Dear Ms. Kendall:

According to the Inspector General Act of 1978 ("IG Act"), each Inspector General is responsible for conducting, supervising, and coordinating audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of their respective agency or department. Although intended to be an independent watchdog against waste, fraud, and abuse, an Inspector General is also expected to keep the department head and Congress fully informed about fraud and other serious problems, to recommend corrective actions, and to report on progress made implementing the corrective actions.

Under the Obama Administration, the Department of the Interior has announced several high-profile initiatives, in particular ones touting renewable energy development on federal lands (both onshore and offshore), affecting scarce water resources, and promoting increased scientific integrity at the Department. It is imperative that the Office of Inspector General ("IG") conduct proper oversight over these new programs and policies and report to Congress and to the Department on any deficiencies, fraud, waste, or abuse in these areas.

Read the entire letter HERE.