The system proposed for implementation is based on international information search and retrieval standards and will work in a distributed manner across the Internet. The NEDI will be designed to be flexible, to provide a common interface to multiple metadata standards, and to be easy and inexpensive to implement. If the user has high-resolution, fast graphical hardware, the system will provide a pleasing, quick response; potentially with full graphical browse via a browser such as Mosaic with forms. If the user has only a terminal, or is visually impaired, the system will provide avenues of access for terminal, voice, or braille output via the Lynx browser.

The working group is proposing to use the recently developed software for the NOAA Data Catalog as a prototype for the NEDI. The NOAA system has incorporated over 27,000 records and encompasses data in two distinct metadata formats (DIF and NEDRES) with the Spatial Metadata Standard and USMARC to be implemented. Also, a test of the distributed capabilities of the software has been successfully concluded. Hence the two critical elements of NEDI, flexibility and distributed searches, have been demonstrated. It is proposed that the NOAA effort be expanded to meet the evolving needs of the NEDI.

The implementation of NEDI will proceed in several parallel steps. NOAA will expand the number of metadata formats supported, e.g., the Spatial Metadata Standard. Other activities include an interagency coordination effort culminating in a plan for CENR review by January, 1995, and continued outreach activities with potential sources of data and users.

While NOAA will be required to maintain central coordination of the NEDI, each agency holding environmental data is responsible for indexing its own data descriptions in the metadata standard of its choice. This will be required if a distributed catalog is to be realized and maintained over the long run. Each participating agency also will be required to serve data described in the NEDI from its own holdings to the full NEDI community of users. The metadata in the NEDI will indicate whether the holdings are available on-line or through other mechanisms.

Phase one implementation will begin with a prototype to be developed within six months of the approval of this Implementation Plan. NOAA will provide the home server and server software for the prototype. Agencies will provide metadata descriptions of key data sets (see table below) to be incorporated in the prototype. Documentation of all available data, using a supported metadata standard, will be phased in as resources permit. As the prototype matures to an operational system, the data sets will expand beyond these key data sets to include all relevant environmental data.

The implementation of the NEDI will proceed under the guidance of a Steering Committee that will meet at least semi-annually. The Steering Committee will be appointed by CENR/TFODM upon acceptance of the plan. The Steering Committee will provide direction and oversight for the project. It will determine goals, set priorities and schedules, and review progress. It may establish working groups to implement its plans.

Membership on the Steering Committee should include all agencies with environmental data as well as representatives of the major directories such as GCDIS and the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse. Membership may be expanded to include representatives of non-federal holdings, as needed, to perform these functions effectively. The Steering Committee will report to CENR/TFODM and through them to CENR and OSTP. Also, the NEDI remains a part of the National Performance Review and will report progress through GITS for the duration of that process.

Initially, the Steering Committee will empower two working groups. The Implementation Working Group will comprise technical people from each participating agency. They will be responsible for implementing the NEDI. Second, an Outreach Working Group will be chartered to alert groups outside the Federal Government (States, local governments, and non-governmental organizations) about the availability and capabilities of the NEDI and to solicit involvement in and contributions to the NEDI system.