USDA and USDI Sign Partnership Agreement Regarding Water Conservation

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2005 – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight and John W. Keys, III, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accomplish efficient use and long-term sustainability of available water supplies for agricultural production, fish and wildlife protection, recreation and other beneficial uses.

“This partnership strengthens the commitment of USDA and the Department of Interior (DOI) to work together in support of cooperative conservation activities that improve water management on a regional, statewide and watershed basis,” said Knight.

Through these agreements, NRCS cultivates public-private partnerships by working collectively with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, and private owners to improve our nation’s natural resources.

Some highlights of the agreement include:
• Support for locally-led cooperative conservation projects regarding efficient water management.
• Developing and implementing specific plans of action for cooperative conservation activities.
• Support for state and locally organized drought action teams.
• Identifying joint research needs and opportunities for field application of new technology.
• Joint USDA-DOI training, conferences, seminars and education programs.
• Designated agency liaisons to communicate and coordinate activities at the national, regional, state and local levels.

The states in the MOU are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Additional information on NRCS is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov and on the Bureau of Reclamation at http://www.usbr.gov.

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