Environmental Protection: Solving NASA's Current Problems Requires Agencywide Emphasis
NSIAD-91-146
Published: Apr 05, 1991. Publicly Released: May 10, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Environmental Protection Program, focusing on the extent of environmental problems at NASA research centers and corrective actions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should develop an agencywide strategy, including center-based, measurable goals, on implementing the environmental pollution prevention, abatement, and control policy. |
In May 1994, NASA established an Environmental Management Division which, among other things, is responsible for the agencywide pollution control program, including the planning, implementation, and periodic review of compliance, restoration, and abatement activities at all the agency's field centers.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should establish standards on center environment staff levels, qualifications, and organizational authority, and provide for mechanisms to identify funding requirements. |
Standards have been incorporated into self-assessment checklist. Action has been completed on mechanisms to identify funding requirements with issuance of cost accounting codes for activities associated with the new system.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should develop criteria and guidelines for center reporting of imminent or actual noncompliance with environmental regulations, new state and local regulatory requirements being proposed or issued, and other items as appropriate. |
The new Environmental Management Division will, among other things, be responsible for the overall coordination of prevention, control, and abatement measures at the agency's field centers.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should require that problems identified at one center be addressed at other centers with similar facilities or functions. |
The new Environmental Management Division will, among other things, be responsible for the overall coordination of prevention, control, and abatement measures at the agency's field centers.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should establish an environmental audit program to evaluate, at least every 3 years, the centers' regulatory compliance and management systems for ensuring compliance. Audits should be conducted by headquarters and field officials and supported by contractors. |
An environmental services contract, which includes the environmental audit task, was signed on September 10, 1991. The first audit was done in early 1992.
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Aerospace researchDecentralizationEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesFuture budget projectionsHazardous substancesPollution controlReporting requirementsResearch and development facilitiesWaste disposal