Kevin: I'm not convinced that an EPIC column is necessary (or helpful). Maybe it should be offered an option rather than a dictate? Or perhaps you can persuade me that it is the One Right Way(tm) to do it.
Topic on Talk:Team Practices Group/Best Practices Handbook/Archive 2
As a data point, the Discovery PO added an Epic column to the Discovery product backlog workboard, so I'll get to see the pros and cons first-hand.