Enhancing Erns Data To Better Promote Effective Environmental Protection

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) is a database of notifications of releases of oil and hazardous substances reported to the National Response Center or EPA regional offices. Initial data entered is based on reports made during the incident, often before the full extent of the release is known. This initial notification data is used by EPA and other agencies to determine appropriate response actions; if ERNS data is incomplete, the responders will learn more details through follow-up phone calls and site visits. Unfortunately, additional information discovered through the response process, and from other sources, are not always incorporated back into ERNS. Thus, ERNS data are a combination of initial reports and more accurate follow-up incident data. ERNS data is widely used by the regulating and response agencies, students, environmental firms, attorneys, environmental groups, information services, and other groups for purposes ranging from regulatory decisions and site assessments to research papers and environmental “report cards.” Also, EPA's Emergency Response program uses the data for follow-up actions and to better characterize and understand the oil and hazardous substance release problem in each region. Some of these uses are significantly impacted by the inconsistencies in ERNS data collection and updates. This study will analyze several different types of ERNS “data quality,” such as data completeness and data accuracy, and will compare two or three different EPA regional offices' operating procedures and their impact on ERNS data quality. It will also evaluate which data elements appear to be most critical to “data quality.” The conclusions should help ERNS data users more effectively use the data, and should assist EPA in managing the process. Perhaps most importantly, the conclusions should help EPA shape the future of ERNS and of data management in the Emergency Response program.