The audit results are startling. $125 million worth of expenditures were found to be improper. Where some audits were finalized, resolution and restitution were achieved. Other final audits have as yet unresolved questions. The draft audits have not been completed so agreement and restitution by the state has not been achieved. The draft audits involve $60 to $75 million of the above $125 million.

What sort of things were found? One state used millions to purchase lands that went into state parks where no hunting was allowed. Another state put millions of dollars of license money into Department of Natural Resources (DNR) law enforcement that was mostly for law enforcement unrelated to fish and wildlife. This was a common problem with DNR’s. Yet another state sold timber and disposed of the revenue in a questionable way. Still another state paid towns to pave roads.

While some states agreed with the findings, others fought and even involved their governors. All of the audit reports being drafted face resolution negotiations with the subject state. However, that may never take place.

Most states feel that the audits were too strict. This is understandable after more than 10 years of little or no auditing. The fact that FWS has also been encouraging the states to do more non-game and endangered species management with their funds has also contributed to the use of the money by the states for non-traditional purposes.

It is understandable that state agencies want to argue away any need for repayment of funds. Clearly they want to protect all of their employees from charges of misuse when those employees, like FWS managers in the mid 1990’s, were using funds more and more for political purposes and professional rewards from their managers. The states and their International Association want the audit results to be as financially small as possible with little or no publicity.

Why though, is the Federal government (FWS) firing the auditors and demanding all of their papers?