This Network Update was distributed via the Exchange Network email alerts list on October 3, 2008.

Changes to the Beach Notification Exchange

U.S. EPA is releasing an upgrade to eBeaches, EPA's national program management system for reporting state, territory, and tribal beach monitoring and notification data. The upgrade of the notification database (PRAWN) from version 2.0 to version 2.1 includes revisions to the XML schema used to submit data to PRAWN using the Exchange Network. The bulk of the changes are associated with the schemas for beach lengths and water body names and types. You can download copies of the revised XML schemas, Flow Configuration Document, and other resources from the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/exchanges/water/beach_notif.htm. Please see the eBeaches data user page for links to documents that contain more details on the extent of the changes between version 2.0 and 2.1 - http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/datausers/index.htm.

Network partners that are currently implementing or planning to implement an exchange with any module of the eBeaches system should carefully consider the document that identifies the changes between version 2.0 and 2.1. Network partners are also encouraged to use small test files when submitting for the first time using the new version 2.1 schema.

EPA is providing this notice now so that network partners may prepare for their submission of 2008 season data which is due by January 31, 2009.