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

ContentsDirector’s Message _____________________________________________________________ viiSection 1. Introduction ___________________________________________________________ 1The BLM’s Statutory Reponsibilities ______________________________________________ 1The Challenges of Federal Land Management ______________________________________ 2Section 2. Implementation of the Cooperating Agency Relationship ________________________ 7The Role of CAs _____________________________________________________________ 7Eligibility for CA Status ________________________________________________________ 8Eligibility of Tribes ____________________________________________________________ 9Invitations To Participate _______________________________________________________ 9How To Establish Participation _________________________________________________ 11The Role of CAs in the NEPA Process ___________________________________________ 11The Role of CAs in the Planning Process _________________________________________ 11Section 3. Preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding _____________________________ 17Section 4. Cooperating Agency Relationships: Frequently Asked Questions ________________ 21Qualifying Organizations ______________________________________________________ 21Criteria for CA eligibility ____________________________________________________ 21Federal agencies _________________________________________________________ 22State agencies ___________________________________________________________ 23Local governments _______________________________________________________ 23Tribal governments _______________________________________________________ 23Intergovernmental organizations _____________________________________________ 24The Establishment of Working Relationships ______________________________________ 25Consensus and collaboration in the CA relationship ______________________________ 25CA relationships and schedules ______________________________________________ 26CA roles in preparing RMPs and EISs _________________________________________ 27CAs and multistate projects _________________________________________________ 28The creation of MOUs _____________________________________________________ 28Informal alternatives to the CA relationship _____________________________________ 29The role of a joint lead agency _______________________________________________ 29Financial support for the CA relationship _______________________________________ 30Termination of the CA relationship ____________________________________________ 30Other Requirements and Challenges ____________________________________________ 31Meeting coordination and consistency requirements ______________________________ 31Information sharing _______________________________________________________ 34FACA compliance ________________________________________________________ 35CA meetings ____________________________________________________________ 36Protests and appeals ______________________________________________________ 36The BLM’s role as a CA ____________________________________________________ 36Section 5. Resources and Training _________________________________________________ 43Resources _________________________________________________________________ 43Training ___________________________________________________________________ 43BLM • A Desk Guide to Cooperating Agency Relationships and Coordination with Intergovernmental Partners • 2012iii