On October 1, 2012, the Central Data Exchange (CDX) concluded Phase II of the CDX Modernization project. This Phase included deploying user interface changes to the account pages and implementing a new registration process. These changes will affect the way Exchange Network (EN) grant recipients use CDX to submit semi-annual progress reports to EPA. Electronic progress reports have been required for all EN grants since FY 2008.

EPA will be providing training to grant recipients on the updated semi-annual reporting process via live webinar. To ensure the greatest number of State, Territorial, and Tribal Partners are able to participate, EPA will host four training sessions. Each session is identical, and Partners only need to attend one.

Grantees may participate in one of the following sessions through Adobe Connect at the link provided:

• October 17, 2:00-3:00 PM ET )
• October 18, 1:00-2:00 PM ET )
• October 24, 1:00-2:00 PM ET )
• October 25, 1:00-2:00 PM ET )

To participate in any of the sessions, dial: 1.866.299.3188, and enter conference code: 202.564.4499#.

Participants who would like to review the materials beforehand may access the presentation here.

Michael Kaufman
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.564.4499
E: kaufman.michael [at] epa.gov

An upgrade to the ICIS-NPDES data flow is now available. This upgrade to version 3.2 involves the addition of a “Copy Master General Permit Limit Set” web service that will allow EPA’s new electronic notice of intent tool named “NeT” to populate a general permit record with limits from its corresponding master general permit. Partners can continue to submit NPDES permit, DMR, and compliance monitoring inspection data to EPA’s ICIS system the same way they have done in the past.

Version 2 of the schema will continue to support transfer of basic permit, master general permit, general permit covered facility, unpermitted facility, permit tracking event, narrative condition/permit schedule, permitted feature, limit set, limit, and DMR data to EPA’s ICIS system.

Alison Kittle
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.564.6233
E: kittle.alison [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 summaries cover the Exchange Network Leadership Council (ENLC), Network Operations Board (NOB), Network Technology Group (NTG), Network Partnership and Resources Group (NPRG), Integrated Project Teams, Task Forces, Open Calls, Regional and National Meeting, etc.

The July and August 2012 EN Governance Activity Summaries are now available here.

For the schedule of upcoming calls and meetings, visit Network Goverance.

This Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Position is for a State government employee to serve as a member of EPA OGWDW’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) Database Team for one year. The UIC Database provides data to support EPA’s management and oversight of the UIC program. It is populated through data submissions via the Exchange Network by 69 State primacy and EPA Region direct implementation programs.

The IPA duties will include management of the UIC Database Change Control Board and administration of the quarterly submission process (including troubleshooting, technical support, and training) to assure successful and customer friendly support to the State and EPA submitters. An understanding of and experience with the UIC Dataflow and EPA’s UIC relational database are qualifying factors for potential candidates.

For more information, please contact:
Carl Reeverts
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.564.4632
E: reeverts.carl [at] epa.gov

EPA has posted updated information on virtual CROMERR and virtual node services to its Exchange Network Grants and Funding web page.

The Virtual Node IPT will define the requirements and policy implications for a cloud-based, centrally managed, Exchange Network Node installation. The Shared CROMERR Services and Components IPT will define the requirements and policy implications for a shared set of CROMERR Services and Components to achieve CROMERR compliance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and local government use. Additionally, EPA has posted a form to provide feedback on shared CROMERR services to the IPT and an introductory PowerPoint document on Shared CROMERR services. All documents are available at: www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/grants.

Jonathan Jacobson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.1984
E: jacobson.jonathan [at] epa.gov

Exchange Network Governance is excited to announce the formation of two new Integrated Project Teams (IPTs)!

The Shared CROMERR Services and Components IPT has been chartered to define the requirements and policy implications for a shared set of Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR) Services and Components that could be leveraged by Network Partners to achieve CROMERR compliance. Co-Chaired by Chuck Freeman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Chris Morrell, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the IPT adopted its Charter on September 27, 2012.

