Inspector General’s Statement Summarizing the Major Management and Performance Challenges Facing the U.S. Department of the Interior, FY 2020

In accordance with the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, we are submitting what we have determined to be the most significant management and performance challenges facing the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), for inclusion in the DOI’s Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020.Given the broad effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on not only the DOI but the United States as a whole during this fiscal year, we have modified our approach for this year’s report to feature a detailed analysis of the DOI’s pandemic response. We are not suggesting that the challenges we identified in previous years have been resolved, but, under the circumstances, we believe that they should be viewed in light of the pandemic and its substantial effect on the DOI.We also identify an emerging issue—namely, the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act—and the DOI’s progress in preparing for and addressing this challenge.This report is primarily based on Office of Inspector General (OIG) and U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviews (including the GAO’s High-Risk List), as well as our general knowledge of the DOI’s programs and operations.