Coordination is a formal process that requires federal land management agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), to work closely with state and local governments when making decisions that impact public lands. Unlike informal consultation or public comment periods, coordination mandates that federal agencies meaningfully consider and address the concerns and policies of local governments during the planning and decision-making processes.
Under various federal laws, including the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), coordination obligates federal agencies to engage directly with local governments to align federal land use plans with local policies wherever possible. This process involves sharing information, analyzing the impacts of proposed actions, and making genuine efforts to resolve conflicts between federal plans and local policies. The issue however, is coordination is only done with land use plans such as Resource Management Plans for the BLM and Land Management Plans for the Forest Service.
The primary goals of coordination are to enhance transparency, ensure that local communities have a substantial voice in decisions affecting their lands and resources, and reduce conflicts by addressing concerns early in the planning process. Effective coordination helps create balanced land management strategies that protect local interests, preserve access for recreation, and ensure sustainable resource use on federal public lands.
Coordination requirements need to be expanded for all federal land management, not just for large land use plans that happen once every few decades. Sign the petition below to support requirement that agencies coordinate with local governments for all federal land management.
