Government-to-Government Coordination meetings between federal agencies and State and local governments are the primary forum where issues can be discussed and resolution reached in order to harmonize the respective jurisdictions plans, programs and policies. These meetings are:
Open Public Meetings: Discussion is government-to-government, without public participation. However, the discussions are open to the public so they can be fully apprised of the issues and positions of each government entity. This helps members of the public be better informed when submitting public comments.
Follows Published Agenda: Normally the Local Government proposes a draft agenda for the federal agency to review and add to prior to its publication.
Permanent Record Retained: A transcript and/or minutes are kept of the discussion and decisions.
Chaired by the Local Government.
____________________________________________________________
How Coordination Works for Planning Issues:
(Example: Development of a Land Use Plan or Resource Management Plan on Federal Lands with a Local government entitiy)
Beginning:
- Review local plans, policies and programs
- Identify possible conflicts
- Needs and goals of local governments
During:
- Conflicts between plans identified and solutions discussed
- Face-to-face meetings continue for all major decision points
- The local governments position on alternatives included as a part of the plan analysis provided to the public for comment
Final:
- Local government reviews final plan prior to public release and notifies agency of inconsistencies
- Consistency must be met by agency, or an explanation provided as to why the agency cannot be consistent with the local plan
______________________________________________________________
How Coordination Works for an Inventory Process
(Example: Inventory for Lands with Wilderness Characteristics and Areas of Environmental Concern)
Beginning:
- Review local government plans, policies and programs
- Identify possible conflicts
- Identify the needs and goals of the local government
- Process and criteria for inventory gathering process determined
During:
- Agencies inventory decisions shared with local governments at least 120 days prior to public comment process
- Conflicts with local plans identified and resolved
- Face-to-face meetings continue for all major decision points
Final:
- Local government provides agency with written determination of those designations that comply and conflict with local plans, policies and programs
- Special designations that conflict should be removed, or explanation provided as to why the agency cannot be consistent with the local determination.
