A Memo on Measurement for Environmental Managers: Recommendation and Reference Manual. (Fall 2007, Dr. Shelley Metzenbaum with Allison Watkins and Adenike Adeyeye)
The memo is designed to help new and experienced environmental managers realize the power of goal-setting and measurement in improving environmental conditions. In addition, the memo provides numerous examples of cases in which setting outcome-focused, specific goals and following up with frequent, appropriate measurement resulted in significant improvements in environmental conditions and public health.
Making Better Use of Environmental Accident, Incident, and Inspection Information (ECOStates, Spring 2007, Dr. Shelley Metzenbaum)
Between 1980 and 2004, the number of fires dropped nearly 50%. One key to making this happen was counting every major fire and its key characteristics, such as cost and probable causes. With this information, it is possible to identify the most prevalent preventable causes of serious fires, develop prevention strategies, test and assess them, and promote the most effective ones. This article illustrates how this approach can be used to reduce unwanted environmental incidents.
Time Well Spent: Managing Time in the Regulatory Process (ECC Management Note, April 2007, Dr. Shelley Metzenbaum and Allison Watkins)
This ECC management note presents elements of the regulatory processes for which it is
valuable to track timeliness and examples of analyses/reports that help agencies manage
timeliness without compromising environmental quality. It discusses common problems
that arise in agencies seeking to reduce response times and solutions and possible solutions to these problems.
Intergrating Health and Environmental Information to Improve Outcomes (ECOStates, Winter 2007, Lesa Roberts and Ronald Hammerschmidt)
Increased collaboration between health and environmental agencies can improve governmental efforts to protect both human health and the environment. This article presents the ben efits of, opportunities for, and barriers to the integration of health and environmental data.
Steering with Dashboard Reports (ECOStates, Spring 2006, Tiffin Shewmake)
This paper presents the benefits of dashboard reports for environmental managers. Dashboards, which are characterized by indicators, context, and format, provide managers with the timely information they need in to achieve program goals and use resources efficiently.
From Oversight to Insight: Federal Agencies as Learning Leaders in the Information Age (August 2006, Shelley Metzenbaum)
This draft paper examines how the role of federal agencies, dependent on states and localities to accomplish their objectives, should evolve in the information age. Although not focused on environmental agencies, the discussion is directly relevant to EPA and the states.
Federal Review of State Programs in the Information Age (March 2006, Shelley Metzenbaum)
This working paper discusses how the EPA state review process in the compliance and enforcement area should look in the future, building on work begun with the State Review Framework. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Measure to Comply? Measure to Perform? (White Paper, February 2006, Shelley Metzenbaum)
This paper discusses methods agencies can use to analyze the measurement data they gather. Performance measurement and reporting is on the rise in governments around the world, but too often is executed as a mindless response to a measurement mandate rather than as a management tool. This paper explores how agencies can use measures to identify problems that need attention and successes that warrant replication, and how they can use measurement to disseminate those findings and spread effective practices.
Articles of Note
Using
Compliance Rates to Manage (ECOStates, Fall 2004, Tiffin
Shewmake)
State environmental agencies usually measure the performance of
their compliance and enforcement programs by counting activities.
These measures, such as the number of inspections or penalties,
say little about actual results. This article shows how New Hampshire,
Colorado, and New Jersey have used compliance rates—the percentage
of facilities in compliance with environmental laws—to move beyond
activity and output measurement for program management. Compliance
rate trends can show the effectiveness of agency actions and pinpoint
possible problems. While not a perfect measure, compliance rates
are more constructive than relying on activity and output counts
alone.
The
Evolution of Federal/State Relations - A Win/Win Path Forward (ECOStates, Spring 2004, Shelley Metzenbaum)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can help states improve
environmental programs by compiling, organizing, and analyzing the
data it collects from states on a regular basis. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration compiles state traffic data, analyzes
it to identify effective strategies, and works with states to test
more effective ways to improve traffic safety. EPA can play a similar
role to help states improve the results of state environmental programs.
Are
Environmental Complaints from Citizens of Any Value? (ECOStates,
Spring 2004)
A historical analysis of resolved complaints in Pennsylvania dispells
common myths and demostrates the value of citizen environmental
complaints.
Current ECC Initiatives
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