Working With Government Agencies
“You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
-Proverb
As conservation advocates, we are accustomed to working with government agencies, but all too often as combatants, rather than allies. Perhaps more than others, the issue of wildlife conservation and transportation lends itself to working collaboratively with government agencies, at the local, state and federal level. We have all been in situations where we want to reach across those physical, political or ideological boundaries and just do something.
When faced with an impasse, why not try a non-traditional approach? If you are fortunate enough to have positive relationships with your agencies, you understand the value of good communication. If your group has quarreled with agencies in the past, building communication and relationships may be more difficult. Extend the olive branch. They may be looking forward to mending ties with the public and just waiting for the chance.
While oversight and opposition should remain important tools in every advocate’s toolbox, here are some tips on improving your working relationship with government agencies:
1. Understand the agency’s mission
Transportation agencies have an important mission—safely and efficiently moving people and goods from one place to another. Yes, they have a moral, if not legal obligation to do so in the least environmentally destructive way possible and it’s our job to continue reminding them of that fact. But if we are going to be effective in our mission, it is in our best interest to remember their mission.
Keep in mind, transportation professionals are not typically conservationists. They did not study wildlife biology in college and protecting wildlife is not necessarily their priority. They studied civil engineering, traffic dynamics, physics, statistics or community planning and their priority is building infrastructure. But we all have one thing in common—none of us went to school to sit behind a desk, write memos, fill out forms or sit through endless meetings.
2. Find allies within the agencies
Just because they didn’t go to school to be wildlife conservationists doesn’t mean there are no transportation professionals who care about wildlife or natural resources. In fact, there is a growing cadre of trained biologists and ecologists working within transportation agencies, most of whom are working in the environmental compliance divisions. Others may be outdoorsmen, recreationists or simply conscientious citizens who recognize the devastating impacts of highways, and actively seek solutions. Depending upon the agency and their position within the agency, they may or may not be in a position to publicly vocalize their concerns. As such, they may welcome the chance to forge an alliance with a proactive group such as yours that can help them realize their ambitions. Agency allies can also be valuable sources of information on how the organization functions, who is who, where to find answers and when the best time is to act. When working with agency allies, always respect their time, position and anonymity, at their request. Finally, be sure to show gratitude and recognize their contributions.
(text box) One of the best ways to improve interagency coordination is a transportation-funded liaison or coordinator in your state resource or wildlife agencies. If your state transportation agency does not support liaison staff, suggest that they do.
3. Learn their language
As conservationists, we have our own language. We know a Section 7 from a Section 9, we know a BO from a CE, and we can spot a Section 404 violation from twenty paces. But do you know LOS from ADT? Do you know the shelf life of a LRTP? Take time to understand some basic fundamentals of the world of transportation. Be an informed participant with credibility on the subject matter. Be prepared, consistent and articulate in all your communication with agency staff.
4. Keep lines of communication open
Throughout the course of your campaign or project, your relationship with the agency may hit an occasional snag. For instance, perhaps a draft EIS doesn’t contain language that you had hoped for, essential funding fell through or maybe a negative story appears in the local paper and causes hard feelings between your group and the agency. Don’t lose hope and don’t let the issue fester–contact the agency as soon as possible and request a meeting.
Without losing sight of your ultimate conservation goal, ask yourself if this unforeseen event will completely derail your campaign. Be honest about your disappointment, but discuss how to move forward productively.
If your transportation agency is improving on wildlife issues, recognize their efforts. Consider nominating them for one of the many transportation award programs.
5. Be aware of power imbalances
You may find yourself with seemingly little or no influence over key decision-makers or crucial outcomes. You will never have more money than your government counterparts. You may never know more about the inside game of road-building or transportation policy than they do. However, power comes in many forms and you might have more than you think. Understand the law pertaining to the issue, mobilize diverse partners and stay in the game.
Agencies You Should Get to Know
- State transportation agency
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)
- Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
- Local planners
- State wildlife agency (Fish & Game department, division of wildlife, department of natural resources)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of Interior
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture
- National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior
Keep in mind that these agencies don’t always see eye to eye either. Suggest a truce with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), a non-regulatory agreement between two or more agencies. Download this MOA template (PDF) and tailor it to your needs.
Helpful Hints From Agency Staff
Several transportation and resource agency professionals generously offered the following nuggets of wisdom and advice to conservationists working on wildlife and transportation conflicts:
- Have an understanding of the limitations of agency personnel and advocate effectively with your actions (e.g., volunteer to help where appropriate) rather than by rhetoric.
- There is a lot of potential to achieve good things, but it will take many years and lots of persistence by advocates and agencies.
- Be patient, polite and persistent.
- Become a local and be sensitive to local values.
- Try not to consider negotiations as an “Us vs. Them” scenario.
- Get past stereotyping. Don’t be overly pessimistic about working with transportation agencies.
- Look for conservation opportunities at the planning, corridor and project levels.
- Be clear about what you want. Don’t just ask for less impacts and more mitigation. Be clear about the goals you are seeking, the specific outcomes or project attributes you support and why.
- Be willing to invest in the solution. What are you bringing to the table to help create a solution?
- I’m here to help. Call if you need me.
Hall of Fame
Vermont is Keeping Track
A walk in the woods can open up a whole new world, if you have the right guide. To enlighten staff from all departments and levels, Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (VTrans) conducts annual habitat connectivity training with Keeping TrackŪ, a non-profit conservation organization based in northern New England. Since 2002, approximately 65 VTrans staff completed a special “Habitats and Highways” program. Participants are introduced to the habitats and needs of various native species, from moose and black bear to wood turtles and salamanders. Exposure to wildlife allows staff to see their work in another context and empowers them to reduce the impacts roads have on wildlife and habitat. “Far beyond my expectations, each department brought to the program a great diversity of personnel, from planners to engineers and executives down to junior staff. Not all of them were card-carrying natural resource enthusiasts when they began!” remarked Keeping Track director, Susan Morse. Inspired by Vermont’s success, New Hampshire and Maine recently began their own Keeping Track programs.
Contact Keeping Track about providing training in your state or area of interest. Offer to help with this and other similar training, field trips or interdisciplinary, cross-training exercises among transportation, resource and conservation interests.
Additional Resources
Collaboration: A Guide for Environmental Advocates
How to Complain: Guidelines for Resolving Complaints
Comment Letter Template to State DOT about Long-Range Transportation Plan
Template of comment letter from organization or individual to state transportation agency concerning the state's Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
