Nicole Dery

Climate change is a complex, cross-cutting issue that poses risks to human society and many of the systems upon which we depend. Climate change and associated weather-related disasters also pose a significant financial risk to the federal government. The 2017 President's Budget estimated that the U.S. government incurred over $357 billion in direct costs because of weather-related disasters in the last decade. The European Union, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Mexico… Show more

Climate change is a complex, cross-cutting issue that poses risks to human society and many of the systems upon which we depend. Climate change and associated weather-related disasters also pose a significant financial risk to the federal government. The 2017 President's Budget estimated that the U.S. government incurred over $357 billion in direct costs because of weather-related disasters in the last decade. The European Union, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Mexico have created laws and strategies to help governments reduce this risk through climate change adaptation. The Philippines and the United Kingdom have also aligned their adaptation strategies with broader resilience strategies that address other risks, such as terrorism and health pandemics. This alignment may provide co-benefits, such as infrastructure investments that protect against climate change impacts; enhance resilience to all disasters; and create economic opportunities. Show less

EPA estimates that more than $680 billion is needed to repair and replace water and wastewater infrastructure nationwide over the next 20 years. Under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, the federal government contributes some funding to states through EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs. States use this funding to make low-or no-interest loans to communities to build water and wastewater infrastructure, in addition to other assistance. These loans are repaid with… Show more

EPA estimates that more than $680 billion is needed to repair and replace water and wastewater infrastructure nationwide over the next 20 years. Under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, the federal government contributes some funding to states through EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs. States use this funding to make low-or no-interest loans to communities to build water and wastewater infrastructure, in addition to other assistance. These loans are repaid with interest, and these funds are then used for future loans. EPA reviews and oversees state SRF programs. GAO was asked to examine the sustainability of SRF funds. This report examines (1) factors that affect selected states' abilities to sustain their SRF funds, (2) selected states' actions to enhance their SRF funds and views about sustaining the funds, and (3) steps that EPA takes to review states' abilities to sustain their SRF funds as part of its oversight. GAO analyzed EPA and state financial data and interviewed EPA officials, nine experts, and officials in 21 states. Experts were selected from an EPA financial advisory board. States were selected for program size, region, and type of fund management. Show less

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 directed the Secretary of the Department of Commerce to establish the Federal Loan Guarantees for Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing program. This program is to provide loan guarantees for small- or medium-sized manufacturers for the use or production of innovative technologies. The act also mandated that GAO conduct a biennial review of the execution of the program and submit a report on the review conducted to Congress. GAO examined the… Show more

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 directed the Secretary of the Department of Commerce to establish the Federal Loan Guarantees for Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing program. This program is to provide loan guarantees for small- or medium-sized manufacturers for the use or production of innovative technologies. The act also mandated that GAO conduct a biennial review of the execution of the program and submit a report on the review conducted to Congress. GAO examined the status of Commerce’s efforts to execute the program. Show less

Scientific and technological innovation and a workforce educated in STEM fields are critical to long-term U.S. economic competitiveness. Leaders in government, business, and education have expressed concern about the nation's ability to compete with other technologically advanced countries in these fields. In this context, Congress passed COMPETES 2007 and reauthorized the act with COMPETES 2010, each with the overall goal of investing in research and development to improve U.S… Show more

Scientific and technological innovation and a workforce educated in STEM fields are critical to long-term U.S. economic competitiveness. Leaders in government, business, and education have expressed concern about the nation's ability to compete with other technologically advanced countries in these fields. In this context, Congress passed COMPETES 2007 and reauthorized the act with COMPETES 2010, each with the overall goal of investing in research and development to improve U.S. competitiveness. Among other things, the acts specifically authorized funding for certain programs. COMPETES 2010 mandated GAO to evaluate the status of authorized programs. GAO examined (1) the extent to which funding was appropriated under the authorization of COMPETES 2007 and COMPETES 2010 and (2) what recent evaluations suggest about how programs for which the acts specifically authorized funding are working. To answer these questions, GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, interviewed agency officials, and reviewed program evaluations for quality and content. Show less

DOD has a large volume of contracts that have not been closed on time. Closing a contract includes tasks such as verifying that the goods and services were provided and making final payment to the contractor. Closing contracts within required time frames can limit the government’s exposure to certain financial risks. One reason why some contracts are not being closed is the large backlog of incurred cost audits that must first be completed. These audits, conducted by DCAA, ensure that the costs… Show more

DOD has a large volume of contracts that have not been closed on time. Closing a contract includes tasks such as verifying that the goods and services were provided and making final payment to the contractor. Closing contracts within required time frames can limit the government’s exposure to certain financial risks. One reason why some contracts are not being closed is the large backlog of incurred cost audits that must first be completed. These audits, conducted by DCAA, ensure that the costs contractors have incurred are permissible under government regulations. The Senate Armed Services Committee report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 directed GAO to review the criteria and procedures for conducting incurred cost audits, among other things. In response, GAO assessed (1) efforts to reduce the backlog of incurred cost audits and (2) the challenges DOD faces in addressing the contract closeout backlog. GAO reviewed DCAA’s policies and procedures for incurred cost audits; analyzed data on the audit and contract closeout backlogs; and interviewed officials in the military departments and agencies. Show less

With a budget of nearly $5 billion in fiscal year 2011, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science (Science) has historically been the nation’s single largest funding source for basic research in the physical sciences, energy sciences, advanced scientific computing, and other fields. Science and its predecessor agency, the Office of Energy Research, have long served the nation in the quest for scientific knowledge and innovation. From the construction of particle accelerators—long… Show more

