The application due date for the FY2020 Exchange Network grant cycle has been extended, due to potential applicant difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Friday, April 10, 2020.

An amended version of the FY2020 Exchange Network Solicitation Notice is now available on the EPA website.

Other helpful resources available on the EPA Exchange Network website include a PDF version of the slide deck presented during our Solicitation Notice webinar series, an audio recording of one of our webinar presentations, a FAQ document which captures all of the questions asked by applicants during this grant cycle, and various other resources pulled from our solicitation notice, including optional templates and application submission guidance.

Please note that EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by October, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Erika Beasley
Exchange Network Grants Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202-566-2530
E: beasley.erika@epa.gov

In support of the FY 2020 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, the EPA will host the last of four webinars to assist interested applicants. The final webinar will be held on March 17^th. It will include a presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2020 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2019, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. This will be followed by a question and answers session with participants. Please note that the session will end when all the participants’ questions have been addressed.

Notes on Joining the Webinar:

• Note: The webinar will be given through Skype for Business, which can be joined by clicking the link provided below. 

• Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET 

  Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/CDNMT269

  For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

• Note: After clicking the link, you will be prompted to ‘Join Meeting Audio.’ You can either:
  • Select ‘Do Not Join Audio’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and call in using the provided dial-in number to hear the audio portion on your phone [recommended for best call/audio quality]; OR
  • Select ‘Use Skype for Business – Full Audio and Visual Experience’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and hear the audio/speak using your computer’s microphone and speaker.

Please direct questions to:

Erika Beasley

Exchange Network Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: beasley.erika@epa.gov

March 24, 2020 from 1-2:30 pm Eastern

Agencies are increasingly exploring low-code approaches to building software that powers the business of environmental protection. Low-code tools have the potential to help reduce an agency’s dependence on traditional coding and programming, open up application development to a wider range of people, and accelerate the delivery of new tools and software. The transition also requires new skills and approaches to governance. 

Please join us on March 24, 2020 for an open call focused on the use of low-code software development within environmental agencies. This call provides a peer sharing opportunity designed for E-Enterprise partners to learn from each other and share their experiences applying low-code methods to their work. Representatives from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will join the call to talk about their own work in this space. These presentations will be followed by a discussion period where participants can engage with each other, ask questions, and share their own experiences, challenges and lessons learned.

Please register in advance for this open call by visting: https://rossstrategic.zoom.us/meeting/register/v5Qpf-GhrTMvu1vARGW6rArzgHqcpUrRlw. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This call is open to all members of the E-Enterprise community. We would particularly like to encourage those planning to attend the EE2020 National Meeting (https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/) in May to join in preparation for more low-code discussions at the conference.

Two new versions of the Water Quality Exchange (WQX) data flow are now available for review, but not yet in production. U.S. EPA’s Office of Water anticipates that final versions will be available in March 2020. States, tribes, and other WQX users should review these new versions in preparation for production release on March 31, 2020.

The new versions include a minor version upgrade to Version 2.2 and also a major version upgrade to Version 3.0. EPA will continue to support existing versions of the WQX data flow. You can visit the Exchange Network website at https://www.exchangenetwork.net/data-exchange/wqx/ to download and review resources for these two new versions, including XML schemas and updated Flow Configuration Documents and Data Exchange Templates.

WQX Version 2.2 is 100% backwards compatible with v2.1 and provides expanded data element lengths for various key description text type elements. See the schema change log v2.2 (final) and Data Exchange Template v2.2 (final) for more details. 

Version 3.0 adopts new elements, some of which are not backwards compatible with version 2.1. See the schema change log v3.0 (final) and Data Exchange Template v3.0 (final) for more details. Version 3.0 also contains changes that will improve quality assurance through best practices and business rules. Good QA/QC ensures that your data can be reused by another user for analysis and helps safeguard against misuse. New version 3.0 supported QA/QC business rules are outlined in both the WQX 3.0 Flow Configuration Document and guidance documents at the WQX website (https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data-wqx).

