MAR 2 S 2015 Hon. Bob Di.vson, Chairman Greensburg, Kansas Hon. Ralph Becker Salt Lake City, Utah Hon. Sal ml Carbajal Santa Barbara, California Hon. Cindy Circo Kansas Cily, Missouri Hon. Robert Cope Salmon, Idaho Hon. Johnny DuPree Hattiesburg, Mississippi Hon. Jill Duson Portland, Maine Hon. Bill Finch Bridgeport. Connecticut Hon. Karen Freeman-Wilson Gary, Indiana Dr. Hector Gonzalez Laredo, Texas Hon. Manna Jo Greene Ulster County, New York Ms. Susan Hann Palm Bay, Florida Hon. Tom Hickner Bay County, Michigan Hon. Elizabeth Kautz Burnsville. Minnesota Hon. Don Larson Brookings, South Dakota Hon. Kara Brundin- Miller Smith River Rancheria, California Hon. Jeff Morris Anacortes, Washington Hon. Marilyn Murrcll Arcadia, Oklahoma Hon. Ken Mivagishima Las Cruces, New Mexico Hon. Adam Ortiz Edmonston, Maryland Hon. Carolyn Peterson Tompkins County, New York Hon. Dave Richins Mesa, Arizona Mr. Kevin Shafer Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hon. David J. Somen; Snohomish County, Washington Mr. Jeffrey Tiberi Helena, Montana Hon, Lisa A. Wong Fitchburg, Massachusetts Frances Eargle, DFO The Honorable Gina McCarthy Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20460 Dear Administrator McCarthy: As state, local and tribal officials, The LGAC serves in partnership with the EPA to protect our environment, and to meet the many complex environmental and public health challenges. As such, we are writing to support EPA's efforts to build the E-Enterprise for the Environment. The LGAC especially acknowledges the Local Government Portal, which may provide for quick and efficient access to financial, technical, and administrative resources available for environmental compliance. The LGAC commends EPA's efforts to build this website tool, which has the opportunity to enhance federal, state arid local government collaboration so that we can ultimately improve the environment for all of our citizens. Background local governments, especially small, rural and disadvantaged communities, have limited financial, administrative and technical assistance available to them to carry our responsibilities for environmental health and safety regulations including drinking and wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal. The Local Government Portal Project envisioned as part of the broader E- Enterprise portal seeks to improve the way local governments are able to access and obtain important federal, state and tribal information on the web. Because many EPA programs that are relevant to local government are delegated to the states, this web-based portal will be customized for local governments to improve access to these EPA programs, thus promoting better environmental compliance. Findings and Recommendations: Finding: The LGAC believes that this modernized Local Government Portal has the potential to provide more efficient transactions under environmental programs so that they are modern and efficient. ------- Recommendations: The IGAC recommends that the EPA target small focus groups to determine the best end-user information needs. Recommendation: The LGAC recommends that the EPA conduct webinars to train local governments how to access information and how best to use all of the functionality of the Local Government Portal. Finding: The LGAC believes that developing this Local Government Portal with state government and EPA Regions will provide good input of the needs of state, local and tribal governments. Recommendation: The LGAC recommends that the EPA seek input from small and rural communities, as well as tribal communities, on their specific information needs. Finding: Many small and rural communities, including frontier communities, who stand to benefit the most from this Local Government Portal may also have limited access to network options. Recommendation: The LGAC recommends that the EPA assess how to best provide this information to small and rural communities, especially where access to internet is limited or restricted. The LGAC appreciates the work the EPA is doing to improve local government access to information which will enhance our work at the local level to improve environmental management and compliance. The LGAC believes that the E-Enterprise, especially the Local Government Portal, will provide a one-stop place for ready access to resources to assist us in improving the environment for all of our communities. Because the Local Government Portal is still in its development phase, the LGAC would like to continue to weigh in on the program as more information becomes available. Summary Sincerely, Mayor Robert Dixson Chair Commissioner Robert Cope Chair, Small Community Advisory Subcommittee Susan Hann Chairwoman, Protecting America's Waters Workgroup ------- |