RGIS Searchable Project Catalogue

Welcome to the RGIS project-objective database page. This database allows you to find information about the different projects that are representative of the RGIS mission and are either specific to a RGIS site's regional area or are a collaborative project between sites. Use the drop down boxes below to sort the project objectives by RGIS site. You can also use the Keyword Search box to find project-objectives using search terms or keywords. If you experience any problems with this page, please contact the RGIS webmaster (webmaster@ruralgis.org).

RGIS Project Objective Search

Results: 77 records matching your search criteria were found.
Click on the Project Title to see if there are publications related to it. Or click on 'learn more' to locate more information via the specific RGIS site page.

  • Administrative

  • Stakeholder Assessment and Impact Evaluation
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Administrative URL: http://www.ruralgis.org
    Synopsis:

    Each site will conduct a stakeholder assessment to determine if their activities are meeting the needs and interests of rural and tribal constituencies. RGIS-Admin will guide and integrate these assessments as part of overall impact assessment. Sites will be asked to provide the names of at least five key people with whom they have interacted. RGIS-Admin will send these contacts a short questionnaire to independently evaluate the impact of the sites’ project activities.


  • Video Satellite Telecast
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Administrative URL: http://www.ruralgis.org
    Synopsis:

    As part of past objectives, RGIS has developed a video about the implementation of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) concepts in Indian country. This video will be broadcast on nationwide satellite hookup to interested colleges of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and the Extension telecast network as part of the fall Technical Meeting and GIS in Local Government conference.


  • South Georgia

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This year’s contribution will be a collection of many, brief MS Windows Media files, complete with narration, that walk new users of GIS through instruction of GIS concepts and tool usage ranging from solving basic “how-to” issues to the application of some very advanced GIS techniques. This digital tutorial collection will contain instructional step-by-step captions and be interactive so that users can proceed at their own pace.


  • Spatially-Enable Mosquito Species Research and Develop an Analysis Model that can be Applied to Identify Geographic “Hot-Zones” in which Virus-Carrying Mosquito Species are the Most Likely to Exist and Infect Humans and Domestic Animals
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    With each year, comes a renewed threat of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). In the past, many cases of infection have occurred in the more rural corners of our counties and not always in densely populated cities where control treatment is more cost-effective and therefore consistent. Using GIS to analyze known species behaviors and trap results in conjunction with land uses, population, and environmental data, specific geographic areas can be targeted. This project is unique and valuable because it is a first step towards mosquito control that recognizes and places a value upon specific species when identifying treatment target zone, therefore allowing for more efficient placement of control measures.


  • Development of Custom First-Responder Application that Merges Traditional GIS Tools with Real-Time Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Currently, there exist no easily affordable applications that offer the best of the GPS and GIS worlds in a mobile application to serve law enforcement. This year we seek to innovate a mobile interface that merges AVL and GIS analysis to provide a more robust array of tools to incident commanders, patrolmen, and investigators. This application will be open for sharing and modification to suit the needs of other police departments, thereby removing the initial development costs, which would be prohibitive for many rural departments.


  • Participate in the Creation of Spatial Data Standards and Partnerships to Improve the Acquisition of Spatial Data Across the State Of Georgia
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Georgia is one of the remaining states in the union that does not have an Office of Geographic Information. Over the next year, RGIS-SG staff will serve to assist the statewide GIS Coordinating Committee (GISCC) with several tasks to improve the overall consistency and usefulness of spatial data across the state. This year we will encourage and develop partnerships between RDCs and state departments that deliver lower-cost, local level data to the GA GIS Data Clearinghouse for redistribution to GIS users across the state.


  • Provide Support for Integration and Expansion of Geospatial Technology Applications into Local Government Processes
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    To be most effective, GIS data and knowledge must be strategically placed in processes that influence the direction of communities not just on occasion at the highest levels, but daily and at operational levels. In addition, there are still many opportunities to either use existing geospatial data or create it that are presently not recognized by rural governments. This objective targets the identification of these opportunities and promotion of GIS as a tool to seize them. RGIS-SG will provide leadership to local governments seeking to deploy GIS in this context.