The Water Quality Exchange (WQX) data flow allows Exchange Network Partners to share ambient water quality data with EPA and with the Water Quality Portal (https://www.waterqualitydata.us/). The Water Quality Portal is the nation’s largest source for water quality monitoring data and contains over 340 million water quality data records data from 400 federal, state, tribal and other partners.

Contact:

Kevin Christian

U.S. EPA Office of Water

Christian.Kevin@epa.gov

In support of the FY 2020 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, the EPA will host four webinars to assist interested applicants. The webinars will be held on February 24^th, February 26^th, March 6^th, and March 17^th. Each webinar will include the same presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2020 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2019, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. This will be followed by a question and answers session with participants. Please note that the sessions will end when all the participants’ questions have been addressed.

Notes on Joining the Webinars:

• Note: The webinars will be given through Skype for Business, which can be joined by clicking the links provided below. Please note these links are different for each webinar.

• Note: After clicking the link, you will be prompted to ‘Join Meeting Audio.’ You can either:
  • Select ‘Do Not Join Audio’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and call in using the provided dial-in number to hear the audio portion on your phone [recommended for best call/audio quality]; OR
  • Select ‘Use Skype for Business – Full Audio and Visual Experience’ to view the presentation on your computer/device and hear the audio/speak using your computer’s microphone and speaker.

Webinar Details and Connection Information:

Monday, February 24, 2020, 3:30 – 5:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/DFLGLTCN       

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/SSCHZZ3N

For Audio – Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Friday, March 6, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/R1WLLBRF

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:30 – 2:00pm ET

Presentation Link- https://meet.lync.com/usepa/mcgown.erin/CDNMT269

For Audio – Dial-In Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conference ID: 68630018#

Please direct questions to:

Erika Beasley

Exchange Network Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: beasley.erika@epa.gov

The FY 2020 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice is now available at https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/fy-2020-exchange-network-grant-solicitation-notice.  Applications are due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Information on stakeholder webinars will be provided shortly.

The primary outcome expected from Exchange Network (EN) assistance agreements is improved access to, and exchange of, high-quality environmental data from public and private sector sources. With this outcome in mind, an application’s project goals and outputs should align with and support one or more EN program priorities. Applicants are also highly encouraged to review the new FY20 Solicitation Notice in full, as updates have been made throughout the document. Applicants should also note that optional templates for the cover letter, project narrative, and budget narrative have been provided in the appendices.

In FY 2020, EPA expects to award over $8 million for 20-30 assistance agreements for EN projects. Most awards will be in the $50,000 to $300,000 range. Awards for an individual assistance agreements cannot exceed $200,000. EPA may make a limited number of awards to qualifying collaborative, partnership assistance agreements, with project budgets of $400,000 or less. The exact number of assistance agreements will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the EN grant program, the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the budget amounts requested, and the outcome of application reviews.

EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by September 30, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Erika Beasley

EN Grants Program Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2530

E: beasley.erika@epa.gov

Time is running short! The deadline for the  EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is this coming Friday, January 17. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work in program modernization, digital transformation, and innovative management practices. Please visit the EE2020 Meeting website for complete details on submitting your proposal.   

We also want to hear about your priorities for training and workshops at EE2020. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire  by January 17, 2020 to tell us about your interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes! 

Happy New Year! To celebrate the start of a new decade, the Chairs of EE2020 are extending the deadline for proposals under the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content. Proposals are now due on or before January 17, 2020. That means you have an extra week to form your ideas and send them in. 

Visit the EE2020 Meeting website for complete details on submitting your proposal. You’ll find a wide-ranging list of potential topic areas to help your thinking. And you can choose from a variety of different formats–everything from a traditional podium presentation to brief 5-minute lightning talks, even a short video! 

Tell Us About Your Training Priorities

We know that meeting attendees place a lot of value on practical training and workshops. We hope to feature a number of these opportunities at EE2020 and the meeting chairs would like your input on the topics that would be most valuable. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire by January 17, 2020 to tell us about your priorities and interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes!

