1. 1 EPAs 2008 Report on the Environment Denice M. Shaw, PhD U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Center for Environmental Assessment Shaw.denice@epa.gov

2. 2 EPAs 2008 Report on the Environment www.epa.gov/roe www.epa.gov/roe Uses indicators to address 23 questions EPA considers most important and relevant to its mission in the areas of air, water, land, human health, and ecological condition. Currently supports over 30 strategic performance measures. –Example: ROE indicator of Wetland Extent, Change, and Sources of Change measures EPAs progress in meeting its objective of increasing wetland acreage. Informs the strategic planning process, particularly cross-program targeted areas for improvement. Identifies critical needs for future planning.

3. 3 What are the trends in…and their effects on HH and the Environment? Air: Outdoor Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases, Indoor Air Quality Water:Water and Watersheds, Ground Water, Wetlands, Coastal Waters, Drinking Water, Recreational Water, Consumable Fish and Shellfish Land: Land Cover, Land Use, Wastes, Chemicals, Contaminated Land Human Health: What are the trends in the…? Human exposure to environmental contaminants Health status in the United States Human disease and conditions for which env. contaminants may be a risk factor Ecological Condition: What are the trends in the…? Extent and distribution of the Nation's ecological systems Diversity and biological balance of the Nation's ecological systems Ecological processes that sustain the Nation's ecological systems Critical physical and chemical attributes of the Nation's ecological systems Biomarkers of exposure to common env. contaminants in plants and animals 2008 ROE Focus:

4. 4 Interactive public website that is updated with the most recent environmental indicator data and enhancements. Electronic Report on the Environment (eROE) www.epa.gov/roe www.epa.gov/roe Provides access to the content of the ROE and companion Highlights Document, including the underlying methodology, references, and data, in one location and in a searchable format.

5. 5 Electronic Report on the Environment (eROE) eROE provides the public and EPA with the most current indicator data –Updated on a quarterly basis with new data and supporting text and figures

6. 6 EPAs Report on the Environment Current Projects: –Soliciting new and revised indicators for inclusion in the eROE

7. 7 Current Projects (cont) – Quantifying uncertainty information for indicators and developing presentation options for eROE Streambed Stability in Wadeable Streams EPAs Report on the Environment

8. 8 Current Projects (cont) Displaying indicators in a geospatial format EPAs Report on the Environment

9. 9 Current Projects (cont) Aligning the ROE structure more closely with the goals and objectives of EPAs planning process

10. 10 EPAs Report on the Environment External Review and Feedback –EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) panel established to provide advice and counsel as the ROE program moves forward