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F. To provide a n ~a~.~~beneficial process for BLM and i._' ~i~y to jointly identify, communicate <br /> <br /> ' and coordinate actions of common concern relating to the management of public lands and <br /> resources. <br /> G. To meet legal, social, and economic expectations of the local community by coordinated wetland <br /> restoration, and become an example for possible partnership arrangements for others. <br /> II. Objective: The Objective of this Assistance Agreement is to 1) provide a means of joint cooperation <br /> between the BLM and the City in order to improve wetland health and function within the West <br /> Eugene Wetlands and 2) provide for the transfer of funds and/or materials from BLM to the City for <br /> (but not limited to) project design, contract administration, and project implementation activities <br /> associated with restoration and maintenance of the West Eugene Wetlands (WEW) and recreational, <br /> educational and interpretive activities within the WEW. <br /> This agreement will provide the mechanism by which financial resources can be exchanged <br /> so that important projects can be implemented. Such projects may include wetland prairie <br /> restoration, fuels reduction, native species planting/sowing, recreation facilities maintenance <br /> and development, educational outreach, invasive species control, illegal dump site clean-up, <br /> and so on. This agreement will result in increased protection and productivity of natural <br /> resources on West Eugene Wetlands and increased visitor safety and education of people <br /> visiting the WEW. <br /> III. Authority: <br /> The basis for this agreement is found on support or stimulation of a public purpose <br /> authorized by the following Federal statues: <br /> A. Jobs-in-the-Woods, Public Law 106-113, which states "Notwithstanding any other provision of <br /> law, for fiscal year 1999 the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior are authorized to limit <br /> competition for watershed restoration project contracts as part of the "Jobs in the Woods" <br /> component of the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific Northwest to individuals and entities in <br /> historically timber-dependent areas in the States of Washington, Oregon, and northern California <br /> that have been affected by reduced timber harvesting on Federal lands." P.L. 106-113 is <br /> considered as legislative authority to provide funding for watershed restoration projects to <br /> "individuals and entities in historically timber-dependent areas.". <br /> B. Wyden Amendment -Watershed Restoration and Enhancement provides a framework by <br /> which OR/WA BLM may enter into contracts or agreements to permit funding work on non- <br /> BLM land. The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, Wyden Amendment (Public <br /> Law 104-208, Section 124),. as amended (Public Law 105-277, Section 136), states: <br /> "appropriations made for the BLM maybe used by the Secretary of Interior for the purpose of <br /> entering into cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal agencies, tribal, State, and <br /> local government, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for the protection, restoration, ` <br /> and enhancement offish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land..." <br /> BLM policy in regards to the Wyden Amendment states: Z'o protect the Government's interest <br /> when the BLM and private parties are entering into a contract or agreement, e.g. for construction <br /> of improvements or protection from liability, create an enforceable "land use agreement" which <br /> defines the obligations and remedies of the parties. <br /> 3 <br /> _ <br /> _ _ . <br /> <br />