Applications in GIS
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| 1 | Practice: | Geographic Information System Screening Tool (GISST) |
| Subject Areas: | Environment Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 | |
| Contact: | Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D. | |
| Title: | Ecologist | |
| Email: | Osowski.Sharon@epamail.epa.gov | |
| Phone: | 214-665-7506 | |
| Description: | EPA Region 6 developed the GISST, which is a GIS-driven environmental assessment and data management tool for environmental streamlining that is shared with TxDOT. GISST uses ArcGIS to identify and map environmental concerns and to screen potential projects. It uses over 100 different types of environmental resource criteria. Activities are underway to expand the GISST to better support NEPA transportation needs - from planning and scoping phases to Final EIS and Record of Decision. EPA Region 6 has found the GISST to be an excellent tool for decreasing NEPA review time, while compensating for staffing limitations. For example, by using GISST, TxDOT was able to reduce their fieldwork on the Interstate 69 project, which saved time and costs associated with fieldwork. | |
| Related Documentation: | https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/E8ED5C383F8F128B852570E00077475A/$File/gisst_rev_panel_charge_11-10_05.pdf | |
| 2 | Practice: | GIS Screening Tool |
| Subject Areas: | Environment Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Federal Highway Administration TX Division | |
| Contact: | Tom Bruechert | |
| Title: | Environmental Team Leader | |
| Email: | michael.leary@fhwa.dot.gov | |
| Phone: | 512-536-5948 | |
| Description: | The partnership formed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 to apply the GIS Screening Tool (GISST) to the NEPA process on the Interstate 69 (I-69) project exemplifies the potential of GIS to perform sophisticated analyses. Developed by EPA, the GISST is a system that imposes a scoring structure on GIS coverages to inform decisionmaking and prioritize environmental protection. The system has many applications, however TxDOT is using the GISST as a screening tool for environmental assessment. TxDOT uses the system to identify priority areas and to inform TxDOT decisions about where to concentrate resources for further studies. The GISST has been designed to better understand the potential significance of single and cumulative impacts and to facilitate communication of technical and regulatory data with industry, the public, and other stakeholders. By explicitly establishing a clear rating system for environmental resources, the GISST makes the NEPA process more objective. This is largely because of the way GISST helps to pinpoint critical areas through its screening capabilities. The relatively quick and easy screening process offered through GISST points out 'red flags' to prioritize the areas where additional information and analysis is needed. | |
| 3 | Practice: | Regional Ecological Assessment Protocol (REAP) |
| Subject Areas: | Environment Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 | |
| Contact: | Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D. | |
| Title: | Ecologist | |
| Email: | Osowski.Sharon@epamail.epa.gov | |
| Phone: | 214-665-7506 | |
| Description: | The REAP is a planning and screening-level assessment tool that uses GIS and electronic data to identify ecologically important resources throughout the South Central US. The results of the REAP can be used in project planning (i.e. scoping, alternatives analysis), to determine appropriate areas to conduct detailed field investigations, and in mitigation discussions to avoid ecologically important areas, minimize impacts to those areas, and compensate for unavoidable impacts. | |
| Related Documentation: | https://www.epa.gov/nscep | |
| 4 | Practice: | State Planning Map |
| Subject Area: | Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Texas Department of Transportation | |
| Contact: | Michael Chamberlain | |
| Title: | GIS Manager | |
| Email: | mchamb1@dot.state.tx.us | |
| Phone: | 512-486-5086 | |
| Description: | The Transportation Planning and Programming Division of TxDOT developed a web-based map similar in function to Google Maps and Microsoft's Virtual Earth to display planning-related data. Users can pan and zoom, switch between multiple maps, overlay traffic counts, search and zoom to features, and view tabular information. Traffic Cameras and Dynamic Message Signs are also available for large urban areas. All map information and data are displayed without using a database or map server. | |
| Related Documentation: | https://www.txdot.gov/apps/statewide_mapping/StatewidePlanningMap.html | |
| 5 | Practice: | TxDOT's archeological Mapping Process and Historic Sites Atlas |
| Subject Areas: | Asset Management Environment | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Texas Department of Transportation | |
| Contact: | Lorie Ledesma-Ramirez | |
| Title: | Environmental Information Resources Branch Lead | |
| Phone: | (512) 416-2541 | |
