Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: Detroit--Ann Arbor Metro Public Information Project
EPA Grant Number: R827965Title: Detroit--Ann Arbor Metro Public Information Project
Investigators: Kenyon, Cindy , Wades, Jim , VanderMeulen, Joe , Rubin, Laura , Moore, Leon , Score, Mike , Sweat, Mike , Head, Rebecca
Institution: Washtenaw County Department of Environment and Infrastructure Services , United States Geological Survey , Michigan State University
Current Institution: Michigan State University , United States Geological Survey
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period:
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002
Project Amount: $725,968
RFA: Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Environmental Statistics , Water , Air
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) assemble environmental data in an easily accessible Web site format for public use; (2) provide interpretation of the data and environmental issues to aid in user comprehension; (3) seek input from the community to enhance the project's effectiveness, and develop methods to sustain the project for continued delivery to the community; and (4) create an education campaign that informs the public of environmental issues and promotes use of a Web site.
Progress Summary:
The second year of this project focused on Web site development and procurement of computer hardware.
Development of educational text, data interpretation, and data display, are key factors incorporated into the Web site. Many of the data sets are coded by address, which allows the site to have both a summary and custom map section. Different data sets can be overlayed onto custom maps, which allow the user to view several environmental factors in a customized fashion. A zoom function also is available, so that the user can create a map that shows real-time data in a very localized area. Data are grouped into five topic sections: air, water, land, community, and house. The air section includes real-time weather data, general weather information, and general air quality information. The water section includes data on local stream flow and health, wetland data, and drinking water quality information. The land section includes agricultural, wildlife, and soil information. The community section includes contamination sites and toxic discharge sites. Finally, the house section includes information on arsenic and nitrates in drinking water, radon, and septic suitability. Each topic page has four categories: map, answers, link, and action. In the map category, the user can view summary or custom maps for each data set. In the answers category, frequently asked questions are answered and educational data is located. The link and action categories include ideas for actions the public can take to protect their environment.
In addition to the public Web site, a partner Web site was developed. This site allows partners to update information as needed. Partners also will be able to add new links, update glossary terms, and issue actions or alerts to the Web site. For example, if it is radon awareness week, a partner will be able to issue a customized alert such as, "How safe is your home?" or "Test for radon today!" The alert will be displayed on the Web site for the time interval chosen. This gives partners the ability to customize real-time action ideas for the public.
A technical team, which consists of Washtenaw County Internal Technical Support staff and Web site designers from the partner Land Information Access Association, met several times to discuss hardware issues. The size and configuration of the server, the file transfer, and the backup protocols were determined. The server was purchased, installed, and tested; and the Web site was transferred to this server. The installation of all other hardware, including weather station towers and stream gauges, has been completed.
A Web site review focus group was established. Members were given different scenarios to consider. They navigated the Web site and gathered data based upon the scenario. Input from the group was then incorporated into the site.
Promotion of the Web site has begun. The Web site has been implemented as part of a curriculum design class for elementary school teachers. The curriculum's focus was teaching sustainability in a practical way. The EMPACT Web Site will be used by teachers and students to evaluate local environmental data. A presentation on the EMPACT Web Site was made to Michigan Administrators of Local Public Health. Links from each partners' Web site to the EMPACT Web Site has been established.
Supplemental Keywords:
air, indoor air, precipitation, health effects, ecological effects, human health, carcinogen, infants, children, elderly, effluent, discharge, dissolved solids, remediation, decisionmaking, environmental assets, environmental chemistry, geology, monitoring, central, Great Lakes, Michigan, MI, EPA Region 5, agriculture, business, industry., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Geographic Area, Waste, Water, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Remediation, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Ecological Indicators, EPA Region, State, Ecosystem Protection, genetic susceptability, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Monitoring/Modeling, Arsenic, Social Science, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Great Lakes, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, Water Pollutants, educating school children, human exposue, air quality, environmental hazard exposures, infants, sensitive populations, ecological effects, Detroit - Ann Arbor Metro, public health alerts, environmental data, water quality, elderly, community outreach, agricultural runoff, total dissolved solids, web site development, children, exposure, ecological exposure, Region 5, toxics, stakeholder involvement, human susceptibility, agriculture, Michigan (MI), EMPACTProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.