On June 19, 2020, U.S. EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) will be decommissioning one of its Exchange Network Node endpoints in order to increase operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. The retiring endpoint is associated with a seldom used service called the Node Relay located at https://noderelay.epa.gov/Node2/Node2WS.svc. The Node Relay endpoint was only used by a very limited number of partners for two active data flows, including Facility Identification 3.0  and the Emissions Inventory System (EIS).

Most partner agencies will not be impacted by this change. If you are still pointing your data flows to submit to the Node Relay endpoint, please update your settings to use https://node2.epa.gov/Node2WS.svc. Please make this change by June 19, 2020. After that date, the Node Relay endpoint will be decommissioned and data flows using that endpoint will fail. As a reminder, you can find a complete list of CDX Node endpoints for each data flow on the Exchange Network website. 

If you have any questions or need support, please contact the Exchange Network Node Help Desk at [email protected].

On Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM Eastern, you are invited to participate in a webinar that will provide an update on work to plan a modernization of the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). The webinar will describe the work to date of the state/EPA SDWIS Modernization Board and its process and schedule to develop a modernization alternatives analysis. 

To register for the webinar, please visit:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3304671664917807118

Background on the SDWIS Modernization Board

In January 2020, U.S. EPA and states initiated the SDWIS Modernization Board. The Board is guiding the SDWIS Modernization process, following the principles of the E-Enterprise Digital Strategy. Members include leaders from state and EPA drinking water programs and information management offices. See the full Board Membership here.

The first phase of Board activities has been focused on providing input to support an Alternatives Analysis of SDWIS modernization options. The Analysis will assess these options for a long-term replacement of SDWIS State that supports the data management needs of primacy agencies and U.S. EPA. The Alternatives Analysis is scheduled to be delivered at the end of June, with option selection in July.  

The SDWIS Modernization Team

Don’t forget that EE2020 is going virtual in just over 1 week! Visit the EE2020 meeting website to reserve your spot on the June 4th kickoff call that will launch our monthly webinar series. We’ll be featuring a selection of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities from the originally planned program. You can find more details about the Kickoff Webinar below. Watch your inbox and the website in the weeks ahead for news about other topics that will be featured throughout 2020!

EE2020 Webinar Series Kickoff

Date: June 4, 2020

Time: 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/webinars

The link to join the webinar will be distributed to registrants via email shortly before the webinar begins.  

EE2020 is going virtual! In lieu of an in-person meeting, the 2020 E-Enterprise and Exchange Network National Meeting will launch as a series of monthly webinars beginning on June 4, 2020. The series will feature a selection of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities from the originally planned program. You can find more information about the Kickoff Webinar below. Watch your inbox and the website in the weeks ahead for news about other topics that will be featured throughout 2020!

EE2020 Webinar Series Kickoff

Date: June 4, 2020
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/webinars

The link to join the webinar will be distributed to registrants via email shortly before the webinar begins.  

U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development will be hosting a webinar on EPA’s Citizen Science activities on April 15, 2020 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT. Please see the details below for more information.

To join this webinar, please register at: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/tools_citizen_science_apr2020/event/registration.html

This is a reminder that the application due date for the FY2020 Exchange Network grant cycle is approaching. Applications are due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Friday, April 10, 2020.

An amended version of the FY2020 Exchange Network Solicitation Notice is available on the EPA website.

Other helpful resources available on the EPA Exchange Network website include a PDF version of the slide deck presented during EPA’s Solicitation Notice webinar series, an audio recording of one of the webinar presentations, an FAQ document which captures all of the questions asked by applicants during this grant cycle, and various other resources pulled from the solicitation notice, including optional templates and application submission guidance.

Please note that EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by October, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Erika Beasley
Exchange Network Grants Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202-566-2530
E: [email protected]

The application due date for the FY2020 Exchange Network grant cycle has been extended, due to potential applicant difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Friday, April 10, 2020.

An amended version of the FY2020 Exchange Network Solicitation Notice is now available on the EPA website.

