Consent 2.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 09/10/2013
- Title:
- Memorandum of Understanding with BLM, Contribute to the preparation of the EIS
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperating Agencies and the Coordination Process for Mexican Wolf Environmental Impact Statement.
Background:
On June 13th, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed a new rule and notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register for the Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf. Comments were originally due on September 19th, 2013, but, on September 5th, 2013, the comment period was extended to October 28th, 2013. The Service will be preparing an EIS and has requested that Cochise County (County) enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as a Cooperating Agency. This MOU establishes a Cooperating Agency relationship and a coordinating process between the Service and the County for the preparation of that EIS.
A Cooperating Agency has the ability to provide input to the Service during the preparation of the Draft EIS before it is released for public comment. The internal working draft documents for the development of the draft EIS will not be available for review by individuals or entities other than personnel and consultants specifically designated by the County. The coordination process requires that the Service provide an opportunity for meaningful involvement of the County in development of any plans, consider local land use plans, and attempt to resolve inconsistencies between federal and local plans.
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources: County personnel and consultants will be involved in the review and comment process on documents for the development of the draft EIS but are not anticipated to require additional time for County personnel and consultants beyond what is currently budgeted for this support. The Service may request major activities or analyses from the County and may fund those efforts to the extent available funds permit, but the County is not obligated to expend funds to perform these major activities or analyses. A separate decision would need to be made by the Board of Supervisors if the Service requests but cannot fund major activities or analyses.
A Cooperating Agency has the ability to provide input to the Service during the preparation of the Draft EIS before it is released for public comment. The internal working draft documents for the development of the draft EIS will not be available for review by individuals or entities other than personnel and consultants specifically designated by the County. The coordination process requires that the Service provide an opportunity for meaningful involvement of the County in development of any plans, consider local land use plans, and attempt to resolve inconsistencies between federal and local plans.
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources: County personnel and consultants will be involved in the review and comment process on documents for the development of the draft EIS but are not anticipated to require additional time for County personnel and consultants beyond what is currently budgeted for this support. The Service may request major activities or analyses from the County and may fund those efforts to the extent available funds permit, but the County is not obligated to expend funds to perform these major activities or analyses. A separate decision would need to be made by the Board of Supervisors if the Service requests but cannot fund major activities or analyses.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Obtain Signature of Board of Supervisors Chair on the MOU, have personnel and consultants participate in development of the Draft EIS, provide updates on progress to the Board of Supervisors, and bring any additional funding requirements before the Board if necessary.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County would be treated as any member of the public and would not have the opportunity to influence the development of alternatives or selection of the preferred alternative in the Draft EIS before it is released for public comment.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
n/a