Data needs and priorities of EPA How the EPA and Federation can work together to reach our common objectives? Gary J. Foley, EPA 2005 ESIP Federation Winter Conference, January 6th, 2005

EPA & Earth Observations Currently, in its environmental protection role EPA continually collects and utilizes a wide variety of environmental data, Makes sound forecasts for env. conditions, Uses indicators that describe particular aspects of the natural, economic, and social environment, but Recognizes that earth system knowledge or data gaps can affect the strength of information and decision-making

EPA & Earth Observations For the future of environmental protection, EPA needs to become a much larger user of remotely sensed earth observation data, Through the use of its decision support tools, the observation, modeling and information needs are being defined, and Partnerships with the Earth Observation community are being sought.

Who in EPA...? Are the Major Players in GEOSS through Determining the Data and Information needs, Identifying how fulfilling these needs will improve Environmental Decision Making, (Federal, State, Local and Private Sector) and Building the Infrastructure and Capacity

The GEOSS Architecture Users and Scientific Communities Served By GEOSS Common Approaches Systems within their Mandates

Access IndicatorsForecasts Capacity Building Services

THE SPECTRUM OF USERS Earth observations & earth system models Data-to-Information archiving & services Decision support tool development Decision making Assessment of benefits Earth system scientists and modelers Earth system service providers Environmental process modelers & researchers Enviromental managers Public officials, advocacy groups and the Public From observations To societal benefits

The GEOSS Architecture Users and Scientific Communities Served By GEOSS Common Approaches Systems within their Mandates EPA is principally on this side of the diagram

EPA Organization Chart

EPA HQ Organization Chart

EPA REGIONS

Environmental Agencies 88 State Environmental Agencies, Departments, Commissions, & Boards One to five per state See Tribal Goverments & Organizations See EPA is, for the most part, the pipeline for GEOSS data & information to them.

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Current AQI - Ozone

Current AQI - Particle Pollution(PM2.5)

EPA’s GEOSS Tools

GEOSS Videos on the EPA Website Interview with EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt discussing GEOSS. Interview with EPA Chief Scientist Paul Gilman discussing the scientific signifi- cance of GEOSS. Footage of GEOSS benefits and systems.

Draft Report on the Environment Describes current national environmental conditions and trends using existing data and indicators Identifies data gaps and research needs Discusses the challenges government and our partners face in filling those gaps

Building the Env User Community Obstacles Not needed in the past. Not invented here. No staff time available, skills are lacking. Cost to acquire, cost to store. Lack of trust in partnerships. Outside the boundaries of comfort.

Access IndicatorsForecasts Capacity Building Services