7.e3 Invasive species MOU with Washington CountySCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: April 21St, 2020
To: Mayor, City council
From: Adam Hawkinson, Director of Public Works
Re: Washington Co. Memo of Understanding— Invasive Species
Background:
The City of Scandia Public Works received an invitation from Washington Co. to be a part of a
MOU agreement with other communities committed to the removal and management of
invasive species. The MOU agreement is included in the meeting Dropbox.
Issue:
Should the City of Scandia include itself in the MOU and sign the agreement.
Proposal Details:
There are some advantages to being a part of a larger group that has a cause and a vision. For grant
purposes the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District would take the lead in the fiscal
administration. Being a partner would help eliminate project overlap and aid in blending projects
together. Through the agreement, the city may gain additional knowledge of funding opportunities
available and best practices used by others to manage invasive species.
Email:
Good Morning,
You will find the final version of the Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area (WC-
CWMA) MOU attached. We are requesting signatures from your key officials by June V. The MOU is
considered to be executed as of July 1St, so any additional parties wishing to become partners after that
point will be subjected to a 30 -day waiting period (see Section VII). We understand that some official
meetings are not running as usual, so we wanted to provide this buffer time in case anyone cannot
obtain signatures in April or May. Please keep myself or Tara informed if you anticipate submitting after
June 1St
None of these changes affect the type of work that the document hopes to achieve, and we hope they
provide more clarity in regards to the process of becoming a partner of the WC-CWMA. We thank
everyone for their thoughtful edits and questions during the review period. Please let me know if you
have any questions regarding the document.
Thank you,
Lauren (Haydon) Dries I Water Resources Education & BMP Senior Technician
Washington Conservation District
455 Hayward Ave N.
Oakdale, MN 55128
Office: (651)330-8220 x 24
Website: www.mnwcd.orR
Fiscal Impact:
If the City chooses to participate in grant or other opportunities it would need to be budgeted
the year prior for the designated match.
Options:
1.) Sign the MOU
2.) Not sign the MOU
Recommendation:
Option 1
Washington County CWMA
Memorandum of Understanding
Among the
Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area Partners
(Listed in Appendix A)
I. Background and Objectives
Invasive species have significant environmental, social, and economic impacts on natural areas,
parks, and open spaces. Invasive species are a leading threat to the native species of the United
States, second only to habitat destruction. Invasive plants consume approximately three million
acres of land each year. Invasive plants threaten both entire ecosystems and individual species.
They negatively impact ecosystems through competition, suppression, and displacement of
native species and can alter ecosystem functions. Washington County contains a myriad of
groups including governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, private business, and private
citizens and landowners that give the county the unique opportunity to manage invasive plants
in a cooperative manner.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to encourage and formalize the
cooperative relationship necessary for effective management, coordination, and
implementation of invasive terrestrial and aquatic plant species programs among the above
mentioned Partners.
Other organizations or individuals may, at any time, join as Partners of the Washington County
Cooperative Weed Management Area (WC-CWMA). Partners may agree to offer funding or in-
kind service to the WC-CWMA. These Partners will be required to sign a signatory page stating
that they will voluntarily participate under the applicable guidelines in this MOU. Partners are
listed in Appendix A.
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Washington County CWMA
Definition of terms
Introduction- the intentional or unintentional escape, release, dissemination, or placement of a species
into an ecosystem as a result of human activity.
Ecosystem- the complex of a community of organisms and its environment.
Native species- a plant species that historically occurred in Washington County, not as a result of an
introduction.
Local Ecotype Native Seed- seed originating from the ecoregions found in Washington County. Seed
used in the WC-CWMA must be Local Ecotype Native Seed, and must originate from as close to the given
project as possible. "Yellow tag" certified seed should be used whenever possible.
Non-native species -with respect to a particular ecosystem, any plant species, including its seeds, spores,
or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that has been introduced to that
ecosystem by means other than natural processes.
Invasive plant or weed- a plant species, typically non-native, that has competitive advantages and can
become established in natural plant communities and wild areas and replace native vegetation. They
may alter the ecosystem and may cause economic, environmental, and/or social harm and may also
negatively affect human health.
