Science & Technology

About the Science Policy Division

Mission, organization, and contact information for EPA's Science Policy Division within the Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement, part of the Office of Research and Development

Indicators: Enterococci

Enterococci are bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and therefore indicate possible contamination of streams and rivers by fecal waste.

Air Issues in Louisiana

Air Programs and Pollution Issues in Louisiana

Indicators: Water Clarity

Water clarity is a measure of how clear water is, and more specifically, how far down light can penetrate through the water column.

Indicators: Shallow Water Habitat/In-stream Fish Habitat

Shallow water habitat, also referred to as in-stream fish habitat, refers to areas that fish and other aquatic organisms need for concealment, breeding and feeding. This includes large woody snags, boulders, rock ledges, and undercut banks.

Indicators: Streambed Fine Sediments

Streambed sediments are fine mineral deposits and silt located on the streambed. In excess amounts, they can fill in the habitat spaces between stream cobbles and rocks where aquatic organisms live and breed.

2022v1 Emissions Modeling Platform Technical Support Document

This document describes how the emission inventories were prepared for air quality modeling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for criteria air pollutants to represent the year of 2022.

2022v2 Emissions Modeling Platform

Modeling files from the 2022v2 Emissions Modeling Platform

Engines and Vehicles Compliance Information System (EV-CIS) Documentation for Request for Certificate (RFC) Module

These files are used across industry sectors for RFC Module in EV-CIS.

Frequent Questions about BMDS Modeling Tools

Frequent questions for BMDS 3.3 Excel and BMDS Online

2011 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) Technical Support Document

Explains the sources of information in the inventory; show what sources of data used for each sector; and provide more information about the components.

Air Emissions Inventory Guidance Documents

A collection of documents that provides the latest available guidance on developing emissions inventories to meet State Implementation Plan requirements

Sharing Facility Data Between Air Data Systems

This document provides definitions of facility attribute data fields used in the Facility Registry Service (FRS) Facility Widget and explains the relationship of those fields to the Emissions Inventory System (EIS).

2008 NEI Technical Support Document

The 2008 NEI is a national compilation of emissions sources collected from state, local, and tribal air agencies as well as from emissions information from the EPA emissions program.

2014 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) Technical Support Document (TSD)

Explains the sources of information in the inventory; show what sources of data used for each sector; and provide more information about the components.

Tribal Governments’ Environmental Projects Grow in Region 7

EPA Region 7 is committed to assisting tribes strengthen their abilities to manage environmental programs in Indian Country, and to ensure that tribes have a voice in decisions that affect their land, air and water.

Tribal Water Systems in the Midwest

EPA Region 7 is offering free lead service line (LSL) inventory technical assistance to eligible Tribal Community Water Systems (CWS) and Non-Transient, Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWS).

Technical Resources and Studies

Indicators: Physical Habitat Complexity

Physical habitat complexity measures the amount and variety of all types of cove at the water’s edge in lakes. In general, dense and varied shoreline habitat is able to support more diverse communities of aquatic life.

Fish and Shellfish Program Newsletter - 2023