U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new tool to help the public remain informed as part of the agency's efforts to empower those outside the EPA to help themselves.
The web tool, announced in a March 22 news release, is called ECHO Notify - Enforcement and Compliance History Online - and it allows the public to remain informed about important environmental enforcement and compliance in their local communities. Users can sign up for weekly emails when new information becomes available within selected geographic areas, such violations or enforcement actions at a nearby facility.
"EPA is committed to empowering communities with the information they need to understand and make informed decisions about their health and the environment," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said. "We've also seen that increased transparency leads to stronger deterrence of environmental violations. As more people play an active role in protecting their neighborhoods from pollution, EPA has developed ECHO Notify so that finding updates on environmental enforcement and compliance activities is as easy as checking your email."
ECHO Notify can provide up-to-date information about all of EPA's enforcement compliance activities. Information provided by ECHO Notify is in addition to state and local governments activities under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Email notifications are expected to include links for users to view additional information on ECHO Notify. Additional information could include a each facility's Detailed Facility Report. Users can easily update their notification selections or unsubscribe at any time.
EPA also has issued an ECHO Notify tool guide to help users learn to navigate around the new tool and a video that provides an overview and explanation of ECHO Notify.
