NEARC 2001 

Title: New Jersey’s Environmental Data Exchange (ENDEX): From Concept to Implementation

Authors:
Paul Caris, GIS Specialist
Marla Chassels, GIS Specialist
John Bocchino, GIS Specialist
Tim Huizing, GIS Specialist
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Geographic Information and Analysis
PO Box 428
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 633-2668/ (609) 633-1262
pcaris@dep.state.nj.us
; mchassel@dep.state.nj.us; jbocchin@dep.state.nj.us; thuizing@dep.state.nj.us

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Data Exchange (ENDEX) is a web based “clearinghouse” solution to support and enhance the environmental management decision making process. As originally envisioned, the ENDEX clearinghouse was meant to provide a “one-stop shopping” type of forum for cooperative problem solving and for the sharing of environmental data. The conceptual design process began in 1997 through a series of meetings within NJDEP to solicit ideas from key technical staff and managers. The project began in earnest in December of 1998 with the hiring of staff dedicated to the implementation of the system.

This presentation discusses progress towards implementing that vision, including successes as well as some unanticipated problems. This experience also points out issues related to rapid changes in Internet technology that creates new possibilities and at the same time leads to heightened expectations about a project’s functionality. Other issues related to the acceptance and utilization of ENDEX are also explored.