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Hurricane Disaster Assistance - Emergency Watershed Protection Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number:
10702-0001-23
Report Type
Audit
Component
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Description
We evaluated NRCS’ controls over the EWP Program relating to hurricane disaster assistance provided for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$41,245,287
Funds for Better Use
$198,502,181

Recommendations

Establish and maintain a national database to track projects for the EWP program as per program requirements.

Develop and implement a process to ensure that States are confirming and documenting applicant eligibility in accordance with EWP Program requirements.

Review the 15 sampled DSRs that were approved for more than $41.2 million and their subsequent cooperative agreements to confirm eligibility. Collect funds from applicants that are found to be ineligible.

Review all DSRs and their subsequent cooperative agreements related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to confirm eligibility. Collect funds from those applicants that are found to be ineligible.

Update guidance to clarify the terminology that is creating confusion for States when submitting reports (for example, weather event project and individual DSR project). In addition, clarify when final reports will be completed.