Voice Your Opinion On Environmental Compliance Tool

Compiled ByJill Jusko Manufacturers have until Jan. 21, 2003, to comment on a new online tool from the Environmental Protection Agency designed to give interested parties direct access to current environmental compliance records for more than 800,000 facilities nationwide. The tool, called Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), is now in its pilot stage. When final, ECHO will include federal and state compliance inspections; environmental violations; recent enforcement actions taken; and the demographics of the surrounding environment. Users responsible for the facilities in question are encouraged to review ECHO's design and data accuracy. The tool includes an online error-reporting process. The EPA says benefits of ECHO include allowing companies to monitor their records of compliance, while providing citizens with easier to understand information about environmental issues. All information that comprises ECHO was previously available to the public; however the new online tool offers a single point of entry.