Summary

GAO reviewed whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) used emergency appropriated funds for the repair and replacement of national wildlife refuge facilities damaged by Hurricane Iniki. GAO noted that: (1) FWS did not have authorization to use emergency funds for reconstruction work at two refuges; (2) FWS planned to use emergency funds for enlarging selected buildings at one refuge and remodeling the visitors' center at another refuge; (3) approximately $12.8 million in emergency disaster assistance was appropriated to FWS for construction projects; and (4) of the amount appropriated, FWS allocated $6.2 million for the rehabilitation of the refuges.