Collaboration and Conflict Resolution in the environmental arena- including transportation Finding Workable Solutions Prevent │ Collaborate │ Resolve

U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution Established by U.S. Congress to assist parties in resolving conflicts or building consensus on environmental, natural resource, and public lands issues Part of the Morris K. and Stuart L. Udall Foundation –Independent federal agency of the executive branch –Board of Trustees appointed by the U.S. President –Direct Congressional funding as well as fees paid by process sponsors and participants – Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona - also D.C. office

Services  Consultations  Mediator/facilitator referrals  Assessments  Process design  Convening  Mediation/Facilitation  ECR Project management  Project-specific training  Skill-based training  ECR program development  Host national ECR conferences  Convene policy dialogues  Initiate Regional Environmental Forums  Help implement federal directives related to ECR  Help guide appropriate and effective use of technology tools

Essential Features  Institutional neutrality and independence : impartial, non- partisan assistance provided to all parties, regardless of who is providing funding for Institute services  Federal stature  Services across spectrum of collaboration. Focus on agreement seeking processes  Flexible and Responsive. Tailored Approach  Respected and well-known roster of 300+ private practitioners (Roster of ECR Practitioners) and Native Dispute Resolution Network

Areas of Emphasis Interagency/intergovernmental conflicts Multi-party high-conflict cases where an independent federal convener is needed to broker participation (e.g. St Croix River Crossing) Conflicts where area expertise is required (e.g., Illinois Section 106 Tribal –Transportation Agency Workshops) Emerging areas of conflict and pilot applications (e.g. CA ESA Pilot) Conflicts and challenges involving multiple levels of government and the public (e.g., West Eugene Parkway)

St. Croix River Crossing Collaborative problem-solving process reached agreement on: 1) a new bridge and 2) repair of historic lift bridge between Minnesota & Wisconsin over the St. Croix River at Stillwater, MN. ROD signed accordingly. Stalled negotiations were jumpstarted following a systematic conflict assessment and collaborative design effort by the U.S. Institute at FHWA’s request.

USIECR’s Involvement Asked to intervene by FHWA/ WI (Summer 2001) Conducted conflict assessment (Fall 2001) Separate decision-making for old and new bridges Use collaborative approach including all stakeholders DOI changed requirements; States re-started negotiations (Summer 2002) Facilitated selection of mediators (Fall 2002) Helped convened stakeholders (Spring 2003) Oversaw collaborative stakeholder process ( )

Additional Questions? Finding Workable Solutions Prevent │ Collaborate │ Resolve

For more information visit Questions and consultation: contact me! Joan Calcagno Senior Program Manager/Mediator