Science & Technology

Report: EPA Needs to Strengthen Oversight of Its Travel Program Authorization and Voucher Approval Processes

Report #21-P-0265, September 30, 2021. The Agency did not consistently comply with travel program requirements, which can lead to mismanagement of the EPA's annual travel expenses, which totaled $52.7 million in fiscal year 2019.

Report: Actions Needed to Strengthen Controls over the EPA Administrator's and Associated Staff's Travel

Report #19-P-0155, May 16, 2019. Actions need to be taken to strengthen controls over Administrator travel to help prevent the potential for fraud, waste and abuse.

Report: Measuring the Quality of Office of Inspector General Reports Issued in Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009

Report #10-N-0134, June 2, 2010

Report: EPA’s Emergency Response Systems at Risk of Having Inadequate Security Controls

Report #21-E-0226, September 13, 2021. If the availability and integrity of emergency response system data are jeopardized, it could harm the EPA’s ability to coordinate response efforts to protect the public from environmental disasters.

Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Toxic Substances Control Act Service Fee Fund Financial Statements

Report #23-F-0005, December 29, 2022. We found the fund’s financial statements, except for expenses and income from other appropriations, to be fairly presented.

Report: EPA Has Reduced Its Backlog of State Implementation Plans Submitted Prior to 2013 but Continues to Face Challenges in Taking Timely Final Actions on Submitted Plans

Report #21-E-0163, June 14, 2021. Delays in EPA SIP actions increase the risk that state or local air agencies are not implementing plans sufficient to achieve or maintain the NAAQS.

Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 (Restated) Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund Financial Statements

Report #22-F-0062, September 30, 2022. We found the fund’s financial statements, except for accounts receivable and earned revenue, to be fairly presented.

Report: EPA’s Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 (Restated) Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund

Report #21-F-0012, December 21, 2021. We found the fund’s financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report: EPA's Fiscal Year 2019 First Quarter Compliance with the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014

Report #20-P-0026, November 8, 2019. The DATA Act requires the EPA to report accurate financial and award data on USAspending.gov.

Report: The EPA Failed to Complete Corrective Actions as Certified to Address OIG Recommendations

Report #22-N-0061, September 30, 2022. We conducted this review to provide considerations for the EPA to strengthen its corrective action certification process. When the Agency certifies to the completion of corrective actions that have not been completed,

Report: Audit of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's Fiscal Years 2019 and 2018 Financial Statements

Report #20-F-0032, November 19, 2019. The CSB received an unmodified opinion on its fiscal years 2019 and 2018 financial statements.

Report: EPA's Fiscal Years 2019 and 2018 (Restated) Consolidated Financial Statements

Report #20-F-0033, November 19, 2019. We found the EPA's financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report: Hotline: EPA Is Taking Steps to Update Its Federal Radiation Guidance

Report #22-E-0016, January 6, 2022.

Report: The EPA Was Not Compliant with the Payment Integrity Information Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Report #22-P-0050, June 27, 2022. The EPA needs to implement appropriate control measures to better identify and reduce the risk of its improper payments.

Report: EPA’s Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Financial Statements for the Pesticide Registration Fund

Report #22-F-0014, December 21, 2021. We found the fund’s financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report: EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program Needs Additional Internal Controls

Report #19-P-0045, December 14, 2018. WIFIA managers need to identify possible risks to the program and develop internal controls to minimize these risks.

Report: Improved Review Processes Could Advance EPA Regions 3 and 5 Oversight of State-Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits

Report #21-P-0122, April 21, 2021. Improved EPA oversight could ensure that state NPDES programs are protecting human health and the environment.

Report: EPA Needs an Agencywide Strategic Action Plan to Address Harmful Algal Blooms

Report #21-E-0264, September 28, 2021. Scientists predict that harmful algal bloom occurrences in recreational waters and drinking water sources will increase as excess nutrients continue to flow into water bodies, temperatures warm, and extreme weather ev

Report: Tribal Pesticide Enforcement Comes Close to Achieving EPA Goals, but "Circuit Rider" Inspector Guidance Needed

Report #20-P-0012, October 29, 2019. Improvements in the "circuit rider" program can enable the EPA to better detect and prevent pesticide misuse and unnecessary risks to human health and the environment in Indian country.

Report: While EPA Regions Enforce at Six Superfund Sites Reviewed, Four of Those Sites Remain in Significant Noncompliance, and Nationwide Reporting and Tracking Can Be Improved

Report #20-P-0011, October 24, 2019. The effectiveness of EPA headquarters' oversight of enforcement at Superfund sites was limited as headquarters was not aware of all SNCs and thus could not assess adequacy of regional actions.