BRC has a tool called "Collaboration Checkboxes."

A well-conceived collaborative process should include a "check" for each of these. If any are missing, we still advise considering participating, but with caution.

Here are our Collaboration Checkboxes:

1. All stakeholders at the table in proper representation

   Every stakeholder group who has an interest in the planning process should be participating.

2. Professional facilitator

   A formal process should hire the services of a professional facilitator, who is selected from the roster of the National Environmental Conflict Resolution Advisory Committee, not "forced" upon the participants.

3. The "product" of the process should be clearly identified at the beginning

   Whatever it is the process is going to produce should be clearly identified at the very beginning of the process (eg an alternative to be considered by the land management agency during their public NEPA analysis).

4. The "decision process" must be identified at the beginning

   Whatever process that will be used for formal decision-making, i.e. majority vote, consensus, majority/minority report, etc should be agreed to at the very beginning of the process and adhered to throughout.

5. Agency must clearly state how it will utilize the "product"

   The federal land management agency must clearly state how it intends to use the "product" of any formal Collaborative Planning Process at the very beginning.