The Models Knowledge Base is an inventory of EPA’s environmental models. It contains information about model use (What are the requirements?, How can it be obtained?, and How is it used?) and model science (What is the scientific basis for the model?, How was the model developed?, and Was the model evaluated?). The modeling community is encouraged to provide feedback about the Models Knowledge Base and its models.

Inclusion of a specific model in this Models Knowledge Base is not an endorsement for its use. Models that do not appear in this Models Knowledge Base may also be appropriate for use. EPA recommends that models should only be used for the particular application for which they were designed and only after they have been appropriately evaluated. EPA expects the Models Knowledge Base to be a useful tool for environmental modelers and managers. Decisions about the suitability of a specific model that is included in this Models Knowledge Base for a particular application should be made in consultation with experienced model users (viz. EPA staff, EPA contractors, or staff of other agencies), as necessary.

EPA’s Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) developed this Models Knowledge Base at the request of the EPA Administrator (February 2003) (PDF 82 KB, 2 pages, info about PDF). This draft Models Knowledge Base is being reviewed by an independent panel of experts established by EPA's Science Advisory Board. Following this independent review, the CREM intends to make any appropriate changes to the Models Knowledge Base and to ask for public comments on the resulting final product through a Federal Register Notice.

• Environmental Models currently available
• Guidance for Environmental Models
• Data Structure
• Latest Updates to the Knowledge Base

• Listing of all available models
  
• Keyword search
  
• Browse for models by selecting environmental indicators

The CREM's Draft Guidance for Environmental Models provides recommendations for model development, evaluation, and application. The Models Knowledge Base is intended to be a living demonstration of the recommendations from the Guidance for Environmental Models. In this way, these two products work in tandem to describe and document good modeling practices.

The CREM Models Knowledge Base is continually updated with records for new models and with revised records for existing models. The 10 latest additions or revisions are: