Introduction to Communicating EPA Changes for Issue Voting

From EITLC Wiki

Contents 1 Issue Selected for Priority Action Team Formation 2 Issue Overview 3 Examples of Current EPA Communication Landscape 4 Potential Next Steps or Solutions for EITLC Consideration Issue Selected for Priority Action Team Formation This issue area was selected by the environmental information community as a priority for the EITLC in 2010. A Priority Action Team has been established to address this issue. Information on the work of this PAT can be found in the PAT Category. "The problem with communication ... is the illusion that it has been accomplished." - George Bernard Shaw

Issue Overview

Various forms of information, including formal, informally, legally required, are expected to travel today with incredible speed. They are delivered directly to inboxes, RSS readers, and other intermediary channels throughout the globe within seconds of being distributed, and new technologies are developed daily to improve these processes. Still, even within this increasingly transparent world, the right information does not always reach the right audience in a timely manner.

Using the rapidly changing means by which States, Tribes, and the broader environmental information community access information, how can EPA best and most efficiently communicate activities, changes, and issues that arise to the correct audience?

Examples of Current EPA Communication Landscape

EPA currently publishes changes through a variety of venues, including:

• Federal Register: “Official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents” (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/), formal requirements exist around what needs to be posted here
• Media to Media: Information sharing at the program level
• ECOS Wire: Compiles high level, relevant, and valuable information on ECOS/EPA tailored for State Commissioners, information often trickles down into their organizations
• Existing programmatic Web sites or National Regional Web sites: RSS Feeds or users individually search sites
• Inner-EPA Email System: Internal list serve for all EPA staff and integrated calendar system
• Office of Communication and Public Involvement (OCPI): Communications specialists maintain daily contact with key outlets, including public, legislative offices, and media
• OPA Office of Web Communications Beats: Responsible for maintaining and updating the content on the Agency's Web site

Potential Next Steps or Solutions for EITLC Consideration

• Identify gaps in communication between EPA, States, and Tribal groups
• Research methods for improved timeliness of information, such as list serve or RSS
• Conduct a feasibility study of potential solutions
• Expand upon existing distribution of communication systems as needed