Teams meet with partners to identify common ecosystem goals and collaborative efforts that can contribute to meeting those goals. Priorities are established for Service actions. Teams implement collaborative projects across Service programs and with partners. Teams continuously work with partners and review ecosystem plans and budgets, readjusting them as needed. A lead region for each multi-regional ecosystem was designated in April 1994 and is identified on page 11.
Leads already established for endangered species and other activities remain unchanged.
The lead region's inter-regional responsibilities are facilitation, coordination, and liaison, not management, direction, or supervision. The lead region is responsible for coordinating plans, progress reports and evaluations, and submitting ecosystem budget proposals. Support is provided by removing hurdles and fostering an atmosphere conducive to a cooperative, field-based ecosystem approach. Implementation Guidance Within the Washington Office, a cross-program team of managers, primarily Deputy Assistant Directors and Division Chiefs, has been established to assist with national implementation and coordination of the Service's ecosystem approach. The team is responsive to needs identified by the Directorate.