the
level
of
federal
administrative
management
of
activities.
They believe that Interior is placed
of supporting greater territorial autonomy while
time exerting oversight over federal
operations
activities
in the territories.
territory
in a dilemma
at the same
and
government
ORGANIZATIONAL OPTIONS SHOULD
REFLECT THE DIRECTION OF
FEDERAL-~TERRITORIAL RELATIONSHIP
rior,
Given
a
the
number
territories'
of
changes
general
have
dissatisfaction
been
considered
in
years.
A
1979
interagency
task
force on
the
addressed this issue and offered several options.
options,
elevating
the
territorial
with
the
Inte-
past
5
territories
One of the
responsibility within
Inte-
rior, was implemented by the Carter administration.
Despite
this effort, many territorial officials and some in Congress
continue to call for change.
Should the Congress decide to consider organizational changes, we believe that it should first
address whether the current level of
federal oversight and
presence
in
the
territories
is
adequate.
The amount of over-
sight exercised by the government is critical to addressing the
organization question.
A significant increase in oversight
would
require greater
appears
to
be
federal presence
contrary
to
the
in
trend
local
toward
affairs,
increased
government and the U.S. principle of self-determination.
which
self-
Centralization or
decentralization
Another organizational question related to territorial policy is whether the federal government should move toward greater
centralization or decentralization of territorial affairs.
The
coordination of federal activities, particularly for policy matters, is another element to be considered in addressing organi-
zational options.
nation
of
policy
If the Congress believes that greater coordi-
and
program
issues
organization merits consideration.
is
This
needed,
could
be
a
centralized
accomplished
by placing all the territories and insular areas,
including
Puerto Rico and the Trust Territory, in one agency.
Some have
suggested an interagency body, drawing expertise from many parts
of the federal establishment for this function.
This office
could be independent or could be part of the White House.
A
centralized
organization
reporting
to
the
White
House,
for
example, might have the potential for better coordination and
greater institutional influence than an executive branch agency,
like Interior.
A
decentralized
approach
might
be
considered
if
the
Congress wants the territories' administrative relationship to
resemble
federal-state
intergovernmental
relations.
Puerto
Rico's relationship to the federal government would serve aS a
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