The trend in federal involvement in the territories is marked by (1) a significant increase
in the number of federal agencies involved in
programs
and
territories
making
and
(2)
a
decisions
shift
affecting
the
in the traditional
role of Interior from direct territorial admin-
istrative authority to limited oversight,
ter-
ritory advocate, and assistance provider.
Territory officials are generally satisfied with
the
current
decentralized
administration
provided
by
approach
to
individual
program
federal '
agencies and indicated that good working rela-
tionships have been established with most agencies.
However,
they believe better federal
policy coordination is needed to systematically
address
development
needs -when
formulating
individual agency policies.
Many
territory
institutional
officials
capacity
of
also
criticize
the
the
Department
of
Interior to .meet their needs.
For example,
they believe Interior does not have sufficient
influence to represent them in the budget process or in policy matters involving other federal agencies.
Within Interior, there is some
disagreement on its role vis-a-vis the territories in terms of federal oversight, program and
policy coordination,
and
territory advocacy.
(See pp.
Several
federal
44
to 49.)
proposals
have
organizational
territories.
centralized,
The
been
made
to
responsibility
options
interagency
range
from
change
for
organization
a
the
more
to
a
decentralized approach with no single federal
agency responsible,
as
currently exists
for
Puerto Rico.
No clear consensus exists in the territories on
what approach is best suited to their needs..
Many territorial leaders see no need to make
major changes in the current federal approach
in administering programs,
However, many sSupport the concept of a high-level interagency
group
to
handle
policy-related
matters
and
address major territorial concerns.
The territories
agreed
that
the
federal government
should
be
more
responsive
to
their
needs,
regardless of the organization arrangement.
In
GAO's
view,
responsibility
5000202
a
for
change
in
territorial
vi
organizational
affairs
might