Deadline Approaching for the Call for Meeting Content

The air is crisp, daylight is scarce. That can only mean one thing–the deadline for the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is drawing near! Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work or suggest a meeting topic. 

Visit the EE2020 Meeting website before January 10, 2020 to submit your proposal. You’ll find a wide ranging list of topic areas of interest to help your thinking. You’ll also find that there are several different format options for EE2020 content. You may suggest a traditional podium presentation, a panel discussion, a brief 5-minute lightning talk, a workshop–even a brief video! 

You Talk, We Listen

Feedback from past E-Enterprise meetings makes it clear that attendees value training and interactive workshops as part of the meeting experience. We hope to feature a number of these opportunities at EE2020 and the meeting chairs would like your input on the topics that would be most valuable. Please visit the EE2020 Training Questionnaire to tell us about your priorities and interests so we can build the most engaging program possible. You’ll only need 2 minutes–it will be so worth it! 

Registration Opening Soon!

Stay tuned after the new year for information about the opening of registration for EE2020. In the meantime, please have a happy and healthy holiday season!

–EE2020 Meeting Chairs

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation

• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2020) is coming and you can help make it a success! The chairs of the meeting are looking for motivated volunteers to serve on the EE2020 Program Committee.

The Program Committee plays a critical role in shaping the meeting’s content and creating a program that is responsive to the needs of the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network community. Committee members will:

• Review and score EE2020 presentation proposals;
• Provide focused input on the development of the meeting program; and
• Coordinate speakers and moderate sessions at EE2020.

For more information and to volunteer, please visit the EE2020 website at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/2019/1121/program-committee by Thursday December 5, 2019. The meeting chairs will review submissions and notify volunteers before the end of December 2019.

Reminder: Call for Meeting Content Now Open!

Don’t forget that the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content is also open through January 10, 2020. You can learn how to submit a presentation proposal or suggest a topic at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/2019/11/7/call-for-content.

More information on EE2020

You can find complete details on EE2020 on the meeting website at https://www.eenationalmeeting.net/. Stay tuned for more information on meeting registration, lodging, and much more via Exchange Network Email Alerts and by following E-Enterprise on Twitter.

–EE2020 Meeting Chairs

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation

• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The 2020 E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2020) will be held in Chicago, IL from May 12-14, 2020! EE2020 is a meeting for the environmental protection community that creates opportunities to connect with other community members, share your successes and challenges, and learn about best practices in environmental protection. We need your help to craft a program that is engaging, informative, and relevant to the important work you do.

The meeting Chairs are pleased to announce the launch of the EE2020 meeting website and the opening of the EE2020 Call for Meeting Content.

The theme of EE2020 is Envisioning the Future of Environmental Protection and we are seeking your proposals for content that aligns with that theme and the following possible topics of interest:

• Digital Transformation in Environmental Protection 
• Program Innovation and Policy Modernization  
• User-Centered Design: Experiences in Implementing Customer-Focused Online Services 
• Telling Agency Stories Through Data Visualization 
• GIS for Environmental Decision Making 
• Using Open Data and APIs to Drive Innovation in Environmental Management 
• Data Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making 
• Applications for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Protection 
• Innovative Exchange Network Data Flows and Projects 
• Adopting Cloud Technologies and Shared Platforms to Drive Efficiency and Better Environmental Outcomes 
• Shared Services for Mobile Data Entry and Field Work 
• Innovative Partnerships in Environmental Protection 
• Examples of Process Streamlining and Agile Development  
• Citizen Science: Benefits, Challenges, and Impacts for Environmental Agencies 
• Advanced Techniques for Monitoring and Collecting Environmental Data (sensors, drones) 
• Intersections of Policy and Technology: Barriers and Opportunities for Innovation 

Submission Guidelines

You are invited to submit a brief abstract on a relevant topic that you would like to present at EE2020. You can submit your abstract for any of the following formats:

• Lightning Talks
• Podium Presentations
• Panel Discussions
• Workshops

 If you do not wish to lead a session or presentation, you may also submit an idea for a topic that you would like to see explored at EE2020.

