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~l '.....-) ~ ::-, :"TC= .... Southwest Strateuv II 435 Montano NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107 505-761~8912 - 505-761-8947 (FAX) www.swstrategy.org Accomplishments 1999 Background In November 1997 USDA, USDI and 000 agency leadership be- gan to collaborate on approaches to resolving natural resource and cultural resource issues in Arizona and New Mexico. The Regional Executive Committee (REC), an irriergovemmental executive group, was formed to guide the developmerri and Implementation of the Southwest Strategy. The Southwest Strategy Coordination Office provides administrative, coordinative, and implementation support for the REC and its worlt groups. A Southwest Strategy Memoran- dum of Understanding was signed by the federal members of the REC, formalizing its interagency relationship. THEMES DEFINE ISSUES AND VISIONS FOR THE SOUTHWEST ASSESS AND LEARN FROM NElWORKING RESOURCES FOR CAPACITY BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE SOUTHWEST STRATEGY IS A PART OF HOW WE OPERATE Southwest Strategy Work Groups Worlt groups are subcommittees of the REC and develop seamless, current, and accessible information f~r resol.ution on both pressing and long-term issues of concem. They assist in developing policy recommendations and coordlna!e With other inter-organizational efforts where appropriate. In addition, worlt groups develop recommended pro.cesses to ~mprove the performance of participating agencies in areas of public service. Southwest Strategy Agency Coordinators assist greatly In worlt group efforts. Community Development . . Finished first draft of a 'Business Development Guide"that lists programs and services available to individuals inter- ested in community development to encourage use of sus- tainable management practices. ESA Section 7 Stream/in/llg . Developed a long-term strategy for streamlining consulta- tions under the Endangered Species Act in New Mexico and Arizona. The strategy was designed to assist in ac- complishing more efficient and timely consultations. Rangeland Management . Drafted a revised version of . A Guide to the Laws and Ter- minology Federal Land Management. "This guide outlines rules and regulations pertaining to livestock grazing and other land use issues. Information Resource Management . Conducted an assessmerri orthe wide variety of electronic communication hardware and software being used among fweral agencies, with rewmmendations on surmounting the electronic communications barriers currently in place. . Began initial development of a website www.swstrategy.org to provide easier electronic distribution of Southwest Strat- egy information. . Developed a web publishing policy outlining responsibili- ties for. web page creation. Scientific Information . EstabliShed a worlt group website on southwest research activities. . Initiated a list of research expertise from USGS, FWS, EPA, BLM, USFS and NPS. . Initiated a list of ongoing and existing scientific informa- tion collection activities. Collaborative Implementation . Sponsored the Community Based Partnerships for a Healthy Environment workshop in Safford, AZ and Cloudcroft, NM. The courses represent the Soutnwest strategy's commitment to capacity building exercises in the govemment-public arena and were attended by over 100 community leaders and interested citizens. Follow up meetings took place to discuss community concems of wolf reintroduction efforts and alternative livestock man- agemerri on public lands in Graham County, AZ. . Sponsored Environmental Justice training in Albuquer- que, NM on September 28-30. The training was presented by the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8. Over 75 trainees representing federal, state, county and tribal governments; universities and the private sector attended the three sessions. . Sponsored or participated in numerous collaborative dis- cussions and worlting sessions including a facilitated meeting to discuss joint, comprehensive planning among all affected jurisdictions around Lake Havasu City, JlZ.. r