BACKGROUND
Throughout the United States, thousands of miles of roads operated by transportation agencies traverse lands of interest to or under the jurisdiction of Native American tribes. As the need arises for transportation improvements, so does the need to conduct extensive and meaningful outreach to the members and governing bodies of these tribes. Historically, the relationship between government agencies and tribes has often been complex. Despite widespread agreement by parties on all sides that coordination on transportation projects has not always achieved mutually beneficial results, research that identifies the underlying causes and develops practical solutions for achieving such results is scarce.
Transportation projects increasingly impact—and are impacted by—tribes. With 562 federally recognized tribes as well as many state-recognized and non-recognized tribes located in all regions across the country, there is a significant need for results-oriented strategies for public involvement and for consultation between government agencies and tribes. These strategies will be appropriate for immediate implementation by all parties working to develop transportation projects of interest to and affecting tribes.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to develop a Guidebook that provides practical strategies for communication, cooperation, and coordination between transportation agencies and tribal communities in order to facilitate successful transportation projects.
For the purpose of this study, tribal communities (or tribes) are defined to include both tribal governments and their members.
Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.
TASKS (1.) Analyze, describe, and critique pertinent domestic and international research, on the basis of applicability, conclusiveness of findings, and usefulness to achieve the project objective. Include completed research and research currently underway. This review should not be limited to the transportation sector. (2.) Develop a detailed research plan to gather information from tribes, state departments of transportation, and local transportation agencies as needed to achieve the project objectives. It is expected that this plan will consist of some combination of interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions with a representative sample of tribes and transportation agencies across the country.
The tribes should include a combination of federally recognized, state-recognized, and non-recognized tribes, primarily in the United States but could include relevant international examples relating to relations with indigenous communities. In designing the plan, the research team should give consideration to the identification of criteria and performance measures to follow in Task 6. (3.) Submit a technical memorandum outlining the Task 2 research plan for review by the NCHRP. (4.) Upon approval by the NCHRP, execute the research plan outlined in Task 2. (5.) Summarize both the positive and negative experiences (problems, obstacles, and successes) of tribes and transportation agencies related to the planning, environmental review, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of transportation projects. Provide an assessment of legal and policy requirements and individual or organizational cultural competencies that support or detract from successful transportation projects involving tribes. (6.) Based on the information gathered in Tasks 1 through 5, recommend criteria, strategies, and performance measures for successful communication, cooperation, and coordination between transportation agencies and tribes on transportation projects. The recommendations should identify and analyze varying definitions of success for tribes and transportation agencies. (7.) Develop a detailed outline for the Guidebook that provides practical strategies for communication, cooperation, and coordination between transportation agencies and tribes in order to facilitate successful transportation projects. The recommendations contained in the Guidebook should be illustrated with appropriate examples from transportation projects identified during this research. (8.) Submit an interim report documenting the results of Tasks 1 through 7 for review by the NCHRP. The contractor will be expected to meet with the NCHRP—approximately 1 month later. The research agency shall not begin work on the remaining tasks without NCHRP approval. (9.) Upon approval of the interim report by the NCHRP, fully develop the Guidebook. (10.) Identify research gaps and needs that would enhance future editions of the Guidebook. (11.) Submit a final report that documents the entire research effort and includes the Task 9 Guidebook as a stand-alone document. In addition, provide a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the background, objectives, research method, and findings.
