Science & Technology

Report: EPA Needs to Strengthen Its Purchase Card Approval Process

Report #21-P-0242, September 22, 2021. The Agency needs to improve oversight of its approximately $25 million in annual purchase card and convenience check expenses to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Report: Internal Quality Assurance Review of EPA OIG Audit Assignments Completed in Fiscal Year 2019

Report #20-N-0230, July 16, 2020. OIG audit reports issued in FY 2019 demonstrated high levels of compliance with OIG quality assurance procedures, receiving an average compliance score of 92 percent.

Report: EPA’s Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund Financial Statements

Report #22-F-0015, December 29, 2021. We found the fund’s financial statements, except for accounts receivable and earned revenue, to be fairly presented.

Report: Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016 (Restated) Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund

Report #19-F-0214, June 28, 2019. We rendered a modified opinion on the EPA's FY 2017 FIFRA Fund financial statements and a disclaimer of opinion on the FY 2016 (restated) FIFRA Fund financial statements.

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Oversight of the Senior Environmental Employment Program

Report #19-P-0198, June 24, 2019. The SEE program can reduce the risk of fraud, waste and abuse and make the program more efficient through additional controls.

"Response Signatures" Indicate Pollution Sources in Ohio

Case Studies: Using bioassessments and biocriteria to identify impaired waters and causes of impairment

Field Branches Quality System and Technical Procedures for Pump Operation

Field Branches Quality System and Technical Procedures

Report: EPA Region 6 Quickly Assessed Water Infrastructure after Hurricane Harvey but Can Improve Emergency Outreach to Disadvantaged Communities

Report #19-P-0236, July 16, 2019. Enhancements to environmental justice outreach efforts during emergencies could improve the public health protections of communities impacted by hurricanes or other disasters.

Report: Further Efforts Needed to Uphold Scientific Integrity Policy at EPA

Report #20-P-0173, May 20, 2020. Improving implementation of the SI Policy will enable the EPA to more effectively carry out its mission to protect human health and the environment.

Report: Management Alert: EPA Region 5 Needs to Implement Effective Internal Controls to Strengthen Its Records Management Program

Report #20-E-0247, August 31, 2020. Federal law requires agency heads to establish and maintain a records program that includes safeguards against the removal or loss of agency records.

Report: Lack of Planning Risks EPA’s Ability to Meet Toxic Substances Control Act Deadlines

Report #20-P-0247, August 17, 2020. The EPA did not complete a significant TSCA deadline on June 19, 2020, and the Agency is at risk of missing future deadlines due to a lack of staff and resource planning.

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Oversight of Research Assistance Agreements

Report #20-P-0204, June 30, 2020. The EPA’s lack of compliance with assistance agreement oversight requirements can put EPA research funds at risk.

Report: EPA's Safer Choice Program Would Benefit from Formal Goals and Additional Oversight

Report #20-P-0203, June 30, 2020. Enhancements in the Safer Choice audit process will ensure that consumers and businesses are purchasing products that are safer for people and the environment.

Report: EPA Needs to Address Internal Control Deficiencies in the Agencywide Quality System

Report #20-P-0200, June 22, 2020. After five years and $1.3 million towards the development of an agencywide tracking system, the OMS does not know the status of the agencywide Quality System.

Report: EPA's Office of the Chief Financial Officer Lacks Authority to Make Decisions on Employee-Debt Waiver Requests

Report #20-P-0194, June 15, 2020. The OCFO made unauthorized decisions for employee-debt waiver requests totaling $53,539.

Report: EPA Needs to Conduct Risk Assessments When Designing and Implementing Programs

Report #20-P-0170, May 18, 2020. By not conducting risk assessments for 20 programs that collectively cost over $5.7 billion in FY 2018, the EPA cannot be certain it has the proper procedures in place to address internal & external risks to these programs.

Report: EPA Oversight Provided Reasonable Controls to Deter and Minimize Trespassing at the Fort Ord Superfund Site

Report #20-E-0169, May 14, 2020. The steps taken by the Army with EPA oversight, combined with planned follow-up actions moving forward, represent a reasonable effort to deter and minimize trespassing.

Report: External Peer Review Report on the EPA OIG Audit Organization

June 29, 2018 - DoD OIG has reviewed the system of quality control for the EPA OIG audit organization in effect for the year ended September 30, 2017.

Report of Investigation: Mr. Ryan Jackson, Senior Executive Service, and Mr. Charles Munoz, GS-15

This report of investigation pertains to the actions of former EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson and former Senior Advisor to the Region 9 Administrator Charles Munoz.

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Oversight of How States Implement Air Emissions Regulations for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Report #20-P-0236, July 30, 2020. Effective EPA oversight of state implementation of landfill air emissions requirements helps achieve air quality, public health, and environmental goals set by the Clean Air Act.