Natural Resources Restoration: Use of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Settlement Funds

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the use of Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement funds, focusing on the: (1) amount and distribution of settlement funds paid through 1992; and (2) functions of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Agriculture	The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should proactively work with the three state of Alaska trustees to better ensure that the $1 billion being received as a result of the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlements is expended as intended. Among other things, attention should be given to: (1) completing restoration and land acquisition plans; (2) requiring more timely and better quality project reports; (3) providing for more open competition for restoration projects; and (4) improving internal controls.	Closed – Implemented The three federal agencies, along with their counterparts in the state of Alaska, have joined forces in completing all four actions recommended in the report. Specifically, they have (1) completed restoration and land acquisition plans, (2) implemented controls to ensure more timely and better quality reports, (3) provided more open competition for restoration projects, and (4) improved internal controls.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration	The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should proactively work with the three state of Alaska trustees to better ensure that the $1 billion being received as a result of the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlements is expended as intended. Among other things, attention should be given to: (1) completing restoration and land acquisition plans; (2) requiring more timely and better quality project reports; (3) providing for more open competition for restoration projects; and (4) improving internal controls.	Closed – Implemented The three federal agencies, along with their counterparts in the state of Alaska, have joined forces in completing all four actions recommended in the report. Specifically, they have (1) completed restoration and land acquisition plans, (2) implemented controls to ensure more timely and better quality reports, (3) provided more open competition for restoration projects, and (4) improved internal controls.
Department of the Interior	The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should proactively work with the three state of Alaska trustees to better ensure that the $1 billion being received as a result of the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlements is expended as intended. Among other things, attention should be given to: (1) completing restoration and land acquisition plans; (2) requiring more timely and better quality project reports; (3) providing for more open competition for restoration projects; and (4) improving internal controls.	Closed – Implemented The three federal agencies, along with their counterparts in the state of Alaska, have joined forces in completing all four actions recommended in the report. Specifically, they have (1) completed restoration and land acquisition plans, (2) implemented controls to ensure more timely and better quality reports, (3) provided more open competition for restoration projects, and (4) improved internal controls.

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Topics

Natural Resources and Environment

Administrative costsClaims settlementEnvironmental monitoringFines (penalties)Funds managementInternal controlsJudicial remediesOil pollutionOil spillsTrust funds