Created in October 1993, the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) had for initial purpose to implement Presidential Executive Order 12372 related to the State clearinghouse process for review of Federal programs which affect the custom, culture and economic well-being of the counties.

Since then, the ECO mission has been to plan and implement specific environmental programs impacting economic development in the Counties. Such programs include forest restoration, watershed restoration, energy, water, recreation, threatened and endangered species, infrastructures, public lands and natural resources planning.