Interior's Land Appraisal Services: Actions Needed to Improve Compliance with Appraisal Standards, Increase Efficiency, and Broaden Oversight

摘要

To remedy decades of problems with its land appraisals, the Department of the Interior (Interior) in 2003 removed the land appraisal function from its land management agencies and consolidated them into the Appraisal Services Directorate (ASD). However, Congress and ASD's clients have expressed concern that ASD's appraisal services have become less efficient and effective than what previously existed. GAO was asked to assess (1) ASD's policies and procedures in ensuring compliance with appraisal standards, (2) ASD's ability to meet its customers' needs, and (3) the extent to which there are land appraisals under Interior for which ASD does not have oversight responsibility. To answer these objectives, we reviewed agency guidance, analyzed appraisal data, and used independent expert appraisers to assess compliance with standards.