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US EPA: A USER AGENCY PERSPECTIVE ON POLAR SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS
Citation:
Lyon, J G. AND G J. Foley. US EPA: A USER AGENCY PERSPECTIVE ON POLAR SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS. Presented at NIPOESS PolarMax 2004 Conference, El Segundo, CA, October 19-21, 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objective of this task is to provide the Agency with improved science guidance and strategies for more effective science management and administration.
Description:
The Agency uses satellite sensor observations in its work on measuring, monitoring and modeling the environment and human health. It generates observations in collaboration with states, local and regional governments, tribes and others, and is a consumer of observations from a variety of sources. There is a continuing and enhanced interest in the utility of polar satellite observations, models, indicators and decision support systems (DSS) provides a path for the solution of issues that confront decision-makers and the public.
The Agency has engaged in activities to better assess our delivery of information and model predictions. We are evaluating future needs for observations, and gaps in those observations. This work has been conducted in a number of forums, including Earth observation efforts focused nationally and internationally, as well as assessments of environmental indicators and prediction models. Examples include: evaluations of human health with particular emphasis on air quality; assessments of ecosystem protection, ecological forecasting and national indicators; development of natioanl datasets as ingests to monitoring and modeling efforts (land cover); elucidating future sensor characteristics to support Agency missions (e.g., air and water quality); and communicating information, models and DSS to decision-makers and public through web portal technology. These effects yielded a keen sense of what observations are vital to the Nation, the Agency, and clients, and furture directions for polar orbiting satellite sensors to fulfill vital needs and fill observation gaps. It is clear that collaberative activities with kindred groups are necessary to address these complex yet vital issues.