About EPA's Geospatial Program

EPA's National Geospatial Program coordinates the use of geospatial data to protect human health and the environment. Using place-based data, the Agency can identify, locate, and assess environmental factors key to EPA operations, such as gauging environmental risks, enforcing environmental regulations, and addressing potential homeland security issues, including the impacts of climate change. The program implements geospatial data to inform evidence-based decision-making through:

• Collecting and creating geospatial data
• Building applications that allow using to search, discover, and visualize geospatial information
• Creating standards and policies that increase the ability for applications and data to be shared and used

The Geospatial Program's success is attributed to its strong customer and mission driven approach that is supported by a robust governance structure that values input and buy-in from EPA's program offices and regions. The program provides support to the Agency's geospatial community through enterprise licensing for tools and services, technical support, communications, and training. The program is supported by a Geospatial Information Office (GIO) who advises EPA on geospatial-related topics.

History

The EPA Geospatial Program was established in the late 1980s. At that time, basic data was not available to support environmental analysis, and geospatial information system (GIA) implementation was generally isolated from mainstream information technology (IT). Over time, EPA has broadened employees' access to and utilization of geospatial data, services, and applications, and has streamlines the processes for sharing web maps internally, with partner organizations, and with the public.