Partnership Establishment

Transcription

1 ATSPT builds relationships among state, tribal, federal and local governments to develop strategies that address state and tribal transportation issues. Partnership Establishment With 22 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Nations in Arizona encompassing over one-quarter of the State land base, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) initiated a partnership effort called the Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT) as a means of improving statetribal relations in transportation. The ATSPT was formally established in June 1999 through the efforts of the ADOT Partnering Section, ADOT Civil Rights Office and ADOT Transportation Planning Division. ATSPT s purpose is to bring together Arizona representatives from state, tribal, federal and local agencies to discuss tribal-related transportation issues and to develop strategies through which those issues can be addressed. The ATSPT meets on a regular basis with meeting discussions being documented and distributed to participating agencies, tribal officials, and to key officials within ADOT. ATSPT s active participating agencies include: the ADOT Communication and Community Partnerships Division; ADOT Government Relations Group; ADOT-Multi Modal Planning Division; ADOT Right of Way Section; ADOT Environmental and Enhancement Group; the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona; the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs; the Bureau of Indian Affairs -Western Regional Office; the Bureau of Indian Affairs -Navajo Regional Office; the Colorado State University -Tribal Technical Assistance Program; the Federal Highway Administration -Arizona Division; San Carlos Apache Tribe; Colorado River Indian Tribes; Navajo Nation Department of Transportation; Apache County; Gila River Indian Community; Ak-Chin Indian Community and San Xavier District, Tohono O Odham Nation Indian Tribe. ATSPT encourages active participation from all tribes in the State and specific tribal transportation contacts have been identified. Progress updates and activity notifications are forwarded to these individuals on a regular basis. This has resulted in participation at the ATSPT regular meetings from the various tribes on a periodic basis. Most notably a majority of the Tribes will participate in ATSPT sponsored forums when held in their regions of the State.

2 ATSPT (Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team) Vision, Mission & Goals: ATSPT VISON: Partnering for the standard of excellence in developing tribal community relationships related to transportation systems and services. ATSPT MISSION: ATSPT is a trusted coalition of tribal and non-tribal, multi-jurisdictional advisors who facilitate strategies to resolve tribal transportation issues by maintaining relationships, and educating & upholding all partners laws/policies through free-flowing communication. ATSPT GOALS: Goal #1: TO PROMOTE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS Objective #1: Expand and maintain statewide network Objective #2: Develop effective Tribal outreach Goal #2: TO UNDERSTAND & EDUCATE ALL PARTNERS (Promote Education among Tribes & Tribal Partners) Objective #1: Deepen ATSPT members understanding of Partners processes, protocol and needs Objective #2: Promote education and training Goal #3: TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC PARTNERING & PROCESSES Objective #1: Distribute New Member packet and Identify new and add ATSPT members Objective #2: Identify strategies and develop processes for effective partnering Additionally, the ATSPT has identified the following components of the strategic partnering process. These components include specific concerns and key issues to be considered and/or addressed through the ATSPT, they include:

3 Education: Background and history of Indian Communities for ADOT staff; Cultures (Indian & non-indian); TEA-21 Planning Processes; Intergovernmental Agreements. Issues: Indian Preference (no preference in contracting); Local Preference (labor); Tribal Perceptions of ADOT; Traditional tribal corridors and current corridors are basically the same; Unrecognized diversity of tribes (different needs); Danger of generalizing (true perspective of smaller communities). Partnering Practice: Building partnerships; Education in partnering principles and practices; Shared values. Understanding: Government-to-Government relationship compared with state-to-state; Legalities (i.e. tribes have a legal relationship with the federal government); TEA-21 Process, (COG/MPO voting requirements, currently there are few tribes that are voting members, written process to include all partners); ISTEA (Established in 1991, Required States to include tribes in the Transportation Improvement Program). Coordination: Processes include communication with Tribal Chairperson, President or Governor; Must know who within tribal government to coordinate with and must keep updated on changes within governmental structure; the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona & the ITCA Transportation Working Group provide input and strategies from tribes; Other coordinating agencies include the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Intertribal Transportation Association, Federal Highways Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. DOT Policies: Recognize only agencies or groups created within; Relationships with COGs/MPOs; Keep informed of changes to DOT policies and processes; Technical Assistance through the Tribal Technical Assistance Program -to review all processes with tribes, Local Technical Assistance Program -to review State programs (i.e. Arizona and Indian Tribes). Roles: Define ATSPT role; Identify representatives from each Indian Community as members, contacts or liaisons.

