White Paper: Option for Land Protection Component

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Land Entiry White Paper Novembes 30, 1999 • The LOC can be created to offer representatian of local interests beyond their representation in the Program as a whole. • The LOC can meet more often and with greater focus on land issues than the Govemance Committee, rnaking it more responsive to time-sensitive issues than the Govemance Committee. • The formulation of deals and policy recommendations are in the hands af a body more respvnsive to the Governing Committee than an independent legal entity or contractor. • The LOC does not need federal legislative authorization. • With reduced responsibilities in the Land Entity or entities, using existing land management entities, or entities wrthout representative goveming bodies, becomes rnore palatable, possibly eliminating the need for federal legislative authorization for a Land Entity. Disudvarstages • No large cammittee will be abte to move quickly, sa deals requiring quick actian may fall through waiting far approvat. • Ultimate decision-making remains with the Governance Committee, a step removed from the LQC and its (iikely) broader ioca[ representation. ? Another layer/top-heavy process. • Providing members to the LQC will be expensive, and providing "volunteer" staff may tilt representation toward entities like the governments who can afford tn pravide personnel. • Likely need to put implementation tasks in the hand of contractars may create a disjunct between planning and implementation. B. Land Entity Structural Options There are a number of aiternative structural options for designing the Land Entity that have been proven effective in other parts of the country and for other projects which have similar objectives. The Govemance Committee wili need to delegate authority to the Land Entity, which could consist of one or a number of new or existing organizations, to accomplish these tasks. The range of alternatives, varying from different govemmental and quasi-governmental entities to a variety of non-profit organizations, should be considered in terms of which structure is iikely ta meet the faltvwing demands: * Variety of Compler Tasks Required There are a variety af complex tasks that need to be performed by the Land Entity inciuding: negotiatian, laaid management, land restoration, financial and project management, contracting, communications, coordination, etc. • Respansiveness to Governance Cornminee To what degree can the entity be made accountable to the Govemance Committee or is it likely to 6e relatively autonomaus? Some structures are better suited ta taking Govemance Committee instruction regarding the aFms af the Program than others. 17