The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ and the Office of Insular Affairs’ Support for Climate Adaptation Practices

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

We cannot determine if BIA and OIA grant activities met DOI climate change goals due to a lack of performance measures and grant monitoring.

Short / Alternative Report Title:

The BIA’s and OIA’s Support for Climate Adaptation Practices

Date Issued:

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of the Interior

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

2022–ER–019

Component, if applicable:

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Office of Insular Affairs

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Inspection / Evaluation

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

$150,000

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
Final-Evaluation-ReportBIAOIAClimate-Change-AdaptationPublic.pdf	5.65 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
2022-ER-019-01	Open	Yes
We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Environmental Management develop and implement performance measures and targets that can be used to measure progress in achieving the DOI’s goals for responding to climate change.
2022-ER-019-02	Open	No
We recommend that the BIA TCR coordinate with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Environmental Management to developand implement performance measures and targets that align with its program mission and the DOI’s goals for responding to climate change.
2022-ER-019-03	Open	No
We recommend that the OIA TAP coordinate with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Environmental Management to developand implement performance measures and targets that align with its program mission and the DOI’s goals for responding to climate change.
2022-ER-019-04	Open	Yes
We recommend that the BIA TCR develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the analysis of a potential awardee’s risk of declination is conducted, as required by 25 C.F.R. § 900, and is incorporated in the 638 agreement process to ensure the appropriate information and technical assistance is provided.
2022-ER-019-05	Open	No
We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (Management) develop and implement policies and procedures for performing risk evaluations, including guidance on how to determine and assign appropriate risk level to grant applicants.
2022-ER-019-06	Open	No
We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (Management) update its grant management policy for grant monitoring to provide detailed instructions on how to effectively monitor grants and to address late submission of financial and performance reports.
2022-ER-019-08	Open	No
We recommend that the BIA TCR develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that all TCR awarding and monitoring documents are stored and retained and are accessible by authorized personnel.
2022-ER-019-09	Open	No
We recommend that the BIA TCR develop and implement policies and procedures for monitoring financial assistance awarded through 638 agreements and compacts, including addressing late submission of financial and performance reports, ensuring that funds are being put to use, and ensuring applicable personnel are trained on the policies and procedures.
2022-ER-019-10	Open	No
We recommend that the BIA TCR ensure that all grantees are current and in compliance with grant requirements, including obtaining all missing financial and performance reports from grantees.
2022-ER-019-11	Open	No
We recommend that the BIA TCR review Grant No. A20AP00170 and require that the Tribe return the funds if the grant is expired.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

2022-ER-019-01

Open

Yes

We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Environmental Management develop and implement performance measures and targets that can be used to measure progress in achieving the DOI’s goals for responding to climate change.

2022-ER-019-02

Open

We recommend that the BIA TCR coordinate with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy and Environmental Management to developand implement performance measures and targets that align with its program mission and the DOI’s goals for responding to climate change.

2022-ER-019-03