The Trump administration said this week that it plans to “review” the nation’s wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) posted a directive on its website this week in which agency director Brian Nesvik ordered the review. It said that officials should “look for refuges or hatcheries established for a purpose that no longer aligns with the mission.”
It directed two key officials, senior adviser Joshua Coursey and acting deputy director for operations David Miko, to come up with recommended changes.
FWS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
National wildlife refuges are areas set up by the federal government to promote species conservation. The National Wildlife Refuge System includes 573 refuges and five marine national monuments.
National fish hatcheries seek to promote conservation of fish and other marine life. The National Fish Hatchery System includes 71 hatcheries, seven fish technology centers and six fish health centers.
The reviews were first reported by E&E News.
Nesvik ordered federal officials to undertake “programmatic, comprehensive” reviews.
In addition to mission alignment, the government will review the refuges and hatcheries for factors including organizational structure, current resources, ability to work with local communities and “opportunities to achieve efficiencies in the areas of governance, oversight, and span of control.”
Nesvik directed Coursey and Miko to provide an “initial summary of organizational change recommendations” by Jan. 5 and a more detailed report with a list of “actionable recommendations” by Feb. 15.