Environmental Cleanup: DOD's Implementation of the Relative Risk Site Evaluation Process
NSIAD-99-25
Published: Oct 07, 1998. Publicly Released: Oct 07, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) relative risk site evaluation process, focusing on: (1) the extent to which DOD has issued uniform relative risk site evaluation guidance and the application of the guidance by the defense components; and (2) whether the relative risk site evaluation process provided data that enabled the defense components to categorize sites and prioritize required work.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | To assist managers in making priority decisions in the relative risk site evaluation process, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security or service components to provide more specific categories that aid in priority setting and in the accurate reporting of the status of sites. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD believes implementing the recommendation would have a disruptive effect on its program. However, an April 1999 Army Audit Agency (AAA) report found that the Corps of Engineers, responsible for managing formerly used defense site (FUDS) projects, could improve the priority system by further prioritizing hazardous, toxic and radiological waste projects ranked equally within the same priority codes. AAA also found that funding constraints left high-priority ordnance and explosive waste projects underfunded. Neither the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) nor the Corps fully agreed with AAA's recommendation to refine the Corps' priority system, but they indicated they would take alternative corrective action that met AAA's intent (see Audit Report: AA99-186, 19 April 1999). This recommendation is being closed because a July 2000 congressional request addresses issues of relative risk and priority for formerly used defense sites.
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Topics
Defense operationsEnvironment evaluationEnvironmental policiesHealth hazardsMilitary facilitiesPollution controlPrioritizingReporting requirementsWaste disposalEnvironmental cleanups