The Dept. of the Interior is responsible for managing much of the nation's vast natural resources. Its agencies implement an array of programs intended to protect these precious resources for future generations while also allowing certain uses of them, such as oil and gas dev¿t. and recreation. Interior faces major mgmt. challenges in the following six areas: (1) Strengthening resource protection; (2) Strengthening the accountability of Indian and island community programs; (3) Improving fed. land acquisition and mgmt.; (4) Reducing Interior's deferred maintenance backlog; (5) Ensuring the accurate collection of royalties; and (6) Enhancing other revenue collections and financial assurances. Illustrations.

This report addresses the major performance and accountability challenges facing the Department of Labor as it seeks to promote the welfare and economic security of the nations work force and ensure that workplaces are safe and healthy. It includes a summary of actions that Labor has under way to address these challenges and outlines further actions that GAO believes are needed. This analysis should help the new Congress and administration carry out their responsibilities and improve government for the benefit of the American people.

Provides a list of open recommendations to help solve problems in areas GAO designated as major management challenges in its Jan. 1999 Performance and Accountability Report Series. It focuses on the areas that are most important to solving the problem (generally 10-12 per management challenge), and briefly summarizes the other recommendations. The report addresses the Depts. of Agriculture, Commerce, DoD, Education, Energy, HHS, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and VA; Agency for International Development; EPA; NASA.; Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Social Security Admin.; and USPS. Includes dozens of tables.

This report addresses the major performance and accountability challenges facing the Small Business Administration (SBA) as it seeks to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of the nation's small businesses and help businesses and families recover from natural disasters. It includes a summary of actions that SBA has taken and that are under way to address these challenges. It also outlines further actions that GAO believes are needed. This analysis should help the new Congress and administration carry out their responsibilities and improve government for the benefit of the American people.