Report 2013-122 Recommendation 3 Responses

Report 2013-122: California Department of Toxic Substances Control: Its Lack of Diligence in Cost Recovery Has Contributed to Millions in Unbilled and Uncollected Costs (Release Date: August 2014)

Recommendation #3 To: Toxic Substances Control, Department of

To ensure that it maximizes the recovery of its costs from responsible parties, by October 2014, the department should do the following:

- Establish processes to monitor and verify that responsible party searches are properly reviewed and approved according to its procedures.

60-Day Agency Response

DTSC revised its Departmental Procedures Memorandum (DPM) on potential responsible party (PRP) searches and created a new PRP Identification Memorandum Template in October 2014. The template strengthens the process for monitoring and verifying that PRP searches are properly reviewed and approved by requiring Unit Supervisor, Branch Chief, and Office of Legal Counsel signature. The new template also standardizes and clarifies the PRP search content and format. Previously, PRP Identification Memorandum content was referred to in procedures but no format was prescribed in the DPM on PRP Searches. Other search process revisions in the DPM make instructions more specific and provide information on staff roles, responsibilities, and related tasks in the PRP search process and subsequent follow-up activities. The use of the template and other DPM changes will be reinforced through training to be completed by January 2015.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2013-122

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.