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American Heritage
Rivers Initiative
Partnership Agreement
between
the St. Johns River Community, State, Regional and Federal Agencies
I. Background and Purpose
The 310-mile St. Johns River in the State of Florida was officially
designated an American Heritage River(1)
by the President of the United States on July 30, 1998 in recognition of
its ecological, historic, economic and cultural significance. It is mutually
agreed that the signatory partners (federal agencies, state agencies, and
the river community) enter into this agreement to work together to preserve
and enhance the water quality, and ecological and cultural resources along
the St. Johns River, to stimulate economic revitalization, and to cooperate
with other state, local and federal agencies to serve their common interest
in the St. Johns River. This is a general agreement; more specific contracts,
grants and other agreements among various signatories may follow in order
to implement specific projects related to this agreement. Federal agencies
enter into this agreement for all the purposes stated above, to the extent
allowed by law and agency policy, including staffing and funding.
This agreement shall not constitute any change in the existing land use, water use or water
and air quality controls enacted by federal, state or local governments with jurisdiction
over or along the St. Johns River; nor shall this agreement be construed to beneficially or
adversely affect the property rights of land owners. In and of itself, the American Heritage
Rivers designation of the St. John's River does not bring any new federal regulations, however,
this agreement shall not impede affected state, local or federal governments from
fully exercising any regulatory authority they may already have or hereafter acquire independent
of this agreement. It is not intended to transfer funds to or from the Federal agencies
that are signatories to the agreement.
1. At the request of Representative
Cliff Stearns, the portion of the St. Johns River that runs through his Congressional district is not
included in the designation of the St. Johns River as an American Heritage River. Prior to
the designation of the St. Johns River as an American Heritage River, Representative Dave
Weldon requested that the portion of the St. Johns River that runs through his Congressional
district not be included in the designation. On March 4, 1999, Mr. Weldon withdrew his
objections to the inclusion of this portion of the river in the AHR designation. The AHR partners
will include members from this portion of the river community in planning discussion as the
process proceeds to include it in the official designation.
II. Partnership Structure
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee for the St. Johns River American Heritage River Initiative
(AHRI) will consist of the following or their delegates: the Executive Director of the St. Johns
River Water Management District, the Directors of the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Northeast Florida District and Central Florida District, the Mayor of the
City of Jacksonville (principal nominator of the St. Johns River application for the AHRI), a
representative from each of the Advisory Committees, and representatives from the
river community. Representatives of Federal agencies will not be members of the Steering
Committee. The River Navigator (see below) will be the liaison between Federal agencies
and the Steering Committee and will communicate the goals and priorities of the river
community from the Steering Committee to Federal agencies that may be able to assist the
river community. Notifications of Steering Committee meetings will be published in local
newspapers, meetings will be open to the public, and minutes will be kept and made
available to the public.
Advisory Committees
Advisory Committees will be established for each of the three basins of the river (Lower,
Middle and Upper, as defined by the St. Johns Water Management District) to identify
needs and priorities for their respective portions of the river. Membership of these advisory
committees will be determined through a locally-led process, beginning with local
government officials who will make nominations to the Steering Committee. Appointments will
be made solely through the local process and not on the basis of recommendations
made by the River Navigator or any other representative of Federal agencies. The three Advisory
Committees will include local government officials, representatives from the
environmental community, business community, tourism community, agricultural community,
recreational interests, historic/cultural interests and citizens from the respective areas.
Representatives of Federal agencies will not be members of the advisory committees.
The purpose of the Advisory Committees is to provide advice to the Steering Committee and
not to make recommendations to EPA or any other Federal agency. The Advisory
Committees will set meeting schedules and advertise the meetings in local newspapers. Meetings
will be open to the public and minutes of meetings will be kept and made available
to the public. The Advisory Committees will make recommendations to the Steering Committee
which will communicate with the River Navigator.
Federal Agencies
The National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4332(g), authorizes Federal agencies to
provide States, counties, municipalities, institutions and individuals with advice and
information useful in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of the environment.
