U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Grants Awarded to the State of Florida, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, From July 1, 2014, Through June 30, 2016

The OIG audited the costs claimed by the State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. The audit included claims totaling approximately $121 million on 100 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016. The audit also covered the Commission’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and FWS guidelines, including those related to the collection and use of hunting and fishing license revenues and the reporting of program income. We found that the Commission complied, in general, with applicable grant accounting and regulatory requirements. We determined, however, that the Commission (1) submitted its Federal Financial Reports late on multiple occasions, and (2) appeared to receive $203,589 in excess Federal reimbursement across four grants (but the Commission provided additional documentation to show it did not exceed allowable costs). Both the FWS and the Commission agreed with the one recommendation we made, and they will work together to implement corrective actions.