Each regulatory agency and each level of agency – federal, state, and local — has its own distinct objectives, processes, and influencers that can greatly impact projects. Engaging with your regulatory agencies and cultivating healthy, productive relationships with them can help you become familiar with how they function and optimize your chances of minimizing surprises and streamlining your next project.

While there are no hard and fast rules when considering the differences between agencies, there are a few general things to consider about each:

当地机构（乡镇，城市和县）

• 当地机构在其运营中可能是独一无二的，并且更高度受到当地影响
• 他们的决定过程可能比其州和联邦同行更灵活或更少。我们建议您确定当地机构内的影响力。这些是可以向前移动项目的决策者或阻止他们。这些可以民选官员，也可能是工作人员，如分区办公室人员。

State agencies

• State agencies are less like federal agencies than most realize, and opportunities to influence outcomes can be significantly increased by building those positive relationships.
• One of the challenges facing state agencies is finding the balance between jobs, growth, and business,和环境和人类健康保护。在优先考虑两种结果是理想的 - 对如何实现这种平衡的许多不同意。
• Transparency and consistency are critical to state personnel, but the processes that support these can be challenging. Being in non-compliance with environmental permits immediately puts you at a disadvantage and reduces your potential leverage with state agencies. Make every effort to stay in, or return to, compliance. This will also highlight the soundness of your operation to your regulator.
• Involve the state early in your project planning process. They can provide valuable regulatory insight and help you reduce the future regulatory burden of the project.

Federal agencies

• 与国家和地方机构相比，联邦机构可以更具挑战性，与国家和地方机构相比，联系和互动。这可能是出于多种原因，包括政策，工作量，优先事项等。继续尽一切努力伸出援手。
• 通常，除非他们有特定的（法律或计划）责任，否则联邦机构将推迟解决问题，允许的问题，许可证等，如果您发现他们对您或您的项目感兴趣，否则未知原因，它可能通过尽可能快速地了解为什么。
• Show your work. It’s important to document your efforts not only regarding permit and compliance-related issues but also the efforts you have made to connect with federal agencies. These records may be important later on.
• 了解当地或国家机构在与联邦机构有关的问题方面可能是您的重要倡导者。
• Federal agencies tend to be more specialized and segregated based on programs. You may need to reach out to separate program (permitting, compliance, enforcement, etc.) staff. Do not assume that they are already communicating with each other about your project.

重申和推荐

• 就像任何良好的关系一样，计划花时间相互了解 - 最好在你在桌子上有挑战性的项目之前。这是一项投资将在以后还清！
• 与各机构制定订婚计划，但准备根据不断变化的需求，成功和挑战来弯曲。
• 请记住，有时令人满意的解决问题可能较少关于您的法律或技术争论的实力，以及更多关于您的关系，合理性和语气的信息。
• Partner with consultants that have a proven history of building successful relationships with local, state and federal agencies. They can help “fast track” the relationships and the project.

One size does not fit all when trying to understand and engage your regulatory agencies. However, one thing is for certain – a positive relationship with your regulatory agency is a valuable asset for your business. Making the effort to cultivate these ongoing relationships not only creates the accountability for compliance, but creates opportunities for more beneficial and timely outcomes for your future projects.

1月28日注册我们的网络研讨会，环境专业人士Jennifer Adams和Jeff Smith将涵盖如何构建这些关系，并更多地优化项目的结果。