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                    Most Recent Reports**1 - 20 of 1508 Reports**
	
	

	
	  **Released on   Apr 10, 2024**
          Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Meet Deadline for Processing Permits
    GAO-24-106157
      Published:   Apr 10, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 10, 2024
.
    The federal government is investing billions of dollars in expanding broadband access. Some new infrastructure—such as broadband towers—will be situated on federal lands. Federal agencies are required to process applications for such permits within 270 days. The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service process most of these applications. Between 2018-2022, both agencies missed the deadline for some applications and for others couldn't determine...
      **Released on   Feb 20, 2024**
          Oil and Gas Pipelines: Agencies Should Improve Oversight of Decommissioning
    GAO-24-106444
      Published:   Jan 18, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Feb 20, 2024
.
    "Gathering pipelines" carry oil and natural gas from wells to other pipelines or facilities. Many—although an exact number is unknown—are located on federal lands and were installed decades ago. If not taken out of service properly, the pipelines may pose safety and environmental risks—including spills, emissions, or explosions. In this Q&A report, we look at the challenges several federal agencies face with ensuring the pipelines...
      **Released on   Jan 18, 2024**
          Federal Telework: Interior Can Benefit from Strategic Workforce Planning and Following Key Practices
    GAO-24-107162
      Published:   Jan 18, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 18, 2024
.
    The pandemic abruptly changed how and where people work—and federal agencies, like other employers, are now figuring out what a "new normal" might be. In this testimony, we discussed our prior reports on telework, some recent federal policies, and specific considerations for the Department of the Interior. Even before the pandemic, federal agencies were encouraged to use telework to meet mission needs and realize other...
      **Released on   Dec 12, 2023**
          Artificial Intelligence: Agencies Have Begun Implementation but Need to Complete Key Requirements
    GAO-24-105980
      Published:   Dec 12, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 12, 2023
.
    Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world and could improve government operations. For example, federal agencies can use AI to analyze drone photos and large datasets. But safeguards are needed to manage AI risks. Federal law and guidance have several requirements for agencies implementing AI, but they haven't all been met. For example, there's no government-wide guidance on how agencies should acquire and use AI...
      **Released on   Nov 16, 2023**
          Federal Real Property: Agencies Should Provide More Information About Increases in Deferred Maintenance and Repair
    GAO-24-105485
      Published:   Nov 16, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 16, 2023
.
    We've reported that federal agencies have deferred the maintenance and repairs on their buildings, creating a backlog of these needs. The estimated cost of 4 agencies' backlogs increased more than 80% over FY 2017-2022. Officials at the agencies attributed this to factors including funding constraints, cost increases, and the age and quantity of agencies' physical assets. Agencies' budget documents include information on maintenance needs. But...
      **Released on   Oct 27, 2023**
          Freely Associated States: Agencies Should Enhance Procedures to Address Millions of Dollars in Questionable Spending
    GAO-23-106160
      Published:   Sep 27, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Oct 27, 2023
.
    Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau receive millions of dollars in U.S. grants from federal agencies. Each country must get an annual audit of its use of these funds. Within 6 months, the granting agency must decide how the country should address any audit findings—including questions about grant spending. Then the agency must work with the country to resolve these questions. The Departments of Health...
      **Released on   Sep 7, 2023**
          Southwest Border: Additional Actions Needed to Address Cultural and Natural Resource Impacts from Barrier Construction
    GAO-23-105443
      Published:   Sep 5, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 7, 2023
.
    From 2017 through January 2021, federal agencies built about 450 miles of barriers along the U.S. Southwest border. To expedite construction, they waived federal environmental and other laws. The construction harmed some cultural and natural resources, for example, by blasting at a tribal burial site and altering water flows. Before building, the Department of Homeland Security assessed some potential effects of the construction. But federal...
      **Released on   Jun 7, 2023**
          Cybersecurity: Interior Needs to Address Threats to Federal Systems and Critical Infrastructure
    GAO-23-106869
      Published:   Jun 7, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 7, 2023
.
    The Department of the Interior protects and manages a number of the nation's natural resources. For example, it oversees safety and environmental standards at offshore oil and gas facilities. We testified that Interior could improve its cybersecurity programs and practices, including those at offshore facilities. A cyberattack on one of these facilities could do significant damage and disrupt oil and gas supplies. We've previously recommended...
      **Released on   May 18, 2023**
          Priority Open Recommendations: Department of the Interior
    GAO-23-106461
      Published:   May 11, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 18, 2023
.
    Each year, we make more than 1,000 recommendations to help the federal government save money, address issues on our High Risk List , and significantly improve government operations. This letter to the Department of the Interior outlines 12 open recommendations that it should prioritize. For example, Interior should improve its oversight of offshore oil and gas activities, and address the safety and environmental risks associated...
      **Released on   Apr 27, 2023**
          Tribal Programs: Actions Needed to Improve Interior's Management of Trust Services
    GAO-23-105356
      Published:   Apr 27, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 27, 2023
.
    The federal government holds billions of dollars in trust for Tribes and individuals. In 2020, the Department of the Interior created the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration to take over managing these funds from the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. The transfer followed some, but not all, of our leading practices for agency reforms. For example, Interior established a team to implement...
