Subcommittee Investigates EPA Library Closures

Chairman Miller questioning witnesses at the hearing on March 13, 2008.

Subcommittee Members held a hearing on March 13 to further examine the sudden closure of several of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) libraries. Due to EPA imposed budget cuts, the library at headquarters and three regional libraries have already been closed, eliminating 23 states’ access to valuable environmental research and materials.

"The most generous possible explanation is that EPA managers were stunningly incompetent," said Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller. "But it is possible that the explanation is more sinister. The EPA ignored their own careful plans and abruptly closed libraries, limited access to the public and EPA employees, and just threw away documents that may be irreplaceable. The EPA’s ability to protect the environment and public health is badly compromised as a result."

More than a year ago, Chairmen Bart Gordon (D-TN), John Dingell (D-MI), Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) asked the GAO to investigate the library closures and possible destruction of valuable information. The GAO’s assessment report was released at Chairman Miller’s hearing. The report found the decision to close the EPA libraries unjustified and strongly implied the entire process used to close the libraries was flawed. GAO recommended that EPA cease further actions until they justify their previous decision to close libraries, improve outreach methods, ensure adequate oversight, and implement procedures for dispersing and disposing of materials.

Read the GAO report >>

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