Priority Open Recommendations: Environmental Protection Agency
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
May 16, 2023 |
| Release Date |
May 16, 2023 |
| Report No. |
GAO-23-106460 |
Summary:
What GAO Found
In July 2022, GAO identified 12 priority recommendations for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since then, EPA has implemented one of those recommendations by updating the website for the agency's Integrated Risk Information System and communicating information about changes in assessment milestones to EPA program offices.
In April 2023, GAO identified four additional priority recommendations for EPA, bringing the total number to 15. These recommendations involve the following areas:
assessing and controlling toxic chemicals,
improving the nation's water quality,
ensuring cybersecurity at EPA,
addressing data and risk communication issues for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure,
managing climate change risks, and
protecting the nation's air quality.
EPA's continued attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in government operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015 GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact Mark Gaffigan at (202) 512-3841 or gaffiganm@gao.gov.
« Return to search Government Accountability Office reports
