Databases

[Steve Taylor <Steve@miltoxproj.org>]

Hi all:

I will be travelling the next few days, so not sure how much I'll be able to chime in.  I'll post a couple of quick messages about information before I hit the road.

Here's a clip from today's agenda:

"Tell us about particular features on some EPA and State Web pages that are most useful to you. In addition, address the features that are most difficult for you to utilize. Describe the information that you cannot find but would like to have available to you online. 
Possible threads: 
Useful features of Web sites 
Difficult aspects of Web sites 
Information that should be online"

Briefly.  Information that should be _online_ = everything.  Including the Risk Management Plan worst case scenarios, which (unless something has changed) are still being withheld.

Envirofacts is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE.  Very hard to use, very slow, doesn't have the information needed.

The EPA web site is difficult to navigate and hard (intentionally?) to find important information.  The various tips and guides for citizens are so basic as to almost be patronizing.

One specific note:  trying to get comprehensive info. on federal, esp. military facilities, is impossible.  Aside from reporting problems (a different issue), the nomenclature for military facilities varies so much from base to base that it is IMPOSSIBLE to pull a report on all these facilities at once.

I could go on for a long, long time.  The RTKNET databases are one better model, as is the EDF scorecard.

I also support Paul Orum's proposal for an easily accessible and understandable facility registry.

Steve