On April 10 and 11, 2013, EPA Region 3 (Philadelphia) co-hosted, along with Regions 1 (Boston) and 2 (New York), a tri-regional meeting of State Exchange Network Managers. The Managers came from New England, New York and New Jersey, and the mid-Atlantic States. The meeting’s agenda, list of participants, summary notes, and presentations may be downloaded here.

For more information, please contact Virginia Thompson, Bob Simpson, or Ken Blumberg.

Virginia Thompson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3
P: 215.814.5755
E: thompson.virginia [at] epa.gov

Bob Simpson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2
P: 212.637.3335
E: simpson.robert [at] epa.gov

Ken Blumberg
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1
P: 617.918.1084
E: blumberg.ken [at] epa.gov

The ENLC is excited to announce the launch of a new Exchange Network Integrated Project Team (IPT) that will focus on communications and outreach for the Network. The Communications IPT will support the Exchange Network Phase 2 Implementation Plan’s goal to develop improved communications and marketing as a key strategy for long-term Network success. The IPT’s sole task will be to develop an Exchange Network Communications and Marketing Plan, which will:

• Identify the Network’s key audiences of existing and potential Partners;
• Propose appropriate messages that will engage each audience and broaden their awareness and understanding of the Network’s value;
• Document the tools and activities necessary to engage audiences and maintain a relationship with them;
• Identify opportunities to increase the visibility of the Network through more effective marketing or branding strategies;
• Identify available staff and financial resources to support communications activities; and
• Recommend roles and responsibilities for implementing the Plan.

The IPT will conclude its work in fall 2013.

The IPT will be composed of representatives from EPA, States, Territories, Tribes, and other Network Partners and stakeholders. The ENLC anticipates that external outreach and marketing expertise will be available to the IPT to augment the knowledge and the skills of the IPT members. Two Co-Chairs–one representing EPA and one representing States–will lead the IPT.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Communications IPT, please send an email to dpeth [at] rossstrategic.com that includes your name, organization, and a brief summary of your involvement with the Exchange Network and your interest in the Communications IPT. Please volunteer no later than Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

Andrew Battin
EPA ENLC Co-Chair
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.2140
E: battin.andrew [at] epa.gov

Andrew Putnam
State ENLC Co-Chair
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
P: 303.692.3579
E: andrew.putnam [at] state.co.us

To promote greater awareness of Exchange Network Governance activities, important discussions and action items from EN Governance meetings, conference calls, and events are consolidated into monthly activity summaries and posted to the Exchange Network website.

EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website contains State Comparative Maps and Dashboards that portray information about enforcement and compliance from the Clean Air Act Air Facility System (AFS), the Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination System database (Integrated Compliance Information System or ICIS-NPDES), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act national database (RCRAInfo). The Data Verification deadline for states to make data corrections in these three EPA national systems before the data will be frozen for FY2012 will be extended from February 26 to March 14, 2013. The data freeze is done for purposes of state oversight (State Review Framework project) and transparency (ECHO website).

We have heard from many states that additional time to make corrections would be beneficial. Our recent release of the State Comparative Maps and Dashboards has made it easier to spot issues. We understand that states are making a big effort to ensure the information is correct, and we want to make sure that our frozen data set is of the highest possible quality.

We have also received many last-minute questions and comments from the states regarding individual data elements and data values. Some issues reported to us were discrepancies related to time lags associated with the source database and our ECHO data mart (which has been refreshed on a bi-weekly schedule). Other issues related to specific state data flow problems (e.g., states finalizing items relating to their ICIS-NPDES migration, using the wrong fields or codes) that required changes in the state data submitted to EPA.

Some issues required us to update and correct SRF programming logic. Most of these logic changes were relatively minor, and were done incrementally as the problems were reported. We have been updating the SRF Data Verification site with the dates and nature of these updates. However, there are four recent changes that will take effect this week (all CWA related) that will result in updated data for many states. Because the states have not yet seen this updated data, our new March 14 deadline will provide a short window of additional review. While these changes relate to CWA only, we are going to extend the freeze date for all three media.

Next Steps and Specifics

We are going ahead with our data pull scheduled for February 26; however, this will not be the final data pull used for the FY2012 frozen data. Our data extract will become available for use in the SRF Data Verification website and State Dashboards on February 28. Changes that impact metrics shown in the State Comparative Maps will begin showing on March 1. To ensure that any last changes needed in the state data are in the source system for our final freeze, please be sure that database changes are made by Midnight, ET on March 14. We will compile the data over the weekend of the 16th so that information is available on March 18.

