GAO: EPA needs more coordination at 37 labs

Thursday - 8/25/2011, 3:54pm EDT

David Trimble, Director of Natural Resources and Environment Issues, GAO

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Managing 37 labs isn't as easy for the Environmental Protection Agency as it would like it to be. The Government Accountability Office has some advice in a new report to get the agency back on track.

In the last 20 years, independent evaluations of EPA's labs have turned up operations and management problems, according to the GAO report. EPA also struggles with consolidating its labs.

"GAO recommends, among other things that EPA develop a coordinated planning process for its scientific activities and appoint a top-level official with authority over all the laboratories, improve physical and real property planning decisions, and develop a workforce planning process for all laboratories that reflects current and future needs of laboratory facilities," according to the report.

David Trimble, director of Natural Resources and Environment Issues at GAO, outlines the recommendations.