Recovery.gov - Track the Money

Three CUPCA program areas are identified for ARRA funding: 1) Utah Lake System; 2) Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Conservation – Utah; and 3) Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Conservation – Out of State. Projects within these programs were prioritized based on previously described criteria.

Projects within the Utah Lake System were planned as a part of the Utah Lake System and are described in the 2004 Supplement to the Definite Plan Report for the Bonneville Unit. National Environmental Policy Act Compliance was covered under the 2004 Utah Lake Drainage Basin Water Delivery System Final Environmental Impact Statement and associated Record of Decision signed by the Assistant Secretary – Water and Science. It was determined that three reaches of pipelines next in sequence for construction could be constructed concurrently with sufficient oversight by Interior. Accelerated completion of the Utah Lake System pipelines would allow connection to existing CUP facilities by 2011 which would make CUP water available, provide pressure for irrigation systems, and deliver in stream flow water for endangered species.

Projects within the Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Conservation – Utah program were selected based on existing planning documents and previous prioritization and approval by the Mitigation Commission. These projects would meet the Mitigation Commission’s objectives of implementing projects to offset the impacts to fish, wildlife and related recreation resources caused by CUP and other federal reclamation projects in Utah. Making ARRA funds available will directly benefit the Ute Indian Tribe’s Fish and Wildlife program making the Tribe less dependent on state and federal resources for fishery development.

Projects within the Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Conservation – Out of State program were selected based on prior requests for proposals, legislative criteria within CUPCA, and a competitive selection process. ARRA funding for these projects would follow the previous selection process ranking. This program is listed on Grants.gov.

The establishment of meaningful and measurable outcomes is an important component of Interior’s Recovery Act reporting. Performance monitoring and oversight efforts are designed to ensure that the Department meets the accountability objectives of the Recovery Act.

These efforts include tracking the progress of key goals. The Department is defining a suite of performance measurements to monitor progress made in accomplishing stated work goals and to ensure financial and procurement practices are executed responsibly. In addition, the Department’s Recovery Act Coordinator is collaborating with senior Departmental officials, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of Inspector General to ensure oversight of the program from the first phase of project selection, through implementation and execution. The Coordinator, with the assistance of the Recovery Act Board, will be evaluating processes to ensure that adequate mechanisms are in place and identify and share best practices to promote:

o Maximized use of competitive awards
o Timely and transparent award of dollars
o Timely and appropriate expenditure of dollars
o Verification and timely completion of planned work
o Minimized cost overruns
o Minimized improper payments

Measurement and reporting is a crucial component of Interior’s oversight strategy. The information received will serve as an indicator of progress enabling the Department’s governance entities to manage risk and ensure successful implementation of the Recovery Act. Department-wide, consistent guidance will guide efforts in this regard, including for example, development of a risk management program.

Reporting requirements related to major contract actions and financial status, including obligations and outlays, are being instituted. Periodic reviews of implementation progress at both the Bureau and Departmental levels will identify the need to realign resources to expedite projects, to modify project plans, or to select contingency projects to ensure funds are obligated within the time limitation. The selection of contingency projects will be included as part of regular reporting through recovery.gov.

The Recovery Coordinator will oversee Bureau implementation to ensure projects address the Department’s high priority goals and objectives, while also working to ensure that department-wide performance objectives, including timeliness and cost and risk management are met throughout the process.

The Office of Inspector General will be working closely with the Department from the
start to review and propose effective processes to manage risks, monitor progress, and to improve overall performance and accountability.

As part of routine reporting, the Department is also carefully tracking all projects subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). During the project selection phase the Department identified which projects had already completed NEPA planning, which are in progress, and which ones still need to begin the NEPA process. The Department will track the status of all NEPA compliance activities associated with projects or activities and report quarterly to the Council on Environmental Quality.

Not applicable.