Noxious weed- a plant determined to be problem by a governmental agency. This can be on a county,
state, or national level. They are mandated by law as pest species, and the law calls on all citizens for
the destruction of the species.
WC-CWMA - Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area- geographically defined as the
lands and waters within the geopolitical boundaries of Washington County. A cooperative effort to
manage invasive plants in Washington County.
WC-CWMA Steering Committee - WC-CWMA Steering Committee organizes members, provides
direction, holds regular meetings, and generally furthers the common goal of cooperative invasive plant
management. Each Partner will be directly or indirectly represented on the Steering Committee. The
steering committee shall select a chair and vice chair.
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Washington County CWMA
III. Legislative Authority
For the National Park Service, the legal authority for entering into this agreement is the National
Park Service Organic Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1-3). This is a general management authority for entering
into a memorandum of understanding to document mutually agreed upon policies, procedures,
objectives, and/or assistance relationships that do not involve funding.
This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any action involving contribution
of funds or reimbursement between parties to this MOU will be handled in accordance to
applicable laws, regulation, and procedures including those for Government procurement and
printing. These actions will be outlined in separate agreements between parties and will be
authorized by the appropriate statutory authority. This authority does not provide such
authority, nor does it establish authority for noncompetitive award to the cooperator of any
contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other services must
fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition.
IV. Statement Of Work
The intent of this MOU is to enhance the success of the Cooperative Weed Management Area
for Washington County by encouraging sharing of resources, information, expertise, and effort
on a willing and cooperative basis on both public and private lands and waters. This MOU is not
intended to establish legal authorities or mandates where they do not currently exist.
The undersigned parties mutually agree to the following:
Participate and/or cooperate in the development of the Washington County Cooperative
Weed Management Area (WC-CWMA); including cooperatively preparing a Management
Plan to describe the goals objectives and strategies of the CWMA. The Management Plan
will outline the structure and function of the CWMA and provide any other needed
background information. Absent any separate agreement among one or more parties, each
party is solely responsible for its own costs and participation in this joint planning effort.
b. Share information among Partners and provide assistance and expertise regarding invasive
plant management activities on their lands and waters.
c. Provide opportunities to outside interest groups, private landowners, and the public for
involvement in carrying out weed management planning and education on lands and waters
within the Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area (WC-CWMA).
Utilize the Washington Soil and Water Conservation Division as the fiscal administrator for
any grants or financial support received by the WC-CWMA.
e. Review this MOU and make revisions and updates as necessary to meet the purpose of the
agreement. Amendments shall become effective upon approval by all Partners.
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Washington County CWMA
This MOU in no way restricts any of the Partners from participating in similar activities with
other public or private agencies, organizations, or individuals.
V. Term of Agreement
This MOU will become effective upon July 15t, 2020. Any additional parties added after this date
will be subject to the 30 day review process outlined in Section VII before becoming a partner.
This MOU expires 5 years from the effective date at which time it will be subject to review,
renewal, or expiration. If the Partners mutually agree to continue cooperation, a new
agreement shall be executed.
VI. Modification and Termination
Modifications to this MOU shall be made by the issuance of a unanimously approved
modification prior to any changes being performed. Any Partner may withdraw from this
agreement at any time before the date of expiration by providing 30 days written notice to all
signatories.
VII. Additional Parties to the MOU
Additional parties may, and are encouraged to, be added to the MOU as Partners at anytime.
All Partners will be notified of any additional party and will be given 30 days after the
notification to determine if there is a conflict of interest. If a conflict of interest is identified the
Partner may choose to withdraw from the MOU. If the Partner does not withdraw, then the
additional party with the conflict of interest may not be added to the MOU.
VIII. Key Officials and Signatures
A separate page will be included for each of the Partners designating the key official to this MOU
and the signature for the person authorized to enter into this agreement.
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Washington County CWMA
Memorandum of Understandi
Among the
Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area Partners
(Listed in Appendix A)
IX. Key Official and Signatures (continued)
Name, Title:
Agency/Organization:
Address:
Key Official Signature:
X. Primary Partner Contact
Name, Title:
Agency/Organization (If different than above):
Phone:
E-mail:
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Washington County CWMA
Appendix A.
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