In September 2012, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) , issued a joint memorandum calling for department and agency commitment to the goals identified in the Memorandum on Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR), and the goals identified in related policy guidance.

This memorandum supersedes an OMB/CEQ joint memorandum issued in November 28, 2005, on Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR). It broadens the efforts called for under the 2005 memorandum by explicitly encouraging appropriate and effective upfront environmental collaboration to minimize or prevent conflict.

The 2005 and 2012 memoranda call upon federal departments and agencies to document their third-party assisted environmental collaboration and conflict resolution planning and implementation efforts in an annual report submitted to OMB and CEQ.

Since the 2005 and 2012 memoranda were issued, the Department of Energy and other agencies have worked collaboratively to create annual overviews of the ECR work undertaken across the federal government. 

The Department of Energy defines ECR as an ADR process which may include the use of a neutral third party, such as a mediator or facilitator to assist in the prevention or resolution of environmental disputes.  ECR may also include the use of other collaborative processes (that may not necessarily use a neutral third party) to prevent or resolve environmental disputes.

OMB/CEQ JOINT MEMORANDUMS

September 27, 2012 ( OMB CEQ ECCR Statement Sept 2012 )

November 28, 2005  ( OMB CEQ Statement Nov 2005 )

 

Annual DOE ECR Reports Available for Download

FY 2010 through FY 2013
(see Department of Energy reports at U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution) Link

4th Annual ECR 2009 Cover Letter and Report
3rd Annual ECR 2008 Cover Letter and Report
2nd Annual ECR 2007 Report
1st Annual ECR 2006 Report