National Environmental Information Action Plan

[Tom.Hughes, Mass Environmental Library <Thomas.Hughes@state.ma.us>]

A National Environmental Information Action Plan is really the next
logical step. The plan needs to address national, regional, state,
tribal, and local needs and goals.  Maybe each region at EPA needs
to coordinate regional and local planning efforts and headquarters
focuses on bringing it all together under the broader national
plan.  The planning needs to include all information formats and
not focus on Internet or Libraries only.  It should look at bringing
together existing resources such as the web, clearinghouses,
information offices, EPA programs, libraries and library networks,
etc... in addition to the development of any new resources.

But there are a number of actionable items that have been raised
in this forum that shouldn't wait for a final plan to move forward.
A careful review of all the participants recommendations should be
made, and pilot projects funded to demonstrate successful approaches
to improving the availability of information, throught the internet,
through libraries and through any means available to populations
that currently lack adequate access and infrastructure.integrating
libraries into the information mix for EPA.