4 ATSPT (Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team) RESULTS One the major initial efforts undertaken by the ATSPT was the process of conducting three State- Tribal Regional Transportation Forums in Arizona. The purpose of these forums was to provide tribal and non-tribal government officials with an understanding of current highway funding and transportation coordination processes in Arizona. The major goals of the Forums were to: Improve tribal-state-federal relations Improve tribal-state-federal coordination Improve tribal participation in the statewide transportation planning and programming processes The forums were well attended by tribal officials and other key stakeholders within the various regions of the State. With completion of the forums, a major step was taken to improve state-tribal and federal-tribal relationships in transportation planning, programming and overall coordination. This series of regional forums considered the individuality (or uniqueness) of the tribes; no one tribe is the same as any other; each has different concerns and needs. The forums also provided the opportunity for the State to better understand what the tribes consider to be priority transportation issues, needs and concerns on a regional and a statewide basis. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in conjunction with the Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT) sponsored the Arizona State-Tribal Regional Transportation Forums to provide tribal and non-tribal government officials with an understanding of current highway funding and transportation coordination processes in Arizona. Three regional forums were conducted for the tribes in Arizona. The first convened on October 17, 2002, in Flagstaff, the second on March 11-12, 2003, on the Tohono O odham Nation San Xavier Reservation, and the third on September 24-25, 2003, on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation. FORUMS OUTCOMES: Based upon the Forum presentations, discussions, and participant feedback, the following Forums outcomes were addressed or identified: A. Forum presentations provided the participants with information on state, federal, tribal and regional transportation processes and programs. Specific questions were addressed during the breakout discussion sessions. B. The issue of capacity building is one of the most challenging for tribes and related federal, state and regional transportation agencies interested in tribal involvement. According to participant respondents, this forum was useful because program overviews, and resource and contact information were incorporated into the program.

5 C. Additional agency-to-agency follow up is required to address major issues of concern in the funding and coordination processes, and inter-jurisdictional issues.

6 D. Basically, the tribes with large land bases have required a volume of roads to accommodate mobility in the most isolated areas of Arizona. To establish this network has required a certain amount of interaction with the state and federal agencies and has increased their understanding of road projects. E. The Forums identified the varied levels of transportation capacity within the tribal governments. This ranged from the designation of tribal planning staff as the transportation contacts, to the establishment of departments of transportation and transportation committees or boards. F. The process for implementing networking strategies includes the identification of contact persons at each level of government. Working with the proper contact, each government entity could then determine its networking approach (written/electronic communication, person-toperson meetings, medium to large interagency forums, etc.), consider its interagency communication and follow through. G. Developing an Agency Protocol Resource Tool will play an important role as agencies continue to implement their networking strategies. ADOT can initiate the development of this resource for tribes and all transportation agencies within Arizona. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, IDENTIFIED BY STAKEHOLDERS, AS A RESULT OF THE REGIONAL FORUMS: Creation of the ATSPT web site. Development of ATSPT information card (education & outreach) Formation of the Navajo Nation/ADOT/BIA/FHWA Partnership, which has produced MOU s benefiting multiple partners; developed a collaborative, ongoing approach to resolving common issues; resulted in extremely good communications; and provided recognition that a similar partnership with the Hopi Nation could provide similar benefits. Continued communication, face to face, which is vital to the ability to understand and work out issues. Co-funding of projects using ADOT and BIA funds to design and construct improvements within Native communities. Construction of a rest area by ADOT and the community assuming maintenance responsibilities of the rest area. Provided technical assistance in regard to maintenance functions.

