United States Office of EPA100-R-98-04 Environmental Reinvention August 1998 Protection Agency (1801) www.epa.gov/reinvent A REPORT ON /REGULATORY REINVENTION inside EPA's Home Page/2 Laws and Regulations/3 Center for Environmental Information and Statistics/4 Community-Based Environmental Protection/5 Surf Your Watershed/6 Envirofacts/7 AIR NOW/8 AIRSWeb/8 BEACH Watch/9 Compliance Assistance Centers/10 Sector Facility Indexing Project/11 EPA's Kids' Page/12 Harnessing the Power of the Internet EPA Responds to the Rising Public Demand for Environmental Information L ike many other organizations in the public and private sector, EPA is harnessing the power of the Internet to meet the needs of those we serve—in our case, the American public. As evidenced by the rapidly increasing use of our Web site, public demand for envi¬ ronmental information has exploded in recent years. The figure on page 2 shows that more than 30 million users now log¬ on to EPA’s Web site every month. If the growth trend shown in the figure contin¬ ues, this number could reach 50 million by 2000. In response to this demand, EPA is making more environmental informa¬ tion electronically available and doing so in ways that make it easy for people to understand and use. Today, citizens can go online and find out about a variety of environmental issues and conditions that affect their lives. Families planning a beach vacation can find out whether the water is safe for swimming. Based on the availability of new compliance information, corporate managers can determine how their com¬ pany’s environmental performance com¬ pares to other companies in their industry. Small business owners can access virtual compliance assistance centers to find out about the latest pollution prevention tech¬ niques and environmental requirements. And officials at all levels of government can obtain information about environmen¬ tal conditions and trends in an area prior to deciding what work needs to be done. property of inf) Many of EPA’s new Web sites allow users not only to receive information but to provide it as well. Environmental and industry groups can provide comments on Agency rulemaking. Citizen volunteer monitors can contribute water quality data based on samples collected in their watershed. Also, as an alternative to the traditional paper-based system, companies are beginning to use the Internet to report environmental data or to apply for per¬ mits or product approvals. While these types of transactions are not yet routine, they are being designed, tested, and applied increasingly within Agency programs. This report highlights some of EPA’s newest and most useful Web capabilities. The featured sites represent some of EPA’s most important work in expanding public access to environmental information, and creating the more open, inclusive system of environmental protection the Agency envisions for the twenty-first century. EPA’s Home Page www.epa.gov T he sites featured in this report can be found using the specific URLs provided or by first stopping at EPA’s home page. At Administrator Carol Browner’s request, EPA’s home page was redesigned last year to make it easier for different audiences to use. Our Web sta¬ tistics show that the information users most frequently request is about laws and regulations, Superfund, and air quality. Sites that allow users to search for infor¬ mation about their community or water¬ shed are popular, too. While the Agency does not have specific information about user groups, feedback from users and a general analysis of Web use patterns indi¬ cates that our most frequent users are environmental professionals working as researchers, lawyers, engineers, and con¬ sultants, as well as state and local officials and private citizens. EDA United States Environmental Protection Agency^ Vice President Gore Announces 14 American Heritage Rivers Our Mission: "...to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment..." Office*, Labs & Region* ». . . . .H Publications [ Search | Browse | What's New | Comments | Text Version ] http://www.epa.gov/ » By January 2000, EPA projects 50 million hits per month. The Growing Demand for Environmental Information Visits to EPA’s Web Site f*)Ef*7E>IK)\/e>N)Tl<2 7 K> Laws and Regulations www.epa.gov/epahome/rules.html A ctivity on EPA’s Web site repeatedly shows that informa¬ tion on environmental laws and regulations is the most frequently requested by our users. Regulations and laws drive the entire environmental pro¬ tection system; therefore, it is not sur¬ prising that these resources are of critical interest to environmental professionals, lawmakers, the public, industry, and other stakeholders. EPA’s Laws and Regulations site allows