2017 Hurricane Relief Emergency Conservation Program

Submitting OIG:

Department of Agriculture OIG

Report Description:

OIG reviewed FSA’s program delivery of ECP for the 2017 hurricane-related disasters.

Date Issued:

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Agriculture

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

03702-0002-23

Component, if applicable:

Farm Service Agency

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

$1,937,108

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
03702-0002-23finaldistribution.pdf	7.8 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Develop and implement a standardized monitoring process to document district director concurrence when FSA grants relief to producers who started their practice before submitting an ECP application. The process should also include reporting to State officials.
3	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Establish and implement monitoring procedures in guidance requiring State officials to ensure district directors complete reviews and evaluate the results of the reviews to ensure ECP policies are being followed.
4	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Establish and implement procedures in guidance to define how the district director reviews should be documented.
5	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Establish and implement monitoring procedures in guidance requiring State officials to ensure county executive directors complete spot checks and evaluate the results of the reviews.
6	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
For the three counties, determine which applications are still subject to spot check from the 2017 disasters and follow the procedures to complete the spot checks.
8	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Develop and implement a standardized format for documenting installation costs to ensure producer documentation is sufficient, prevent ineligible costs, and ensure the correct reimbursement rates are used.
9	Open	Yes	2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM
Require the State office to review the questionable applications totaling $556,678, and take appropriate action on any payments that are determined to be improper.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

Yes

2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM

Develop and implement a standardized monitoring process to document district director concurrence when FSA grants relief to producers who started their practice before submitting an ECP application. The process should also include reporting to State officials.

Open

Yes

2017 HURRICANE RELIEF EMERGENCY CONSERVATIONPROGRAM

Establish and implement monitoring procedures in guidance requiring State officials to ensure district directors complete reviews and evaluate the results of the reviews to ensure ECP policies are being followed.