| Description: | In March 2001, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) finalized its Potential Archeological Liability Map (PALM) GIS database for the Houston area. Begun in 1998, the Houston-PALM is a planning tool that predicts areas where highway projects are likely to encounter prehistoric archeological sites with sufficient integrity to make them eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. TxDOT's Houston District can distribute information from the PALM database via CD-ROM or printouts. The Houston-PALM can be used in conjunction with the Texas Historical Commission's Historic Sites Atlas database, which provides web-based access to all recorded information on historic structures, historic markers, and archeological sites statewide. While both the Houston-PALM and the Atlas allow identification of potential conflicts during the project planning phase, access to the location of archeological sites is restricted by law to cultural resource professionals. In 2003, TxDOT will finalize the development of the Houston Historic Overlay, which compliments the Houston-PALM. This database will map the location of buildings and structures in areas of the district that were not urbanized by 1936, which will allow transportation planners to anticipate the likelihood of encountering historic archeological sites in project areas. In addition, TxDOT is currently developing a PALM database for the Fort Worth area. | |
| Related Documentation: | https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/ | |
| 6 | Practice: | TxDOT's Environmental GIS Database |
| Subject Areas: | Environment Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Texas Department of Transportation | |
| Contact: | Lorie Ledesma-Ramirez | |
| Title: | Environmental Information Resources Branch Lead | |
| Phone: | (512) 416-2541 | |
| Description: | In February 2001, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Environmental Affairs Division began the project planning process to design and implement a spatial data server that would facilitate the delivery of environmental Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data across TxDOT's infrastructure. The spatial data server will serve as an environmental library that will allow a user in any of the TxDOT districts and divisions to retrieve centrally located data to create project-level GIS maps on their own computer. Project planners and designers can use GIS applications to scope and analyze potentially impacted species, wetlands, and other natural resources in a project area. As a result, resource needs and mitigation strategies can be addressed early, streamlining the environmental process. TxDOT staff will be able to access the environmental library with all ESRI GIS applications, including ArcGIS. Pilot testing is planned for early 2003. | |
| 7 | Practice: | TxDOT's Environmental Tracking and Management System |
| Subject Areas: | Environment Planning | |
| State: | Texas | |
| Organization: | Texas Department of Transportation | |
| Contact: | Lorie Ledesma-Ramirez | |
| Title: | Environmental Information Resources Branch Lead | |
| Phone: | (512) 416-2541 | |
| Description: | In August 2001, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) completed its paperless pilot in select TxDOT districts. The pilot tested a new procedure that allows TxDOT districts to electronically submit environmental documents into the TxDOT Environmental Tracking System (ETS) database, which lists commitments contained in project documents. Reviews by technical staff are then done electronically, eliminating hard copies and saving time. The pilot proved so successful that TxDOT is now working to extend the process to all TxDOT districts. Begun in 1997, ETS allows TxDOT to track projects and their environmental commitments electronically in order to ensure compliance and efficiency. In 1999, TxDOT began automating some of the functions of the environmental management system portion of ETS. Scheduled for completion in 2003, the Environmental Permits, Issues, and Commitments (EPICS) Automated-Management System will include a database listing environmental permits, issues, and commitments for each TxDOT project. The new system will provide TxDOT with written policies and procedures it can use to plan, implement, review, and improve actions to meet its environmental objectives. TxDOT Districts use EPICS from design through the development of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) to obtain information on relevant environmental processes, including NEPA, and to make better environmental decisions. Both ETS and EPICS are part of TxDOT's larger, umbrella Environmental Management System. The Environmental Management System allows TxDOT to incorporate environmental considerations throughout its entire organization and business practices and to communicate better with other agencies. For more information about this successful practice and others, please see the Domestic Scan Report on Environmental Commitment Implementation: Innovative and Successful Approaches. The Report can be found at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_topics/ecosystems/scanrpt/intro.aspx. | |
| Related Documentation: | https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_topics/ecosystems/scanrpt/intro.aspx | |
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