News |
Congressman Jones objects to NOAA Asset Forfeiture Fund Policy |
|
WASHINGTON - Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) wrote to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco yesterday raising concerns about NOAA plans for reforming the agency's use of funds derived from fines and forfeited assets from fishermen.
The Congressman pointed out that in a recent Inspector General-commissioned audit of the NOAA Fisheries Asset Forfeiture Fund (AFF) found extensive waste, fraud and abuse by the agency. The audit found that NOAA Fisheries "administered the AFF in a manner that is neither transparent nor conducive to accountability, thus rendering it susceptible to both error and abuse." It also found that NOAA Fisheries used the AFF extensively "to cover a variety of expenses which do not appear to be '...directly related to investigations and civil or criminal enforcement proceedings," which they are required to be by law. Such expenditures include over $500,000 spent on international travel in the past four and a half years. Other expenditures include $4.6 million for the purchase of 200 vehicles for only 172 enforcement personnel, including a vehicle for former OLE Director, Dale Jones, who would "ride the train to his office free of charge, by virtue of his status as an armed law enforcement officer,"; $2.7 million for the purchase of vessels, including $300,000 for an undercover vessel that the manufacturer's website described as "luxurious" with a "beautifully appointed cabin"; and dozens of purchase card transactions that were either improper, fraudulent or duplicative. The Congressman praised the parts of agency's draft policy which prohibit the use of AFF funds for: ·funding for NOAA employee labor, benefits, or awards; ·funding for vehicle or vessel purchases or leases; ·funding for travel not related to specific investigations or enforcement proceedings; and, ·funding for equipment such as computers, blackberries, cell phones and furniture. To download a PDF of the letter, read the NOAA proposed policy, or read the IG report on the audit of the Asset Forfeiture Fund, go to the complete article on SavingSeafood. |
|||
|
|
||
HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act
May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.
