Government Accountability Oversight: A Survey of GAO Environmental Audit Reports

• In Event: Public Interest/ Diversity

Abstract

The Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent non-partisan agency that works for Congress. The GAO performs investigations (audits) “at the request of congressional committees, subcommittees, or as mandated by public laws or committee reports (gao.gov).” GAO audits provide recommendations to Congress and governmental agencies on how to operate in a more efficient, effective, ethical, equitable, and responsive manner; which facilitates improved governmental operations and cost savings to the taxpayers and government. A significant portion of GAO reports revolves around, Natural Resources and the Environment, a topic of increasing importance. The Obama Administration has expressed commitment to “protecting the air we breathe, water we drink, and land that supports and sustains us.” The Administration also highlights a plan to bring Federal agencies together to “tackle America’s greatest environmental challenges” (whitehouse.gov). This study provide a summary of the GAO natural resource and environment investigations/audits over a one—year period, noting agencies that worked together and highlighting gaps in federal agency performance.

Authors

• Chevonne Herring, The University of Mississippi

• Dale L Flesher, The University of Mississippi