The Virtual Node IPT adopted its Charter on August 28, 2012. This IPT is Co-Chaired by NOB leaders Connie Dwyer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Roy Walker, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. The Virtual Node IPT will define the requirements and policy implications for a cloud-based, centrally managed, Exchange Network Node.

CDX will be unavailable from 1:00PM ET on Saturday, 29 September to 11:59PM ET on Sunday, 30 September due to an upgrade.

Exchange Network dataflows hosted in the CDX environment will experience an outage on Saturday from 1:00PM ET to 6:00PM ET. Please expect the potential for intermittent connectivity starting from 6:00PM ET on Saturday through 11:59PM ET on Sunday.

For more information, please contact Tina Chen at chen.tina [at] epa.gov.

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

CDX will be unavailable from 1:00PM ET on 29 September to 11:59PM ET on 30 September due to an upgrade. EPA does not anticipate impacts to Exchange Network Services.

For more information, please contact Tina Chen at chen.tina [at] epa.gov.

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

EPA’s Office of Environmental Information (OEI) has implemented additional configuration changes. We have observed improvements in connectivity across all CDX environments.

However, known issues continue to persist in the CDX TEST environment and are still impacting connectivity for some dataflows. OEI is actively working on investigating a resolution to these issues.

OEI will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide additional information as it becomes available. If your system continues to experience connectivity issues or slow response times, please contact Tina Chen at chen.tina [at] epa.gov.

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

Connectivity and response times for the CDX Production environment have returned to normal.

However, while external access to CDX TEST is reported to be unaffected, there continues to be some residual connectivity issues with internal access to the CDX TEST environment. EPA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide additional information as it becomes available.

If your system continues to experience connectivity issues or slow response times, please contact Tina Chen at chen.tina [at] epa.gov.

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

EPA has implemented a configuration change that has resolved the intermittent Production CDX connectivity issues. Response times are improving significantly.

EPA will continue to closely monitor this situation and provide additional information as it becomes available.

Tina Chen
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202-566-0248
E: chen.tina [at] epa.gov

CDX is currently experiencing on-going connectivity issues that may be affecting some Exchange Network dataflows. EPA is actively working on a resolution and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

Node Help Desk
P: 888.890.1995
E: nodehelpdesk [at] epacdx.net

EPA has released the FY 2013 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice. States, Federally recognized Tribes, and Territories are eligible to apply. The Notice is available at www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/grants. Applications are due 9 November 2012.

In FY 2013, EPA expects to award an estimated $10,000,000 for 40-50 grants of up to $300,000 for individual applicants and $500,000 for partnerships. The number of awards will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the Grant program, the number of applications received, the amounts of proposed budgets, and the outcome of EPA’s reviews. Applications may be submitted as hardcopy or electronically at Grants.gov. EPA anticipates that it will inform applicants of its selection decisions in or around April 2013 and plans to issue awards by 31 July 2013.

Questions should be directed to EPA’s Salena Reynolds at 202.566.0466 or reynolds.salena [at] epa.gov.

During the period 4:00AM-4:00PM ET on 8 September, the CDX Production Environment and the Exchange Network may experience intermittent outages due to a scheduled CDX Firewall upgrade. Please contact the Node Help Desk at nodehelpdesk [at] epacdx.net for further information.

Christopher Kilgore
CGI Federal
P: 276.889.8658
E: christopher.kilgore [at] cgifederal.com

The NPRG Co-Chairs are pleased to announce that two new State members have joined the NPRG. Heather Kenworthy, of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, and Steve Steinberg, of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, will be the two newest members of the Group. The Co-Chairs would like to thank everyone who expressed interest in joining the NPRG, and extend a warm welcome to Heather and Steve. The NPRG looks forward to their contributions to the Group.