Thanks for the continuing efforts to ensure that the frozen data is of the highest quality possible.

Lisa Lund
Director, Office of Compliance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
202.564.2280
lund.lisa [at] epa.gov

EPA’s electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) is now open for 2012 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Thousands of facilities and suppliers across the country are expected to report their annual GHG data to EPA through the tool by the April 1, 2013, deadline. To access e-GGRT and enter GHG data, please visit: https://ghgreporting.epa.gov

To learn more about EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program or to view published GHG data using EPA’s Facility Level Information on Greenhouse Gases Tool (FLIGHT), please visit: http://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting

Kong Chiu
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.343.9309
E: chiu.kong [at] epa.gov

To promote greater awareness of Exchange Network Governance activities, important discussions and action items from EN Governance meetings, conference calls, and events are consolidated into monthly activity summaries and posted to the Exchange Network website.

The January 2013 EN Governance Activity Summary is available here.

The schedule of upcoming Governance calls and meetings is available here.

9th Annual Environmental Information Exchange Network Tribal Conference
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
March 27-28, 2013

Tribal Exchange Network Meeting Highlights:
– Networking opportunities
– Learn what’s new in EN data flows
– Explore tools available for your Tribe’s use
– Data management best practices
– Hands-on-training
– Tips on writing an EN grant application

Limited travel funding is available for Tribal representatives.

Hotel Reservations
– Phone: 800.760.6700
– Group rate code: NCAI132513
– Deadline: March 11,2013 to receive the special group rate

For more information, please contact Robert Holden.

Robert Holden
National Congress of American Indians
P: 202.466.7767 x221
E: rholden[at]ncai.org

EPA will hold three public meetings to discuss and obtain input from stakeholders on developing a national electronic manifest (i.e., e-Manifest) system, as authorized by Congress, to replace the current paper-based hazardous waste tracking system. The purpose of these meetings is to engage states, industry, and other stakeholders in discussions about what expectations and technical requirements EPA should consider when developing an e-Manifest system. EPA is seeking participants from a variety of professional backgrounds to attend, including program experts and information technology professionals from both state hazardous waste programs and hazardous waste handlers (e.g., generators, transporters, waste management firms). Meeting dates and locations are:.

– February 25-26, 2013; Arlington, VA
– March 14-15, 2013; Chicago, IL
– March 21-22, 2013; Denver, CO

For more information and to register, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/transportation/manifest/e-man.htm

Kristen Gunthardt
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 703.347.8955
E: [email protected]

The North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (CGIA) is developing the Integrated Cadastral and Land Use Data Exchange (INCLUDE) to compile, integrate, and share cadastral data (i.e., tax parcel boundaries and associated information). The CGIA is seeking a vendor to develop technical solutions for a web interface for uploading and translating property boundaries and associated attributes to a standard data model, integrating translated geospatial datasets, and exchanging web services through the Exchange Network and through a geospatial portal.

For more information on the INCLUDE project, or to obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals, please email Jeff Brown at jeff.brown [at] nc.gov.

Jeff Brown
Coordination Program Manager
Center for Geographic Information and Analysis
State of North Carolina
E: jeff.brown [at] nc.gov

The Exchange Network Leadership Council (ENLC) has released its draft “Implementation Plan for Phase 2 of the Exchange Network.” The Plan is designed to guide the Network’s growth and expansion through 2016. In the Plan, the ENLC identified four goals for Phase 2 and a set of underlying strategies and actions aimed at achieving these goals. The Plan’s Executive Summary broadly reviews these goals and strategies. Both the draft Plan and the Executive Summary are available here.

On February 20, 2013, from 2:00-3:30pm ET, the ENLC will sponsor an Open Conference Call to review the Plan and discuss your comments and questions. You are encouraged to submit your questions in advance of the Open Call by emailing them to Kurt Rakouskas, Exchange Network Coordinator, at kurt [at] exchangenetwork.net. If you are unable to participate in the Call, the ENLC asks that all comments be submitted to Kurt NO LATER than 5pm ET, February 28, 2013.

To register and participate in the Open Call, please visit: 

Andrew Battin
EPA ENLC Co-Chair
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.2140
E: battin.andrew [at] epa.gov

Andrew Putnam
State ENLC Co-Chair
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
P: 303.692.3579
E: andrew.putnam [at] state.co.us

The Exchange Network Leadership Council (ENLC) is nearing completion of its draft “Implementation Plan for Phase 2 of the Exchange Network.” The Plan sets goals and priorities to guide the Network’s growth and expansion in the coming years. The ENLC will share the Plan with the entire Network community in the coming days and we welcome your feedback and questions.

