Reporting Environmental Problems Just Got Easier for Californians
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) recently introduced an online website tool that makes reporting environmental problems as easy as logging into your smartphone, tablet or computer!
“Community involvement is critical to our mission to protect public health and the environment,” said Matthew Rodriguez, Secretary for Environmental Protection. “This new reporting system empowers the public to take action when they suspect a problem, and provides them with greater responsiveness, transparency and accountability.”
The website, which is available in both English and Spanish, can identify the user’s location using a built-in GPS system, and allows the reporting of environmental problems related to water or air pollution, hazardous or solid waste, pesticides and more. Further, the user is able to upload photos, videos and other documentation to further clarify the issue, and is given the option to enter their e-mail address to allow for further communication.
CalEPA works with more than 400 state and local agencies to enforce environmental laws and regulations and, upon submission, the program routes the report to the appropriate agencies for response. The user will be notified via e-mail when their complaint is referred to the agency(ies) and again when the complaint is closed.
Because the new website allows early reporting of potential environmental violations or problems, CalEPA and their local partners can address and resolve issues in a timely manner and, therefore, prevent more serious problems that could occur.
CalEPA, along with IVAN Online, a network of local environmental reporting systems, will continue to work together to update and coordinate the functions of the new systems. According to Luis Olmedo, Founder of IVAN network, “The crowdsourcing technology is easy to use, and it will be compatible with existing reporting networks like IVAN, which makes it a powerful tool for environmental justice communities to use.”
INGENIUM, whose mission is to care for our world, applauds the CalEPA for its commitment and devotion to modernizing its reporting system to keep our environment protected and unharmed.
For more information on the new, easy-to-use website, please visit CalEPA