 To submit your abstract or idea for EE2020, please visit the meeting website for complete details.

 The call for content will remain open through January 10, 2020.

 Should you have questions regarding the call for content or need assistance with your submission, please contact Kurt Rakouskas at krakouskas [at] ecos.org.

 More information on EE2020

EE2020 continues the longstanding series of national meetings held by the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. EE2020 brings together a broad community of attendees from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, vendors, and other stakeholders with an interest in improving the productivity and responsiveness of the environmental protection enterprise. The meeting integrates content on information technology, process improvement, and program modernization.

Stay tuned for information on meeting registration, lodging, and travel expense reimbursement. You can get the latest updates via EN Email Alerts and our meeting website: https://www.eenationalmeeting.net  

The program for EE2020 is cooperatively developed by a Program Committee made up of representatives from state, tribal, and territorial environmental agencies and U.S. EPA. The Program Committee is chaired by:

• Kari Jacobson Hedin
  Fond du Lac Reservation
• Victoria Phillips
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
• Chet Wayland
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

On October 29 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern, E-Enterprise will host a webinar to spotlight the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)’s development and deployment of its simplified environmental permitting and compliance reporting approach. ADEQ is leveraging technology, Lean methodologies and the voice of the customer to design and build an e-Licensing web portal, called myDEQ, to assist Arizona’s regulated businesses in meeting their environmental responsibilities. This Lean initiative has resulted in reducing permitting timelines by over 95% and a 60% increase in businesses returning to compliance, which benefits both the environment and economy of Arizona.

To register for the webinar, click here. For more information, please contact Beth Graves Beth Graves of ECOS and Dana Stefan of Ross Strategic.

Mark your calendars for EE2020—the E-Enterprise National Meeting—powered by the Exchange Network! On May 12-14, 2020, the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network communities will gather in Chicago, Illinois to connect, collaborate, and learn more about the innovative work happening across the environmental protection enterprise.

EE2020 continues the longstanding series of national meetings held by the National Environmental Information Exchange Network and E-Enterprise for the Environment. Watch your inbox for many more details on the meeting’s theme, a call for meeting content, and information on meeting registration, lodging, and travel expense reimbursement. In the coming weeks, we’ll be unveiling the meeting website which will be your one-stop shop for all you need to know to participate in EE2020. Stay tuned!

The U.S. EPA is resuming the All Things SDWIS webinar series today, August 22, from 3:00-4:30 PM Eastern. These monthly webinars are a great way to track information related to the development of SDWIS Prime and other resources for agencies that manage safe drinking water programs. You may register for the webinar series at the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1766811131259847692. One registration will set you up for the entire year and you will receive updates and email reminders each month.

Today’s agenda will feature information about the status of SDWIS Prime, plans to update the SDWIS/State database, and information about the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal.

The E-Enterprise  State Plan Electronic Collaboration System (SPeCS) Project Team is seeking additional members to provide feedback on Exceptional Events and Regional Haze plan submissions in SPeCS. New team members will join the current E-Enterprise team and participate in approximately one to two calls per month for the next three months, and will participate in user testing before the new plan submissions are made available for widespread use through the Central Data Exchange.

SPeCS is a user-friendly, web-based system that enables state air agencies to submit and track State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for attaining the national ambient air quality standards, and related information, electronically to EPA for review and approval. Local air agencies may use the system as well. SPeCS is EPA’s preferred method for receiving SIP submissions and is comprised of three main components: the State Plan Collection Interface; the EPA Clearinghouse; and the Public Dashboard. 

If you are interested in joining the team and providing input as the Exceptional Events and Regional Haze plan submission systems are developed, please contact Kelly Poole of ECOS by August 23.  

The first call is scheduled for September 25 at 3:00PM Eastern. Please reach out to Kelly Poole of ECOS or  Mia South of EPA with any questions.

