EXPECTED REPORT ISSUANCE

January 2023

This section reflects the time frames within which we expect to issue reports about our audit and evaluation work

currently in progress. The status of these time frames is subject to change.

PROJECT TITLE	EXPECTED REPORT ISSUANCE

(Year Initiated, Project Number)	OIG OBJECTIVES	(Quarter and Fiscal Year)

Pollution Prevention Grants Reporting
2021, OA-FY21-0225

Examine the accuracy of pollution prevention grant
results and how those results align with the pollution
prevention grant program's goals, as well as follow
up on recommendations from the OIG's prior audit
on the pollution prevention grant program and
further assess the program's progress since 2015.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

35th Avenue Suoerfund Site Case Studv on
Cumulative Impacts

2021, OA-FY21-0279

Determine what actions the EPA has taken—in
accordance with its mission, its program goals, and
applicable executive orders—to identify and address
any disproportionate health effects to disadvantaged
communities located on or near a selected site.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

EPA's January 2021 PFBS Toxicity Assessment
2021, OSRE-FY21-0207

Determine whether the EPA Office of Research and
Development and Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention followed applicable policies and
procedures in the development and publication of
the January 19, 2021 perfluorobutane sulfonic acid
toxicity assessment.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

EPA's Response to Drinkina Water Lead
Contamination in Benton Harbor. Michiaan

2022, OA-FY22-0068

Determine the extent to which the EPA followed its
2016 elevation policy memorandum, titled Policy on
Elevation of Critical Public Health Issues, in
responding to evidence of drinking water lead
contamination in the community water system for
the City of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

2nd Quarter FY 2023


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Effectiveness ofEPA's Oversiaht of Testina and
Certification Proaram for Residential Wood Heaters

2021, OSRE-FY22-0026

Determine whether the EPA effectively uses its
oversight and enforcement authority to ensure that
all residential wood heaters reaching consumers are
properly tested and certified in accordance
with established standards.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

Benzene Fenceiine Monitorina at Refineries Proiect
2022, OA-FY22-0070

Determine to what extent oversight of the benzene
fenceiine monitoring program by the EPA and
delegated state and local agencies assures that
refineries take corrective action and lower benzene,
as required, when measured benzene
concentrations exceed the action level.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

EPA Oversiaht of Drinkina Water Contamination
at Red Hill, Hawaii

2022, OSRE-FY22-0075

Determine, by analyzing the sequence of events that
led to drinking water contamination at the Red Hill
site on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, whether the
EPA's oversight of relevant authorized state
programs effectively has addressed the potential for
contamination at the site.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

EPA Compliance with the Federal Information
Security Modernization Act for FY 2022

2022, OA-FY22-0134

Determine the EPA's compliance with the

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year

2022 Inspector General FISMA Reporting Metrics.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

Evaluation ofCSB's Compliance with the Federal
Information Security Modernization Act of 2014

2022, OA-FY22-0136

Determine the CSB's compliance with the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fiscal
Year 2022 Inspector General FISMA Reporting
Metrics.

2nd Quarter FY 2023

Lessons Learned from EPA's Manaaement of Prior
Conaressional Earmarks

2022, OA-FY22-0147

Highlight prior audit findings about the EPA's
administration and oversight of congressional
earmarks, also known as congressionally directed
spending, to inform the Agency's management of
earmarks in the fiscal year 2022 budget.

2nd Quarter FY 2023


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Toxic Substances Control Act's New Chemicals
Review Process

2021, OA-FY22-0025

Determine the extent to which the EPA is using and
complying with applicable records management
requirements, quality assurance requirements, and
employee performance standards to review and
approve new chemicals under the Toxic Substances
Control Act to manage human health and
environmental risks.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

Awardina. Monitorina. and Performance of EPA
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants

2021, OA-FY21-0227

Examine the EPA's execution and monitoring of
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants to
determine whether they were awarded in
accordance with federal grants requirements, and
assess how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
projects support the Agency's goals for the Great
Lakes.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

Drinkina Water State Revolvina Fund Loan Subsidies
to Disadvantaaed Communities

2021, OA-FY22-0020

Determine to what extent (1) states met their loan
subsidy goals for disadvantaged communities, as
identified in their intended-use plans, and (2) the
EPA identified and addressed barriers that hindered
states from spending the maximum allowed on such
loan subsidies.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

EPA Oversiaht of State and Local Air Aaencv
Identification ofSM-80 Facilities

2021, OA-FY22-0036

Determine whether EPA oversight has assured that
state and local agencies with large compliance-
monitoring programs identify high-emitting synthetic
minor facilities, known as SM-80s, in accordance
with the EPA's Clean Air Act Compliance Monitoring
Strategy.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

Intearated Risk Information Svstem Security
Access Controls

2022, OA-FY22-0071

Determine whether the EPA's Integrated Risk
Information System database adheres to federal and
Agency access control requirements.

