We audited the Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER’s) use of Federal Emergency and Pandemic Relief Financial Assistance Funds. Our audit objective was to determine whether federal funds received by PRDNER to support its fisheries in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic1 and damages caused by several hurricanes were properly disbursed and used for their intended purpose. We conducted this audit in response to a congressional request, and answers to congressional questions about disaster relief funds are included in this report.
Overall, we found that for the funds it expended, PRDNER properly disbursed and used funds as intended. However, PRDNER was slow in spending funds, as only approximately 7 percent of the total disaster assistance funds ($801,362 of the approximate $11.4 million) have been expended since April 1, 2020. Additionally, PRDNER has expended funds for only 4 of the 17 (approximately 24 percent) combined projects under both awards.
