U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General	13-P-0430
Tj	September 24,2013
^ At a Glance
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PRO^
Why We Did This Review
In November 2012, we
received a hotline complaint on
funds utilization for work done
by Region 8 Senior
Environmental Employment
(SEE) program grantees to
address lead-based paint
programs. The U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency Region 8 office jointly
implements lead-based paint
programs in two program
offices, each with SEE
assistance. After preliminary
fact finding on the merits of the
complaint, we opened an
assignment to determine the
extent to which the two offices
have work plans on agreed-to
SEE activities and a
methodology for SEE funding.
This report addresses the
following EPA themes:
•	Taking action on toxics and
chemical safety.
•	Embracing EPA as a high
performing organization.
Implementation Plan With Cost Sharing Methodology
Needed for Region 8 Senior Environmental Employee
Work on Lead Risk Reduction
What We Found
The two Region 8 program offices that jointly implement the Lead Renovation,
Repair and Painting Program do not have methodology or agreement for sharing
SEE funding, which has led to confusion about respective roles and tasks.
Additionally, most of the funding has gone to the office that does not have a
finalized work plan and, as a result, the other office cut its SEEs to part-time.
Because of our inquiry, the region has redistributed funds. However, even though
the two offices have recently discussed the importance of joint strategic planning,
they have yet to reach a long-term agreement on SEE activities and related
funding.
A prior situation in Region 8 between two offices jointly implementing a Clean Air
Act program provides a sound approach to improving management of Lead
Renovation, Repair and Painting Program SEE activities.
Recommendations and Planned Corrective Actions
We recommend that the Region 8 regional administrator develop a strategy for
implementing the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program that defines
program goals, performance measures, organizational responsibilities, and a
methodology for allocating SEE funding. We also recommend that the regional
administrator develop an oversight process to evaluate the region's success in
implementing the strategy. Region 8 agreed with our recommendations and has
initiated efforts to address them.
For further information,
contact our public affairs office
at (202) 566-2391.
The full report is at:
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2013/
20130924-13-P-0430.pdf

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