Wildlife Management: National Refuge Contamination Is Difficult To Confirm and Clean Up
RCED-87-128
Published: Jul 17, 1987. Publicly Released: Aug 14, 1987.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status of cleanup activities at the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge to determine whether the federal government: (1) assessed the extent of contamination at refuges nationwide; (2) developed water quality criteria to protect wildlife and refuge habitats from contamination; and (3) dealt with actual or potential contamination from agricultural drainage water or other sources.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | The Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in close coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, should develop water quality criteria for protecting wildlife and refuge habitats. If current resources and funding levels are insufficient for this program, the Secretary and the Administrator should submit estimates of the additional needs to Congress for consideration. |
Because the agencies have not taken action since 1987 to fully implement the recommendation, GAO is closing it out.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should evaluate the results of the ongoing studies to determine if agricultural drainage traceable to a single source is occurring elsewhere. |
Because the Secretary has not taken action since 1987 to fully implement the recommendation, GAO is closing it out.
|
| Department of the Interior | If agricultural drainage traceable to a single source is occurring elsewhere, the Secretary of the Interior should work with the Administrator, EPA, in preparing a legislative proposal to amend the Clean Water Act to require that agricultural drainage traceable to a single source be subject to discharge permit requirements. |
Because the agencies have not taken action since 1987 to fully implement the recommendation, GAO is closing it out.
|
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Environmental monitoringHazardous substancesIndustrial wastesContaminationWater pollutionWater pollution controlWater qualityWater supply managementWildlifePollutants