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<br />00524 <br /> <br />REVISED DRAFT (#] 0) - August I I, 2004 <br />Clean Version <br /> <br />Consultation on specific matters will tend to be more constructive if conducted <br />within the framework of an ongoing government-to-government relationship. <br />Consultation puts demands on tribes as well as on agencies, and such relationships can <br />help tribes and agencies decide how to most effectively allocate their resources among the <br />specific matters for which consultation may be appropriate. Accordingly, this <br />Consultation Plan establishes a framework for ongoing consultation. <br /> <br />(4) Institutionalize Consultation and Collaboration Procedures <br /> <br />Consultation is more effecti ve when there are established protocols for the <br />specific kinds of contexts in which consultation may occur. This Consultation Plan sets <br />out these protocols in Parts 4 and 5. <br /> <br />(5) Contact Tribes Early and Allow Sufficient Time <br /> <br />As a general rule, agencies should contact tribes as soon as there is enough <br />information so that consultation will be constructive and so that changes to a proposed <br />agency action can be more easily accommodated based on tribal concerns. The protocols <br />specified in Parts 4 and 5 provide some guidance for specific contexts. <br /> <br />(6) Establish Training Programs for All Agency Staff <br /> <br />Consultation will be more constructive if agency staff have participated in <br />appropriate training programs. Tribal representatives are not responsible for educating <br />agency personnel on their responsibilities in consultation. <br /> <br />(7) Maintain Honesty and Integrity <br /> <br />Honesty and integrity are essential. If agency representatives cannot respond <br />immediately to tribal concerns, they must acknowledge such concerns and ensure that <br />they are addressed at a future date. When tribal recommendations are not accepted, <br />agencies must inform tribal representatives and provide reasons for not accepting tribal <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />[NOTE: One commenter asked how? In writing or orally?] <br /> <br />(8) View consultation as Integral <br /> <br />A federal agency should see relations with tribal governments as an integral part <br />of its mission, with an understanding that consultation is essential to maintaining <br />constructive relations with tribal governments, and not just as a procedural requirement. <br />By regarding consultation as integral, agencies can use consultation as a non-adversarial <br />opportunity to develop consensus solutions or otherwise find common ground. <br /> <br />D. Responsibilities of Tribal Representatives <br /> <br />15 <br />