Executive Order 13061 establishes the American Heritage Rivers Initiative and
encourages agencies to support community efforts under the Initiative. Federal agencies included
in this agreement are: the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service, Natural
Resource Conservation Service, and Rural Development), Department of Commerce (Economic
Development Administration), Department of Defense (Army Corps of Engineers),
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Interior (National Park
Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey), the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the Small Business Administration, and any other signatory federal
departments or agencies that could assist in carrying out and implementing priorities and
plans defined by the river community. Upon request, Federal signatory agencies may provide
programmatic and technical advice to the Steering and Advisory Committees, to the
extent such advice is consistent with a federal agency's authorities and funding.
State and Regional Agencies
tate agencies include the Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River
Water Management District, and the State Historic Preservation Office and any other
signatory state departments, agencies and programs that could assist in carrying out and
implementing priorities and plans defined by the river community. Besides serving on the
Steering Committee as described above, state and regional signatory agencies will provide
programmatic and technical advice to the Steering and Advisory Committees, when
requested.
Sponsoring Federal Agency - Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall be the sponsor agency. EPA has broad
authority under environmental statutes to cooperate with state and local governments and
private agencies in efforts to protect the environment. Subject to the availability of funds, the
sponsor agency will assign a River Navigator to the St. Johns River for a period of up
to five years.
St. Johns River Community
The river community consists of the nominating city, the City of Jacksonville, Florida, as
well as local governments along the banks of the entire stretch of the St. Johns River, area
government agencies, business, agricultural, historic/cultural, recreation, environmental, tourism,
and community groups and citizens (except as excluded by U.S. Congressional
Representatives-see footnote page 1).
River Navigator
As appropriate, the navigator will (1) provide information regarding the availability of
federal assistance for projects which support the river community's plan and priorities for the
St. Johns River (2) serve as liaison between the river community, the federal government, the
state and local governments and private sector interests, (3) provide other informational services,
(4) offer technical advice (5) serve as a community facilitator.
Membership Expansion and Cooperative Assistance
Any organization that offers assistance to the St. Johns River community in implementing
plans consistent with the goals of the American Heritage River Initiative may become a party to
this agreement with the concurrence of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may
request assistance from all federal, state and local agencies and programs, regardless of
membership status, that, in the opinion of the Committee, would advance the purposes of the St.
Johns River designation as an American Heritage River. This document in no way restricts any
individuals or agencies party to this agreement from participating in similar activities with any
public or private agencies, organizations or individuals.
III. Goals and Responsibilities
The federal agencies and river community will foster appropriate action to enhance the St.
Johns River and improve the quality of life in communities along its banks. As appropriate, the
federal and state partners will assist the community in identifying possible funding and/or
cost-share sources to support projects and programs identified by the river community to
improve the river; provide technical support to the river community; coordinate federal and state
efforts through a partnership to support the vision and goals of the river community; and
facilitate outreach and information on American Heritage River projects.
The river community will provide forums for public discussion and identify plans to enhance
the St. Johns River. Projects and initiatives within the partnership will undergo appropriate state
and local review processes, ensuring that all state and local requirements are met. This is not a
fiscal or funds obligation document. No party to the agreement may submit a claim for
compensation to any Federal agency for activities taken in furtherance of this agreement. Any
transaction involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between parties to this document
will be handled separately in accordance with laws and procedures applicable to that particular
transaction.
IV. Evaluation of Success
The signatories agree to periodically review progress made under this agreement and
renegotiate the agreement, if necessary, to ensure that the American Heritage Rivers partnership
effort is meeting the river community's needs
V. Terms and Modifications of the Agreement
This Agreement shall be effective when signed by all parties for five years from that date.
Any party may recommend modifications to this agreement. However, the modifications will be
effective only upon written concurrence of a majority of signatories hereto.
VI. Termination
Any party may withdraw from this agreement at any time, providing sixty days notice to the
other parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE PARTIES HERETO HAVE EXECUTED THIS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES LISTED BELOW:
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