Transcript Document

EPA Region 6 GIS Screening Tool for
Environmental Assessment (GISST)
Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D.
Ecologist
EPA Region 6
WHAT IS IT?
GISST is a GIS-based tool that
uses criteria that are scored
to assist in initial assessment
of potential environmental
impacts
Who can use GISST?
Anyone with training
can use & interpret the
GISST output for
planning and analysis
purposes
Two Components
1. Uses a geographic unit approach to
evaluate “risks” of potential impacts
2. Imposes a scoring structure on data
• i.e., criteria scored 1 (low impact) to 5 (high
impact)
Over 90 different criteria, but 20 used regularly
How does GISST work?
Program Needs
DATA
Develop Criteria (1-5)
Program into GIS
Ready
for use
Document
It’s a process as well as a tool
Uses of GISST
•NEPA Scoping
•Project Planning
•EA/EIS Preparation & Review
• Single direct impacts
• Alternatives analysis
Application:
IH69
Example
Hypothetical
TO
National Corridor
SIU Study Area
Combined Constraints Map
T&E
Species
Potential EJ area
Wetlands
National
Forests
Economics
TEAP
Floodplain
Rarity
•FHWA used GISST along with other information
to narrow the Congressional study area to a
“reasonable corridor”
•EPA overlaid the GISST results with the
“reasonable corridor” to determine how well the
corridor avoided and minimized potential impacts
and provided comments back to FHWA
•TPWD stated that the application of GISST in
determining corridors resulted in an 80%
avoidance of their areas of concern
Benefits
Identification of “red flags”
Mitigation:True AVOIDANCE!!
Then Minimization,Then Compensation
Open process, documentation
NEPAssist
An innovative tool that facilitates the environmental review
process and EPA's project planning. NEPAssist is an easy
to use web-based application that draws environmental data
dynamically from EPA regions' Geographic Information
System databases. It provides a preliminary environmental
assessment of a project's potential environmental impacts.
These features contribute to a streamlined review process
that potentially raises important environmental issues at the
earliest stages of project development.
The Future!!
GISST Incorporation into
NEPAssist
Recalculations using new land
cover data
Recalculation to a 0.25 km2
grid—more useful to MPOs
The Process
Step 1: Can you transfer funds to a Fed Agency?
Step 2: Develop Interagency MOU (template)
Step 3: Agree on Scope of Work and Budget
(template)
Step 4: Agency Execs sign IAG document
obligating funds
Step 5: Training session is scheduled
(approximately 1-2 months from funds transfer)