DOD Can Increase Revenues Through Better Use of Natural Resources It Holds in Trust

Almost 25 million acres of land throughout the United States and its possessions have been set aside for the use of the Department of Defense (DOD). These lands, of which about two-thirds are undeveloped, contain vast natural resources helpful to the nation's economy and quality of life. To ensure optimal use of its lands and their natural resources, DOD requires all military bases to manage lands encompassing vast natural resources under the multiple-use principle. This means that bases must exercise balanced, coordinated management of all resources, applying the best combination of developmental and protective land uses, consistent with the military mission. GAO reviewed the effectiveness and efficiency of military bases in managing these lands to determine how revenues can be increased and the multiple uses of the land can be improved.

GAO found that, in fiscal year 1980, military bases managed 2.3 million acres of forest and sold $12.3 million worth of timber and related products. Although most of the forestry programs were well managed, several forestry plans lacked a system for monitoring program effectiveness, were outdated, and had not been properly reviewed and approved. In addition, inadequate coordination, poor planning, and general management apathy prevented timber sales and the bases' agricultural leasing programs from reaching and maintaining maximum benefits. GAO also found that the bases needed to improve their management of large areas of scenic wilderness, woodland, and waterways which are rich in wildlife and recreational resources. Although DOD has encouraged its bases to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate state and federal agencies and to collect hunting and fishing fees to help support fish and wildlife programs and recreational areas, many bases have not done so and have failed to use available technical expertise when planning and managing these valuable resources. As a result, plans are often inadequate or nonexistent, and military managers can neither gauge program effectiveness nor identify potential recreational areas. GAO believes that, by improving its management practices, DOD could collect an additional $3 million annually in revenue.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: James G. Mitchell Team: General Accounting Office: Procurement, Logistics, and Readiness Division Phone: (202) 275-8676