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Audit Points To Weaknesses in Oversight of Los Alamos Lab

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Investigators are raising flags about weaknesses in the way federal officials keep track of deficiencies, concerns from employees and contractors and other problems at one of the nation's premiere nuclear weapons laboratories.

The findings of the U.S. Department of Energy's inspector general were outlined in an audit released Thursday.

Investigators say the National Nuclear Security Administration's office that oversees operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory has failed to implement an effective management program that includes tracking actions taken to fix problems at the lab.

Watchdogs say the findings are serious since the NNSA's field office serves as the primary check on the lab's safety and operational integrity.

The lab has been docked in recent years for operational and safety violations.

NNSA officials plan to address the recommendations in the audit.