Transcript ICTS Update Presentation September 2005

Institutional Controls Data
Exchange
Michael Bellot,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA
Presentation Outline
 What in the heck are ICs and why should I care?
 How was the IC data standard developed and
what are the key lessons?
 What should I do if I want IC flows?
 Leveraging other data purveyors to help
publish…
EPA
What are ICs?
 ICs are administrative and legal devices that control use
of a site and/or modify behavior
 Necessary when waste is left in place or operating
remedy equipment remains
 Governmental controls – zoning and permits (excavation
and well drilling)
 Proprietary controls – easements and covenants
 Enforcement devices – orders and consent decrees
 Informational devices – deed notice and state registries
EPA
Background
 At contaminated sites, EPA, States, Tribes and local
governments select remedies
 When waste is left in place, long-term oversight is
required
 ICs often implemented, monitored, enforced and
terminated by other parties/agencies
 Strong need to coordinate and engage with co-regulators
» IC Tracking identified as a critical step
» Need a standard approach – Data Standard
EPA
Universe
Program
Universe of
Sites
Comment
Superfund NPL
1,600
About 1000 construction complete sites
80% need ICs
RCRA Corrective
Action
3,800
There is a much larger universe of
generators and treatment, storage and
disposal facilities that could require ICs
UST
260,000 Sites
Of these, about 900 sites are managed by
EPA as Federal-lead Tribal
Brownfields/
Voluntary Cleanup
400,000500,000
These sites are managed at the local/state
level
Federal Facilities
275
Included in Superfund Universe, including
BRAC
EPA
Data Standard Development
 Collaborative development process between EPA
programs, other Federal agencies, States*, Local
governments**, NGOs, and non-regulated-industry
 Conducted through the Environmental Data Standards
Council (lead by EPA/ECOS)
 Developed as a cross-program, cross-agency tool
 Component-based structure to facilitate data exchange
and foster reuse
 Flexible design to accommodate future additions to
existing lists
EPA
2002 Focus Group Meetings
EPA Headquarters – June 5
States – June 18-19
EPA Regional staff – June 26-27
Other Federal Agencies – July 23-24
Non-regulated-industry – October 8
Local Government Agencies – October 10-11
Policy Think Tanks – October 22
EPA
Data Standard Overview
Utilizes XML
»Facilitates exchanging data between parties
Consists of XML Schema Definition (XSD)
»Defines how IC data should be organized
»Modular design to allow for reuse and
extensibility
»Multiple methods of implementation for
cataloging and transferring data
EPA
IC Data Standard Lessons
The majority of the time and effort focused on the following:
 Assembling IC Definitions
 Identifying and getting input from stakeholders
 Learning the process and coordinating with individuals who review
and approve the data standard
 Identifying the existence of relevant standards (citation approach)
 Designing a standard with flexibility and growth in mind (using
context tags as opposed to tag names)
 Solving the problem with many-to-many relations and multiple
hierarchies (using association tags)
 Conducting data collection pilots
EPA
Data Standard To Flows
 Establishes data element relationship to facilitate IC data
transfer through:
» “Mapping” of data elements from existing tracking
systems to the standard
» “Adoption of exact data elements from the standard
within new or enhanced tracking systems
 Information on the standard available though the EDSC
website http://www.envdatastandards.net/
 Just because you build it, they may not come..
EPA
Dangle Incentives
 Continued involvement of State and Tribal partners
» OEI grants again available to support:
— implementation of the IC Data Standard
— State/Tribal IC data flows through CDX
 Look to local client based integration work
 Future vision includes GIS information on ICs
 Data purveyors as a partner to make data available
EPA