The objective of the Agreement is to coordinate emergency law enforcement assistance between the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) within and around the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The NPS and the HCSO share an interest and authority for the enforcement of laws and protection of resources in and around the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

Both agencies recognize through experience that violations affecting the safety and welfare of citizens, property, and resources under their protection frequently involve individuals and groups operating across jurisdictional boundaries. Both agencies also recognize that the most effective and sometimes only method to detect, deter, and solve these crimes is through cooperative efforts. Accordingly, the NPS and the HCSO have an interest in entering into an agreement to provide emergency cooperative assistance to maintain public safety and welfare on lands and waters within and immediately surrounding Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, as both parties can mutually benefit from the expertise and resources of their respective agencies. Each party will be responsible for their own costs incurred as a result of this agreement.