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Open Recommendations

Forest Service: Next Steps Are Uncertain for Improving Communications for Wildland Firefighters and Tracking Their Locations
GAO-25-107905
Sep 25, 2025
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure that the Chief of the Forest Service—in coordination with the Department of the Interior and other firefighting agencies, as needed—develops a comprehensive strategic plan to improve its wildland firefighter communications, tracking, and mapping capabilities.
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Persistent Chemicals: DOE Should Complete Efforts to Review PFAS Use
GAO-25-107809
Sep 24, 2025
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should direct all DOE sites that have not completed an initial historical and current use review of PFAS to do so by an established deadline and report to the heads of each responsible DOE office on if additional investigation, characterization, or cleanup of PFAS contamination is needed. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board: Opportunities Exist to Further Improve Management and Planning
GAO-25-107948
Sep 04, 2025
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board DNFSB should update its 2024 human capital plan so that it better aligns with internal control standards and includes: (1) what is to be achieved, (2) who is to achieve it, (3) how it will be achieved, and (4) the time frames for achieving it. (Recommendation 1)
Open
DNFSB concurred with this recommendation. In its July 2025 response letter, DNFSB stated that the agency will integrate its human capital plan into broader implementation activities to ensure the workforce is optimally aligned with strategic objectives. When we confirm what actions DNFSB has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Water Infrastructure Resilience: Agencies Could Better Assess Efforts to Assist Communities Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
GAO-25-107013
Aug 11, 2025
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8 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs communicate with potential applicants about USDA financial assistance that may be used to fulfill nonfederal cost-share requirements in certain circumstances. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs systematically track and assess the number of, and reasons for, subapplicant withdrawals and address any related barriers, as appropriate. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs identify and track projects related to drinking water infrastructure. Then, these programs should consult with relevant EPA officials on how to use EPA's community water system service area mapping tool to more accurately assess the beneficiaries of these projects—including vulnerable communities, as defined in the relevant laws—and use the tool for this purpose. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs identify and track projects related to wastewater infrastructure. Then, these programs should consult with relevant EPA officials on how to use EPA's wastewater system service area mapping tool, once available, to more accurately assess the beneficiaries of these projects—including vulnerable communities, as defined in the relevant laws—and use the tool for this purpose. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure that USDA financial assistance programs for drinking water infrastructure consult with relevant EPA officials on how to use EPA's community water system service area mapping tool to more accurately assess the beneficiaries of assistance for drinking water infrastructure, including vulnerable communities, as defined in the relevant laws. Then, these USDA programs should use the tool for this purpose. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure that USDA financial assistance programs for wastewater infrastructure consult with relevant EPA officials on how to use EPA's wastewater system service area mapping tool, once it is available, to more accurately assess the beneficiaries of assistance for wastewater infrastructure, including vulnerable communities, as defined in the relevant laws. Then, these USDA programs should use the tool for this purpose. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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