On February 20, 2013, from 2:00-3:30pm ET, the ENLC will sponsor an Open Conference Call to review the Plan and discuss your thoughts and questions about our proposed activities. To register and participate, please visit: 

Andrew Battin
EPA ENLC Co-Chair
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.2140
E: battin.andrew [at] epa.gov

Andrew Putnam
State ENLC Co-Chair
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
P: 303.692.3579
E: andrew.putnam [at] state.co.us

I am excited to announce that the newest version of EPA’s NetDMR, the internet-based Discharge Monitoring Report electronic reporting tool (NetDMR v1.5), went into production on January 25, 2013.

Version 1.5 includes a significant number of enhancements and problem fixes. These changes include solutions to the highest priority issues identified by the States, EPA Regions, and EPA Headquarters.

If you have any questions regarding this release, please contact the NetDMR Customer Support Staff by email at netdmr[at]epa.gov or by phone at 202.564.7756.

John Dombrowski
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0742
E: dombrowski.john[at]epa.gov

To promote greater awareness of Exchange Network Governance activities, important discussions and action items from EN Governance meetings, conference calls, and events are consolidated into monthly activity summaries and posted to the Exchange Network website.

The December 2012 EN Governance Activity Summary is available here.

The schedule of upcoming Governance calls and meetings is available here.

The storage-related issues at EPA’s National Computer Center have been corrected. All NCC-hosted Agency systems should now be available. If you are experiencing any ongoing issues,please contact the Node Help Desk at 888.890.1995 or nodehelpdesk [at] epacdx.net.

Tina Chen
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0248
E: chen.tina [at] epa.gov

The EPA’s National Computer Center (NCC) is experiencing a major outage of its storage systems. Numerous NCC-hosted Agency systems are currently unavailable. The NCC is working to restore service as quickly as possible. Additional information will be distributed as soon as it is available.

If your system and/or application is affected, please contact the Node Help Desk at 888.890.1995 or nodehelpdesk [at] epacdx.net.

Tina Chen
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0248
E: chen.tina [at] epa.gov

The EPA’s Tribal Identification data standard specifies the Tribal names and codes needed for identification of Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native entities. Implementing the Tribal Identification standard helps to ensure consistency in the names and codes for Tribal entities and facilitates exchange and integration of Tribal information. To support implementation of this standard, EPA’s Office of Environmental Information has developed the TRIBES Web Services to allow systems to consume the current list of political (i.e., non-geographic) Tribal names and codes, as well as EPA Internal Identifiers to ensure unambiguous identification of Tribal entities.

The TRIBES Data Exchange is available here.

Michael Pendleton
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.1658
E: pendleton.michael [at] epa.gov

EPA’s Office of Environmental Information has released an updated Exchange Network Glossary. The Glossary, which builds upon previous work conducted by a range of Partners, provides a single point of reference for understanding terms that are relevant to the Exchange Network. There are more than one hundred definitions available, ranging from “Node Client” to “Flow Configuration Document” to “Integrated Project Team.”

This glossary is one of many that are cataloged in EPA’s Terminology Services (www.epa.gov/ts), a repository of environmental and other terms and definitions in use by EPA and other organizations. States, Territories, Tribes, and other Network Partners can create direct links from their web pages to the EN Glossary.

The Exchange Network Glossary is available in the Knowledge Base.

Angelina Hurst
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0701
E: hurst.angelina [at] epa.gov

The Exchange Network Leadership Council is excited to announce that EN2014, the 2014 Exchange Network National Meeting, will be held February 25-27, 2014, at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia. A Welcome Reception will be held the evening of February 24.

Keep up to date on EN2014 at https://www.exchangenetwork.net/en2014/

The Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) collects environmental data on a wide variety of constituents in water, biota, sediment, and air. After these studies are completed, the data remain. Central to the data management effort is a computerized relational database system to house Lake Michigan Mass Balance and other project results. The Great Lakes Environmental Database (GLENDA) was developed to provide data entry, storage, access and analysis capabilities to meet the needs of mass balance modelers and other potential users of Great Lakes data. The GLENDA Data Exchange provides data services that can be used by Partners to retrieve substance information from the GLNPO system based upon a variety of identifiers and substance characteristics.

The GLENDA Data Exchange is now available here.

Kenneth Klewin
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
312.886.4794
klewin.kenneth [at] epa.gov