users to search a current listing of the new environmental rules, proposals, and notices published in the Federal Register each day and obtain the full text for each item. For users interested in final environ¬ mental regulations as they appear in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), links to the CFR Web site provide ready access. The CFR is revised annually to include all rules and notices published by federal agencies in the previous year and is divided into 50 titles representing broad subject areas. Environmental regu¬ lations are found mainly in Title 40. The Web site also provides access to the legislation behind EPA’s rules. Users can access more than a dozen major environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, that form the legal basis for environ¬ mental programs, as well as new legisla¬ tion proposed within Congress. Ldwra ami ihi|u" iliuroi .n« a nijui limt in 91 rfurtinq flu irvuurmurrt f'r*j nit .yjrut Rtaul&icns -S> Pfcposf-d Ruirs N*v* p*Xi(i£ 5421 Intel M3CVS »r.d ft># t»<9» 3ltrf ipntia rf Ikdid Curt t?m LrB5-»tlor Court tibHibricn bites* tit US Conjuv;<:*til . nr in-rrr«jH: Prtjfcf: l#a>i C edified Realisations t -wfliri n hi- I EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Federal Register Table of Contents -1998 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 13 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 19 May 38 S M T W T F S I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 September 98J119 MTVT F SiilS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 19 February S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 June S M T V T F 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 October MTVT F 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 March 98 M T V T F S 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 M July 98 T V T F S 1 12 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 19 November 98j| $ M T V T F s' 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 29 30 in,,. „ : i iViY.Vi.Vi ■ m ■ t.im f ■ li'i ijpi ii m ii VM 19 April 98 I S M T V T F S |§ 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ; 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 19 August 98 S M T V T F $ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 19 December 98|1 5 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 — EPA's Federal Register site allows users to search a current listing of the new environmental rules, proposals, and notices published in the Federal Register each day. National Archives and Records Ad ministry!tion federalr aide of wmzAn; *:ms> i *.«.*'* , fe*sfete® | * For users interested in final environmental regulations as they appear in the CFR, links to the CFR Web site provide ready access. A 1 A . AERA Welcome to the Center for Environmental Information and Statistics v Web ilte — a single, X convenient source of information on environmental quality, status and trends. Please move mouse over Icons for feature information. H EPA envisioned CEIS as a tool to boost citizens' environmental literacy and capability to act as knowledgeable stakeholders The Pollutant Standards Index (a measure of community-wide air quality) X \ EPA's Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) provides accurate, timely, and easily understandable information about daily levels of air pollution. The Index provides a uniform system for measuring pollution levels for five of six major air pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. Total Reported Releases of TRI Chemicals in District of Columbia for 1996 1 9,000t 14,250-- 9,500-- Unhealthful 4,750-- M- 4- 4- 4—- Fugitive Air Stack Air Water Underground Land Release Type Source: Toxic Release Inventory System Data Tables Users can request environmental profiles on air quality, drinking water systems, surface water quality, hazardous waste, and reported toxic releases—just by typing in a ZIP code or clicking on a state or county. Center for Environmental Information and Statistics www.epa.gov/ceis E PA’s new online Center for Environmental Information and Statistics (CEIS) gives users a single, convenient source of reliable, comprehen¬ sive information on environmental quali¬ ty, status, and trends in their community. For the first time ever, users can request environmental profiles on air quality, drinking water systems, surface water quality, hazardous waste, and reported toxic releases—just by typing in a ZIP code or clicking on a state or county. These profiles are based on data reported to EPA under federal environmental laws. Because EPA envisioned CEIS as a tool to boost citizens’ environmental lit¬ eracy and capability to act as knowledge¬ able stakeholders, the Agency