Expanding the Environmental Information Exchange Network

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, tribes, and territories are in the fourth year of further establishing and expanding the Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network). The Exchange Network is an Internet-based approach to exchanging environmental data among partners (EPA, states, tribes, and territories). Data flows being, or planned to be, exchanged include source water protection, drinking water, underground injection control, underground storage tanks, and hazardous waste, among others. Built on the principles of applying data standards, providing secure real-time access, and electronically collecting and storing accurate information, the Exchange Network enables participants to control and manage their own data, while making them available to partners via requests over a secure Internet connection. Through facilitating the efficient exchange of environmental information among interested parties at all levels of government, the Exchange Network has begun to transform the way information is shared. The information technologies featured on the Exchange Network allow EPA and state agencies to save time and resources on environmental reporting and ensure timely high-quality data exchanges. The Exchange Network also fosters new information exchanges among its partners by providing innovative infrastructure and services. Through using the Exchange Network, states are able to realize efficiencies in operations as they leverage technology infrastructure to better provide services and streamline federal reporting requirements. The EPA benefits by having high-quality environmental data and access to the right information at the right time, while allowing the states to provide closer data stewardship. Exchange Network partners are developing Nodes (Web application servers) to automate the exchange of data with EPA, as well as with other partners. To date, 38 states and one Indian tribe have this technology in place and are exchanging data on the Exchange Network. The remaining states and several tribes are expected to have Nodes on the Network in late 2005 or 2006. The Exchange Network has built a robust Web site to make available the technical and policy documents that assist the Exchange Network partners in remaining compatible with Network protocols and specifications. The Web site also describes the status of Node development and data flows on the Exchange Network. Comprehensive information on the Network, including the format for all data exchanges, is available at www.exchangenetwork.net. The EPA's Exchange Network Grant Program supports the expansion of the Exchange Network and has awarded a total of $84 million from fiscal year 2002 to 2005 to states, territories, and tribes. In fiscal year 2004, two projects focused specifically on ground water. The in Oklahoma Department of Agriculture was awarded a grant related to the exchange of pesticide and fertilizer data between partners on the Exchange Network. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection was awarded a grant to support the development of data flows for the submittal of water quality test results from laboratories and consultants to the Maine Environmental and Groundwater Analysis Database. In fiscal year 2005, EPA awarded a multiagency grant that will be led by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation that will establish a Node through the Ground Water Protection Council for use by oil and gas agencies in Nebraska, California, Utah, North Dakota, Alaska, and Arkansas. The data will also be exchanged with the EPA's Underground Injection Control and Source Water Protection databases. For more information on the Exchange Network Grant Program, visit www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork. The EPA's fiscal year 2006 grant solicitation was recently posted on www.grants.gov and will support the development of information management and technology infrastructure development; data exchange, analysis, and integration; mentoring, planning, and training; and multipartner proposals from eligible organizations. The program focuses on the development of partner capacity to flow regulatory data but also encourages innovative projects that support the business needs of the Exchange Network partners. Applications are due by November 21, 2005.