Many of these video tools are already here as a result of a partnership DEP has formed with the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania. GreenWorksChannel.org , DEP and other content providers are offering a variety of live and recorded video programs, live web chat programs, message boards, and of course, the pair of falcons nesting on the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg. Customizing features will allow visitors to select the kinds of information they want to view. There will also be greater use of automatic notification systems to tell interested visitors about new information on the website of interest to them. Just as it was hard to imagine five years ago what DEP's website would look like in 2000, it is just as hard to imagine how it will look five years from now.
Information is power.
And the power of the Internet is in sharing information. The Internet has given us a historic opportunity to share information in new and effective ways that will let individuals, public officials and business people make better and smarter decisions that will benefit the environment. David Hess is the executive deputy secretary for Policy and Communications. Kimberly Nelson was appointed DEP's first chief information officer this year.