3rd Quarter FY 2023


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EPA Oversiaht of the Renewable Fuel Standards
Renewable Identification Number Market

2021, OA-FY21-0293

Determine whether the EPA's Moderated
Transaction System and Quality Assurance Program
include controls to identify and reduce the
generation and trading of invalid renewable
identification numbers that are used to demonstrate
compliance with renewable fuel standards as
overseen by the EPA Office of Transportation and Air
Quality.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

EPA Internal Controls to Account for and Secure
Laptops

2022, OA-FY22-0117

Determine whether EPA headquarters and select
regional locations have sufficient internal controls to
properly account for and secure laptops in their
possession to prevent theft and misplacement.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

The EPA's Response to Reported Incidents of
Unintended Effects from Pet Collar Pesticides

2022, OSRE-FY22-0120

Determine whether (1) the EPA's response to
reported pesticide incidents involving Seresto pet
collars provides assurance that the collars can still be
used without posing unreasonable adverse effects to
human health and the environment and (2) the EPA
adhered to pesticide registration requirements in its
approval of Seresto pet collars, specifically
toxicological data requirements in 40 C.F.R. part 158.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

EPA Oversiaht of State Proaress to Meet Chesapeake
Bav Nutrient- and Sediment-Reduction Goals

2022, OSRE-FY22-0139

Determine whether the EPA effectively uses the
Accountability Framework for overseeing
Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load pollution
reduction goals.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

Air Qualitv at U.S. Maritime Ports
2022, OSRE-FY22-0140

Determine what steps, if any, the EPA is taking to
address the increase in air pollution from oceangoing
vessels at U.S. maritime ports.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

EPA's Oversiaht of Hazardous Waste at EPA
Laboratories

2022, OSRE-FY22-0141

Determine whether the EPA has verified that its own
laboratories are complying with Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act requirements for the
management of hazardous waste.

3rd Quarter FY 2023


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EPA's Fiscal Year 2022 Compliance with Improper
Payments Reauirements

2022, OA-FY23-0039

Determine whether the CSB complied with the
Payment Integrity Information Act in fiscal year
2022.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

The EPA Payment Intearitv Information Act
Reportina for Fiscal Year 2022

2022, OA-FY23-0041

Determine (1) whether the EPA complied with the
Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 and
related Office of Management and Budget guidance
during FY 2022 and (2) determine whether the
Agency's corrective actions in response to our
FY 2021 audit satisfy the recommendations.

3rd Quarter FY 2023

The EPA's Central Data Exchanae Access Security
Controls

2022, OA-FY22-0144

Determine whether the EPA has established
sufficient controls to prevent unauthorized access to
the EPA's Central Data Exchange.

4th Quarter FY 2023

The EPA's Handlina of Criminal Discovery
2022, OSRE-FY22-0145

Determine whether the EPA's collection, retention,
and production of mandatory criminal discovery
material adhered to requirements.

4th Quarter FY 2023

Compliance with the Public Notification
Reauirements Under Section 2106 of the Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act

2022, OA-FY23-0034

Determine whether the EPA complied with the
public notification requirements under section 2106
of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation Act.

4th Quarter FY 2023

Jackson. Mississippi Drinkina Water Fundina and
Spendina Decisions Proiect

2022, OA-FY23-0035

Identify award and expenditure decisions at the
state and local levels related to the community
water system in Jackson.

4th Quarter FY 2023

Chemical Safety Board's Purchase Card Proaram for
Fiscal Year 2022

2022, OA-FY23-0040

Assess the effectiveness of the CSB's oversight of its
fiscal year 2022 purchase card program and assess
the risk of any illegal, improper, or erroneous
purchases and payments.

4th Quarter FY 2023


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Review of EPA Response and Oversiaht Related to
Drinkina Water Contamination in Jackson.
Mississippi

2022, OSRE-FY23-0033

Determine the circumstances of, and the EPA's
response to, noncompliance with the Safe Drinking
Water Act at the City of Jackson's community water
system.

1st Quarter FY 2024

The EPA's Identification and Replacement of Lead
Service Lines in Disadvantaaed Communities

2022, OA-FY23-0037

Determine whether the EPA distributed Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act
funds to replace lead service lines in disadvantaged
communities in adherence with applicable guidance.

1st Quarter FY 2024

The EPA's Tribal Consultation Process for Restricted
Use Pesticides

2022, OSRE-FY23-0038

Determine whether the EPA adhered to its tribal
consultation policies during the development of the
EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators
of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country,
known as the 2014 EPA Plan; the Certification of
Pesticide Applicators Rule Revision; and the 2020
proposed revisions to the 2014 EPA Plan.

