However, the agency’s capability to conduct such oversight is limited. In large measure, under NEPA and other laws, EPA relies on the agencies themselves to have their own internal environmental monitoring programs. EPA does not keep records of classified EISs that have been sent to it for review and does not store them, although it does have some classified storage capability. Agencies are required to submit unclassified and classified EISs for EPA’s review, but according to activities office officials, EPA is not charged with conducting outreach to ensure that all such EISs are submitted. Furthermore, environmental compliance officials within the agencies may not be reviewing all classified research activities. Environmental Oversight of Agencies’ Classified Operations

According to EPA headquarters and regional enforcement officials, EPA and the states have been conducting enforcement activities at known classified federal research facilities, but management oversight of such enforcement has not been systematic. They said they receive a degree of cooperation at known DOE and DOD classified facilities but are constrained by secrecy and need-to-know considerations. Known Exemptions of Federal Facilities From Environmental Laws Have Been Rare

Although federal environmental laws allow the President to provide exemptions from environmental requirements in cases involving the paramount interest of the U.S. or in the interest of national security, federal agencies appear to have rarely sought these exemptions. 3, 1995). 2, 1992).
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO discussed its review of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) capability to conduct environmental oversight of classified federal research.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) EPA conducts limited oversight of classified federal research, primarily relying on agencies' internal environmental monitoring programs; (2) although agencies are required to submit environmental impact statements (EIS) to EPA for review, EPA does not ensure that agencies submit all EIS or know the liaisons for some agencies' environmental issues; (3) environmental compliance officials within agencies may not be reviewing all classified research activities; (4) EPA conducts environmental enforcement activities at known classified federal facilities when the agencies cooperate, but it does not have a complete inventory of all facilities and is sometimes hindered by secrecy and need-to-know considerations; (6) while it is possible that federal agencies have secretly sought exemptions from environmental requirements, it appears that they have rarely sought such exemptions; and (7) agencies have occasionally sought special emergency arrangements concerning environmental standards because of national security concerns.