Protection and Prompt Disposal Can Prevent Destruction of Excess Facilities in Alaska

Federal agencies have not protected and maintained facilities which they have built on lands withdrawn from the public domain in Alaska and no longer need. Long delays in the disposal process and the lack of protection have allowed property improvements to suffer extensive deterioration and vandalism. The Bureau of Land Management determines if the land is suitable for return to the public domain. If it has been changed substantially by improvements, the Bureau requests the General Services Administration (GSA) to dispose of the property. GAO reviewed five cases with improvements costing over $23 million.