NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP (NWCG)

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

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1. AUTHORITY

The Departments of Agriculture and the Interior are authorized to enter into cooperative agreements by the Protection Act of 1922 (42 Stat 857; 16 U.S.C. 594) and the Public Land Administration Act of 1960 (74 Stat 506; 43 U.S.C. 1361-1364). In addition, the Secretaries have entered into Memoranda of Understanding dated January 28, 1943, and February 21, 1963, to provide adequate wildfire management and protection to the lands under their respective jurisdictions. State representation is authorized by the Clarke-McNary Act of June 7, 1924, Sec 1, (43 Stat 653, 16 U.S.C. 564).

2. FUNCTION AND PURPOSE

To establish an operational group designed to coordinate programs of the participating agencies so as to avoid wasteful duplication and to provide a means of constructively working together. Its goal is to provide more effective execution of each agency's fire management program. The Group provides a formalized system to agree upon standards of training, equipment, aircraft, suppression priorities, and other operational areas.

Agreed upon policies, standards, and procedures are implemented directly through regular agency channels.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group shall consist of one official or his representative from each of the following agencies or offices:

a.	Bureau of Indian Affairs	g.	Division of Forest Fire & Atmospheric Sciences Research, Forest Service
b.	Bureau of Land Management	h.	Division of Cooperative Fire Protection, Forest Service
c.	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	i.	Boise Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service
d.	National Park Service	j.	National Association of State Foresters
e.	Boise Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Land Management
f.	Division of Fire Management, Forest Service



4. ORGANIZATION

During Calendar Year 1976 the Group will be chaired by a U.S. Department of Agriculture representative, and during Calendar Year 1977 the Group will be chaired by a U.S. Department of the Interior representative. In subsequent years, the chair will be elected from within the Group to serve a term of one year. The chair may appoint a recorder, secretary, and other officers necessary for the functioning of the Group.

5. COMMITTEES

The chair may establish working teams to carry out the functional work of the Group. The working team chair shall be selected by the vote of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Membership shall be invited from organizations having the greatest expertise and interest in the particular subject matter. Working team reports and recommendations shall be submitted to the Group for review, approval, and further action.

6. AUTHORITY OF CHAIR

The chair may call and conduct meetings, establish working teams, and submit Group recommendations to member agencies for action.

7. MEETINGS, REPORTS

Meetings shall be held at least three times a year in Washington, D.C., or other appropriate locations. The chair shall submit necessary reports and have minutes prepared for each meeting and distributed to the Group members.

8. FINANCING

Salary, travel, and incidental costs of representatives and committee members shall normally be borne by their respective agencies. Any extraordinary costs shall be covered by a written agreement among the agencies.

9. This Memorandum of Understanding is effective as of the date of the last signature. It shall remain in effect until terminated by either party upon thirty

(30) days written notice to the other.

SIGNED: ____________________________ SIGNED: __________________________________
                  Secretary of Agriculture                                                Secretary of the Interior

Date: ___________________________                 Date: ___________________________