Resources to coordinate the establishment of an Interagency Information Cooperative (ACooperative@) [M.S. Chapter 89A.09];

          WHEREAS, access to important forest resource data is required to implement forest practices, coordinate forest management and resolve forest issues across various forest land ownerships in Minnesota;

          WHEREAS, the undersigned agree to join together in this Memorandum of Understanding and work cooperatively and in good faith to accomplish the goals and duties of the Cooperative.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Cooperative is hereby created and will operate under the following procedures:
 

I. COOPERATIVE PURPOSES

The purposes of the cooperative, as described in legislation, are to:

  1. Coordinate the development and use of forest resources data in the state;

  2. Promote the development of statewide guidelines and common language to enhance the ability of public and private organizations and institutions to share forest resources data in the state;

  3. Promote the development of information systems that support access to important forest resources data;

  4. Promote improvement in the accuracy, reliability, and statistical soundness of fundamental forest resources data;

  5. Promote linkages and integration of forest resources data to other natural resource information;

  6. Promote access and use of forest resources data and information systems in decision-making by a variety of public and private organizations;

  7. Promote expanding the capacity and reliability of forest growth, succession, and other type of ecological models; and

  8. Conduct a needs assessment for improving the quality and quantity of information systems.


II. MEMBERSHIP

Members of the cooperative include:

  1. The Minnesota Association of County Land Commissioners (MACLC)

  2. The United States Forest Service (USFS); (Federal ID# for this memorandum-R903-MOU-97-007)

  3. The Land Management Information Center (LMIC) [at Minnesota Planning];

  4. The University of Minnesota (U of M);

  5. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR).


The Cooperative may ask other organizations, as deemed appropriate by the   commissioner, to become members.  To become a member of the Cooperative, members shall be public organizations that are significant providers of forest resources data.  Each additional member joining the Cooperative is required, by the IIC, to sign this Memorandum of Understanding  creating the Cooperative.  Each member shall designate a representative to the Cooperative.
 

III. MEETINGS
The members shall meet as often as necessary, but no less than three times a  year, to conduct  the business of the Cooperative.  Actions taken by the Cooperative shall be adopted by  consensus if at all possible or if that is not possible by two-thirds of all members.  Each  member listed in Section II has one vote.
 

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES
The DNR will provide and house a Cooperative Coordinator.  The duties of the Cooperative
Coordinator will be to:

  1. Provide leadership for the Cooperative=s activities;

  2. Chair Cooperative meetings at least until 6/30/99; and

  3. Manage distribution of the Cooperative=s operating funds.


V. MEMBER DUTIES

  1. Actively seek out ways to achieve the purposes of the Cooperative.

  2. Maintain a close working relationship with the Forest Resources Council (ACouncil@).  Members of the Cooperative will look to the Council for strategic direction and will also periodically make a repot to the Council that describes the activities and accomplishments of the Cooperative.

  3. Coordinate the activities of the Cooperative, where possible, with those of the    Federal Geographic Data Committee and other groups developing data standards.

  4. In addition to the duties listed above, the LMIC will be responsible for providing    appropriate data management and technical support functions associated with    operating the Cooperative within the scope of funding provided through the Forest   Resources Act or IIC member organizations.


VI. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS
The principal contacts for this memorandum are:

Milo Rasmussen                                                           Ed Lindquist
Carlton County Land Department                                    Superior National Forest
Court House PO 130                                                     Federal Building Box 338
Carlton, Minnesota  55718                                             515 West First Street
218-384-9179                                                               Duluth, Minnesota  55802 
                                                                                  218-720-5483

John Rickers                                                               Neal Kingsley
Chippewa National Forest                                             North Central Forest Experiment Station
Route 3 Box 244                                                         1992 Folwell Avenue
Cass Lake, Minnesota  56633                                      St. Paul, Minnesota  55108
218-335-8600                                                              612-649-5139

Chris Cialek                                                                Tom Burk
Minnesota Land Management Information Center            University of Minnesota
Centennial Office Building                                             College of Natural Resources
658 Cedar Street                                                         Department of Forest Resources
St. Paul, Minnesota  55155  `                                       1530 North Cleveland Avenue
   612-297-2488                                                           St. Paul, Minnesota  55108
                                                                                  612-624-6741

George Host                                                              Dave Zumeta
University of Minnesota                                               Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Natural Resources Research Institute                           Division of Forestry
5013 Miller Trunk Highway                                           500 Lafayette Road
Duluth, Minnesota  55811                                            St. Paul, Minnesota  55155
218-720-4264                                                             612-297-2143
 

VII. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The provisions of this memorandum of understanding may be altered, amended or  repealed by the Cooperative. Members not bound by M.S. Chapter 89A.09 Subdivision 1,   may terminate their participation in the Cooperative by notifying the Coordinator in  writing at any time.
 

VIII. TIME FRAME
This memorandum becomes effective as of the last date shown below on the signature  page and expires on April 1, 2002, at which time it will be subject to review, renewal, or  expiration.
 

IX. DISCLAIMER
This memorandum is not a contract and is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document.  Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the members will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures including those for government procurement and printing.  Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the members and shall be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority.  This memorandum does not provide such authority.  Specifically, this memorandum does not establish authority for noncompetitive award to the members of any contract or other agreement.  Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition.

Pursuant to Section 22, Title 41, United States code, no member of, or Delegate to, Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of this instrument, or any benefits that may arise therefrom.

This memorandum does not restrict members from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals. 
 

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