Wetlands Overview:
Federal and State Policies, Legislation, and Programs
RCED-92-79FS: Published: Nov 22, 1991. Publicly Released: Dec 5, 1991.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed federal and state wetlands policies, legislation, and programs.
GAO found that: (1) over one-half of the original 221 million acres of wetlands in the contiguous 48 states have already been lost and another 290,000 acres are being lost annually to agriculture, development, and other causes; (2) over 80 percent of past wetlands losses have been attributed to the drainage and clearing of inland wetlands for farming, although wetlands losses to agricultural activities have been declining; (3) although wetlands programs include many of the elements needed for a comprehensive protection system, they lack a clear and coherent goal; (4) the federal government does not have a comprehensive wetlands protection statute, but numerous laws have affected wetlands, resulting in the regulation of activities on wetlands, the acquisition of wetlands, the restoration of damaged wetlands, and incentives to protect wetlands' natural state; (5) the Swampbuster Provision stipulates that a person who drains or manipulates wetlands for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity is ineligible for farm program benefits; (6) the Conservation Reserve Program allows the federal government to enter into contracts with agricultural producers to remove highly erodible cropland from production in return for annual rental payments; (7) between fiscal year (FY) 1988 and FY 1990, the Army Corps of Engineers made over 74,000 determinations under its permit programs, and since FY 1985, the Department of Agricultural's Soil Conservation Service has completed over 2 million wetlands determinations relating to Swampbuster; and (8) state laws regarding wetlands vary from those that permit states to acquire and preserve wetlands to those that require permits for construction on wetlands.
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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