      **Released on   Feb 13, 2023**
          Abandoned Hardrock Mines: Land Management Agencies Should Improve Reporting of Total Cleanup Costs
    GAO-23-105408
      Published:   Jan 13, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Feb 13, 2023
.
    There are thousands of abandoned hardrock mine features—e.g., pits or tunnels—on federal lands, which can pose risks to human health or wildlife. The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture spent about $109 million and $10 million, respectively, to clean up such contamination during FYs 2017-2021. Both agencies said they have more abandoned hardrock mines than funds to clean them up. But the agencies haven't clearly...
      **Released on   Dec 8, 2022**
          National Security Space: Overview of Contracts for Commercial Satellite Imagery
    GAO-23-106042
      Published:   Dec 8, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 8, 2022
.
    Commercial satellite imagery and data can play a key role in national security. For example, the war in Ukraine has drawn attention to how governments are using commercial satellites to track troop movement and the impact of attacks. The commercial space industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and therefore may be able to address more of the federal government's imagery needs...
      **Released on   Oct 28, 2022**
          Federal Real Property: Agencies Attribute Substantial Increases in Reported Deferred Maintenance to Multiple Factors
    GAO-23-106124
      Published:   Oct 28, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Oct 28, 2022
.
    Federal buildings and structures need billions of dollars in maintenance and repairs each year. Agencies can postpone or "defer" this work for a variety of reasons. Over time, this can create a backlog of maintenance and repair needs and result in higher future maintenance costs. Civilian agencies—i.e., non-military agencies—deferred $51 billion worth of repairs and maintenance in FY 2017. That amount grew to $76 billion...
      **Released on   Sep 22, 2022**
          Privacy: Dedicated Leadership Can Improve Programs and Address Challenges
    GAO-22-105065
      Published:   Sep 22, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 22, 2022
.
    Federal agencies that collect personally identifiable information—such as birthplaces and Social Security numbers—are required to establish programs to protect it. The 24 agencies we examined had designated a senior agency official for privacy, as required. However, these officials may have numerous other duties and may not bring a needed focus on privacy. They generally delegated many aspects of privacy programs to less-senior officials. We recommended...
      **Released on   Sep 12, 2022**
          Tracking the Funds: Specific Fiscal Year 2022 Provisions for Department of the Interior
    GAO-22-105904
      Published:   Sep 12, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 12, 2022
.
    As part of FY22 appropriations, Members of Congress could request to designate a certain amount of federal funding for specific projects in their communities. While agencies often have discretion over how they award funds, Congress has directed them to distribute these funds to designated recipients. We're tracking the funds to help ensure transparency. The Department of the Interior's FY22 appropriations included $117.2 million for 75...
      **Released on   Aug 30, 2022**
          Tribal Economic Development: Action is Needed to Better Understand the Extent of Federal Support
    GAO-22-105215
      Published:   Aug 30, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 30, 2022
.
    Historically, tribal communities have had higher rates of unemployment and poverty than other communities. The federal government administers multiple programs that can support economic development in these communities. We identified 22 programs at 7 agencies that provide economic development assistance—e.g., grants or loans—to tribal governments and businesses. But these programs might be hard to identify or access, leaving tribal entities to miss out on valuable...
      **Released on   Aug 23, 2022**
          Grants Management: Interior Should Improve the Award Process for Some Competitive Grant Programs
    GAO-22-105407
      Published:   Aug 23, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 23, 2022
.
    State agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations can compete for grants from the Department of the Interior to support environmental and wildlife conservation activities. In FY 2019-21, nine bureaus within Interior awarded more than $4 billion. Interior's award process generally follows relevant federal grant regulations, but not always. For example, Interior doesn't require documenting rationales for award decisions. Also, one bureau didn't provide or use clear...
      **Released on   Jun 16, 2022**
          Critical Minerals: Building on Federal Efforts to Advance Recovery and Substitution Could Help Address Supply Risks
    GAO-22-104824
      Published:   Jun 16, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 16, 2022
.
    Many U.S. technologies rely on imported critical minerals, like cobalt and lithium. Disruptions in the global mineral supply chain could seriously affect U.S. energy production, aviation, and other industries. Federal agencies created a national strategy to ensure reliable and secure supplies of 35 critical minerals. Finding ways to recycle these minerals or develop alternatives to them ("recovery and substitution") is a key piece of the...
      **Released on   Jun 9, 2022**
          Priority Open Recommendations: Department of the Interior
    GAO-22-105603
      Published:   Jun 2, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 9, 2022
.
    Each year, we make more than 1,000 recommendations to help improve the federal government. We alert department heads to where they can save the most money, address issues on our High Risk List , or significantly improve government operations. This report outlines our 13 priority open recommendations for the Department of the Interior as of June 2022. For example, 4 of these recommendations would improve...
      **Released on   Mar 10, 2022**
          Indian Energy Service Center: Support Activities Have Been Provided, but Goals and Performance Measures Should Be Defined
    GAO-22-103514
      Published:   Mar 10, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 10, 2022
.
    Indian country contains oil, gas, and coal as well as potential for wind and solar energy development. Multiple federal and tribal agencies are involved in regulating development of these resources and distributing royalty payments. We previously reported that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' inefficient management of these resources has hindered development. In 2015, the Indian Energy Service Center was established to improve collaboration and management...
    
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