Memoranda of Understanding and other cooperative agreements between federal and state agencies have been an effective means of establishing processes and procedures, and setting expectations at both the state and federal levels. Having the agreements in place makes it easier to address issues before they arise grow into problems and helps to mitigate some of the challenges caused by staff turnover. The process of developing MOUs between federal agencies and states provides a forum to build working relationships and establish trust. That trust results in easier MOU renewals with each iteration. WSWC and WestFAST acknowledge that it would be beneficial to spread the concept and exchange information about various state and federal agency approaches to MOUs and other cooperative agreements.
The following MOUs, settlement agreements, compacts, and other agreements may provide some useful examples of language states and federal agencies have used to coordinate efforts on water-related issues on federal lands.
MOUs and Cooperative Agreements
MT – USDA Forest Service MOU for implementing nonpoint source management plan on NFS lands in Montana (2019) (link)
NV – BLM Red Rocks Cooperative Agreement (1997) (link)
OR DEQ – USDA Forest Service MOU strategy for managing and controlling point and nonpoint source water pollution from NFS lands in Oregon (2025) (link)
SD DANR – USDA Forest Service MOU to protect water quality and designated uses on NFS lands in South Dakota (2024) (link)
WA DOE – USDA Forest Service MOA strategy for managing and controlling point and nonpoint sources of water pollution on NFS lands in Washington (2025) (link)
WY DEQ – USDA Forest Service MOU on protecting water quality and designated uses in waterbodies on NFS lands in Wyoming (2026) (link)
WY State Engineer – BLM MOU on water rights permits and permitting procedures on BLM administered lands in Wyoming (2012) (link)
Water Rights Settlement Agreements
ID – Craters of the Moon National Monument Water Rights Agreement (1992) (link)
ID – Yellowstone National Park Agreement (link)
NM – Natural Bridges Water Rights Agreement (link)
NM – Rainbow Bridge National Park Agreement (link)
NM – Cedar Breaks National Park Agreement (link)
MT – USDA Forest Service Compact (link)
MT – National Park Service Water Rights Compact (link)
UT – Bryce Canyon National Park Water Rights Agreement (link)
UT – Arches National Park Water Rights Agreement (link)
UT – Zion National Park Water Rights Agreement (link)