Due to a variety of different methods and procedures implemented at the various levels of government, coordination can be difficult. The American Stewards for Liberty (ASL) have pointed out a process found in federal statutes to help local, state and federal governments overcome conflicts and harmonize plans to help achieve consistent policies.    

Coordination is a process found in federal statutes that requires federal, state and local governments to resolve conflicts and harmonize plans for the purpose of achieving consistent policies across the three branches of government.

ASL defines coordination as a tool available to local governments that requires the federal agencies to work toward developing and implementing federal plans consistent with state and local plans. They do this by directly coordinating these issues with the governing bodies of states and local governments prior to exercising planning decisions.                          

ASL noted that the coordination process is a continual relationship with the federal agency. It is established to address the substantive differences in policies between federal, state and local governments—not just during the development of a management plan and environmental analysis, but continuing  through the implementation of that plan.                 

ASL defines the purpose of coordination as resolving planning conflicts, where the federal agency is required to work toward making its policies consistent with local on-the-ground policies and not just ignore those that do not align with the current administration.                         

ASL said the applications of coordination are endless. It also noted that there is nothing in federal law that precludes a federal agency from coordinating with states and local governments. Additionally, there are federal laws that specifically require the federal agencies to do so.

ASL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that works to protect private property rights and the liberties they secure. It works to challenge the policies that seek to undermine Americans’ ability to produce the food, fiber, energy and minerals the country needs. It also confronts the radical environmental movement that believes the administrative state, not individuals, should determine how people use their land. It was formed through the merger of the American Land Foundation and Stewards of the Range (Stewards) in 2009.