Much of the burden imposed by rapidly increasing visitor impacts is falling on local governments and underfunded land management agencies. The Partnership is a forum for information sharing. Individual members retain decision making power in accord with the missions of their agencies or local governments. Information development, scoping, and advice functions take place through normal agency and local government procedures. These functions are coordinated by the Data Standards and Science Committees, made up of technicians and scientists representing Partnership members.
All meetings are open to public participation.
Meeting dates, places and agenda are widely advertised in the media and through direct mail. Items are placed on the agenda at the request of members or anyone else who wants to share information with members, provided it crosses jurisdictional boundaries. The only officers of the Partnership, Chairman and Vice-Chairman, represent county governments. A part time coordinator is the staff. The Data Standards Committee coordinates data development.