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

BLM • A Desk Guide to Cooperating Agency Relationships and Coordination with Intergovernmental Partners • 201228processes for subsequent implementationactivities.CAs and multistate projects► What are some tips for dealing withCAs on multistate projects?The project manager should take responsibilityfor drafting key documents, such as lettersof invitation and the MOU, to ensure thatall agencies and governments receive aconsistent message about the nature of theproject and their opportunity for signing on asa CA. Correspondence to potential CAs isusually best issued by the appropriate stateoffi ce over the State Director’s signature.Managing the administrative record can beparticularly challenging on multistate projects.The project manager should ensure thatprocedures are in place for maintaining acomplete administrative record, includingcorrespondence with potential and actual CAs.► How does the potential role of aCA differ when participating in an EISfor a multistate project as comparedwith participation in a localized planor project?The CA role involves a signifi cant commitmentof time and resources. Local governmentsmay not fi nd it advantageous to participate ascooperators in large projects that encompassissues not specifi c to their interests. Theinterest of local governments in a multistateproject such as an electric transmissionline, for example, may be limited to a fewmiles of the right-of-way that affects theirjurisdiction, but may not include discussionsabout endangered species in a distant State.This type of concern may be addressed byspeaking with project staff or the local fi eldmanager in a meeting specifi cally called toaddress these issues, rather than requestingCA status.The creation of MOUs► Is a single MOU or are multiple,separate MOUs preferable for largeprojects involving many cooperators?While a single MOU signed by multipleCAs may be a very effi cient approachto establishing CA relationships, it doeshave limitations. If a single MOU is to beeffective, CAs must have similar roles andresponsibilities that can be adequatelydescribed in the single agreement, and allparties must be willing to sign jointly. In someinstances, CAs may have unique or specifi ccircumstances that would be better describedin individual MOUs. Some CAs may also beunwilling to sign a joint MOU with other CAs.► Are variations in the BLM’s ModelMOU acceptable?Yes, in fact adapting the Model MOU isencouraged. CAs should be fully engagedin the drafting of an MOU. The BLM’s ModelMOU is intended to be used only as a guide.The BLM’s Model MOU outlines certainessential elements that should be includedin all MOUs as a basis for an effective CArelationship. The BLM and CAs should worktogether to ensure that the agreed on MOUrefl ects their unique working relationship andthe tasks at hand.► Are there other uses for MOUsbesides establishing CArelationships?Yes. The BLM has used MOUs for manypurposes. For example, MOUs havedescribed the relationship between the BLMand other Federal, State, local, or tribal entitieson land use plan implementation. SuchMOUs outline roles, priorities, and timelinesfor actions needed to implement land use plandecisions and to monitor the effectiveness ofthose actions at meeting established goalsand objectives. In a few instances, MOUshave also described the coordination betweenthe BLM and other units of government asprovided under FLPMA for the BLM’s land