Proceedings of the International Environmental Information Workshop: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C., May 28-30, 1975

The International Environmental Information Workshop was held to promote the exchange of environmental data and information between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States and Environment Canada. The U.S. Department of Commerce's NOAA hosted these meetings, which were co-chaired by Dr. Joseph F. Caponio of NOAA, Mr. Bernie G. Brul? of Environment Canada, and Ms. Dolores Gregory of EPA. These meetings were held primarily to enable the participants to acquaint each other with their specialized environmental data and information services and library resources so guidelines and procedures for the effective exchange and sharing of resources could be developed preparatory to the formalization of exchange agreements. Each major data center and library resource was described by the principal participants, and workshop groups met to define these resources in greater detail. Among the 50 invited participants and observers were 37 from United States agencies, 11 from Canada, and 2 from Mexico. Officials of major Canadian and United States agencies described their centers and operations. Four working groups, and informal groups, met to discuss mutual problems and to summarize their findings. Another conference is planned, after all participants have been able to assimilate the information presented at this workshop, to further develop and perhaps arrive at formal agreements for international exchange. It is hoped that this conference has resulted in better knowledge on the part of the participants of the capabilities, resources, and problems of each nation's resources in environmental data and information.