The 1998 Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act (P.L. 105-156)^[1] created the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution to assist parties in resolving environmental conflicts around the country that involve federal agencies or interests. The Institute provides a neutral place inside the federal government but "outside the Beltway" where public and private interests can reach common ground.^[2] Its primary objectives are to:

• Resolve federal environmental, natural resources, and public lands disputes in a timely and constructive manner through assisted negotiation and mediation.
• Increase the appropriate use of environmental conflict resolution (ECR) in general and improve the ability of federal agencies and other interested parties to engage in ECR effectively.
• Engage in and promote collaborative problem-solving and consensus-building during the design and implementation of federal environmental policies to prevent and reduce the incidence of future environmental disputes.