Observations on Navy Nuclear Weapon Safeguards and Nuclear Weapon Accident Emergency Planning
NSIAD-85-123: Published: Jul 29, 1985. Publicly Released: Aug 2, 1985.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Navy's plans to use Staten Island, New York as the home port for a surface action group, which would be capable of handling nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
GAO found that the Navy: (1) estimated that it would cost $291 million to acquire and construct a home port site on Staten Island; (2) worked with local officials to initiate emergency preparedness plans for the site, but the plans are being developed and cannot yet be evaluated; and (3) filed both classified and unclassified environmental impact statements pertaining to its actions associated with site development. In addition, GAO found that: (1) the Tomahawk cruise missile system that could be handled by the group is one of the safest weapon systems available; (2) if the Navy implements certain safety features and procedural safeguards of the system, the risk of an accident will be reduced to a minimum; and (3) while the Navy has reported three nuclear weapon accidents in the 30 years it has handled nuclear weapons, none of the accidents resulted in damage to a weapon, the release of radioactive material, or danger to civilian populations or property. GAO also found that: (1) in the event of a nuclear weapons accident, the Navy's objective is to render the weapons safe from detonation, recover all classified materials, and assist in restoring the affected area to normal use; (2) the Navy shares accident responsibilities with other federal, state, and local agencies; and (3) national joint nuclear weapons accident response exercises were conducted on three occasions and were generally perceived to be beneficial.
Nov 17, 2020
Puerto Rico Electricity:
FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance ResilienceGAO-21-54: Published: Nov 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2020.
Jul 16, 2020
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Targeting Federal Funds:
Information on Funding to Areas with Persistent or High PovertyGAO-20-518: Published: Jul 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2020.
Jun 25, 2020
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National Flood Insurance Program:
Fiscal Exposure Persists Despite Property AcquisitionsGAO-20-508: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 25, 2020.
Jun 11, 2020
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American Samoa:
Economic Trends, Status of the Tuna Canning Industry, and Stakeholders' Views on Minimum Wage IncreasesGAO-20-467: Published: Jun 11, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 2020.
Apr 28, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Small Business AdministrationGAO-20-501PR: Published: Apr 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 2020.
Mar 9, 2020
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La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa:
el Procesamiento de Préstamos para Desastres Fue Más Puntual, Pero Mejoramientos en la Planificación y la Evaluación del Programa Piloto son NecesariosGAO-20-369: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020. -
Small Business Administration:
Disaster Loan Processing Was Timelier, but Planning Improvements and Pilot Program Evaluation NeededGAO-20-168: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020.
Jan 28, 2020
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Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing:
Commerce Has Stopped Efforts to Implement Loan Guarantee ProgramGAO-20-326R: Published: Jan 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2020.
Oct 8, 2019
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Puerto Rico Electricity Grid Recovery:
Better Information and Enhanced Coordination Is Needed to Address ChallengesGAO-20-141: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019. -
Recuperación De La Red Eléctrica En Puerto Rico:
Se Necesita Mejor Información y Coordinación para Enfrentar DesafíosGAO-20-143: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019.
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