HomeMy WebLinkAboutManhattan Project National Historical Park Memorandum of AgreementMemorandum of Agreement
Between the
United States Department of the Interior
and the
United States Department of Energy
for the
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
This Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) is entered into by and between the Secretary of
the Interior (DOI) and the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to implement § 3039 of the Carl Levin and
Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Act),
Pub. L. No. 113-291. Among other things, the Act directs the two Secretaries to enter into an
agreement governing their respective roles in administering the facilities and areas under the
DOE's administrative jurisdiction that are included in the Manhattan Project National Historical
Park (Park). In accordance with § 3039(f) of the Act and in partnership with the Secretary of
Energy as set forth in this Agreement, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National
Park Service (NPS), will administer the Park in accordance with the Act and this Agreement.
Article I — Background and Purpose
The NPS's mission is to promote and regulate the use of the National Park System by means and
measures that conform to the fundamental purpose of the System units, which purpose is to
conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wild life in the System units and to
provide for the enjoyment of the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wild life in such
manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations.
The DOE's mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy,
environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
The purposes of the Act are to preserve and protect for the benefit of present and future
generations the nationally significant historic resources associated with the Manhattan Project; to
improve public understanding of the Manhattan Project and its legacy through interpretation of
the historic resources associated with the Manhattan Project; to enhance public access to the Park
established under the Act consistent with protection of public safety, national security, and other
aspects of the DOE's mission; and to assist the DOE, communities, historical societies, and other
interested organizations and individuals in efforts to preserve and protect the historically
significant resources associated with the Manhattan Project.
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Article IX — Dispute Resolution
If a dispute arises between the Parties related to this Agreement then the Parties will exercise
their best efforts to resolve the dispute at the lowest possible administrative level. The Parties'
Site Representatives will initially confer and try to resolve the matter. If the Site Representatives
are unsuccessful, they will refer the matter to their Principal Representatives. If the Principal
Representatives are unsuccessful, they will, as a matter of last resort, refer the matter to the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy for resolution.
Article X — Standard Clauses
A. No obligation of funds: Nothing in this Agreement obligates, or is intended to
obligate, either Party to expend, exchange, or reimburse fends, services, or supplies; transfer or
receive anything of value; or enter into any contract, assistance agreement, interagency
agreement, or other financial obligation. Any transfer of funds between the Parties will be
accomplished through future interagency agreements.
B. Subject to applicable law: This Agreement and the Parties' performance of their
obligations under it are subject to all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies now or
hereafter in force.
C. Not legally enforceable: This Agreement is intended only to guide the Parties'
management of the Park in accordance with the Act and other applicable law. It is not intended
to, and does not, create any rights enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United
States, its departments or agencies, or its officers, employees, or agents.
Article XI — Authorizing Signatures
In witness hereof, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy have signed this
Agreement on the date(s) indicated below, thereby executing it.
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Sally Jewell Date '
Secretary of e Interior
Ernest Moniz Date
Secretary of Energy