1st Quarter FY 2024


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RECENT AUDIT AND EVALUATION WORK

This section reflects work recently published by the EPA OIG.

REPORT	FINDINGS

The EPA Was Not Transparent About Chanaes
Made to a Lona-Chain PFAS Rule After
Administrator Sia nature

Report No. 22-E-0052, July 7, 2022

The EPA did not follow all applicable policies, procedures, and guidance when making changes to the
Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemical Substances Significant
New Use Rule after the administrator signed it and before it was published in the Federal Register. By
not following all docketing procedures, the EPA did not meet transparency expectations and risked
compromising the public's trust in the rulemaking process.

The EPA Needs to Improve the Transparency of Its
Cancer-Assessment Process for Pesticides

Report No. 22-E-0053, July 20, 2022

The EPA did not adhere to standard operating procedures and requirements for the 1,3-
Dichloropropene, or 1,3-D, pesticide cancer-assessment process, which undermines public confidence
in and the transparency of the Agency's scientific approaches to prevent unreasonable impacts on
human health. Specifically, the EPA used two scientific approaches in its cancer-assessment process
even though it did not have guidance outlining how to use those approaches. The EPA also did not
adhere to docketing and transparency requirements or follow its literature-search procedures.

Compendium of Open and Unresolved
Recommendations: Data as of March 31, 2022

The compendium focuses on 175 recommendations (156 open and 19 unresolved) identified in Report
No. EPA-350-R-22-001, Semiannual Report to Conpress: October 1, 2021-March 31, 2022, issued in Mav
2022. These recommendations represent $29.70 million in potential monetary benefits.

Lessons Identified from Prior Oversiaht of the EPA's
Geoaraphic and National Estuarv Proarams

Report No. 22-E-0054, August 8, 2022

This report summarizes findings from prior OIG and U.S. Government Accountability Office reports to
help inform the EPA's geographic programs' and National Estuary Program's future efforts to protect
regional waters. As the EPA begins to distribute Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to
geographic and estuary programs, the Agency can use this information to address historical challenges
and better position itself to achieve its programmatic goals and improve its environmental outcomes.

Considerations for the EPA's Implementation of
Grants Awarded Pursuant to the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act

Report No. 22-N-0055, August 11, 2022

This report highlights findings from prior OIG and U.S. Government Accountability Office reports to help
inform grants management relating to the administration and oversight of awards pursuant to the IIJA.
IIJA appropriations will significantly increase the EPA's implementation and oversight of grant
programs.


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Special Review of the U.S. Chemical Safetv and
Hazard Investiaation Board Capabilities to
Effectively Administer Its Proarams and Operations

Report No. 22-N-0056, September 8, 2022

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's operations are challenged by vacancies in
mission-critical positions and an inability to fully use the resources Congress allocated to the CSB.

There was also a conflict between the then-chairperson and the board on the division of responsibilities
and authority over Agency operations, which has since been resolved with the resignation of the then-
chairperson and the adoption of a revised Board Order 28. This review identified key areas the board
should consider as it prioritizes the CSB's work and develops a new strategic plan.

Considerations from Sinale Audit Reports for the
EPA's Administration of Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act Funds

Report No. 22-N-0057, September 14, 2022

This report highlights findings from prior single audit reports to help the EPA prepare to administer an
additional $60 billion in funds pursuant to the IIJA. Seven areas were identified where noncompliance
with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements were most frequent. Most
instances of noncompliance were associated with two programs: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
program and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program.

Manaaement Alert: Data Vulnerabilities Could
Impact the CSB's Ability to Carrv Out Its Obliaations
Under the Federal Information Security
Modernization Act of 2014

Report No. 22-N-0058, September 22, 2022

While conducting the evaluation of the CSB's compliance with FISMA for fiscal year 2022, independent
accounting firm SB & Company identified issues that may have a significant impact on the
confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the CSB's data. These include servers not being backed up to
tape and transported off site; discontinuation of vulnerability scanning of the network; and the failure
to perform a risk assessment in the past 24 months.

The EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 Financial
Statements for the Pesticides Rereaistration and
Expedited Processina Fund

The EPA's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act financial
statements were fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report No. 22-F-0059, September 26, 2022



The EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 (Restated)
Financial Statements for the Pesticide Reaistration
Fund

The EPA's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 (restated) Pesticide Registration Fund financial statements were
fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report No. 22-F-0060, September 26, 2022



The EPA Failed to Complete Corrective Actions as
Certified to Address OIG Recommendations

Report No. 22-N-0061, September 30, 2022

This review identified several instances where prior OIG recommendations were not implemented,
even though the Agency had certified that the corrective actions responding to those recommendations
were completed. When the Agency certifies to the completion of corrective actions that have not been
completed, it leads to inaccurate data in the Agency's audit tracking system, limits the OIG's assurance
that the corrective actions reported by the Agency are reliable, and may give the public and Congress
the wrong impression regarding the EPA's progress in addressing OIG recommendations.


