Summary: Have federal agencies been "raiding" funds intended for program operations in order to foot travel bills for a growing number of international environmental conferences? GAO found that travel funding overall seems adequate at the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Energy. The limited availability of travel funds at the State Department, however, has precluded its staff from participating in international environmental meetings that they consider important. When State Department staff do not participate, federal agency officials with technical expertise in environmental issues go in their place; State Department personnel work with them to ensure that U.S. interests are adequately represented. State Department officials believe that the United State is generally well represented and that its foreign policy objectives are being met. Nevertheless, GAO is concerned that the limited funding for travel is reducing the opportunity for State Department officials to play an active role in international environmental activities.
