National Environmental Information Exchange Network Potential for Regional LAEs By: Dave Tetta and Andrew Battin US EPA

2 What is the Exchange Network? A partnership to support better environmental decisions through improved access to, and exchange of, improved environmental information Tools and services that help environmental agency staff integrate, analyze and report data Data and Technology Standards that allow for data to be integrated regardless of the technology More efficient business operations that improves data quality and timeliness Secure data exchanges over the Internet

3 What is the Exchange Network? An Internet and standards-based method for exchanging environmental information between partners. Internet State / Tribe x x yz y z County x x University EPA x x yz y z Internal System XML Schema Network Node Node Client From: Accessed: Jan 19, 2010

4 How Does the EN Accomplish This? Collaboration –Between EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners –Between agencies within states –Between offices within agencies Technology Shared tools and services Grant Program –FY 2002 to present –$130M+ in grants to develop infrastructure and flow data

5 How Does it Work? Most Partners have a node A node is a web (Internet) server that responds to requests for information –Requests and responses use common formats written is eXtensible Markup Language (XML) –Point of Presence through which partners exchange data Nodes use standardized tools and technology neutral components CDX is EPA’s node on the Exchange Network Some partners use node clients –Software that is loaded on a desktop computer –Limited capabilities –Users can submit and request data –Does not respond to requests –Not automated –Less costly and easier to deploy

6 Who Participates in the EN? 50 States / 8 Tribes / 1 Territory have exchanged data using the Network EPA –Program Offices –Regions –OEI Environmental Council of the States National Congress of American Indians Other Federal Agencies

7 Media Programs Participating in the Exchange Network Water –WQX –SDWIS –ATTAINS –UIC –ebeaches Air –AQS –NEI/EIS Enforcement –ICIS-NPDES –eDMR/Net DMR Hazardous Waste –RCRAinfo Environmental Information –TRI –FRS

8 Types of Data Exchanges Occurring on the Network State-to-EPA Facility Data to FRS Drinking Water Data to SDWIS Haz Waste Data to RCRAInfo Air Emissions Data to NEI Air Quality Data to AQS EPA-to-State TRI Data Submissions Substance and Chemical Data Facility Data from FRS Air Quality Data Intrastate Environmental Data to Health Departments Drinking Water Labs to States Homeland Security/Law Enforcement Data County Water Data State-to-State Water Quality Data Hazardous Waste Transporters Air Quality Data Homeland Security Data

Connections with R10 LAE work

10 Data Exchanges to Support R10 LAE work BMP data exchange Juvenile salmon data exchange WQX Nature Serve Accountability/Decisions Supporting Decision making –Environmental review – NEPAssist –Expedited permitting Support to Reporting Efforts –Columbia River SORRColumbia River SORR Regional Uses of EN

11 Chesapeake BMP Exchanges MD Node Chesapeake Node CBPO, Annapolis Issues No planned exchange with EPA’s CDX No EPA enterprise system for BMP PA Node VA Node Inbound Schema & Services Outbound Schema & Services Retrieve BMPs By Geographies

12 Washington RCO/Puget Sound Partnership NEIEN Grant GOAL 2 - Design Data Flow for Juvenile Salmon Migrant Flow GOAL 3 - Build New Exchange Network Flow for Juvenile Migrants GOAL 5 - Develop Puget Sound Partnership Exchange Client Application GOAL 6 - Design Data Flow for Restoration-Protection Project Information

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14 R10 WQX Work Increasing Analytic Tools available Integration with GIS Integration with CLP? Prioritizing Data Entry for OEA data holdings Opportunities –DOE interest in using WQX for Hanford data Work with OEI to identify other areas of support