Mealey's (December 16, 2015, 12:10 PM EST) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Dec. 14 said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency engaged in “covert propaganda” in social media efforts to get support for its Waters of the United States rule, also known as the Clean Water Rule.

(GAO letter available. Document #95-160114-001X.)

The GAO said the EPA’s use of funds associated with implementing the agency’s “Thunderclap” campaign and its establishing Internet hyperlinks to the National Resources Defense Council and Surfrider Foundation Web pages “violated prohibitions against publicity or propaganda and...