automating federal environmental compliance activities bruce nielsen – gis specialist stephen...
TRANSCRIPT
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Automating Federal Environmental Compliance
Activities
Bruce Nielsen – GIS SpecialistStephen Ball, PhD – Cultural Resources Specialist
David Stratman - Biologist
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National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)• Who are we?
– Present in all 92 Indiana counties– Disburses $35-40 million annually in
Indiana
• What do we do?– Subsidize conservation practices on
private agricultural lands2
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What Conservation Practices?
• Soil• Water Quality• Wildlife
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Soil
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Water Quality and Wildlife
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Linton
Goose PondGoose Pond2,406 ha 2,406 ha (5,945 ac)(5,945 ac)
Beehunter MarshBeehunter Marsh483 ha 483 ha 1,193 ac1,193 ac
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Macro Topography
(eco-wiggles)
Prairie Grasses
Tree Plantings
Main Pool(1012 ha)
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• Many NRCS practices require excavation which can potentially impact environmental and cultural resources
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National Historic Preservation and Environmental Laws
• National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)– We don’t own the land– We don’t construct the practice
• BUT we are responsible for ensuring the practices are compliant with federal law 9
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The Problem• Thousands of practices are planned
and subsidized by the Indiana NRCS annually– They need to be reviewed to ensure they
do not negatively impact Threatened and Endangered (T & E) Species or Historic sites• Both processes require access to restricted
datasets requiring professional qualifications
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• T & E Species database is maintained by US Fish & Wildlife– Restricted locational information
• Database of historic and prehistoric sites is maintained by Indiana DHPA– Access is restricted to professionals
(archaeologist/historians) with advanced degrees
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The Bottleneck
• Biologists and Archaeologists employed by the Indiana NRCS– ONE Biologist– ONE Archaeologist
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Evolution of Compliance Tools
• Printed map– Insecure– Labor intensive– Static– Limited extent– Subject to
interpretation
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Evolution of Compliance Tools
• Printed Map• Data & ArcMap
Layer File– More (but not)
secure– Less labor intensive– Subject to
interpretation
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Does Hiding Data Make Sense?• Google Street View
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Does Hiding Data Make Sense?• Drinking Water Protection Areas
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Source: http://www.in.gov/indot/3160.htm
Source: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/Environment/LandQuality/Pages/wellhead.aspx
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Does Hiding Data Make Sense?Yes, When:• Required by law or contract• Publishing the data will
compromise it’s value• The location is immaterial to the
user
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Evolution of Compliance Tools
• Printed Map• Data & ArcMap
Layer File• Compliance Tools
– Most Secure– Lowest
Maintenance– No interpretation
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Compliance Tools• Utilize ArcSDE technology
– Single data source– Rapid access across WAN & VPN
• Provide info related to environmental compliance and program eligibility
• Don’t require human interpretation of data
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Compliance Tools• Utilize Sensitive Datasets
– Cultural Resource sites– Threatened & Endangered Species
locations
• Protect Sensitive Datasets from accidental release
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Demonstration
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Future Enhancements
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Questions?
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Thank you for attending
USDA is an equal opportunity employer
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