	Background

Our work has repeatedly shown that mission fragmentation and program  overlap are widespread in the federal government. In either situation, implementation of federal  crosscutting programs is often characterized by numerous individual  agency efforts that are implemented with little apparent regard for the  presence of efforts of related activities. To identify the agencies involved in each area we relied on previous GAO  work and confirmed the agencies involved by reviewing the fiscal year 2001  Results Act performance report and fiscal year 2003 Results Act  performance plans for each agency identified as contributing to the  crosscutting program area. We did not independently verify or assess the information we obtained  from agency performance reports and plans. Each of the five agencies we reviewed in the area of border control— Agriculture, Justice, State, Transportation, and Treasury—discussed in  their performance reports and/or plans the agencies they coordinated with  on border control issues, although the specific areas of coordination and  level of detail provided varied. Transportation reported not meeting either of its two goals related to  border control, but provided explanations and strategies for meeting the  goals in the future that appeared reasonable. Three of the five agencies—Agriculture, Justice, and Transportation— discussed strategies that appeared to be reasonably linked to achieving  their fiscal year 2003 goals. FEMA reported meeting all but one of its fiscal year 2001 goals and  indicators related to flood mitigation and insurance. Nevertheless, FEMA’s fiscal year 2003  performance goals and measures are similar to those that appear in its  fiscal year 2001 performance plan. Each of the agencies we reviewed had goals related to wetlands that it  reported having met or exceeded in fiscal year 2001. Concluding Observations

We have previously stated that the Results Act could provide OMB,  agencies, and Congress with a structured framework for addressing  crosscutting program efforts. The agencies  generally agreed with the accuracy of the information in the report.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO's work has repeatedly shown that mission fragmentation and program overlap are widespread in the federal government. Implementation of federal crosscutting programs is often characterized by numerous individual agency efforts that are implemented with little apparent regard for the presence and efforts of related activities. GAO has in the past offered possible approaches for managing crosscutting programs, and has stated that the Government Performance and Results Act could provide a framework for addressing crosscutting efforts. GAO was asked to examine the actions and plans agencies reported in addressing the crosscutting issues of border control, flood mitigation and insurance, wetlands, and wildland fire management. GAO reviewed the fiscal year 2001 performance reports and fiscal year 2003 performance plans for the major agencies involved in these issues.

What GAO Found

GAO did not independently verify or assess the information it obtained from agency performance reports and plans. On the basis of the reports and plans, GAO found that most agencies involved in the crosscutting issues discussed coordination with other agencies in their performance reports and plans, although the extent of coordination and level of detail provided varied considerably. The progress agencies reported in meeting their fiscal year 2001 performance goals also varied considerably. For example, wetlands was the only area in which all of the agencies GAO reviewed met or exceeded fiscal year 2001 goals. Some of the agencies that did not meet their goals provided reasonable explanations and/or strategies that appeared reasonably linked to meeting the goals in the future. The agencies GAO reviewed generally planned to pursue goals in fiscal year 2003 similar to those in 2001, although some agencies added new goals, dropped existing goals, or dropped goals altogether. Many agencies discussed strategies that appeared to be reasonably linked to achieving their fiscal year 2003 goals.