SECTION VI - COORDINATION AND PARTNERING
WITH OTHER AGENCIES

6.01 GENERAL

A high degree of coordination has been maintained with federal and state agencies and other organizations since Wappapello Lake was in the early planning stages. These agencies continue to be actively involved with the Corps in the planning and coordination process. The primary agencies providing input to this updated document include the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. A brief summary of the coordination and partnering process, both present and historical, is contained in the following paragraphs.

6.02 FEDERAL AGENCIES

1. U.S. Forest Service. This agency is responsible for the administration of the Mark Twain National Forest that adjoins Corps managed land at Wappapello Lake.




Forest fire suppression on Corps' land is an item of mutual interest between our agencies. The Forest Service continues to cooperate with the Corps in the suppression of wildfires on public land. The Forest Service also coordinates land management practices on property adjacent to Corps property.



Close cooperation has also been maintained on the development and operation of the Ozark Trail system that crosses back and fourth between the two agencies administering land.



2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Close cooperation has been maintained with this agency, specifically with the nearby Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Information is exchanged in relation to habitat manipulation techniques and with implementation of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. In addition, coordination is maintained on moist soil and wetland management and the use of natural foods in lieu of supplemental planting for wildlife. The Corps will continue to cooperate with this agency to assure optimal habitat maintenance at the lake and on projects impacting wildlife issues. They also assist in evaluating endangered/threatened species status on project.



3. U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service. This agency is consulted regularly with regard to agricultural management programs on public land. Specific information is obtained regarding cooperative plans, tillage techniques, pond construction, design, and location, Johnson grass control, and agricultural leases. A Memorandum of Understanding between the agency and the Corps for a soil survey of Wayne County is presently in effect. Continuing coordination with this agency is being maintained.



4. National Park Service. The National Park Service keeps and maintains The National Register of Historic Places, and determines eligibility for inclusion in the National Register. The National Park Service also has a staff of consulting archaeologists who are available for guidance concerning cultural resource management planning and procedures for impact mitigation.



5. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. This agency is a division of the Executive Office and serves in an advisory capacity to the President. The Advisory Council reviews and comments upon Federal Agencies' findings of "adverse effect" and "no adverse effect" to cultural properties which may result from construction, operation, and maintenance projects. The Council also comments and provides guidance on Federal Agencies' proposals to avoid or mitigate adverse effects.

6.03 STATE OF MISSOURI

1. Missouri Department of Conservation. This agency has a long history of involvement in the management of lands surrounding Wappapello Lake. They perform fish and wildlife management activities on an 1880-acre area licensed to the Department, the Chollo Holly Wildlife Management Area. This agency also bears the responsibility of enforcing the Missouri Wildlife Code such as, fish and game regulations, firearm codes, and for suppression of all wildfires in the state, including those on Corps administered public lands. Close coordination with the Department of Conservation will continue to be of primary importance. A more detailed description of the Chollo Holly Wildlife Management area is contained in paragraph 8-04, b.1.



2. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This agency is responsible for parks and recreation on an 1854-acre leased area at Lake Wappapello State Park. Facilities are maintained as a complementary addition to Corps' managed recreation areas. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized under a license to operate and maintain a backpacking/equestrian trail on lands adjacent to and within State Park lease. A more detailed description of this area is contained in paragraph 8-03d.




Coordination is also maintained through this agency with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). This office provides information and guidance regarding the protection and preservation of cultural resources and assists in making determination of eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.



The Corps coordinates with the DNR regarding the construction and operation of wastewater treatment facilities, the maintenance of effluents (NPDES & Operating permits), drinking water and clean water quality standards.



3. Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP): A Memorandum of Agreement is in place with MSHP, the Missouri State Water Patrol, the Missouri Division of Highway Safety, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, and St. Louis, Little Rock, Memphis, Rock Island, and Kansas City Districts of the Corps of Engineers. This partnership provides a mutually beneficial opportunity for each agency to revolutionize the effectiveness of their safety education/awareness programs through such initiatives at the safety billboards across Missouri.



4. Missouri State Water Patrol (MSWP): A partner as stated in paragraph C, the agency also enforces boating laws and all other violation of state law on Corps of Engineers' property.



