Increasing Public Use and Benefits from Surplus Federal Real Property

Highlights

Since 1944, the federal government has transferred surplus real property to public agencies and nonprofit institutions, usually at no cost to the recipient. The property, including land, buildings, and other facilities such as airfields, is no longer needed by any federal agency, and the transfers are intended to provide continued public benefit through specific uses in health, education, recreation, airport, and wildlife conservation. The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for the surplus real property program.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
General Services Administration	The Administrator, GSA, in coordination with other sponsoring federal agencies, should compile and maintain an inventory of surplus real property conveyed with federal restrictions, establish and maintain records of program activities, and strengthen GSA involvement for ensuring program compliance.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Interior	The Secretaries of Transportation, the Interior, and Health, Education, and Welfare should: (1) require more critical reviews of applications for property to ensure that it is transferred to applicants who can achieve the desired public benefits; (2) establish an agressive monitoring and enforcement revenue program; (3) develop uniform guidelines and procedures for producing activities, including adequate control on reporting, use, and disposition of funds; and (4) reclaim the property and return title to the federal government where property is not being used or developed for the purpose conveyed and in accordance with transfer terms.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare	The Secretaries of Transportation, the Interior, and Health, Education, and Welfare should: (1) require more critical reviews of applications for property to ensure that it is transferred to applicants who can achieve the desired public benefits; (2) establish an agressive monitoring and enforcement revenue program; (3) develop uniform guidelines and procedures for producing activities, including adequate control on reporting, use, and disposition of funds; and (4) reclaim the property and return title to the federal government where property is not being used or developed for the purpose conveyed and in accordance with transfer terms.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Transportation	The Secretaries of Transportation, the Interior, and Health, Education, and Welfare should: (1) require more critical reviews of applications for property to ensure that it is transferred to applicants who can achieve the desired public benefits; (2) establish an agressive monitoring and enforcement revenue program; (3) develop uniform guidelines and procedures for producing activities, including adequate control on reporting, use, and disposition of funds; and (4) reclaim the property and return title to the federal government where property is not being used or developed for the purpose conveyed and in accordance with transfer terms.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

Full Report

Full Report (58 pages)

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Government Operations

AirportsCommunity developmentFederal aid to localitiesstate relationsLand managementProgram managementReal estate transfersReal propertyRecreationSurplus federal property