------- HOW are Site ERNS site search data are available in various report formats and can either be delivered Search Data via First class Mail or e-mail through the Internet. The standard format is a one-page Available'' report per release notification in various word processing formats. This format is useful for requestors who are interested in a limited number of sites. There are sever^ alternatives for requestors who need more data. Reports of notifications from specific counties or states: These reports may be produced in the one-page standard report format in various word processing formats or in dBASEŽ files. This is particularly useful for requestors who need information about many sites within a state or county. These requestors may wish to obtain state- or county-wide information instead of making multiple data requests by site. ERNS database: This is recommended for requestors who have extensive needs for ERNS data. The database is available two ways, (1) all data by year which is available on magnetic data tapes from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), or (2) data for each EPA Region by year which may be downloaded from EPA via the Internet, direct dial-in, or FedWorld. The magnetic data tapes may be purchased from NTIS in Springfield, VA at (703) 487-4650. Information on downloading data may be obtained by calling the ERNS Information Line (see "Obtaining ERNS Data"). When requesting a search of ERNS, you should include several pieces of information to expedite the search process and to ensure an exhaustive search of the database. The request should include the discharger organization, if available, and the street address of the site, including the county. Standard reports include the following information: the date of the release and the notification, report number, discharger organization and address, material and quantity released, the location of the release, and the cause and source of the release. Some of the fields may be left blank when information is unknown at the time of the notification or is caller information that is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. A report of the ERNS results will be completed in approximately two weeks or sooner if either a phone call or a fax reporting the results of the search is sufficient. What Will it COSt? The cost of obtaining ERNS data is based on the data storage medium requested and the time and effort expended to fill the request. The fee policy is described in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 40 CFR 2.120. EPA charges $20.00 per hour of programming time, and $8.00 per labor hour of downloading and preparation time. There are additional charges for data storage media such as diskettes. If the total cost is under $25.00, the fee is waived. If, however, EPA has reason to believe that a requestor or group of requestors is breaking down a request into a series of smaller requests to avoid charges, the requests will be combined to determine the total cost. Currently there is no charge for obtaining data through the Internet. Please contact NTIS for information on their prices. Requesting and Receiving Data Obtaining ERNS Data Site searches or additional information on the ERNS data base may be obtained by calling the ERNS Information Line at (202) 260-2342, by sending an e-mail request to erns.info@epamail.epa.gov, or by writing to EPA at the following address: ERNS Manager U.S. EPA Mail Code 5202G 401 M Street, SW Washing Disclaimer: Mention of trade names or commerical products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Page 2 ------- |