Surface Mining: Transferring Interior's Surface Mining Regulatory Function

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the impacts and alternatives associated with transferring the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's (OSMRE) functions to determine: (1) the cost of the transfer; (2) the time necessary to complete the transfer; (3) which agencies were most capable of carrying out and improving OSMRE functions; and (4) the source of knowledgeable and capable staff to perform OSMRE functions if they were transferred.