Quick Comments Results: Sept. 22

Public Access to environmental information:

• -- More links needed in EPA program websites, to related programs. For example, each program office (air, water, pesticides) should have a link to its corresponding EPA headquarters or regional office, and state, enforcement websites, so that people interested in air, water or pesticide violations can see how EPA/states enforcing environmental laws in these areas. -- More staff and online machines needed to update information EPA already has and already collects. For example, in Pesticide Office, hire less workers in communications department to "interpret" EPA data into bland, industry-approved "feel good" brochures, and more workers to just get the basics down, like having enough staff to immediately respond to inquiries from the public, regularly updating EPA's list of registered pesticide products and getting it and pesticide labels online; and putting online corresponding toxicity information for and any adverse effects reports received on pesticide active, inert or "other" ingredients.
• I am not sure what is meant by "Community groups budget cost of mailing materials to libraries" in number 4 above. In no. 1 above, "Provide [EPA]staff to respond to email and phone requests for help in locating online resources."--I think EPA should have this service, but only be responsible for Federal-level information. However, EPA should also work with state environmental agencies and state/local libraries to develope an information network--helping state-level agencies and libraries handle information services at their level. Maybe a partnership between EPA and the American Library Association to promote enviromental literacy among the American public?
• Local libraries need to "market" their resources and services more broadly to the community. They have an important role to play as honest brokers of information and as neutral forums for community discussions when environmental controversies arise. This involves a more active orientation than many librarians may be comfortable with or that budgets allow. Federal grant programs may be one way to encourage such a role.
• Many people lack basic environmental literacy to find the environmental information that informs their concerns.
• EPA needs to coordinate and connect the scattered environmental information clearinghouses that it operates or funds. EPA should be much more active in posting peer reviewed environmental research and information. It should look at the NIH's National Library of Medicine and Medline, which provides access to peer reviewed information that is relevant to NIH, not only information produced by NIH. EPA should encourage the use of libraries through its funding.
• Make the search easy as possible and less convoluted
• EPA needs to fill the gaps in data; e.g., there is a great deal of information that is both (a) critical to our understanding of human health and environmental threats, and (b) not collected by the federal government.
• Better distribution for printed documents. Receiving documents is hit and miss currently. Scary when you think I am in an EPA library...what do the others get??
• EPA should post EVERYTHING online, and to let people know about it, provide a What's Newly Posted pull down bar and have a New Postings listserv for those interested in knowing as soon as the information is available.
• For the general public to truly "access" environmental information, there need to be clear guides to U.S. environmental laws and the basis for regulation, compliance measurement or calculations, and the environmental results (if any) that are measured.
• Earth's 911, a free real-time community-specific source for recycling and environmental infomation, is a partner with the U.S. EPA and should be included as a Web and phone resource (1-800-CLEANUP and www.1800CLEANUP.org) in local librarby reference areas.
• "REQUEST FOR THE VIST ARANGE MEETING FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION WORKING RELATIONSHIP" Respected sir, Excellencies, First take my regard to all of you and i wish you will be all right and in a perfect health. We are running a Lotus Social Welfare Trust International and we are working on the several social issues such as Education, Peace, Child health, Agriculture, Forestry, Tech Transfer, Trade / Industry, Climate Science, Transport, disable persons, Medical Treatment, Marine Life Animal Protection Violation of Human rights, Illiteracy, Unemployment, Poverty, Violence Against Women And Children, Child labour, Women rights, Environment, Fundamentalism etc And let them know the aim and objective of the lotus social welfare trust international that how our N.G.O is serving in health, education, child labour, youth , Culture ,woman right, environmental issue, and the difficulties we are facing we just want to know how are they working and how want to compare that how we meet the real need of the people our as our delegation will meet the members of your org also we are going to meet some other N.G.O working over there and also we will contact to the press media and Tel them about our opinion. We and you will talk in your country in a good invirment and make some good routs and the participation of the good people cen be given to us i hope you are going to read this with all you considerations. This is inform you that we would like to visit your country to see your NGO executives we will bear all our expenditures like travel expenses, accommodation laundrey.we would like to meet you people in a positive manner and will discuss matters of bilateral interests regarding NGO. We are also planning to meet other social and NGO related people in your country these meetings will be beneficial for both of us to enhance cooperation and working relation ship. We are expecting your invitation Latter for this tour that would be help us in getting visa. We are looking for your prompt & positive reply. editor@ngomanager.org , Secretary General RANA AFTAB Secretariat: LOTUS SOCIAL WELFARE TRUST INTERNATIONAL B-11/374 Indus Mehran Housing Society Malir Karachi No.37 Postal Code 75080 Pakistan Phone No 9221-4503493 Mobile.03002218259 Fax No 9221-2418954 C/O SYED ZEESHAN MEHDI RIZVI EMAIL lotustrust@hotmail.com Web www.lswti.itgo.com

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