During the development of the coordination plan and schedule, with whom must the joint lead agencies consult?
If the coordination plan does not include a schedule, then the lead agencies may establish it without consultation with participating agencies. However, the lead agencies may find that best results occur when they consult with the participating agencies on the coordination plan. Key elements of the coordination plan may be setting expectations that require a commitment of resources by the participating agencies. Consultation with the participating agencies on the project schedule is required whenever a coordination plan includes a project schedule. SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 139(g)(1)(e) requires that a coordination plan that includes a schedule must be shared with the public and with participating agencies so that they know what to expect and so that any disputes are surfaced as early as possible. It is a good practice to share the coordination plan with the public and participating agencies regardless whether such sharing is required under SAFETEA-LU.
