Audit  Audit of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.

The purpose of our audit was to determine the following:

• whether MDAR ensured that pesticide applicators who used pesticide(s) for the purpose of either clearing and/or maintaining a right-of-way (ROW) had licenses in accordance with Section 11.03(1) of Title 333 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR);
• whether MDAR conducted investigations to ensure the proper use of pesticides on ROWs in accordance with Section VI of MDAR’s “Standard Operating Procedures for the Pesticides Enforcement Program”;
• whether MDAR educated the general public and pesticide applicators on the proper use and handling of pesticides on ROWs in accordance with Section I(4) of MDAR’s “Standard Operating Procedures for the Pesticides Enforcement Program”;
• whether MDAR ensured that applicants to the ROW Program submitted Vegetation Management Plans in accordance with 333 CMR 11.05(2); and
• whether MDAR ensured that applicants to the ROW Program submitted Yearly Operational Plans in accordance with 333 CMR 11.06(2).

In addition to the conclusions we reached regarding our audit objectives, we also identified issues not specifically addressed by our objectives. See Other Matters for more information.

Below is a summary of our finding and recommendations, with links to each page listed.