Conflict over the use of our nation's natural resources, along with increased ecological problems, has led land managers to seek cooperative means to resolve natural resource conflicts and problems. Collaborative resource management is one such approach that communities began using in the 1980s and 1990s. A 2004 Executive Order on Co-operative Conservation encourages such efforts. This book deals with: (1) experts' views on collaborative resource management, (2) how selected collaborative efforts have addressed conflicts and improved resources, and (3) challenges that agencies face as they participate in such efforts and how the Cooperative Conservation initiative has addressed them. This is an edited and indexed version.

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the due process practices at the Departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), and State for individuals that have security clearances denied or revoked, focusing on: (1) the agencies' practices for suspending individuals' security clearances; (2) whether the agencies give individuals access to their investigative records; and (3) whether appeals of unfavorable decisions are heard by independent decisionmakers who document their decisions. GAO found that: (1) the three agencies do not require that letters be sent to individuals to advise them when and why their clearances are suspended; (2) 70 percent of the individuals in the Army, Navy, and Air Force whose access or clearances were suspended for security reasons did not get their cases adjudicated by the services' central clearance offices and, as a result, their clearances were never formally revoked but were left indefinitely suspended; (4) the annual DOD report on clearance activity did not accurately show the number of clearances revoked or indefinitely suspended for security reasons; (5) State letters to individuals informing them of unfavorable security clearance actions also included information regarding procedures for gaining access to investigative material about themselves; (6) DOD and DOE regulations do not require that letters to individuals contain guidance to gain access to investigative material; (7) the three agencies have established procedures for employees to appeal unfavorable security clearance determinations; (8) DOE uses independent individuals to hear appeals and make recommendations; and (9) DOD and State use officials with administrative ties to the organizations responsible for clearance determinations, so their appeal boards do not appear to be administratively independent.

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on U.S. and Canadian programs for ensuring workplace safety. GAO found that: (1) ensuring workplace safety is a federal responsibility in the United States, but is a provincial responsibility in Canada; (2) Canadian provinces link programs for preventing and compensating for work-related injuries and illnesses; (3) Canadian employers directly fund health and safety programs; (4) Canadian laws mandate employer and worker responsibility and accountability for safety and health issues; (5) there is a greater enforcement presence and potential for immediate response to hazardous situations in Canada; and (6) differences to consider in evaluating U.S. programs include the programs' relative sizes, workforce organization, the potential for litigation, and constitutional issues.