A recent audit from the Auditor General’s office turned up three violations against Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Between the grant period dated July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023, DCNR did not competitively award C2P2 grants and dispersed funds to projects with late applications; did not record certain hardcopy documents maintained for older grants that closed during the audit period; and failed to adequately oversee inspection, documentation, and reporting requirements.
During a news conference on Thursday, DeFoor stated that DCNR officials surrendered to outside pressure when awarding grant money, even making decisions with legislative consequences in mind. He called that practice quote, “concerning.”
DeFoor finished his briefing by stating that DCNR officials are willing to implement change and do better based on seven recommendations his office provided them with. Those include following existing policies and procedures, using electronic submission of documents to monitor grants, and improving oversight of the inspection process for federally funded grants.
