BLM Desk Guide to Cooperating Agency Relationships - National ...

Section 1IntroductionSection 1. IntroductionIn the American political system, differentspheres of government—Federal, State,local, and tribal—have their respective areasof responsibility, authority, and expertise.As a result, the need for cooperation in themanagement of public lands and resources isespecially critical. This Guide describes onetool for creating more effective governmentpartnerships: the lead agency–cooperatingagency relationship (referred to in this Guideas the “cooperating agency (CA) relationship”)and its application to the planning andenvironmental analysis responsibilities ofthe Bureau of Land Management (BLM).While this Guide is primarily concerned withimplementing formal CA relationships inpreparing resource management plans (RMPs)and environmental analyses, collaborationwith State, tribal, and local governments—aswell as with other Federal agencies—shouldalso be standard practice at the BLM for allland use planning and related implementationactivities.Section 1 of this Guide introduces the CArelationship and describes the opportunitiesand challenges this approach presents for theBLM and its government partners.Section 2 describes the CA provisions of theBLM’s planning and National EnvironmentalPolicy Act (NEPA) regulations and guidance,reviews CA eligibility criteria, and describes theappropriate roles for CAs at various steps inthe BLM’s planning and NEPA processes.Section 3 describes key elements of aneffective memorandum of understanding(MOU) establishing a CA relationship.Section 4 provides answers to frequentlyasked questions regarding effective workingrelationships with CAs.Section 5 describes sources of informationand training that can help support effectiveinteractions between the BLM and its CApartners.The BLM’s StatutoryResponsibilitiesThe CA relationship is distinctive, movingbeyond consultation to engage offi cialsand staff of other agencies and levels ofgovernment in working partnerships. The CAsshare skills and resources to help shape BLMland use plans and environmental analysesthat better refl ect the policies, needs, andconditions of their jurisdictions and the citizensthey represent.The CA relationship provides a framework forintergovernmental efforts by:• Gaining early and consistent involvementof CA partners• Incorporating local knowledge of economic,social, and environmental conditions, aswell as Federal, State, local, and tribal landuse requirements• Addressing intergovernmental issues• Avoiding duplication of effort1