Laura Sneeringer, Program Manager, has more than ten years of experience providing the full
range of collaborative services, including conducting situation assessments, facilitation, mediation,
stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and training. She has helped resolve numerous
environmental disputes on a range of topics, such as energy development, water quality issues, and
transit and bike and pedestrian infrastructure planning. She has also helped organizations improve
their effectiveness in an array of situations, from challenging relationship issues to complicated
organizational structures.
Selection of Project Experience
Environmental Dialogues
Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee: Ms. Sneeringer co-mediated
negotiations for valuing oil produced on American Indian leases among representatives from Tribes,
Indian Mineral Owner Associations, the oil industry, and the Federal government. The dialogue was
challenging as parties continued to dig into their positions and the content was technically complex.
However, we were ultimately able to help the Committee develop proposed regulations that met all
parties’ needs for greater simplicity, certainty and clarity. This was a significant accomplishment as
there had been multiple, previous efforts to modify the 1988 Rule with limited success.
Colorado Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) Innovative Stormwater Mitigation Pool Program:
Ms. Sneeringer co-facilitated meetings to help CDOT staff develop and implement an innovative
stormwater management program, which could serve as an example for other states. It is a
Mitigation Pool Program in which local agencies can receive funding to develop stormwater
facilities, as long as they treat a portion of runoff from CDOT’s right of way. We helped the group
come to consensus on a concept, facilitated meetings between CDOT and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (which provides regulatory oversight) to negotiate
details, and helped the group refine implementation, including documenting program guidance.
More information on the program is available at on the Call for Project website.
Moffat Collection System Interagency Dialogue: Ms. Sneeringer co-facilitated a meeting among
the US Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency and Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment to discuss technical comments on the Preliminary Final
Environmental Impact Statement. The purpose of the meeting was to outline next steps to ensure
key concerns are addressed in the Final EIS and ensure that there is as much coordination as
possible with the state’s parallel 401 Certification process. The conversations involved technical
issues related to impacts on aquatic life, related to anticipated changes in temperature, nutrients,
metals and stream morphology.
Transit-Oriented Development Planning along Commuter Rail Corridors, Denver, CO: Ms.
Sneeringer facilitated a two-year dialogue to outline a vision and implementation strategies for
transit-oriented development along two commuter rail corridors in the Denver Metro Region – the
East and Gold corridors. The planning effort highlighted the importance of multijurisdictional
coordination for corridor-scale development. Representatives outlined strategies for cross-boundary
needs such as last mile mobility, affordable housing, and economic and workforce development.
Share the Road Collaborative Dialogue: Ms. Sneeringer co-designed and facilitated the Colorado
Share the Road Collaborative Dialogue process. This initiative convenes diverse representatives to
develop community-specific education strategies to promote safer and more cooperative roadways
for all users. Each community-specific Task Force has identified a range of educational strategies,
such as providing input into the Colorado Driver’s Handbook, incorporating Share the Road
components into training programs and developing educational signage and articles.
Organizational Effectiveness
Coordination among Colorado Springs Parks Department and Volunteer Friends Groups: Ms.
Sneeringer co-facilitated a dialogue among the City of Colorado Springs Parks Department and the
volunteer Friends Groups who help manage the parks through fundraising, education and maintenance
activities. There had been some relationship and service-related challenges between the parties in recent
years, based partially on fluctuating budgets. In order to ensure an effective relationships that meet all
partners’ and the public’s needs, the group had open and direct conversations about partners’ goals,
interests and issues of concern and conducted problem solving on how to best coordinate with one
another. They developed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines roles and responsibilities,
decision-making processes, communication protocols and dispute resolution procedures.
Workplace Environment Assessment, Training and Facilitated Dialogue for a
Manufacturing Facility: As part of a CDR team, Ms. Sneeringer conducted a situation assessment
for an organization that was experiencing significantly low morale. Among other reasons, the
assessment was initiated due to allegations of racism and favoritism. We interviewed more than 70
employees, analyzed a survey filled out by more than 200 employees and developed a report that
highlighted strengths, issues of concern and recommendations to improve the work environment.
As a follow-up, we provided interactive People Skills training to more than 200 employees, which
included topics such as interest-based problem solving, communication skills, building trust and
teamwork. We also facilitated a dialogue for a specific team, enabling them to have direct and open
conversation on challenges and develop detailed solutions on how to overcome them.
EPA Region 8 Water Supply Team Coordination: Ms. Sneeringer facilitated meetings among
EPA Region 8’s NEPA and Ecosystem Protection Wetlands and 404 Permitting staff to help them
coordinate more effectively on their reviews of water supply projects. The project used a building
block approach to develop an internal agreement on communication protocols, roles and
responsibilities, planning decision making processes and conflict management.
Education and Affiliations
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Syracuse University: Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, B.S. Environmental
Biology and B.A. Environmental Policy Studies, May 2001
Roster Member, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution
Member, Association of Conflict Resolution, awarded the 2010 Rob Williams Memorial
Award for Mid-Level Practitioners in the Environment and Public Policy Section
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