On October 15, 2002, EPA announced that it is soliciting public comment on aspects of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program. EPA is looking for public input on alternatives for collecting data, improving compliance assistance, and timely release of data to the public. On October 16, 2002, EPA began a 60-day, online public dialogue on the TRI program so the public can provide input to EPA on an ongoing basis. Specifically, EPA is seeking:

-Comments on TRI's procedures to capture, verify, validate, and reconcile data;

-Comments regarding EPA's current procedures to prepare, track, and mail notices to facilities identifying errors or areas of noncompliance in their data;

-Comments on each of the data release reports (the public data release report, the state fact sheets report, and the executive summary), including how they meet users' data and information needs and suggestions for changes;

-Comments on two TRI electronic data access tools, the TRI Explorer and Envirofacts, including how they do, or do not meet users needs;

-Comments on the timing of the data release, and how to accomplish an earlier release; and

-Comments on whether EPA should provide more context on the TRI data when it is released.

The second phase of the online public dialogue will focus on the future direction of the program. Information on how to participate in the online dialogue is available at www.epa.gov/tri/programs/stakeholders/outreach.htm.