Case Study:
Federal–State Interagency Team in North Carolina Works To Integrate
Plans and Policies
Through a series of facilitated work sessions, the Team identified their concerns and issues. Discussions helped form the mission and the top priorities of the Team. The most pressing issues they chose to tackle were the disconnection of state and federal resource agencies from long range mobility planning, deficiencies in the ongoing Section 404/NEPA Interagency Merger process, and difficulties in sharing data and information among state and federal agencies.
Their first product was a strategic plan shared across all agencies to accomplish three priority goals. One goal is to develop and fund a shared, comprehensive GIS database. A second is to develop processes and procedures for involving local, state, and federal government agencies in integrating long-range planning for mobility, economic development, and land use. A third goal is to improve the Section 404/NEPA Interagency Merger process by ensuring efficient staffing and resource allocation practices. To bring these goals to fruition, agency leaders put in motion a comprehensive timetable of activities and work teams to achieve specific accomplishments in the ensuing months.
Team meetings enabled agency leaders to develop personal relationships with members of other agencies, paving the way for improved communication and continued cooperation among agencies. “We are able find areas of confluence and look for opportunities to share activities, enhance collaboration, and create mutual benefits,” said Pete Benjamin, Ecological Services Supervisor for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Team continues to meet to ensure that their strategies are being implemented and generating the desired results, and to seek areas for improvement. Team members are using the forum to share information and keep track of new agency initiatives that may impact them. Most importantly, the communication channels established in the fall of 2004 remain open and active in 2006.
For more information, contact Steve Smutko.