conducted extensive customer surveys to find out what kind of information people need and how best to present it. As a result, in addition to learning about environmental conditions in specific areas, users can obtain detailed maps showing the sources of pollution in their communities and the types and amounts of pollutants that have been released. Other features allow users to browse through a digital library of environmental quality reports and maps describing conditions in cities, states, the nation, and other countries. Users also can search electronically through dozens of those reports to get information on a specific place or topic. More than just a Web resource, CEIS provides information in nonelectronic formats, as well. In the future, CEIS may offer printed maps and reports, telephone access, and additional assistance in both English and Spanish. 4 - F^INX/EWvJTk^K) «• oEPAsrs— Digital Library of Environmental Quality T!k re5 L' t jty ■■ ( E-. » -.iiv •.•Sktt tMncvUj -T4Jr ■.d'llr Siraiaxxuii I »p ft; on <:* ^ jpV.ii m*t V>r>l n < U j* r v g?Ad (t«e*dV/ •: e*;fj Hit jjj-j-ifti.*? at aa fclc-wt Tli* itag. t >3 «t*f rtf on? i»|t) I ji (t* O. ran * :tr «ti (ytlow y •,«. cat* »t* inert* *4 i-vw**v*W*.i » .* *-4 f-•w*w ♦ ***•»*• -Aw #■•.? .tw*v- | W¥j. i £KB pmk*u* ■ w *•«»*» *w; «*»» *»«■ »*» f *«♦. « •> iit '4 ■•*& v i MMv 3 8 .*** %*&»*• twit* f*i* r-vm#* . *. Ml '***» *r**w«w# «***“> ** | . xmrnmrn Lwwmhw 1 mot kr ****> m\ _ 1. M*"* I P** 1 ■ - 1 EM 1 V*. mmt 1 <&*9*F «P |: MMM ?*•>•■ -vyj'-v; *»■«* **«**, * ^Pf^- "♦ ■■’’■'4W, */%§£ i . PS&'-S /.y- 4 *" r?' * v* * t-r Wwsuj '.«. t mw ? *.*. "■ at f M X * %m* «< w*4 *. w mpty P*.*m*r mm KSMfft *>■ « ««w ***** •-*#» *•■ *MHK AMI srJ-s svEPA Uiiti 3 Uti FfMtgwwM ~ rr * isSoa Cemmuiity-Basel Eivirmmentil PrilectiiR ICBEP1: hiuiciBj Siitiiiiilf tcivfifrra* ad fi-miw; itoiyitM kkntt Pl*« Cast Studies Gjmpanatire Biik Integrated ityprwttei ■’< t v< Niiv ' ill) iltl»- jl»- , » |ij;;;■! »! ’ ‘h ... . (MmkH Cwmftty O wN Ptwtftrtfen The CEIS Library offers numerous state of the environment reports on geographic areas; the Environmental Atlas offers an ever¬ growing map collection online. The Green Communities kit is designed to help community stakeholders conduct do-it- yourself, integrated community planning. E PA and state agencies have major responsibilities for protecting pub¬ lic health and the environment; however officials and citizens at the local level—those closest to the problems—are taking an increasingly active role in community-based environmental protec¬ tion (CBEP) efforts. Many of the EPA Web sites highlighted in this publication promote CBEP, offering information and tools that can empower citizens and help communities address environmental, eco¬ nomic, and social objectives in a more unified manner. The CBEP site is spe¬ cifically devoted to promoting sus¬ tainable ecosys¬ tems and com¬ munities through an array of tools, resources, case studies, and links to other sites. One of many tools available through the CBEP Web site is the Agency’s online Green Communities Assistance Kit, which has evolved through field-testing in selected communities. The Green Communities kit is designed to help community stakeholders conduct do-it- yourself, integrated community planning. Developing a profile to clarify communi¬ ty conditions, values, and priorities is the first step of this holistic planning process. While its focus is the Mid-Atlantic region, Green Communities contains information that can be applied in com¬ munities throughout the United States. The CBEP site also provides informa¬ tion on grants and other financial tools to help meet the costs of community-based projects—from practical tips for federal grant seekers to descriptions of innovative partnership approaches that can leverage resources to support CBEP efforts. /vU^U^T pp^e-iiox/e-MT i^nJ e> I w Surf Your Watershed www.epa.gov/surf F or a growing number of users, log¬ ging on to find out about environ¬ mental conditions close to home means looking not at political jurisdic¬ tions, but at the boundaries established by nature—watersheds. Increasingly, watersheds are becoming the focus for designing and implementing water quali¬ ty and habitat restoration activities. Adopt Your Watershed programs are springing up around the country as more citizens are joining local watershed orga¬ nizations. State environmental agencies are using watersheds as a basis for manag¬ ing environmental responsibilities, such as permitting and monitoring, more effi¬ ciently and effectively. And scientists using geographic information systems are looking at how actions along the upper tributaries of a river affect habitat and ecological conditions in the watershed