Summary: Congress required the Department of the Interior to review certain types of federal lands that have been withdrawn by federal agencies from mineral exploration and development. GAO was requested to examine: (1) how Interior is implementing the program to review existing federal withdrawals, and (2) what actions Interior is taking to review withdrawals from lands not formally withdrawn but restricted from mineral exploration and development.
GAO found that the withdrawal reviews, conducted by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), could be more consistent with the objectives of Congress and, therefore, more responsive to congressional expectations. Although the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) requires BLM to review requests for land withdrawal, BLM is giving priority to reviewing lands not specified by Congress for review and not closed to mineral entry. Further, GAO found that, although Interior seems intent on opening more federal lands to multiple use, it is allowing management to make decisions to informally withdraw lands from mineral exploration and development. GAO also identified other problems with program implementation which need attention, such as confusion among program officials about the requirement for mineral reports. The program's successful completion may be jeopardized by funding and support problems.