Other helpful resources available on the EPA Exchange Network website include a PDF version of the slide deck presented during our Solicitation Notice webinar series, an audio recording of one of our webinar presentations, a FAQ document which captures all of the questions asked by applicants during this grant cycle, and various other resources pulled from our solicitation notice, including optional templates and application submission guidance.

Please note that EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by October, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Erika Beasley
Exchange Network Grants Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202-566-2530
E: [email protected]

In support of the FY 2020 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, the EPA will host the last of four webinars to assist interested applicants. The final webinar will be held on March 17^th. It will include a presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2020 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2019, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. This will be followed by a question and answers session with participants. Please note that the session will end when all the participants’ questions have been addressed.

Notes on Joining the Webinar:

• Note: The webinar will be given through Skype for Business, which can be joined by clicking the link provided below. 

• Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET 

  For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

• Note: After clicking the link, you will be prompted to ‘Join Meeting Audio.’ You can either:
  • Select ‘Do Not Join Audio’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and call in using the provided dial-in number to hear the audio portion on your phone [recommended for best call/audio quality]; OR
  • Select ‘Use Skype for Business – Full Audio and Visual Experience’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and hear the audio/speak using your computer’s microphone and speaker.

Please direct questions to:

Erika Beasley

Exchange Network Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: [email protected]

March 24, 2020 from 1-2:30 pm Eastern

Agencies are increasingly exploring low-code approaches to building software that powers the business of environmental protection. Low-code tools have the potential to help reduce an agency’s dependence on traditional coding and programming, open up application development to a wider range of people, and accelerate the delivery of new tools and software. The transition also requires new skills and approaches to governance. 

Please join us on March 24, 2020 for an open call focused on the use of low-code software development within environmental agencies. This call provides a peer sharing opportunity designed for E-Enterprise partners to learn from each other and share their experiences applying low-code methods to their work. Representatives from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will join the call to talk about their own work in this space. These presentations will be followed by a discussion period where participants can engage with each other, ask questions, and share their own experiences, challenges and lessons learned.

This call is open to all members of the E-Enterprise community. We would particularly like to encourage those planning to attend the EE2020 National Meeting (https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/) in May to join in preparation for more low-code discussions at the conference.

Two new versions of the Water Quality Exchange (WQX) data flow are now available for review, but not yet in production. U.S. EPA’s Office of Water anticipates that final versions will be available in March 2020. States, tribes, and other WQX users should review these new versions in preparation for production release on March 31, 2020.

The new versions include a minor version upgrade to Version 2.2 and also a major version upgrade to Version 3.0. EPA will continue to support existing versions of the WQX data flow. You can visit the Exchange Network website at https://www.exchangenetwork.net/data-exchange/wqx/ to download and review resources for these two new versions, including XML schemas and updated Flow Configuration Documents and Data Exchange Templates.

WQX Version 2.2 is 100% backwards compatible with v2.1 and provides expanded data element lengths for various key description text type elements. See the schema change log v2.2 (final) and Data Exchange Template v2.2 (final) for more details. 

Version 3.0 adopts new elements, some of which are not backwards compatible with version 2.1. See the schema change log v3.0 (final) and Data Exchange Template v3.0 (final) for more details. Version 3.0 also contains changes that will improve quality assurance through best practices and business rules. Good QA/QC ensures that your data can be reused by another user for analysis and helps safeguard against misuse. New version 3.0 supported QA/QC business rules are outlined in both the WQX 3.0 Flow Configuration Document and guidance documents at the WQX website (https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data-wqx).

The Water Quality Exchange (WQX) data flow allows Exchange Network Partners to share ambient water quality data with EPA and with the Water Quality Portal (https://www.waterqualitydata.us/). The Water Quality Portal is the nation’s largest source for water quality monitoring data and contains over 340 million water quality data records data from 400 federal, state, tribal and other partners.

Contact:

Kevin Christian

U.S. EPA Office of Water

[email protected]

In support of the FY 2020 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, the EPA will host four webinars to assist interested applicants. The webinars will be held on February 24^th, February 26^th, March 6^th, and March 17^th. Each webinar will include the same presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2020 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2019, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. This will be followed by a question and answers session with participants. Please note that the sessions will end when all the participants’ questions have been addressed.

