Environmental Cleanup:
DOD's Relative Risk Process
NSIAD-98-79R: Published: Feb 26, 1998. Publicly Released: Mar 26, 1998.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-8412
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) current relative risk site evaluation process that allocates cleanup resources to contaminated sites that pose the greatest risk to human health and the environment.
GAO noted that: (1) DOD's relative risk evaluations are carried out by the defense components using guidance provided by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security; (2) using this guidance, defense components collect and record background information about sites and evaluate specific information about contaminants and their potential effects; (3) the end result is that sites are assigned a relative risk ranking of "high," "medium," or "low"; and (4) this ranking is based on the evaluation of: (a) contamination levels; (b) likelihood of migration; and (c) potential receptors.
Jan 19, 2021
Chemical Assessments:
Annual EPA Survey Inconsistent with Leading Practices in Program ManagementGAO-21-156: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 15, 2021
-
Environmental Liabilities:
NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future UncertaintiesGAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
-
Nuclear Waste:
Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New YorkGAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
-
Hanford Cleanup:
DOE's Efforts to Close Tank Farms Would Benefit from Clearer Legal Authorities and CommunicationGAO-21-73: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
-
Drinking Water:
EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead ExposureGAO-21-78: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020. -
Recycling:
Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting ChallengesGAO-21-87: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
-
Environmental Protection:
Action Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Activities Support Its Strategic GoalsGAO-21-82: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020. -
Oil and Gas:
Onshore Competitive and Noncompetitive Lease RevenuesGAO-21-138: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 7, 2020
-
Air Pollution:
Opportunities to Better Sustain and Modernize the National Air Quality Monitoring SystemGAO-21-38: Published: Nov 12, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 7, 2020.
Nov 20, 2020
-
Crude Oil Markets:
Effects of the Repeal of the Crude Oil Export BanGAO-21-118: Published: Oct 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Natural Resources and Environment
- Air Quality
- Climate Change Funding and Management
- Climate Change Response
- Department of Energy's Contract Management for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management - High Risk Issue
- Disaster Assistance
- Economic Sanctions
- Electricity Markets, Grid Security and Resilience
- Farm Programs
- Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands
- Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks - High Risk Issue
- Management of Federal Oil and Gas Resources - High Risk Issue
- Managing Federal Lands and Waters
- National Flood Insurance Program - High Risk Issue
- Nuclear Energy
- Nuclear Waste Disposal
- Oil, Natural Gas, and Alternative Fuels
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Toxic Chemicals - High Risk Issue
- Tribal and Native American Issues
- Understanding Climate Change
- U.S. Arctic Interests
- U.S. Government's Environmental Liability - High Risk Issue
- Water Quality and Protection
- Wildland Fire Management
Explore our other Key Issues here
