Science & Technology

Report: The EPA Needs to Fully Address the OIG’s 2018 Flint Water Crisis Report Recommendations by Improving Controls, Training, and Risk Assessments

Report #22-P-0046, May 17, 2022. Without complete oversight of the drinking water program, the public’s health is still at risk from lead in drinking water.

Report: The EPA Continues to Fail to Meet Inspection Requirements for Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities

Report #22-E-0047, June 8, 2022. This follow-up evaluation was conducted to assess whether inspection rates of TSDFs have changed since our 2016 report on the same topic: OIG Report No. 16-P-0104.

Report: The EPA’s Approval and Oversight of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Loans Complied with Federal Law and Regulations

Based on our audit, we determined that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 program’s loan award process and subsequent monitoring activities provided reasonable assurance that WIFIA loans were administered in accordance with federal

Report: The Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays, Human Health Impacts, and Limited Oversight at Superfund National Priorities List Sites

Report #22-E-0049, June 22, 2022. Coronavirus pandemic restrictions delayed work and limited on-site oversight, with disproportionate impacts to some communities.

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: Additional Internal Controls Would Improve the EPA’s System for Electronic Disclosure of Environmental Violations

Report #22-E-0051, June 30, 2022. Without additional internal controls, the EPA cannot ensure that it effectively screens regulated entities’ self-disclosures of environmental violations to identify and mitigate significant concerns.

Report: The EPA Was Not Transparent About Changes Made to a Long-Chain PFAS Rule After Administrator Signature

Report #22-E-0052, July 7, 2022. Because the EPA did not follow docketing procedures, the public was not notified of the changes to the final LCPFAC Significant New Use Rule.

Report: The EPA Needs to Improve the Transparency of Its Cancer-Assessment Process for Pesticides

Report #22-E-0053, July 20, 2022. Deficiencies and a lack of transparency in the 1,3 D pesticide cancer assessment process has undermined scientific credibility and public confidence.

Report: Compendium of Open and Unresolved Recommendations: Data as of March 31, 2022

August 2, 2022. The OIG is publishing this compendium to analyze the open and unresolved recommendations listed in the semiannual report covering our work from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022.

Report: Lessons Identified from Prior Oversight of the EPA’s Geographic and National Estuary Programs

Report #22-E-0054, August 8, 2022. We reviewed prior oversight reports and identified lessons to help the EPA administer the IIJA’s $1.85 billion for its 12 geographic programs and National Estuary Program.

Report: Considerations for the EPA’s Implementation of Grants Awarded Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Report #22-N-0055, August 11, 2022. We reviewed prior oversight reports and identified lessons to help the EPA’s administration and oversight of IIJA grant awards. With IIJA appropriations.

Tools for Tidal Restriction Avoidance and Removal Webinar Flyer

Coastal Wetland Restoration and Planning: Tools for Tidal Restriction Avoidance and Removal

Addressing and Managing Plastic Pollution Flyer

Addressing and Managing Plastic Pollution
Wednesday, April 21st
2 - 4 pm EST

Report: Special Review of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Capabilities to Effectively Administer Its Programs and Operations

Report #22-N-0056, September 8, 2022. The CSB's operations are challenged by vacancies in mission-critical positions and an inability to fully use the resources allocated by Congress.

Integrating Water Quality Management and Natural Hazard Resilience through Nature Based Solutions Webcast

Watershed Academy webcast on Integrating Water Quality Management and Natural Hazard Resilience through Nature Based Solutions

Addressing and Managing Plastic Pollution Webcast: Presentation Slides

Addressing and Managing Plastic Pollution Presentation Slides

Report: Considerations from Single Audit Reports for the EPA’s Administration of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funds

Report #22-N-0057, September 14, 2022. This report highlights findings from prior single audit reports to help the EPA prepare to administer an additional $60 billion in funds pursuant to the IIJA.

Report: Management Alert: Data Vulnerabilities Could Impact the CSB’s Ability to Carry Out Its Obligations Under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (Contractor-Produced Report)

Report #22-N-0058, September 22, 2022. The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which also provides oversight for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, or CSB.

Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund

Report #22-F-0059, September 26, 2022. We found the fund’s financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Sanitary Surveys for Recreational Waters

A sanitary survey is a tool that allows users to investigate the sources of pollution and conditions in a recreational water body. The EPA developed a free application to help waterbody managers conduct sanitary surveys and store their data.