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Parks and Recreation: Access Permits to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Improperly Granted

RCED-87-69 Published: Dec 29, 1986. Publicly Released: Jan 07, 1987.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) access permit program at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, specifically whether individuals with vehicular access permits met the prescribed residential or commercial criteria. GAO examined: (1) laws and regulations to determine how access permits were issued; and (2) the refuge office files to determine whether they contained the documentation required to establish permit holders' eligibility.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior should instruct the Director, FWS, to notify the 22 residential and commercial permit holders who GAO found had not provided sufficient evidence of eligibility, and the 10 who did not submit renewal statements for 1986, that they must furnish the required documentation within a prescribed period of time, and that holders should also be required to provide documentation for their employees, or have their access privileges revoked.
Closed – Implemented
During October and November 1987, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge notified all permitees that FWS revised its access regulations on September 23, 1987. This notice also required permitees to apply within a prescribed period of time for renewal of their access permits and, if applicable, furnish appropriate documentation, as required under the revised regulations, to establish eligibility.
Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior should instruct the Director, FWS, to ensure that the interim regulations issued in February 1987, allowing access for medical and other reasons, include clear criteria for these types of permits, and that guidelines are issued to specify the type of documentation necessary to establish eligibility. Once the regulations are issued, FWS should notify the eight current holders of such permits that they will have to reapply within a prescribed period of time and document their eligibility under the interim regulations or have their access permits revoked.
Closed – Implemented
FWS revised regulations expand coverage for medical and commercial permits. These regulations include criteria for securing permits and specify the type of documentation necessary to establish eligibility. All permitees, including medical and commercial permitees' employees are required to reapply and provide appropriate documentation, within a prescribed period of time, to renew their permit.

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Topics

Natural Resources and Environment
Land managementLicensesMotor vehiclesNational parksPublic landsRecreation areasWaterfowlWildlife conservationWildlifeEligibility criteria