Information Systems and the Environment (2001) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Public Access to Environmental Information
Public Access to Environmental Information
Pages 173-184
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From page 173... ...
· Access to environmental information, such as the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) , has been shown to be effective in raising awareness about and reducing toxic chemicals.
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From page 174... ...
As part of this mandate, federal and state environmental protection agencies collect large amounts of permit discharge and ambient monitoring data to assess regional and local environmental conditions, to determine compliance, and to charge fees. Industrial entities similarly collect vast amounts of environmental information related to their operations.
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From page 175... ...
In the case of acid deposition, the report states: Wisconsin's Acid Deposition Monitoring and Evaluation Program, as developed by the Acid Deposition Research Council, began its efforts during 1985 when the Acid Rain Law, Wisconsin Act 296, was enacted. In addition to its significant contribution in the area of acid rain research, the Acid Deposition Research Council model brought together diverse interest groups and then maximized the use of pooled resources to accomplish a common goal to assess the threat of acid rain to Wisconsin' s resources.
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From page 176... ...
X-12 data standards to access the WDNR computing systems directly and submit the required data online. In fact, the future may bring direct links with company data systems such that the state agencies would not require annual reporting.
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From page 177... ...
For example, Wisconsin's air management staff have used their ITRS to identify the failure to report air emissions to the state's annual air emissions inventory, even though those emissions were reported under TRI. In the same way, Wisconsin also has begun using the ITRS at industrial facilities to ensure the quality of their own multiple reporting requirements and to ensure that all reporting is done accurately.
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From page 178... ...
The implementation of WDNR's Fact System (see Box 1) revealed issues related to administration, public accessibility, and the interpretation of information.
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From page 179... ...
The EPA complied with the request, indicating that reports of the past two quarters from one mill were not in the system. The environmental group proceeded with a press release criticizing the pulp and paper mill and hinting at violations of the Clean Water Act for the missing submittal.
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From page 180... ...
Public Accessibility Issues Technical information traditionally has been delivered in writing or through personal contact. More recently, other alternatives have emerged to deliver technical information to as many people as possible using minimal resources.
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From page 181... ...
However, as profit margins shrink and competitors become more electronically adept, industries may look for any easily accessible competitive edge, such as evaluations of waste streams to reveal production processes or efficiencies. Whenever the issue of public access to environmental data arises, an electronic data system is the first solution considered and the first funded.
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From page 182... ...
These waste and emissions data are compiled by the following reporting systems: WDNR Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Annual Reports, EPA TRI Form R Reports, WDNR Air Emission Inventory, and WDNR NR101 Annual Water Discharge Summaries. The data are reported in the following units: total mass in pounds, mass in pounds of toxic constituent, or concentration in mass per volume of water or air.
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From page 183... ...
Because access to aggregated environmental information appears to be valuable, the administrative and implementation barriers that prevent society from taking advantage of this technology must be addressed. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors acknowledge the contributions of Tom Aten, WDNR; Nicholas Bouwes, EPA; Ken Brown, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance; and John Stolzenberg, Wisconsin Legislative Council.
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From page 184... ...
1996. Wisconsin Acid Deposition Monitoring and Evaluation Program.
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