Corps gets an audit “A+”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became the largest federal agency, in terms of property, to receive an unqualified opinion – or clean bill of financial health – from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) for their civil works financial statements during fiscal 2008. The decision also makes the Corps the first major DoD agency to receive such a rating.

This score is the equivalent of an audit A+, according to Wes Miller, the Corps’ Chief Financial Officer.

“This audit verifies that we are an organization with people with honor and integrity: we do what we say, and say what we do,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, the chief of engineers. “It stands as proof positive that we have been good stewards of the taxpayer's money and are able to account for every dollar entrusted to us by the American public.”

The audit, which was conducted by DoDIG and their independent public accounting firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, rendered an unqualified opinion on Nov. 17, saying that the Corps’ financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects.

Auditors conducted the review between April and November, and examined all financial transactions that occurred during fiscal 2008, equaling $40 billion in total assets.

The Corps’ civil works mission is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation during peace and war. The civil works programs include water resource development activities such as flood control, navigation, recreation, and infrastructure, plus environmental stewardship and emergency response.

Corps demonstrates environmental stewardship

In the spirit of America Recycles Day, November 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demonstrated its environmental stewardship in a variety of ways in its districts across the country.

America Recycles Day, in its eleventh year, was started by the National Recycling Coalition to reduce the burden of trash placement in the nation’s landfills on the environment and to encourage Americans to both recycle and to buy products made from recycled goods. Its success is apparent in that recycling has doubled in the last 15 years. 

Many Corps offices nationwide regularly recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum cans, batteries and other materials. Many routinely purchase recycled products such as paper and office supplies.

Seattle District’s Sustainability Team recently joined forces with the Federal Green Challenge Team to distribute light switch labels, encouraging employees to “Conserve Energy – Please Turn it Off!”

At Portland District’s hydropower plants, the Corps filters and reuses tens of thousands of gallons of oil and recycles the remaining oil through fuel blending. The Bonneville Lock and Dam is 100 percent pesticide free. And Portland District recycles project tires and discarded tires found in parks and recreational areas. 

As an environmentally conscious agency, the Corps encourages recycling to conserve energy and natural resources and reduce air and water pollution. In this way, the Corps is BUILDING STRONG by contributing to a healthy, diverse and sustainable environment that supports a high quality of life for American citizens.

For more information about the Corps’ environmental programs, please visit:
https://environment.usace.army.mil.