Transfer of Fort Wadsworth to the Gateway National Recreation Area

A request was made to review certain aspects of the transfer of Fort Wadsworth to the Department of the Interior's National Park Service. Concern was expressed over the Army's alleged removal of installed fixtures and equipment from the Fort's facilities before the Fort is transferred. This action may be counter to assurances and agreements made by the Army concerning the condition of the property to be transferred. This may result in unnecessary cost to the Government if the Army has no valid use for the equipment removed and unnecessary cost later if the Interior is required to replace the equipment or fixtures removed. In conducting the review, GAO discussed the transfer with Army and National Park Service officials, examined records concerning the type and condition of the property to be transferred, and inspected Fort facilities.

GAO found that: (1) the Department of the Army has removed certain equipment from the facilities being transferred; (2) the Army said it removed the equipment from Fort Wadsworth in compliance with its regulations; (3) the Army and the Interior had no written agreement on the items to be removed by the Army; and (4) Park Service officials believed some of the items removed could have been used to support the Park Service's plans for the recreation area.