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The EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 (Restated)
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Svstem Fund
Financial Statements

The EPA's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 (restated) Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
financial statements financial statements, except for accounts receivable and earned
revenue, were fairly presented.

Report No. 22-F-0062, September 30, 2022



Fiscal Year 2023 U.S. Chemical Safetv and Hazard
Investiaation Board Manaaement Challenaes

October 21, 2022

The OIG identified three top management challenges that represent the CSB's greatest
vulnerability to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement and present the most significant barriers to
accomplishing the mission during fiscal year 2023.

Contractor-Produced Report: U.S. Chemical Safetv
and Hazard Investiaation Board Fiscal Years 2022
and 2021 Financial Statement Audit

An OIG contractor rendered an unmodified opinion on the CSB's financial statements for fiscal years
2022 and 2021, meaning that the statements were fairly presented and free of material misstatements.

Report No. 23-F-0001, November 15, 2022



The EPA's Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 Consolidated
Financial Statements

Report No. 23-F-0002, November 15, 2022

The OIG rendered an unmodified opinion on the EPA's consolidated financial statements for fiscal
years 2022 and 2021, meaning that they were fairly presented and free of material misstatements. We
noted, among other things, that the EPA improperly recorded Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act of 2014 fee fund revenue.

The EPA Met 2018 Water Security Reauirements but
Needs to Improve Oversiaht to Support Water
Svstem Compliance

Report No. 23-P-0003, November 21, 2022

The EPA met the requirements of section 2013 of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, but
needs to improve oversight to support water system compliance. However, the AWIA-imposed
deadlines for medium and large water systems to complete their risk and resilience assessments had
passed and the systems were not required to update their assessments. Approximately 19 percent of
water systems did not certify that they had completed their risk and resilience assessments by the
statutory deadlines.

Semiannual Report to Conaress: April 1. 2022-
September 30, 2022

Report No. #EPA-350-R-22-002, November 22,2022

This Semiannual Report to Congress reflects how the OIG is achieving its mission of preventing and
detecting fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct related to the programs and
operations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard
Investigation Board during the reporting period, April 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022.

EPA's Fiscal Year 2023 Top Manaaement Challenaes
November 29, 2022

The OIG identified eight top management challenges that are considered to be the most serious
management and performance challenges facing the EPA.

The EPA's Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Toxic
Substances Control Act Service Fee Fund Financial
Statements

Report No. 23-F-0005, December 29, 2022

The OIG rendered a qualified opinion on the EPA's fiscal years 2020 and 2019 Toxic Substances Control
Act Service Fee Fund financial statements, meaning that, except for material errors in expenses and
income from other appropriations, the fiscal years 2020 and 2019 financial statements were fairly
presented.


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RECENT INVESTIGATIVE OUTCOMES

INVESTIGATION	SUMMARY

Project Manager Pleads Guilty to False Statements
Regarding Lead Contamination at City Park

July 28, 2022

A project manager pleaded guilty to misleading federal authorities about lead contamination at Granby
City Park in Granby, Missouri, after he was hired to conduct remediation at the site. He waived his right to
a grand jury and pleaded guilty before a U.S. chief district judge to a federal information charging him with
one count of making a false statement relating to a federal environmental remediation contract. By
pleading guilty, the project manager admitted that he intentionally made the false statement and provided
false information regarding the scope and amount of lead contamination.

New York Stgte Environmental Fgcilities Corporation
to Pov $500.000 for Folselv Certifying thgt Members
of Former Governors' Stoff Worked on Federol Clean
WgterAct Grgnt

September 1, 2022

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations
that it falsely certified several individuals were working at EFC in support of a federal water-quality
improvement grant when, in fact, they were working directly for now-former governors of New York in
positions unrelated to that grant. As part of the settlement agreement, EFC admitted that former senior
EFC officials caused the state to include in federal funding requests part of these individuals' salaries and
benefits without disclosing that they were hired by, and worked for, the Executive Chamber.

Lexington Womon Sentenced for Wire Froud and
Money Loundering

October 4, 2022

A business owner was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and
money laundering. Along with a co-owner, the business owner electronically submitted a proposal
containing a fabricated letter of support from a key subcontractor in order to increase the chances of
receiving a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2014,
the DOE awarded the Phase II grant, in part relying on this misrepresentation. The business owner
submitted false certifications to the DOE that all funds had been expended in accordance with the DOE's
terms and conditions; however, the evidence at trial revealed that she had unlawfully retained over
$300,000 of the DOE funds she certified she had spent on the project. A federal jury convicted the business
owner in April 2022.


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