With a budget of nearly $5 billion in fiscal year 2011, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science (Science) has historically been the nation’s single largest funding source for basic research in the physical sciences, energy sciences, advanced scientific computing, and other fields. Science and its predecessor agency, the Office of Energy Research, have long served the nation in the quest for scientific knowledge and innovation. From the construction of particle accelerators—long tunnels where subatomic particles collide with targets at nearly the speed of light—to the design and launch of a satellite telescope that reveals stellar explosions in the deepest parts of space, projects overseen by Science have broadened our understanding of the cosmos and of the fundamental components of life on Earth. In his fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, the President requested an increase in Science’s annual appropriation, which was part of an effort to double Science’s funding in 10 years under the goals of the American Competitiveness Initiative and the America COMPETES Act. However, policy decisions made in response to the current budget environment have since shifted Science’s funding trajectory away from the target of doubling funding by fiscal year 2016. As a result, Science will be confronted with complex decisions in selecting research activities that are most worthy of resources. Congress asked us to review how Science determines what research to pursue. Our objectives were to describe (1) Science’s research priorities and how those priorities were established and (2) how, if at all, Science coordinates with other federal agencies to identify and mitigate potential areas of duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in establishing and implementing research efforts.
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With trillions of dollars in cross-border financial activity, U.S. tax authorities and others around the world exchange information with each other to administer and enforce compliance with the tax laws of their respective countries. GAO was asked to (1) identify and describe all income tax treaties and other such agreements between the United States and other countries, (2) describe the volume of exchange activity, types of information exchanged between the United States and its treaty… Show more

With trillions of dollars in cross-border financial activity, U.S. tax authorities and others around the world exchange information with each other to administer and enforce compliance with the tax laws of their respective countries. GAO was asked to (1) identify and describe all income tax treaties and other such agreements between the United States and other countries, (2) describe the volume of exchange activity, types of information exchanged between the United States and its treaty partners, and request processing times, and (3) identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness of current U.S. information exchange processes and procedures. GAO analyzed agreement documents, IRS data on information exchanges, and interviewed program officials and the users of exchanged information. Show less

In this article, we argue for integrating a formal, well-specified cultural assessment into social or environmental impact assessments. We present the findings of a cultural model assessment of oyster restoration strategies for the Chesapeake Bay. This cultural model research formed part of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS), undertaken by federal- and state-level agencies. Our results suggest that Chesapeake Bay oyster stakeholders share a cultural model of… Show more

In this article, we argue for integrating a formal, well-specified cultural assessment into social or environmental impact assessments. We present the findings of a cultural model assessment of oyster restoration strategies for the Chesapeake Bay. This cultural model research formed part of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS), undertaken by federal- and state-level agencies. Our results suggest that Chesapeake Bay oyster stakeholders share a cultural model of oyster restoration that integrates ecological, economic, and cultural benefits. Restoration efforts that prioritize one of these benefits to a degree that threatens this holistic integration is inconsistent with the oyster restoration that stakeholders valued. These cultural model findings provide a reminder to policymakers and program implementers that future Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts to expand oyster sanctuaries and reserves, increase oyster aquaculture, and restrain wild oyster harvest need to be evaluated for how they support the integrated ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of oyster restoration. Show less

In 2004, the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia proposed to introduce a non-native oyster species, Crassostrea ariakensis, into the tidal waters of Maryland and Virginia. The states planned to take action as soon as a rigorous, scientifically based Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision could be prepared. The benefits advanced by the supporters of this introduction included: improving water quality; providing important habitat for oysters, finfish, crabs and a… Show more

In 2004, the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia proposed to introduce a non-native oyster species, Crassostrea ariakensis, into the tidal waters of Maryland and Virginia. The states planned to take action as soon as a rigorous, scientifically based Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision could be prepared. The benefits advanced by the supporters of this introduction included: improving water quality; providing important habitat for oysters, finfish, crabs and a diversity of other species; rehabilitating an oyster population capable of supporting an economically viable oyster industry; and preserving Chesapeake Bay communities and culture. As part of the broader Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the authors were contracted to evaluate the sociocultural risks and benefits of introducing C. ariakensis, as compared to a number of alternative actions. In this article, we describe some emergent findings from the cultural and socioeconomic risk analysis portion of the EIS analysis. In particular, we focus our analysis on patterns of agreement and disagreement regarding specific restoration goals and the management efforts needed to achieve those goals. Show less

All too often we hear students ask as they are planning for their graduation: "what can I do with a degree in anthropology?" As applied anthropologists we know there are many possible opportunities, one of which is with community organizations. Public and private non-profit and community organizations often require previous experience before employers consider an application. For some students this could be a challenge but opportunities to ‘practice’ anthropological methods, test and synthesize… Show more

All too often we hear students ask as they are planning for their graduation: "what can I do with a degree in anthropology?" As applied anthropologists we know there are many possible opportunities, one of which is with community organizations. Public and private non-profit and community organizations often require previous experience before employers consider an application. For some students this could be a challenge but opportunities to ‘practice’ anthropological methods, test and synthesize theoretical orientations and hone their skills and interests prior to graduating are available. Increasingly academics are collaborating with community employers by offering internships, service learning experiences and other hands-on opportunities for interested students. Show less