Surface Mining:
Issues Associated With Indian Assumption of Regulatory Authority
RCED-86-155: Published: May 30, 1986. Publicly Released: May 30, 1986.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed issues concerning the regulation of surface coal mining on Indian lands, focusing on: (1) the Indian assumption of regulatory authority over surface coal-mining operations; and (2) the Department of the Interior's proposal to reallocate the abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation funds currently set aside for Indian tribes.
GAO determined that several issues could affect future legislative efforts to grant primacy to Indian tribes, including: (1) disputes over the definition of Indian lands outside the boundaries of the reservations and the states' historical regulatory role on these lands; (2) multiple regulatory authorities for mines that span federal, Indian, and state lands; (3) the adequacy of tribal judicial systems to enforce the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act's requirements; and (4) the ability of the tribes to impartially regulate coal mining operations in which they have vested interests. GAO found that, under the act, Interior has the legal authority to reallocate any AML funds not used by a state or Indian tribe within 3 years of the initial allocation.
Jan 15, 2021
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Crude Oil Markets:
Effects of the Repeal of the Crude Oil Export BanGAO-21-118: Published: Oct 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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EPA Grants to Tribes:
Additional Actions Needed to Effectively Address Tribal Environmental ConcernsGAO-21-150: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
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