EP 1165-2-502
30 Sep 99
The federal government should provide leadership in and cooperate with activities that foster the
ecosystem approach to natural resource management, protection, and assistance. Federal agencies
should ensure that they utilize their authorities in a way that facilitates, and does not pose barriers to,
the ecosystem approach. Consistent with their assigned missions, federal agencies should administer
their programs in a manner that is sensitive to the needs and rights of landowners, local communities,
and the public, and should work with them to achieve common goals.
III. BACKGROUND
In its June 1995, report entitled, The Ecosystem Approach: Healthy Ecosystem and Sustainable
Economies the Interagency Ecosystem Management Task Force set forth specific recommendations
with respect to how federal agencies could better implement the ecosystem approach. The Task Force
recommended that member agency representatives sign a memorandum of understanding affirming
their intent to implement the recommendations.
IV. THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH
Healthy and well functioning ecosystems are vital to the protection of our nation's biodiversity, to the
achievement of quality of life objectives, and to the support of economies and communities. The
ecosystem approach recognizes the interrelationship between healthy ecosystems and sustainable
economies. It is a common sense way for federal agencies to carry out their mandates with greater
efficiency and effectiveness. The approach emphasizes:
Striving to consider all relevant and identifiable ecological and economic consequences (Long term
as well as short term).
Improving coordination among federal agencies.
Forming partnerships between federal, state, and local governments, Indian tribes, landowners,
foreign Governments international organizations, and other stakeholders.
Improving communication with the general public.
Carrying out federal responsibilities more efficiently and cost-effective.
Basing decisions on the best science.
Improving information and data management.
Adjusting management direction as new information becomes available.
V. THE COOPERATORS AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
A-2
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