The OIG investigated allegations that an oil and gas production company drilled two wells in Noble County, OK and trespassed into acquired Federal lands. Further, the company allegedly began producing oil and gas without a properly executed mineral lease, which may have resulted in the loss of public resources and revenues. We found the land parcels in question were not acquired Federal lands, therefore, the company did not trespass into minerals owned by the Federal Government as alleged.

We audited U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) convenience check transaction data to determine whether (1) the DOI or its bureaus made transactions that were illegal, improper, or erroneous and (2) the existing internal controls detected and prevented illegal, improper, or erroneous transactions. Our audit timeframe was the first 6 months of fiscal year 2017. Under the DOI’s charge card program, use of convenience checks may be authorized when a vendor does not accept the charge card.

The Office of Inspector General reviewed the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) management of its fleet of roughly 34,000 vehicles to determine whether DOI is maintaining accurate data to optimize it—by ensuring that vehicles’ size and composition meet the agency’s mission—and managing its fleet in accordance with established guidance. We found inaccurate data Departmentwide and an absence of specific guidance from the DOI Office of Acquisition and Property Management (PAM) to bureaus, which are two issues that undermine the DOI’s ability to accomplish its fleet management goals.

We audited the costs claimed by the District of Columbia, Department of Energy and Environment (Department), under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS provided the grants to the District under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (Program). The audit included claims totaling approximately $5.3 million on eight grants that were open during the District’s fiscal years that ended September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017.