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Open Recommendations

Federal Fisheries Management: Efforts to Reduce and Monitor Unintentional Catch and Harm Need Better Tracking
GAO-24-106336
Jul 10, 2024
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Marine Fisheries Service The Assistant Administrator for NMFS should gather information from across the regions to identify any additional resources needed to support fisheries observers, and communicate these needs to relevant stakeholders, including Congress. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Marine Fisheries Service The Assistant Administrator for NMFS should develop an updated National Bycatch Reduction Strategy Implementation Plan with measurable performance goals tied to specific time frames. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Marine Fisheries Service The Assistant Administrator for NMFS should develop a process for tracking progress toward the performance goals in the updated National Bycatch Reduction Strategy Implementation Plan and use the information to guide agency decision-making. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Marine Fisheries Service The Assistant Administrator for NMFS should develop a comprehensive written plan for reporting on bycatch estimates from the enhanced Fisheries One Stop Shop database, including how the agency will communicate over time on bycatch levels, trends, and information gaps. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Forest Service: Fully Following Leading Practices for Agency Reforms Would Strengthen Prescribed Fire Program
GAO-24-106239
Jul 08, 2024
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should ensure the agency develops outcome-oriented goals and establishes performance measures to help assess the effectiveness of its hazardous fuels program, including its prescribed fire activities, in reducing wildfire risk. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should ensure the agency develops and implements a strategic workforce plan for its prescribed fire program. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should ensure the agency develops an implementation plan for its prescribed fire program reform efforts with key milestones and deliverables, and tracks implementation progress. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should ensure the agency assesses the appropriate level of resources needed to maintain day-to-day management of its prescribed fire program reform efforts, and takes steps accordingly. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Climate Change: Options to Enhance the Resilience of Federally Funded Flood Risk Management Infrastructure
GAO-24-105496
Feb 15, 2024
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Civil Works The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works should direct the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to (1) analyze the 14 options for enhancing the climate resilience of federally funded flood risk management infrastructure identified in this report; and (2) integrate them, as appropriate, into the Corps' future climate resilience prioritization and planning efforts. Such analysis should include an explanation of the Corps' decision to prioritize or not prioritize the options, as well as legislative proposals, as appropriate, that identify any additional authorities and resources the Corps would need to implement the options. (Recommendation 1)
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) agreed with the recommendation. According to the official agency comments, the Corps will analyze the 14 options in the report and integrate them, as appropriate, into the Corps' future climate resilience prioritization and planning efforts to include explanations of their decisions as well as legislative proposals, as appropriate for additional authorities and resources needed to implement the options.
Congress As Congress considers authorizing legislation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' civil works activities, Congress should consider—in light of any analyses or proposals submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—providing direction or authority to implement one or more of the 14 options for enhancing the climate resilience of federally funded flood risk management infrastructure identified in this report. (Matter for Consideration 1)
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As of March 13, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not been provided direction or authority to implement one or more of the 14 options for enhancing the climate resilience of federally funded flood risk management infrastructure identified in this report.

Coral Reef Conservation Program: Opportunities Exist to Better Track Expenditures and Share Information
GAO-24-106692
Feb 13, 2024
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Administrator of NOAA should ensure that the Director of the CRCP improves the program's ability to track and report expenditure data for the program as a whole by, for example, regularly assigning specific task codes to CRCP projects. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Administrator of NOAA should ensure that the Director of the CRCP accesses and uses expenditure data in managing the program. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Administrator of NOAA should ensure that the Director of the CRCP takes steps to communicate information related to expenditures and performance results to outside entities, as appropriate. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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