PAL Agreement Details
Interagency Letter between CDOT and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Regarding Staff Assignment
Other
Colorado
11/16/2007
Agreement Overview:
This agreement sets forth the terms for Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) hiring a staff position which is assigned to the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to accomplishing USFWS tasks on CDOT projects. The position is a state position, subject to all state personnel rules and regulations, yet the employee is physically located at the federal agency. The employee is under the supervision of a federal employee to guide and direct daily tasks and under the supervision of a state employee to ensure adherence with state personnel and CDOT rules and regulations. This position (which is essentially filled by a state employee) is expected to represent the federal perspective. The position was developed in response to CDOT’s concern that a backlog of project clearances would delay NEPA clearances and construction project advertisements.
Signatories
US Fish and Wildlife Services
Colorado Department of Transportation
1999
Every three years
The original letter of agreement covered the establishment of the position for a period of two years. Due to the success of this position, the renewal of the agreement extended this to three years. The agencies conduct semi-annual reviews to work out any issues related to the position and discuss progress on mutually agreed upon performance measures. The state and federal supervisors use the state’s individual performance objectives (IPOs) review procedures for the semi-annual review. The IPOs provide some of the specificity that the letter of agreement lacks, like requirements for the employee to keep pace with new regulatory rules and regulations. While the agreement includes a provision whereby either party can terminate the agreement at any time, this likelihood is remote as this position has been wildly successful between the agencies.
Funding this position has been a good investment for CDOT. Several specialists within CDOT rely on this position and top management has been involved in ensuring its viability. Having been in existence for nearly eight years, the position is now an integral part of the USFWS/CDOT landscape and neither agency can imagine doing away with it. As the agreement comes up for renewal, only minor modifications are seen as necessary. Examples of previous issues that have arisen include the placement of some state resources (i.e., a computer) within a federal agency proved to be reasonable (e.g., firewall issues) while others (e.g., use of a state vehicle) were successful.
Tom Boyce (Primary Contact)
CDOT
Division of Transportation Development/Environmental Programs Branch
Natural Resources Section Manager
303) 512-4053
[email protected]
Alison Deans Michael
USFWS/Colorado Field Office
CDOT/USFWS Liaison
303-236-4758
[email protected]
Susan Linner
USFWS/Colorado Field Office
Field Supervisor
303-236-4773
[email protected]
Brad Beckham (Secondary Contact)
CDOT
Environmental Branch Manager
303-757-9630
[email protected]
Agreement Document
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