This information
collection is approved for 1 year, consistent with the Agency's
schedule for distribution of the survey and collection of
data.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2010
36 Months From Approved
250
0
0
125
0
0
0
0
0
The Environmental Information Exchange
Network (Exchange Network) is an Internet-based approach for
exchanging environmental data among partners (e.g., EPA, states,
tribes and territories). Built on the principles of applying data
standards; providing secure, real-time access; and electronically
collecting and storing accurate information, the Exchange Network
enables participants to control and manage their own data while
making it available to partners via requests over a secure Internet
connection. By facilitating the efficient exchange of environmental
information among interested parties at all levels of government,
the Exchange Network has begun to transform the way information is
shared. While some Indian Tribes have been active partners in the
Exchange Network, overall tribal participation is limited. EPA has
issued grants that fund infrastructure and other support needed to
share data on the network to just over 50 tribes or less than 10
percent of the more than 500 federally recognized tribes. Of these,
eight have exchanged data over the network and another five are
developing the infrastructure required to do so. To expand tribal
participation in the Exchange Network, EPA has been working with
the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) under a series of
cooperative agreements. NCAI is planning to conduct a baseline
assessment survey to obtain data to help identify barriers and
other factors that are limiting tribal participation in the
Network. The survey will focus on gathering information related to
collection and dissemination of environmental data; information
technology infrastructure, capacity, and needs: and awareness of
the Exchange Network. The survey will be distributed to all
federally recognized tribes that are members of NCAI. Response to
the survey is voluntary. NCAI will use the findings of this survey
to design programs to broaden tribal participation.
This is a new survey of Indian
tribes conducted through a cooperative agreement with the National
Congress of American Indians (NCAI). NCAI is planning to conduct a
baseline assessment survey to obtain data to help identify barriers
and other factors that are limiting tribal participation in the
Network. The survey will focus on gathering information related to
collection and dissemination of environmental data; information
technology infrastructure, capacity, and needs: and awareness of
the Exchange Network. The survey will be distributed to all
federally recognized tribes that are members of NCAI. Response to
the survey is voluntary. NCAI will use the findings of this survey
to design programs to broaden tribal participation.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.