below. EPA’s multifaceted, information- packed Surf Your Watershed site supports these interests, providing a variety of tools and resources to promote watershed protection. As shown to the right, based on the recently developed Index of Watershed Indicators, users can easily find an assessment of the overall health of their watershed and related information. The index is compiled from 15 indicators of current water resource conditions and the vulnerability to future degradation. A listing of more than 4,000 watershed alliances throughout the nation allows users to locate and participate in local watershed activities, and a special Speak Out feature acts as an information exchange promoting dialogue on water¬ shed issues. As a result of the American Heritage Rivers initiative, users can go to a “yellow page” directory of services that communities can access to support their watershed protection activities. A FRA Surf Your Waters^ A Wwfc* In t—ji taut I.xjii* Uir »r«1 Uun IrrMnwrwnaJ tnlu-in.mn a Us-i* r*»ji Hat# Add! IrttnmuitSan SE 3 ES 5 Sai >= 4 n Dticutilom ?«# TNftSlM- US'GS «2DTODID P »■ rt a!1 *»*« * N> r i J S t. w m ilk! u b vt t ffS 71 . Lett- ,>tfii»Aai Qi*i£y i'i-;i;Se&3 MtaL P au >■ to M j 4 T 7 . | K f^n**** RlfM Users can find out how their watershed scores with regard to overall aquatic conditions. The American Heritage Rivers initiative helps users support watershed protection activities. AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS —-—-- OP B f .i't L 0 i V # For a growing number of users, logging on to find out about environmental conditions close to home means looking not at political jurisdictions, but at the boundaries established by nature—watersheds. a < 9‘3>£’ I A \ r ixutmm v> E PA •"tTT sj£* 4 ySnvirofects Warehouse Sc* »-,**.•. • > .... .♦»-».w,„ T~%~T? fe». i JfcL 'V l*\ rnrnmmtmmw **P , TiOti ‘ ( Mrwul #•» «* Il«r rf «ra * * tlmstumurm. to imn4 « f« r-1 . **41 ! W if#*#*** r i«|■ «1 riL prrr^^y ! gw , M s5gr^sni^ Pmrkat* n*f« w iiwwawtiwiNi w«w*ff!. - “ w —3 fww #tfj- Itf*tHflcsiPagB lifltltfthw| IIH *«i« *Tjr-»r% *|i « M A**» nfcr* TV'»jratgv '**%?ip-vrm jtpw .W jfjMAP 3 i. Using just a few simple query screens, users can search for information by facility name, geographic area (e.g., ZIP code, or state or county name), or chemical substance to obtain the kind of information they want. The site's powerful Enviromapper feature lets users zoom in to any area of the country. Envirofacts www.epa.gov/enviro W hile CEIS is designed to pro¬ vide users with a better understanding of environ¬ mental conditions at the community level, EPA’s Envirofacts Warehouse Web site is an online gateway to information drawn from seven EPA databases. Updated monthly based on data submis¬ sions required under environmental laws, these separate databases focus on Superfund sites, drinking water, toxic and air releases, hazardous waste and waste- water discharge permits as well as envi¬ ronmental grants information. Using just a few simple . query screens, users P can search for infor¬ mation by facility name, geographic area (e.g., ZIP code, or state or county name), or chemical substance to obtain the kind of information they want. Query results are presented in either report or map formats. The site’s powerful Enviromapper feature lets users click on maps to zoom in to any area of the country and obtain informa¬ tion about regulated facilities or sites. Users also can create maps which are then e-mailed to them in common graphic file formats for later viewing or printing. One of the most common usages of Envirofacts is obtaining information reported under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). The TRI, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, is the central collection point for infor¬ mation on U.S. facilities’ annual estimat¬ ed releases to the environment of over 300 toxic chemicals. From inception, pro¬ viding public access was a defining feature of TRI, and its availability continues to represent one of the most important steps the Agency has taken to promote public access to environmental data. PhE>IN3s/e>K)Tlz7NJ 7 J I r AIRNOW pro¬ vides animated, "real-time" data on smog lev els in selected cities and states. | LARGEST NQ2 EMISSION SOURCES IN THE UNITED STATES AIRS Graphics ERL. ESTIMATED ANNUAL EMISSIONS THOUSANDS Of TONS (EMIS. INV. YEAR} 113 .* rtWIATi I tv J .1 ..r.lWHftv y > rt i ■* > I Jl'lk * mtrnth ecsm-Kimm < ( lfl *M VA I Uk • „ j t«» • «»£• r k-«» _t. . t » 4 -it;- » *-•••• .-. y-ev «..• tmuitVAR mk. -h >. •'!*•*»*» «mk krmd VX*. w■«* .*4s ife-j *'**••»» iw .