Notes on Joining the Webinars:

• Note: The webinars will be given through Skype for Business, which can be joined by clicking the links provided below. Please note these links are different for each webinar.

• Note: After clicking the link, you will be prompted to ‘Join Meeting Audio.’ You can either:
  • Select ‘Do Not Join Audio’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and call in using the provided dial-in number to hear the audio portion on your phone [recommended for best call/audio quality]; OR
  • Select ‘Use Skype for Business – Full Audio and Visual Experience’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and hear the audio/speak using your computer’s microphone and speaker.

Webinar Details and Connection Information:

Monday, February 24, 2020, 3:30 – 5:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/DFLGLTCN       

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/SSCHZZ3N

For Audio – Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Friday, March 6, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/R1WLLBRF

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/CDNMT269

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Please direct questions to:

Erika Beasley

Exchange Network Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: [email protected]

The FY 2020 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice is now available at https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/fy-2020-exchange-network-grant-solicitation-notice.  Applications are due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Information on stakeholder webinars will be provided shortly.

The primary outcome expected from Exchange Network (EN) assistance agreements is improved access to, and exchange of, high-quality environmental data from public and private sector sources. With this outcome in mind, an application’s project goals and outputs should align with and support one or more EN program priorities. Applicants are also highly encouraged to review the new FY20 Solicitation Notice in full, as updates have been made throughout the document. Applicants should also note that optional templates for the cover letter, project narrative, and budget narrative have been provided in the appendices.

In FY 2020, EPA expects to award over $8 million for 20-30 assistance agreements for EN projects. Most awards will be in the $50,000 to $300,000 range. Awards for an individual assistance agreements cannot exceed $200,000. EPA may make a limited number of awards to qualifying collaborative, partnership assistance agreements, with project budgets of $400,000 or less. The exact number of assistance agreements will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the EN grant program, the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the budget amounts requested, and the outcome of application reviews.

EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by September 30, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Erika Beasley

EN Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: [email protected]

Time is running short! The deadline for the  EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is this coming Friday, January 17. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work in program modernization, digital transformation, and innovative management practices. Please visit the EE2020 Meeting website for complete details on submitting your proposal.   

We also want to hear about your priorities for training and workshops at EE2020. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire  by January 17, 2020 to tell us about your interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes! 

Happy New Year! To celebrate the start of a new decade, the Chairs of EE2020 are extending the deadline for proposals under the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content. Proposals are now due on or before January 17, 2020. That means you have an extra week to form your ideas and send them in. 

Visit the EE2020 Meeting website for complete details on submitting your proposal. You’ll find a wide-ranging list of potential topic areas to help your thinking. And you can choose from a variety of different formats–everything from a traditional podium presentation to brief 5-minute lightning talks, even a short video! 

Tell Us About Your Training Priorities

We know that meeting attendees place a lot of value on practical training and workshops. We hope to feature a number of these opportunities at EE2020 and the meeting chairs would like your input on the topics that would be most valuable. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire by January 17, 2020 to tell us about your priorities and interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes!

Deadline Approaching for the Call for Meeting Content

The air is crisp, daylight is scarce. That can only mean one thing–the deadline for the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is drawing near! Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work or suggest a meeting topic. 

Visit the EE2020 Meeting website before January 10, 2020 to submit your proposal. You’ll find a wide ranging list of topic areas of interest to help your thinking. You’ll also find that there are several different format options for EE2020 content. You may suggest a traditional podium presentation, a panel discussion, a brief 5-minute lightning talk, a workshop–even a brief video! 

You Talk, We Listen

Feedback from past E-Enterprise meetings makes it clear that attendees value training and interactive workshops as part of the meeting experience. We hope to feature a number of these opportunities at EE2020 and the meeting chairs would like your input on the topics that would be most valuable. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire to tell us about your priorities and interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes–it will be so worth it! 

