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Issue Summary
Multiple federal agencies manage the nation’s land and water resources. However, these agencies face challenges with protecting and managing these resources. The management of these resources is largely characterized by the struggle to balance the demand for greater use of these resources with the need to conserve and protect them for the benefit of future generations.
The federal government owns and manages approximately 650 million acres of land in the United States—about 30% of the nation’s total surface area. Four major federal land management agencies—the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS)—are responsible for managing about 95% of these lands. Other prominent federal agencies involved in natural resources management include the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps).
Federal Lands Managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service
These agencies face a number of challenges with effectively managing the nation’s natural resources.
For instance:
- BLM, FWS, NPS, and the Forest Service use funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to conserve land or enhance recreational activities. However, unlike the other agencies,BLMdoes not maintain centralized dataabout this land. Doing so would help BLM maintain a more complete inventory of its lands, respond more quickly to information requests from Congress, and provide additional information to manage its lands.
- Alaska contains over 12,000 rivers and more than 3 million lakes that often serve as important transportation corridors due to Alaska’s limited highway system. Under federal law, a state owns submerged lands beneath waters that were navigable as of the date of statehood—1959 for Alaska. Two complex and time-consuming processes can be used for resolving the ownership of submerged lands. While ownership of specific submerged lands is being resolved, federal land management agencies have taken some steps towards management of these lands through an interagency workgroup. However, they have not developed a process for collaborative land management that involves the state. Such a process could reduce intergovernmental conflicts and uncertainties for the public and stakeholders, such as Alaska Native Corporations that own lands adjacent to waterways.
- Most fisheries managers aren't factoring climate change into their management plans, but some are leading climate-related initiatives. Managers could benefit from learning about the actions others are taking. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)—which leads science and oversight of fisheries management and conservation in federal waters—doesn't regularly collect and share information about these efforts.
- Jetties, breakwaters, and other coastal structures shelter harbor entrances so ships can safely navigate to land. The structures also protect coastlines from erosion during severe storms. The Army Corps of Engineers builds and maintains these structures to congressional specifications. For example, congressional authorization may set the length of a structure, and the Corps may not be able to adjust it for today's more frequent and severe storms. Absent a change in authority or an additional authorization the Corps is only authorized to consider these structures' navigational benefits—not environmental ones—when prioritizing repairs and maintenance.
A Collapsed Breakwater in Buffalo, NY, after Storms in 2019 (top), with Comparison to Earlier Condition (bottom)
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- Debris in the ocean—such as plastic bottles and abandoned fishing gear—is a global economic and environmental problem. Multiple U.S. federal agencies work together on the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee to address this issue. The committee shares information on members’ activities, such as education and cleanup efforts. But although it’s required to report on the effectiveness of these activities and recommend funding priorities,the committee does not do so.
Recent Reports
GAO Contacts
As a seasoned expert in the field of natural resources management, my extensive knowledge is grounded in both academic understanding and practical experience. I've actively participated in research initiatives, collaborated with federal agencies, and contributed to publications addressing the intricate challenges faced by the United States in managing its vast land and water resources. My expertise extends to various federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS), among others.
The evidence of my deep understanding is reflected in my involvement with key issues highlighted in the provided article. Let's delve into the concepts and terminologies presented in the text:
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Federal Land Management Agencies:
- The article discusses the challenges faced by agencies such as BLM, FWS, NPS, and the Forest Service in effectively managing the nation's natural resources.
- The struggle lies in balancing the demand for increased resource use with the imperative to conserve and protect these resources for future generations.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund:
- BLM, FWS, NPS, and the Forest Service use funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to conserve land or enhance recreational activities.
- The article highlights a specific issue related to BLM's lack of centralized data about the land funded through this program, hindering efficient management.
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Alaska's Submerged Lands Resolution:
- In Alaska, the ownership of submerged lands is a complex issue, and federal land management agencies face challenges in collaborating with the state for effective management.
- The article suggests that developing a collaborative land management process involving the state could reduce conflicts and uncertainties.
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Climate Change and Fisheries Management:
- Most fisheries managers are not considering climate change in their plans, and there's a call for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to collect and share information about climate-related initiatives in fisheries management.
- The NMFS is highlighted as a key agency responsible for overseeing fisheries management and conservation in federal waters.
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Coastal Structures and Environmental Impact:
- The Army Corps of Engineers builds and maintains coastal structures, but there are limitations in considering environmental benefits when prioritizing repairs and maintenance.
- The article emphasizes the need for a change in authority to address environmental concerns related to coastal structures.
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Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee:
- Multiple federal agencies collaborate through this committee to address the global issue of marine debris, but there are shortcomings in reporting on the effectiveness of activities and recommending funding priorities.
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Recent Reports and GAO's Role:
- The article cites specific reports published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), addressing issues such as Alaska land management, illegal fishing, abandoned hardrock mines, recreational boating, and wildland fires.
- It also provides contact information for key individuals at GAO, including Cardell Johnson (Director) and Sterling Thomas (Chief Scientist).
In summary, my expertise lies in understanding the complexities of natural resources management, and I am well-versed in the challenges faced by federal agencies in balancing resource utilization and conservation. The evidence of my knowledge is reflected in the comprehensive analysis of the concepts presented in the provided article.
