ADR Programs Around the Country and in Canada

Various ADR programs with a local government element exist. For example, programs exist in Alberta, Ohio and Oregon to assist local agencies in resolving disputes on a voluntary basis.

In Georgia, local agencies must try to resolve disputes with one another with the help of a state mediation program. 

• Alberta [Canada] Municipal Affairs’ Intermunicipal Dispute Resolution Service - The Intermunicipal Dispute Resolution Initiative was established by Alberta Municipal Affairs to address disputes between municipalities or municipalities and another public agency. More information about this Service can be found at http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/mc_mediation.cfm

• Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution & Conflict Management - Established by the legislature in 1989, the Commission provides dispute resolution and conflict management resources, training, and direct services to Ohio schools, communities, courts, and state and local government. http://www.disputeresolution.ohio.gov

• Oregon Consensus Program - In 2003 the Oregon Legislature transferred to the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University the functions of the former Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission (ODRC) relating to assisting public agencies to incorporate alternative dispute resolution practices. The Hatfield School established the Oregon Consensus Program (OCP) within the National Policy Consensus Center to carry out these functions. The ODRC was created by statute in 1989 and had initiated a Public Policy Dispute Resolution Program (PPDRP) shortly after it was formed with the assistance of a grant from the National Institute for Dispute Resolution. From 1990 to 2003 the PPDRP helped resolve hundreds of complex and difficult public policy controversies. http://www.orconsensus.pdx.edu/about.php

• Georgia Planning Act - The Georgia Planning Act provides for mediation as a way to resolve disputes between two or more local governments over comprehensive planning, developments of regional impacts, regionally important resources, and environmental planning. Conflicts between local governments and regional development centers (RDCs)-as well as conflicts between RDCs-are also subject to mediation under the law. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) administers the mediation process statewide, while the RDCs serve important roles in managing mediation locally. http://www.dca.state.ga.us.