Environmental Information Exchange Network National STORET Users Conference

Environmental Information Exchange Network National STORET Users Conference Andrew T. Battin, Director Information Exchange & Services Division Office of Information Collection Office of Environmental Information November 15, 2004

What is the Exchange Network? An Internet and standards-based method for exchanging environmental information between partners Design Principles: 1. Stewardship of specific data will be handled by mutual agreement between 2 or more trading partners 2. Stewards, through their nodes, are directly responsible for the quality and availability of this data 3. Network members, whose use of stewarded data necessitates the maintenance of local copies, are responsible and accountable for ensuring the integrity and currency of those copies 4. Network members agree to use the Network technology standards 2

Data Transfer Nodes (Web Services) q Nodes q Hardware and software used to exchange information on the Network q Use the Internet, a set of protocols, and appropriate security to respond to authorized requests for information q Send the requested information in a standard format, XML q Each partner has only one Node 3

Data Exchange Templates/ XML Schema q Data Exchange Templates q Describe format of data being exchanged q Consist of XML schema q Draw upon data standards q Potential to reuse XML schema modules Schema are developed for each exchange type (e. g. , Discharge Monitoring Report data) 4

Trading Partner Agreements q TPAs are made between exchange partners q Identify data exchange frequency q Identify exact data types/fields exchanged q Uses XML schema 5

How the Pieces Fit Together State Environmental Department EPA NODE (CDX) National Emissions Inventory Database RCRAInfo Web Server Internet Single Integrated System Relies on: q XML web services (using SOAP, WSDL, etc. ) and schema q Trading partner agreements q Data Standards NODE DET TPA Catalog Emissions Reporting (based on TPA) <Emissions Inventory Report> <Site Information> <Facility #><location> <Chemical Info> <limit><. 88 ppm> RCRAInfo Reporting (based on TPA) <RCRA Facility Status Report> <Site Information> <Facility #><location> <Status Code> 6

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Network Governance Structure States (through ECOS) EPA Future Network Partners Key Reports to Environmental Data Standards Council (EDSC) State/EPA Information Management Workgroup (IMWG) Network Steering Board (NSB) Standards Development Teams Node Group Technical Resources Group (TRG) Participates in Coordinates with Other Action Teams Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) 8

Exchange Network Grant Program q Purpose of the Grant Program: q To help states, tribes, and territories develop connections to the Exchange Network and use it to share data and information that will enhance environmental decision-making q State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) Funding: q FY 2002: $25 M, funded 68 awards q FY 2003: $19. 9 M, funded 68 awards q FY 2004: $20 M, expect to fund 67 grants q FY 2005 President’s Budget Request: $25 M 9

Exchange Network Grant Program q Exchange Network data flow development q Air Quality System (AQS) q Facility Registry System (FRS) q Integrated Compliance Information System – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES) q National Emissions Inventory (NEI) q Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System (RCRAInfo) q Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) q Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS) q Water Quality Monitoring Data (Pacific North West) q Non-Traditional (i. e. - 303 d, Endangered Species) 10

Exchange Network Grant Program FY 2005 Potential Projects n Exchange Network node and infrastructure development n Data standards development and implementation n Development of Web-based services, security enhancements, and data quality improvements n Sharing of geospatial data using the Exchange Network n Collaborative, innovative projects that demonstrate the value of the Exchange Network 11

What is the end result? n Using the Exchange Network q Better quality data being exchanged q q States/EPA working closely to adopt new standards Data Standards embedded in XML Schema Machine to machine exchanges More data can be exchanged among new partners q State to state exchanges already occurring q Infrastructure can be applied to new data exchange types q States share successes, promote reusability q More timely data q q Data can be published and exchanged as soon as partners agree Cost Savings reported by states 12

STORET and the Exchange Network n Coexist and mutually supportive n Data Standard – Environmental Sampling, Analysis, and Results (ESAR) n XML Schema development and implementation n Trading Partner Agreements 13

Points of Contact: Rebecca Moser Exchange Network Grant Program Manager (202) 566 -1679 Pat Garvey EPA Staff Director, Network Steering Board (202) 566 -1687 Molly O'Neill State Director Network Steering Board (202) 624 -3507 or moneill@sso. org Mary E. Greene Chief, Information Exchange Partnership Branch (202) 566 -1634 www. exchangenetwork. net 14