7 With the discussion and input provided through the forums, the ATSPT began the process of establishing a formal basis for determining the means to address priority issues through necessary follow-up actions, which have included annual state-tribal transportation meetings. Annual meetings have been conducted since 2005, focusing attention on current tribal transportation issues and providing relevant education and information to help partners work together on the issues. The Arizona Tribal Transportation Forum: Launching Your Transportation Project was held March 8, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ. This statewide forum was convened by ADOT and the ATSPT in follow-up to the three State-Tribal Regional Transportation Forums. The purpose of the forum was to help the participants understand how to move their transportation projects forward. The forum was attended by 90 representatives from 12 tribes and a number of State, federal and local government stakeholder agencies. A general session and three breakout sessions addressing routine maintenance, new and improved roadways, and safety enhancements were conducted. Facilitators guided the sessions and a group of panelists were available to provide information on specific project types. A proceedings report has been prepared and was distributed to the participants. Recent annual forums themes have included: (1) Tribal Transportation Forum and Safety Summit (2008) (2) Transportation Decision-making Tools for Tribal Governments (2009) In addition: The ADOT Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT) has worked with the ADOT Partnering Section and Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) to assist with the activity of developing a process for formal state tribal consultation and coordination. The ATSPT has worked with the ADOT Transportation Planning Division (now MPD) and ADOT Partnering Section (now CCP) to assist in development of a State Transportation Guidebook for Tribal Governments. The Guidebook will serve as reference of information on state transportation funding programs and processes. The ATSPT received the 2006 Transportation Planning Excellence Award from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The award was presented at the Joint Conference of the National Transportation Research Board in La Jolla, California. The ATSPT has developed and helps to maintain a web site with pages for all tribal partnerships.

8 The ATSPT has helped identify and support the development of the following Tribal-County-State- Federal partnerships: Navajo Nation/ADOT/BIA/FHWA/Coconino County/Navajo County/Apache County Partnership In November 1995, a Strategic Planning Partnering Conference was held with participation from the Navajo Nation Council, Navajo DOT, BIA Navajo Region, ADOT District Engineering Offices, ADOT Headquarters, ADOT Intermodal Transportation Division, FHWA, and both the Navajo Nation and ADOT Attorney Generals. Issues that were successfully addressed in that conference included: Streamlining of the environmental permitting process Training provided to Navajo contractors and subcontractors by the ADOT Affirmative Action Office Improved cooperation between ADOT-MVD and Navajo DPS in weight enforcement details on the reservation A signed fuel tax agreement between the Navajo Nation and ADOT Although these were major successes, the on-going continuation of the partnering effort waned and eventually became non-existent due to the broadness of the partnering objectives identified at the time. Then in March 2004 at the Governor s Tribal Summit on Transportation Mark Maryboy, Chairman of the Navajo Nation Transportation Community Development Committee, made a request that the State reestablish the partnering effort. Also, on May 21, 2004 at a State Transportation Board Meeting in Chinle, AZ, the Navajo DOT requested the same. In response, ADOT utilizing the support of the ADOT Tribal Strategic Partnering Team and the services of two partnering consultants reestablished the partnering process with the Navajo Nation. Consequently, a kick-off workshop was held in December 2004 bringing together executive level leadership from each partner agency and key agency personnel. The major results were a signed charter symbolizing leadership support for the partnership, identification of priority issues, and identification of champions from each partner group to participate on an ongoing partnership steering committee. Thus far the steering committee has developed a partnership strategic plan that is being used to provide guidance on how the priority issues will be addressed. It was also determined that progress on the effort will be reported and further guidance obtained through an annual meeting of the partner groups. In 2009, after celebrating 5 years together, this Partnership became fully hosted and led by the Navajo Division of Transportation, under the leadership of Tom Platero.

