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<br />MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR EDWARDS <br />AQUIFER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM <br /> <br />This Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") is intended to serve as the Memorandum of <br />Agreement for the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (the "Program") under <br />the Endangered Species Act and as the Memorandum of Agreement required by Senate Bill 3. It <br />is made and agreed to by the Parties signing below and is effective on the Effective Date. The <br />Parties will work together in good faith and cooperation to achieve the purposes and goals <br />provided in the following provisions of this MOA. <br /> <br />Article 1. Purposes <br /> <br />Section 1.1. The purpose of this MOA is to formally initiate the development and <br />implementation of the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program. The Program is a <br />collaborative initiative among stakeholders to participate in efforts to contribute to the recovery <br />of the Edwards Species, develop aquifer management measures, and develop conservation <br />measures for the Edwards Aquifer. <br /> <br />Section 1.2. During the 80th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 3, <br />establishing, among other things, minimum requirements applicable to the Program. It is the <br />intent of the Parties to comply with those minimum requirements and to build upon them to <br />ensure that the Program is as effective and as inclusive as is reasonably possible, while also <br />maintaining compliance with applicable provisions of the Endangered Species Act. <br /> <br />Section 1.3. The Parties acknowledge that Program efforts will be mindful of minimizing <br />impacts on other protected species when advancing Program initiatives. The Parties also <br />acknowledge the necessity of finding ways to balance the Program's contribution to recovery of <br />Edwards Species with human water needs, while maintaining compliance with applicable <br />provisions of the Endangered Species Act. <br /> <br />Article 2. Goals <br /> <br />Section 2.1. The goals of the Program, which are intended to be broadly interpreted, include, <br />but are not limited to, the following: <br /> <br />(a) review, develop, and implement sound scientific research, analysis and other <br />measures which contribute to understanding and meeting the needs of the Edwards <br />Species; <br />(b) review, develop, and implement strategies which balance the needs of the Edwards <br />Species with overall water use and supply in the Edwards Aquifer region; <br />(c) develop and complete an implementing agreement by December 31, 2009; <br />(d) develop and complete a program document by September 1,2012, that shall take <br />effect December 31, 2012, and may be in the form of a habitat conservation plan for the <br />Edwards Species; <br />(e) implement the program document; and <br /> <br />December 13,2007 <br /> <br />1 <br />