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Project and Data Request Overview

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Terms & Definitions

  1. Western States Air Quality Study (WSAQS).
  2. Western States Data Warehouse (WSDW).
  3. Project - A grouping of one or more data requests in the WSDW system.
  4. Data Request - A request for data WSAQS data submitted to the WSDW.
  5. Project Steward - The individual responsible for overseeing projects and data requests through their life cycle in the WSDW.

Links

  1. Data Request Procedure - A help page that describes how to fill outsubmit a data request on the DW website.
  2. Projects Overview - The starting point on the WSDW web site for managing and creating projects.
  3. Data Request - A direct link to the WSDW data request form. Users can browse available WSDW modeling platforms and other data through this interface, and submit request for WSDW data.
  4. Data Use Agreement - The document that accompanies each request for data from the WSWD.

Initiating Data Requests

There are two pathways that users can follow to request modeling platforms and other data from the WSDW: One, via the Projects page, or Two, by submitting a Direct Data Request (see links #2 and #3 above).

Start a new Project

The "Project" path is the preferred approach to obtain WSAQS modeling platforms for use in NEPA modeling studies. To initiate a new project, users must be registered on the WSDW website, and have a "Project Manager" role. Project Managers act as "Stewards" for projects in the WSDW. When a project is created, the Steward provides basic project information, including the project title, and the intended use of the modeling data requested from the WSDW. The Steward can assign Team members to the project. Team members can submit data requests to the WSDW under the authority of the Project Steward.

Submit a Direct Data Request

This avenue allows general users to initiate and submit data requests to the WSDW. This is the recommend track for individuals who are affiliated with universities, agencies outside the purview of the WSAQS Cooperators, or other interested parties, to request data. Direct data requests will be sent to the WSAQS Team for approval. If the data request is approved a new project will be created in the WSDW, and the request will become part of that project. The requestor will identify a Sponsor, who will be contacted by the WSDW Team to determine an appropriate Project Steward as part of the data request approval process.

Criteria for Data Request Approval

Data Selection

In order to be approved, data requests must specify the files that are being requested from the WSDW. Use the data browser in the data request form to view available modeling platforms and supporting data. If certain files are not available, the will be flagged as UNAVAILABLE in the left hand panel of the data browser. Requests for unavailable data can be submitted, however such requests will not be approved until the data have undergone final review by the WSQAS Cooperators and the data are made available on the WSDW.

Basic Parameters and Supporting Metadata

In order to be approved, each data request must include basic parameters; for example, the name of requestor, the name of a sponsor, the intended use of data being requested, and other details specified on the data request form. We strongly encourage users to provide sufficient supporting information to describe each data request. To give an idea of the type of information and level of detail we are looking for, we have provided examples of supporting documents from previous WSDW data requests. Please refer to these examples as a guide when you submit data requests to the WSDW.
  1. pdf Routes to Sustainability for Natural Gas Development and Water and Air Resources in the Rocky Mountain Region
  2. pdf Routes to Sustainability for Natural Gas Development and Water and Air Resources in the Rocky Mountain Region: Sensitivity Analysis
  3. pdf Origin of the Reactive Nitrogen in the Greater Yellowstone Area
  4. pdf Work Plan: Modeled Air Quality and Human Health Impacts of Proposed Methane Controls on Oil and Gas Production Activities in the Western U.S.

Project Steward

All WSDW projects must have an accompanying Project Steward. The Project Steward ushers a data request through the approval process, and oversees projects through their life cycle in the WSDW. The Project Steward's role in the data request is straight forward; they either approve or disapprove the data requests associated with their project. The Project Steward has a broader role in the overall life cycle of a project; they can assign Team Members, they oversee the modeling study using WSDW data and ensure that all project participants abide by the terms of the Data Use Agreement, and finally they facilitate the return of modeling results to the WSDW upon completion of the modeling study.


Project Stewards are generally affiliated with WSAQS Cooperating agencies, and are active in the WSAQS Technical Committee. Cooperating agencies include, but are not limited to, the EPA, BLM, NPS, US Forest Service, and other groups who are approved to use WSAQS data. If a data request is submitted on behalf of a research institution or other organization outside the purview of the WSAQS Cooperators, the WSQAS Team will review the request and identify a Steward provided the request meets the basic criteria for approval.

Data Use Agreement

In order for data requests to be approved, the data requestor, or Recipient, must agree to the terms specified in the WSDW Data Use Agreement. A Data Use Agreement accompanies each data request submitted to the WSDW. The agreement establishes the terms and conditions under which the Recipient will access, copy, and use data provided by the WSDW. By agreeing to the Data Use Agreement the Recipient enters into a legally binding agreement with the WSQAS Cooperators, where Parties to and terms are defined in the text of the agreement. (See the Data Use Agreement in the "Links" Section, above.)