9 Hopi Tribe/ADOT/BIA/FHWA/Coconino County/Navajo County Partnership Following along the lines of the intent and purpose of the Navajo Partnership, ADOT and the Hopi Tribe convened the first meeting of the newly established Hopi Tribe Transportation Partnership on September 26, 2007 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Specifically, the meeting purpose was to promote understanding, commitment, ownership, and identify strategies to initiate the partnership process. At the meeting a partnership charter was established and signed by all in attendance, goals and strategies were agreed upon, and a Steering Committee was established to support the ongoing partnership process. The meeting was also an opportunity for officials from the partner groups to identify current and future transportation needs and improvements within the Hopi Reservation. In addition to the Hopi Tribe and ADOT, other partners involved in the effort include the Bureau of Indian Affairs -Western Regional Office, Federal Highway Administration -Arizona Division, Coconino County, and Navajo County. Several representatives from the Navajo Department of Transportation also attended as invited guests. About 53 representatives from the various partnering agencies were in attendance. Overseeing the meeting facilitation was Holon Consulting which for the past three years had been instrumental in assisting with a similar partnering process for the Navajo Nation. Overall, this first partnership meeting was a success. Comments were positive reflecting that attendees were able to express their ideas concerning obstacles facing the various agencies. This meeting was deemed an important first step so that a foundation of trust could be built and communication improved. The Partnership Steering Committee in conjunction with the Hopi Transportation Task Team will now continue to develop the framework for strengthening the partner group relationships. The partnership celebrated its 3 rd annual meeting on Sept. 28, 2010 in Tuba City at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites. San Carlos Apache Tribe/ADOT/BIA/FHWA/CAAG/Pinal County/Gila County/DPS/Police/Railroads/Forest Products Partnership In May 2009, ADOT CCP, Partnering office members met with San Carlos Apache Tribe Transportation Committee to determine ways to proceed with Building the Partnership ; and then met in June 2009 to plan the Partnership kick off meeting which took place in Sept The steering committee, which meets quarterly, planned and conducted its 1 st annual meeting on Sept. 23, 2010 at the Apache Gold Convention Center in San Carlos.

10 Overall Function of ATSPT (Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team): Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT) has been established as a means of improving state-tribal relations in transportation. ATSPT brings together representatives from state, tribal, federal and local agencies to address tribal-related transportation issues. ATSPT encourages active participation in its partnering effort by all tribes and transportation stakeholders in Arizona who have the desire to guide implementation of transportation policies and processes between Native Nations, Tribal Governments and the State of Arizona. Specifically, the functions of ATSPT include the following: Maintain continuous communication with the Tribes/Nations and non-tribal stakeholders Maintain a database of current tribal and non-tribal transportation contacts and other officials Ensure that the State DOT has reliable and committed staff to act as tribal coordination points of contact at both headquarter and district levels Complete necessary follow-up actions as identified through regular meetings and other forums Work with the Tribes/Nations on an individual basis to address issues specific to their communities Work to involve all Tribes/Nation and other stakeholders in regional & statewide efforts Monitor and acknowledge accomplishments of the partnering efforts and relay this information to the Tribes and other stakeholders Keep participating stakeholders informed of major activities of the partnering team Involve active and committed core team members, key liaisons/contacts, and partner groups to ensure ongoing success The ATSPT members meet quarterly; and will plan, coordinate and facilitate an Outreach program in March of As described on the ATSPT web site: Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT) has been established as a means of improving state-tribal relations in transportation. ATSPT brings together representatives from state, tribal, federal and local agencies to address tribal-related transportation issues. ATSPT encourages active participation in its partnering effort by all tribes and transportation stakeholders in Arizona who have the desire to guide implementation of transportation policies and processes between Native Nations, Tribal Governments and the State of Arizona.