Jonathan Jacobson (Co-Chair)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.1984
E: jacobson.jonathan [at] epa.gov

Chris Simmers (Co-Chair)
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
P: 603.271.2961
E: chris.simmers [at] des.state.nh.us

During the period 6:00PM ET, 24 August to 4:00AM ET, 27 August, the CDX Pre-Production Environment may experience intermittent outages due to scheduled network maintenance. Please contact the Node Help Desk at nodehelpdesk [at] epacdx.net for further information.

Christopher Kilgore
CGI Federal
P: 276.889.8658
E: christopher.kilgore [at] cgifederal.com

Interested in Learning about the EN, Building EN tools and services, or Sharing data and tools with other EN Partners? The Exchange Network website now has an exciting new resource, the updated and streamlined EN Knowledge Base! The completely redesigned Knowledge Base consolidates key EN technical resources and lessons learned in one easy-to-use location. Built to serve the needs of first-time visitors, current and future Partners, Node software developers, EN Data Exchange designers and implementers, and data publishers, the Knowledge Base is the primary repository of Network guidance, protocols, and procedures.

As Phase 2 of the Exchange Network is implemented, the Knowledge Base will expand as well, serving as the essential technical resource for all EN Partners.

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 summaries cover the Exchange Network Leadership Council (ENLC), Network Operations Board (NOB), Network Technology Group (NTG), Network Partnership and Resources Group (NPRG), Integrated Project Teams, Task Forces, Open Calls, Regional and National Meeting, etc.

The June 2012 EN Governance Activity Summary is now available.

For more information on EN Governance and a schedule of upcoming calls and meetings, visit Network Governance.

Are you a State or Territorial government employee looking to get more involved with the governance of the Exchange Network? If so, you’re in luck because the Network Partnership and Resources Group (NPRG) is looking for two new members. The NPRG provides planning, analysis, recommendations, and implementation support to the Network Operations Board (NOB) and the Exchange Network Leadership Council (ENLC). Members of the NPRG create and contribute to Exchange Network communication materials, perform outreach in the Exchange Network community, and help educate and inform Partners about the benefits of participating in the Exchange Network. The NPRG also helps coordinate efforts to identify and develop Exchange Network data standards.

NPRG members meet via conference call every month and in person once a year. Funding is available to cover travel costs to NPRG meetings. New members are asked to commit to serving for at least two years and participate in as many calls and meetings as possible.

If you would like to join the NPRG, please email Darcy Peth at dpeth [at] rossstrategic.com with a few sentences explaining why you are interested in serving on the NPRG and what you feel you can contribute to the Group. If you do not have a wealth of Exchange Network experience, fear not. The NPRG is interested in attracting fresh perspectives!

Visit Network Governance for more information on Exchange Network Governance. Should you have additional questions about the NPRG, please contact NPRG Co-Chairs Chris Simmers (chris.simmers [at] des.state.nh.us) and Jonathan Jacobson (jacobson.jonathan [at] epa.gov), or Exchange Network Coordinator Kurt Rakouskas (kurt [at] exchangenetwork.net).

Darcy Peth
Ross Strategic
P: 206.792.4030
E: dpeth [at] rossstrategic.com

EPA has released its Draft FY 2013 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice. The Draft Notice and an overview of the significant changes from FY 2012 are available at http://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/index.html. EPA will accept comments on the Draft Notice until 5:00pm EDT, July 16, 2012. Written comments should be emailed to Michael Kaufman at kaufman.michael [at] epa.gov.

EPA will conduct two conference calls to review the Draft Notice, answer questions, and receive input from EN Partners. The calls will be held:

– July 5, 2012, 1:00-2:00pm EDT
– July 9, 2012, 3:00-4:00pm EDT

To participate in either call, dial: 1.866.299.3188, and enter code: 202 564 4499 #.

EPA plans to issue the Final FY 2013 EN Grant Solicitation Notice by August 16, 2012.

Michael Kaufman
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.564.4499
E: kaufman.michael [at] epa.gov