Challenges & Opportunities

Collaborative Planning

Even with the best internal planning by land management agencies, as large land-owners in the West they are subject to a great degree of external scrutiny by other agencies, organizations, and the public regarding their land-use activities. Since conflicting visions for the land and its resources can significantly delay or constrain landowner choices, resolution of conflicts is essential and avoidance of conflicts is preferred.

Over the past 20 years, collaborative planning has proven to be a valuable tool in land and water management. Collaborative planning is a process where-by individuals, agencies, and organizations, often with widely varied interests, work together to share knowledge and resources, and achieve mutually beneficial goals and enduring solutions through structured, civil dialogue. When utilized effectively, collaboration can serve as an alternative dispute resolution process.

Get more details on collaborative planning on state-trust lands, including collaborative efforts for regional or large-scale planning and for modernizing trust-land management systems, as well as model projects for collaborative planning and development on state trust lands including the Houghton Area Master Plan, Whitefish Planning Process, and Superstition Vistas.