EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN)

The SWAN website project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network Program.

NEIEN grants are given to Tribes and States to develop their computer networks so that they can exchange environmental data back and forth on-line with ease. This accomplishes two goals:

• Facilities and groups that need to submit monitoring data to States and Tribes can all use one format and reduce State and Tribal staff burdens
• Communities can access environmental data that they are interested in.

About CCTHITA’s SWAN website

We received an NEIEN “Challenge” grant. Our proposal was an unusual fit for the Program because we submitted a workplan that addresses solid waste management needs of Alaska Tribes as a primary goal. Wetold the NEIEN program that Alaska Tribes are in a unique situation. Most of us do not have facilities or groups that must submit water or air sampling reports to us. Most of us do not even have those kinds of facilities (like factories) to worry about.

We need SWM information to make our communities safer and we need to be able to access it on-line so that it is convenient to us. We told NEIEN that the first priority of most of us is to help our communities and reduce our health and environmental risks. It was not to develop a computer program to handle something we did not have, or to get ready for something in the future that might not happen.

And NEIEN agreed with our approach thankfully. We can all develop more network experience by using this site (and other sites) and by taking part in the message posting system. Each year we will be bringing you a demonstration of what the NEIEN network can do for Tribes. And we will be starting a pilot program soon for Tribes that want to develop more network capabilities.

In the end we will have
a fully operating network system between Tribes
…… and safe communities too.

The Seldovia Village Tribe of Alaska was awarded an FY05 Exchange grant and will be developing an Exchange Network node. The new information system capabilities they will develop will will support new modes of research and facilitate the exchange of data and information between the Tribe’s environmental program and US EPA.
Contact: Michael Opheim (907) 234-7898 ext. 222

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) - Community and Natural Resources Department
www.tananachiefs.org

The Tanana Chief's Conference received a NEIEN ‘Readiness’ grant in 2002 and is using funds to:

• Build a web server that will expand databases within many of their departments
• Organize, compile, and electronically store and data not being gathered by other agencies, and
• Facilitate the sharing of this information with other Federal, state and Tribal units.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has implemented and planned many projects that reflect the goals of the NEIEN and demonstrate the Department's commitment to reducing reporting burdens and improving public access to information. Funding will be used to implement hardware and software, as well as hire personnel, to integrate departmental agencies and partnerships. DEC was already designing and implementing a sustainable information management infrastructure. They will use the grant funds to enhance or accelerate these planned activities.

CIIMMS is a web-based tool that helps users find and share information about Alaska's Natural Resources. CIIMMS let's you discover, access, and contribute valuable information about Alaska and its natural resources.