Federal Reports

We audited the costs claimed by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources (Department), under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (Program). The audit included claims totaling $103 million on 27 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018. The audit also covered the Department’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 Department generally ensured that grant funds and hunting and fishing license revenue were used for allowable fish and wildlife activities and complied with applicable laws and regulations, FWS guidelines, and grant agreements.

Generation Z (Gen Z), currently between 8 and 23 years old, is often branded as a digitally native generation. Because they are still relatively young, little is known about Gen Zers’ engagement with physical mail. More research is vital as older Gen Zers begin to enter college and the labor market, and the Postal Service will have increasing opportunities to educate and boost this generation’s awareness of mail as they become adults. The OIG surveyed Gen Zers and found that, despite their Internet connectivity and access to technology, they are familiar with the Postal Service and a majority agreed the Postal Service is relevant to them. Gen Zers also reported being engaged with mail; the majority both send and receive greeting cards, letters, and packages. As well, nearly half said they share the responsibility of checking and sorting mail with their parents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) continued to fulfill its mission by performing safety and environmental inspections for offshore oil and gas operations. We reviewed the actions BSEE’s three regions—the Gulf of Mexico Region, Pacific Region, and Alaska Region—have taken to protect inspectors and offshore employees from COVID-19 and evaluated any impacts the virus had on inspections BSEE conducted since March 2020. We found that BSEE:• Developed, communicated, and updated COVID-19 guidance for all personnel involved with offshore inspections• Continued to complete its required inspections• Adapted its practices and remotely witnessed operators’ blowout preventer (BOP) tests by accessing the operators’ software systemsWe learned that BSEE did not provide the inspectors with guidance on how to witness the BOP remotely. As of July 15, 2020, BSEE officials informed us that they were developing this guidance.Considering the COVID-19 exposure risks for personnel conducting offshore inspections and the potential impact on safety, it is imperative that BSEE continue to update its COVID-19 guidance, work with operators to limit the risks to its inspectors, and finalize its guidance on conducting remote witnessing of operators’ BOP tests.