Skip to main content

Wetlands Preservation: Easements Are Protecting Prairie Potholes but Some Improvements Are Possible

RCED-92-27 Published: Nov 07, 1991. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 1991.
Jump To:

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the enforcement of protection easements under the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP), which serves to preserve wetlands and increase waterfowl production.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Interior To improve the effectiveness of SWAP, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Director, FWS, to establish procedures to ensure that wetland management district offices responsible for the program document the extent to which waterfowl are using wetlands.
Closed – Implemented
FWS has begun to use a waterfowl production survey that will cover the entire Prairie Pothole region of the United States. This is an alternative action that will respond to the recommendation.
Department of the Interior To improve the effectiveness of SWAP, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Director, FWS, to issue agencywide timeliness standards for: (1) performing on-the-ground inspections of suspected violations; (2) contacting landowners or tenants once violations have been confirmed; (3) completing restoration; and (4) following up to ensure that restoration is satisfactory. Exceptions to those standards should be documented and approved by the head of the responsible wetland management district office.
Closed – Implemented
Specific guidance regarding easement monitoring and enforcement efforts was included in Policy Guidance on March 24, 1993, under the signature of the Deputy Director, FWS.
Department of the Interior To improve the effectiveness of SWAP, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Director, FWS, to issue guidance that specifies the circumstances under which easement violators should be issued violation notices and assessed fines.
Closed – Implemented
Supplemental guidance emphasizing the importance of consistent and timely application of easement management guidelines was issued on March 24, 1993, by the Deputy Director, FWS.

Full Report

Full Report (22 pages)

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Natural Resources and Environment
Environment evaluationEnvironmental lawEnvironmental monitoringFines (penalties)Law enforcementMigratory birdsReal property acquisitionRecordsWaterfowlWildlife conservationWetlands