*“(***•' it in I m ilia niuiii iiitmti N*tinnaJ A*riniltwf Compliance A* si Won re Center nlike major business entities, many small businesses and com¬ munities have limited experience and expertise in environmental matters and may need guidance concerning regu¬ latory requirements. To help smaller enti¬ ties understand what they need to do to comply with environmental regulations— and how pollution prevention approaches can help them boost environmental and economic performance—EPA supports several virtual compliance assistance cen¬ ters on the Internet. These online centers operate through partnerships with indus¬ try, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other federal and state agencies. Each compliance assistance center is focused on a particular sector. Centers up and running right now serve small busi¬ nesses in five sectors: metal finishing, printing, automobile service and repair, agriculture, and printed wiring board manufacturing. By fall 1998, four new cen¬ ters will be serving the trans- W' portation, local government, chemical manufacturing, and paint and coating sectors. The centers provide a wide range of resources that are accessible through the Internet, e-mail discussion groups, fax- back service, or toll-free telephone lines. These services include some or all of the following: easy access to federal regula¬ tions, policies, and guidance; information on how to manage or reduce pollution in the context of specific processes; access to pollution prevention and compliance technology vendors; and case studies of innovative technology uses and pollution prevention efforts. '\0 A-U<£r W tsr tWffviMi ■i • *» ««* >4 '«*w| 1 Umr * J m mm* vs ***** * * MU «* m Mi' )U - *mwm to lu U4 ; ;»fi f jny j m \ M j 11 | »* | | *■ *,«# •-* M « ,»m - M * * * W—* (MW - ~m or ► mm i i m m, m IW ft w*. r *1 | “1 fradtaaas Cm*.** IW leuwfcn ‘ fcr flsfe *r U»wwit»:rnl li Cwiefcx in HjJtmcs Ktjumww SMi MW hrrnm V- | »!•»*»*. . *»» «■> ■J Significant N oncom pliance Ind icator Enforcement Actions Taken - 2 Years Air Water RCRA A+W+R Air Water RCRA Total 1 I Y N N 1 2 0 0 2 J N Y N 1 0 1 0 1 I N N N 0 0 0 0 0 j N N N 0 0 0 0 0 j Y N N 1 0 0 0 0 N N N 0 1 1 0 2 N N N 0 0 0 0 0 1 N N N 0 0 0 0 0 3 N N N 0 0 0 0 0 j Y Y N 2 0 1 0 1 N N N 0 0 2 0 2 3 n N N 0 0 0 0 0 1 N N N 0 0 0 0 0 Users can find out about compliance for entire industry sectors or for individual facilities. The SFIP site allows users to look at recent environmental data about each facility, such as the number of inspections the facility has received, its record of compliance with federal regulations, its chemical releases and spills, and other related data. A-UZ^rU-e-T 4A '• v I - ' I ( * EPA’s Kids’Page www.epa.gov/kids ou re never too young to start learning about the environment. Now learning is interesting and more fun than ever at the Explorers’ Club, EPA’s Web site for kids. Kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to actively explore the envi¬ ronment and learn about the actions they can take to protect it. There are pictures, stories, animated games, and other fea¬ tures designed to teach young children about environmental issues. These inter¬ active features involve kids in identifying environmental problems, cleaning up pollution, and protecting the environment now and in the future. Kids also can ask EPA questions about environmental top¬ ics and make suggestions about ways to improve the club. As a resource for in¬ troducing environmental issues to young Internet users, the Explorers’ Club has been highlighted in major publications, including Better Homes and Gardens and Healthy Kids Magazine. Older kids are invited to check out the Student Center for middle and high school students. The cen¬ ter provides a variety of information such as environmental terms, laws, and issues; news items; information on protecting air, water, health, eco¬ systems, and communities; plus environmental clubs and careers. The Teachers’ Lounge pro- grant information, and links to other vides a wealth of environmental educa- environmental education resources out- tion resources, including guides, curricula, side EPA. INJF^P)MAn'lI^NJ about EPA's information management reforms or reinvention activities in general, con¬ tact EPA's Office of Reinvention at 202 260 - 1849 . Or look for more information on the Internet at . You’ll find special reports, remarks from senior Administration and Agency officials, detailed fact sheets, and much more. Anhwadi K^eyclinqi Welcome to If.8, EPAs Explorers* Club! We've filled these pages with lots of fun and intere&Hng things to read and do, 1b begin exploring, just click on the picture above. Jigs/itefiSbitJ ~mm vi-EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 (1801) FIRST CLASS POSTAGE & FEES PAID EPA Permit No. G-35 Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300