Next week, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) is holding live webcasts of eight of the sessions from the 2019 ASDWA/EPA Data Management Users Conference in Atlanta, GA. Participants should register for each of their desired sessions individually and before the start of the broadcast, although early registration before COB this Friday, July 19^th is preferred. If the registration links in any of the session titles don’t work, please try pasting the URL into your browser. Please contact Anthony DeRosa of ASDWA with questions

By registering as a remote attendee, you agree to “skate at your own risk,” as ASDWA staff may be unable to provide any level of technical support during the sessions. Due to unknown technical factors [i.e., hotel internet crashes, equipment failures, etc.], ASDWA cannot guarantee that we’ll be successful in broadcasting every scheduled session. In the event we need to cancel a broadcast, we will try to contact all registrants to inform them. Naturally, we’ll do our best to provide a quality experience for the entire Conference and thank you ahead of time for your understanding.

2019 ASDWA/EPA Data Management Users Conference: Remote Participation Webinar Series

DMUC 19: Opening Session

Tuesday, July 23 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9142293350091017485

SDWIS Legacy Session

Tuesday, July 23 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7704376232541687819

CMDP Project Update and State Experiences

Tuesday, July 23 at 2:00 PM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3864228518441031179

Data Cleanup

Wednesday, July 24 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4983854611935630859

Data Reliability

Wednesday, July 24 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7526143198656072459

Parking Lot Issues – Open Plenary Discussion

Wednesday, July 24 at 1:30 PM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5422259584743922699

How Drinking Water Data is Used by Other Programs – CDC Panel

Thursday, July 25 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1596462696408982539

SDWIS Communications and Community Building, and DMUC Wrap-up

Thursday, July 25 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4767421245566164235

DMUC 19: Opening Session

Tuesday, July 23 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9142293350091017485

SDWIS Legacy Session

Tuesday, July 23 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7704376232541687819

CMDP Project Update and State Experiences

Tuesday, July 23 at 2:00 PM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3864228518441031179

Data Cleanup

Wednesday, July 24 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4983854611935630859

Data Reliability

Wednesday, July 24 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7526143198656072459

Parking Lot Issues – Open Plenary Discussion

Wednesday, July 24 at 1:30 PM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5422259584743922699

How Drinking Water Data is Used by Other Programs – CDC Panel

Thursday, July 25 at 8:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1596462696408982539

SDWIS Communications and Community Building, and DMUC Wrap-up

Thursday, July 25 at 10:30 AM EDT.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4767421245566164235

Upate: You can now view a recording of the May 29, 2019 Open Call on Data Lakes!

Are you curious about Data Lakes and how they might benefit your organization? Never heard of a data lake and want to know more? You are invited to an E-Enterprise and Exchange Network Open Call on Wednesday, May 29 from 3:00-4:30 PM Eastern. The presentation will introduce the essentials of data lakes and will be a useful foundation for future E-Enterprise conversations and work.

This open call will feature EPA staff and technical consultants from the Office of Mission Support, along with representatives from Colorado and Massachusetts who will provide insights from their use of data lakes. If anyone has experience working with data lakes and would like to share their story please email Sarah Abramowitz at sabramowitz@rossstrategic.com.

On Thursday, May 2 from 1-3 p.m. Eastern, E-Enterprise for the Environment will host a webinar to spotlight work by states and U.S. EPA related to the development and deployment of various permitting applications and workflows under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

The workshop will feature three main segments:

• An overview of the E-Permitting and NetDMR systems developed by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
• An overview of the revised EPA Office of Water NPDES Individual Permit Application forms stemming from the February 2019 NPDES Updates Rule.
• A review of the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance’s NeT reporting tool for NPDES general permits and program reports such as the Construction General Permit (CGP) and Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). Speakers will include staff from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management who will discuss their efforts working with EPA to develop the first state-specific general permit application in NeT.

The webinar will be recorded for future viewing. To register, click here. For more details on the webinar, click here. If you have questions, please contact Beth Graves of ECOS or Sarah Abramowitz of Ross Strategic