Greetings Everyone:
A few months ago, I wrote to tell you about the EPA’s desire to re-establish public internet access for certain categories of information collected by the Risk Management Plan (RMP) Program. In that note, I wrote of the Agency’s intent (in the absence of negative feedback) to post this information online by July 2012. I also asked for your concerns, observations, or any comments you had regarding our proposal.
Today I am writing to let you know that – based on that feedback, – we have decided to extend our discussion with interested parties on this subject, and so we are postponing our July 2012 target date indefinitely.
We have received several comments expressing concern about how providing non-offsite consequence analysis (or non OCA) data online may pose a threat to national security. The Agency is particularly mindful of these concerns, and as you know, all RMP information was voluntarily removed by EPA from the Agency’s website following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Reasonable concerns have been raised that certain types of non OCA data should not be posted. We have heard, and are sensitive to these concerns. The Agency has also received comments that non OCA data should not be made available on the Agency’s website in lieu of the current access regime – which requires more personal contact to obtain the information than if it was freely available on the internet – makes it less likely that someone seeking to misuse RMP information will use government sources to obtain it. Again, we understand the concern and would like to consider other approaches if such can be found.
We are also aware of and sensitive to local community “right to know” about certain risks that are present within them, and that reasonably easy access to such information is preferred when that makes sense. For this reason, the EPA is looking to continue the dialogue on how to best we might more easily allow access to share some portions of RMP data in a way that balances the public’s right-to-know about the chemical risks present in their community, with the need to protect our national security.
We are eager for your input on how we might find such a balance, and in so doing, achieve both of these worthwhile goals. EPA will be working to arrange a number of opportunities for dialogue on this subject. We will keep you informed as they are scheduled.
If you have any comments to share on the best way forward to provide this information online, including any areas for compromise, please contact the Office of Emergency Management, US EPA at (202) 564-8600, or email me [email protected] or to our Deputy Director, Dana Tulis, at [email protected].
Thank you.
Lawrence M. Stanton, Director
Office of Emergency Management
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
US Environmental Protection Agency