Registration Opening Soon!

Stay tuned after the new year for information about the opening of registration for EE2020. In the meantime, please have a happy and healthy holiday season!

–EE2020 Meeting Chairs

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation

• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2020) is coming and you can help make it a success! The chairs of the meeting are looking for motivated volunteers to serve on the EE2020 Program Committee.

The Program Committee plays a critical role in shaping the meeting’s content and creating a program that is responsive to the needs of the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network community. Committee members will:

• Review and score EE2020 presentation proposals;
• Provide focused input on the development of the meeting program; and
• Coordinate speakers and moderate sessions at EE2020.

For more information and to volunteer, please visit the EE2020 website at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/2019/1121/program-committee by Thursday December 5, 2019. The meeting chairs will review submissions and notify volunteers before the end of December 2019.

Reminder: Call for Meeting Content Now Open!

Don’t forget that the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is also open through January 10, 2020. You can learn how to submit a presentation proposal or suggest a topic at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/2019/11/7/call-for-content.

More information on EE2020

You can find complete details on EE2020 on the meeting website at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/. Stay tuned for more information on meeting registration, lodging, and much more via Exchange Network Email Alerts and by following E-Enterprise on Twitter.

–EE2020 Meeting Chairs

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation

• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The 2020 E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2020) will be held in Chicago, IL from May 12-14, 2020! EE2020 is a meeting for the environmental protection community that creates opportunities to connect with other community members, share your successes and challenges, and learn about best practices in environmental protection. We need your help to craft a program that is engaging, informative, and relevant to the important work you do.

The meeting Chairs are pleased to announce the launch of the EE2020 meeting website and the opening of the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content.

The theme of EE2020 is Envisioning the Future of Environmental Protection and we are seeking your proposals for content that aligns with that theme and the following possible topics of interest:

• Digital Transformation in Environmental Protection 
• Program Innovation and Policy Modernization  
• User-Centered Design: Experiences in Implementing Customer-Focused Online Services 
• Telling Agency Stories Through Data Visualization 
• GIS for Environmental Decision Making 
• Using Open Data and APIs to Drive Innovation in Environmental Management 
• Data Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making 
• Applications for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Protection 
• Innovative Exchange Network Data Flows and Projects 
• Adopting Cloud Technologies and Shared Platforms to Drive Efficiency and Better Environmental Outcomes 
• Shared Services for Mobile Data Entry and Field Work 
• Innovative Partnerships in Environmental Protection 
• Examples of Process Streamlining and Agile Development  
• Citizen Science: Benefits, Challenges, and Impacts for Environmental Agencies 
• Advanced Techniques for Monitoring and Collecting Environmental Data (sensors, drones) 
• Intersections of Policy and Technology: Barriers and Opportunities for Innovation 

Submission Guidelines

You are invited to submit a brief abstract on a relevant topic that you would like to present at EE2020. You can submit your abstract for any of the following formats:

• Lightning Talks
• Podium Presentations
• Panel Discussions
• Workshops

 If you do not wish to lead a session or presentation, you may also submit an idea for a topic that you would like to see explored at EE2020.

 To submit your abstract or idea for EE2020, please visit the meeting website for complete details.

 The call for content will remain open through January 10, 2020.

 Should you have questions regarding the call for content or need assistance with your submission, please contact Kurt Rakouskas at krakouskas [at] ecos.org.

 More information on EE2020

EE2020 continues the longstanding series of national meetings held by the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. EE2020 brings together a broad community of attendees from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, vendors, and other stakeholders with an interest in improving the productivity and responsiveness of the environmental protection enterprise. The meeting integrates content on information technology, process improvement, and program modernization.

Stay tuned for information on meeting registration, lodging, and travel expense reimbursement. You can get the latest updates via EN Email Alerts and our meeting website: https://www.eenationalmeeting.net  

The program for EE2020 is cooperatively developed by a Program Committee made up of representatives from state, tribal, and territorial environmental agencies and U.S. EPA. The Program Committee is chaired by:

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation
• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency