Let’s face it, working with regulators can be frustrating, confusing and, intimidating. Regulatory agencies — whether local, state, or federal — are, by law, a critical part of nearly every project; and yet, for many businesses, municipalities and individuals, the idea of picking up the phone or hitting “send” on that email causes hearts to skip a beat.

这是一个常见的反应，有时候，一个没有不值得的反应。但为什么？他们不是在为你工作吗？答案都是肯定和否。首先要了解的是，监管机构通常通过几种不同的镜头看到您的项目。是的，他们支持就业和经济增长的概念，但它们也在考虑适用的法律，如同详细的内部流程，通常预期潜在的公共和政治利益。即使在最佳场景下，这些问题也令人漫长而复杂，并且可能导致您的项目通过监管过程速度慢。在最糟糕的情况下，这些问题彼此冲突，可能导致项目和监管决定努力停止。不幸的是，你可能不明白为什么它正在发生，它如何达到这一点，或者你可以做些什么来帮助它“un-stuct”。

The good news is that there are things you can do to improve these situations now and minimize problems in the future. Often, it starts by simply improving your relationships with the regulatory agency. But what does it mean to have a positive and effective relationships with your regulatory agencies and what can you do to make that happen? Here are a few key concepts:

• 制定一个计划。Develop an engagement plan and make sure your team is on-board: Who will engage with the agencies and at what level? How will you do it (calls, emails, face to face) and at what frequency? What are the goals and do you have feedback loops to measure effectiveness and adjust if necessary?
• Invest in the relationship.建立与监管机构的富有成效关系将需要您的时间和愿意亲自投资这种关系。理想情况下，您将在特定项目或有争议的问题之外构建这种关系（即允许或执法行动）。不可避免地，你将遇到一个艰难的问题，在这方面，它将在你过去建立良好关系的努力时真的“得到回报”。
• 了解流程和压力。环境法是复杂的，但机构追随的监管程序可能是彻头彻尾的心灵！它有助于制定对这些流程的一些基本理解。它不仅会为您提供一些上下文，还可以通过特别粘性问题和潜在的障碍识别积极协助各机构工作的机会。
• Build trust.Do you know what to expect from the regulator? Do they know what to expect from you? Building trust over time will help minimize conflict down the road. When issues do pop up, the trust you have built will help resolve those issues much faster. Building trust requires honest and respectful communications, follow through on commitments, and minimal surprises!
• 知道（以及哪里）升级。At some point, you may need to talk to someone higher up at the regulatory agency…and that’s ok. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way when considering going “over-the-head” of the person you have been trying to build a relationship with.
• Connect with the experts.The most effective consultants and contractors should have a proven history of productive relationships with local, state and federal regulatory agencies. They should be able to help translate your goals and connect and build your relationships with the regulators. Make sure you understand their history, philosophy and capabilities as you consider your next consultant.

与您的监管机构建立积极和有效的关系是一项投资。它要求您的整个团队了解并以您的目标和期望对齐。它还采取了时间和资源的承诺 - 既可以通过监管机构创建和执行您的参与计划。这将需要一些开箱即用的思维，因为您可能在过去没有考虑和预算。

Our last recommendation? Start now. The investment will pay off down the road and will be especially fruitful as you work through your next challenging permit or enforcement negotiations with your local, state or federal regulatory agency.

In the next blog, we’ll be talking about some of fundamental differences between local, state and federal regulatory agencies and some specific tips to build better relationships with each.

1月28日加入我们^th与环境专业人士杰夫史密斯和詹妮弗亚当斯for a live webinar as they discuss these strategies and more for effectively building relationships with your regulators and producing the best outcome for your project.