In the EPA Office of Inspector General’s Semiannual Report to Congress: Oct 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018 we see two “recommendations” regarding the manner in which EPA conducts their Risk Management Plan (RMP) audits and how the OIG feels the process could be improved upon. These are a continuation of improvement from the 2013 OIG report where it was recommended EPA inspectors receive more training and the inspection process to include more of the “complex processes” (my words not theirs) rather than the smaller and simpler processes which take less resources and time. This report, the OIG has asked EPA to:
- Coordinate with the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to revise inspection guidance to recommend minimum inspection scope for the various types of facilities covered under the program and provide detailed examples of minimum reporting.
- Coordinate with the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to develop and implement an inspection monitoring and oversight program to better manage and assess the quality of program inspections, reports, supervisory oversight and compliance with inspection guidance.