5. Missouri Division of Highway Safety: A partner as stated in paragraph C.



6. Missouri Department of Public Safety: A partner as stated in paragraph C.



7. University of Missouri. A hydrometerologic research study is being conducted by this agency on a 489-acre area lease from the Corps. Information gained from this study aids in making sound management decisions. A more detailed description of this area is contained in paragraph 8-04, C, 1.

6.04 OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

1. Wayne and Butler Counties: Coordination with these local governmental bodies continues to be conducted as action/plans of mutual interest and/or impacts are developed at Wappapello Lake. A Memorandum of Understanding was developed in 1986 with the identification of Wayne County roads within the project. Cooperative agreements are also maintained with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and the Butler County Sheriff's Department for them to provide additional law enforcement services on Corps administered public lands. These agreements have proven to be highly successful and will be continued.



2. Wappapello Volunteer Fire Department: A Memorandum of Agreement with this agency is in place to suppress fires in Corps owned structures and visitor property and to assist in the suppression of forest and/or brush fires which immediately threaten Corps owned structures within their jurisdiction. Continued coordination will be maintained as required.



3. Chaonia Volunteer Fire Department: A Memorandum of Agreement with this agency is in place to suppress fires in Corps owned structures and visitor property and to assist in the suppression of forest and/or brush fires which immediately threaten Corps owned structures within their jurisdiction. Continued coordination will be maintained as required.



4. The Nature Conservancy: A Memorandum of Understanding has been in effect since 1995 between the Corps and this non-profit organization to provide information and technical assistance on project lands that have significant ecological value. The Nature Conservancy has helped developed a management plan for the Johnson Tract Glade and Deep Muck Fen areas on the project.



5. Missouri Equine Council (MEC): A Memorandum of Agreement is in place with MEC for the purpose of promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources. The goal of this agreement is to allow each project within the St. Louis District to develop a Challenge Cost Share Agreement for the purpose of developing and maintaining multi-use areas.



6. Wappapello Lions Club: A cooperative agreement is in place with the Wappapello Lions Club to operate a portable sales area in the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center. This non-profit organization is to produce and make available to visitors by sale or free distribution, suitable interpretive and educational literature and aids to increase the visitors understanding and appreciation of natural history, cultural, historical and man-made features of the Wappapello Lake Project and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition a volunteer agreement is place for the Lions Club to collect, maintain, and recycle aluminum cans at various recreation areas.



7. Natural Resource Career Camp (NRCC): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been developed with all partners involved with NRCC. This MOU is supported by the U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln University, University of Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Conservation Federation of Missouri and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the NRCC targeted African American youth in a pilot project concentrating on the eight county bootheel area of Missouri. The purpose of this program is to expose these youth to the field of Natural Resources. Because of its success, this program is now available to any minority youth throughout the state of Missouri.



8. Wappapello Lake Water Safety Program: Partnering is a key element in the success of the water safety program at Wappapello Lake. This program has received national recognition at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit. In addition, Wappapello Lake was the first recipient of the Corps of Engineers Water Safety Award (lifeline). This traveling award was initiated because of the outstanding efforts that were incorporated in the Wappapello Lake water safety program. The number of partnerships has increased tremendously each year. Such partners include hospitals, utility companies, grocery stores, banks, marinas, shopping centers, fast food restaurants, other federal agencies, and local agencies, etc. each contributes toward promoting water safety in its own way thereby enhancing our capabilities to do more with less. In addition, a water safety council has been established at Wappapello Lake. Its purpose is to help develop and implement an effective plan to reduce the number of water related accidents and facilities in the Southeast Missouri Region.



9. Other partners include the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, Camp SEMO, City of Greenville, Spillway Café, Shook Store, Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, Sears Youth Center, Mingo Job Corps, St. Louis Drag Boat Association, local businesses for the purpose of selling Annual Day use passes, and Chambers of Commerce from adjoining towns.




In addition, five marinas are operated on the lake. These marinas provide services to the public that may not otherwise be provided by the federal, state or local governments. Reference section 11-2, Marinas.



Continue to Section VII -- Resource Use Objectives