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Open Recommendations

Environmental Liabilities: Coast Guard Should Give Congress More Information on Millions of Dollars in Potential Costs
GAO-26-108173
Jul 14, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should expand the information provided to Congress regarding the Coast Guard's fiscal exposure for environmental cleanup activities, for example by identifying cleanup projects that are not reasonably estimable and the magnitude of uncertainties in its estimates in supplemental or other budget materials. (Recommendation 1)
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When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should develop a long-term strategy for managing the Coast Guard's environmental liabilities program that incorporates the elements of the risk-informed decision-making framework, such as having clearly defined program objectives by which to measure progress, evaluating outcomes, and analyzing ways to optimize its cleanup projects for potential cost savings. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Inflation Reduction Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Should Develop Performance Goals for Its Wildlife Refuge Projects
GAO-26-108212
Jul 10, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Fish and Wildlife Service The FWS Director should direct the NWRS Chief to develop and use performance goals for each of its IRA Section 60302 projects to determine if the agency is meeting the purpose of the IRA appropriations and making progress toward achieving the objectives in its IRA implementation plan. (Recommendation 1)
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When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service The FWS Director should ensure that FWS's comprehensive review of the NWRS includes (1) determining the critical skills and staffing levels that are needed to achieve NWRS goals, and (2) developing strategies to address any gaps in those critical skills and overall staffing levels. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Tribal Lands: Opportunities Exist to Improve Conditions of Columbia River Fishing Access Sites
GAO-26-108201
Jun 29, 2026
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Bureau of Indian Affairs The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs should take the necessary steps to update incomplete information for remaining fishing access sites in Interior's facilities management system to inform future funding decisions and ensure all sites are inspected for safety. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Indian Affairs The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs should, in consultation with Tribes, update its operations and maintenance funding formula to include all property, including structures that are not considered buildings, at fishing access sites that are eligible to receive funding for maintenance. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Indian Affairs The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs should update its policy manual and develop implementation guidance to allow the Central Office to (1) improve communication with BIA regional officials, (2) clarify roles and responsibilities on who can maintain its facilities management system, and (3) more effectively delegate authority and leverage resources. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Rural Water Infrastructure: Better Agency Coordination Could Help Unserved Communities Address Their Needs
GAO-26-107355
Jun 23, 2026
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with EPA and in consultation with states, should regularly update and monitor the 2017 joint memorandum intended to increase rural communities', including rural unserved communities', access to federal and state funding sources to address water infrastructure needs. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator of EPA, in collaboration with USDA and in consultation with states, should regularly update and monitor the 2017 joint memorandum intended to increase rural communities', including rural unserved communities', access to federal and state funding sources to address water infrastructure needs. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator of EPA should develop and monitor the implementation of guidance, or other resources, to ensure its providers for water infrastructure technical assistance are aware of local capacity and incorporating local knowledge effectively when delivering technical assistance to rural communities, including rural unserved communities. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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