  • Assist with RGIS-Great Plains Fire Response Mapping Applications
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In the past, RGIS-SG has gained experience with applications of geospatial technology for police, fire, and EMS response. This year, RGIS-SG will demonstrate those experiences to RGIS-Great Plains (RGIS-GP) via teleconference and virtual network computing methods in support of the creation of fire response resource analysis in rural North Dakota.


  • Provide GIS Education Opportunities to Local Governments, Citizen, and Community Leaders
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    As more and more local governments adopt GIS as a method for managing their locales, the demand for adequate training increases. However, cost of this training is sometimes prohibitive to rural local governments. Because of RGIS-SG hosted training events, community leaders will be introduced and trained in the use of a variety of geospatial tools and data. Training classes will include lessons on basic navigation in the software to the more sophisticated tasks such as data relationships constructing data. It is this and other outreach initiatives to citizens and community leaders that ensure the investment in GIS technology will best serve rural communities.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-SG has served in varying capacities for rural local governments over several years. While the benefits of some of our projects have been immediate and direct to local governments, the nature of spatial technologies is one that makes it sometimes difficult to quantify what the impact would be if they were not utilized. One way to identify the long-term success rates of our assistance and deployments over the years is to revisit communities and view our work with the advantage of hindsight. We must include involved local officials in interviews and discussion groups and encourage exploration of our past projects for their value in today’s terms and solicit input regarding our future focuses. We will host a meeting of statewide GIS officials and local representatives from all levels of government services delivery.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: South Georgia URL: http://www.sgrc.us/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-SG is prepared to help communities to build upon critical facilities data built into the PDMPs and identify threats to rural areas, such as the railed transport of hazardous materials through small, remote communities. This project will examine the proximity of vulnerable rural assets to appropriate and capable responder headquarters, as well as potentially affected populations, evacuation shelters, and other factors that all contribute to a well-rounded adequate response to a hazardous materials disaster in rural communities. The result of this enhanced asset and response inventory will yield valuable information for rural communities when drafting LEOPs.


  • Great Plains

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This module will be used to educate and inform land use planners, water resource managers, agricultural industries, and the general public on the process of picking a remote weather instrumentation station location. This module would identify the key steps involved in picking an ideal site and the key instruments. Also included would be a description of the parameters that are typically observed from these reporting stations, along with reporting stations spatial variation from one region of the United States to another.


  • Geospatial Characteristics of Roadway Blowing Snow
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This objective is to validate the blowing snow algorithm currently being used by the Surface Transportation Weather Research Center at the University of North Dakota. Initially, vegetation within the right of way will be re-mapped due to the on-going maintenance operations. Secondly, the validation process will consist of video-GPS data collection during blowing snow events along two selected roadway segments in eastern North Dakota.


  • Dakota Science Center Workshop Collaboration
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This objective will expand on the success of the introduction of geospatial education in the surface transportation courses at the college level, thus allowing students to gain a better understanding of the capabilities of geospatial technologies when applied to this discipline. The focus will be a weeklong summer geospatial methods awareness course. Introducing high school level students to geospatial methods and technologies will improve GIS awareness and help develop a skill for the use in all scientific disciplines.


  • The Comparison of High-Resolution Elevation Data and the Effects on Blowing Snow Model Output
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This objective will create two new DEM’s for comparison within the blowing snow model. A medium resolution DEM will be created within the field research site area from existing DEM data currently available from the USGS. A second dataset will be created within the study area using a survey grade GPS system. The two elevation data sets will be introduced into the blowing snow model to assess how the input elevation data affects the blowing snow model output.


  • Comparing the Benefits of Elevation Datasets Collected with Different Technologies
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This objective will allow for improved expertise for future LiDAR elevation data collection and collaboration with RGIS-Mid-South on LiDAR data processing, which includes specifications, storage, and dissemination.


  • Local Responder Data
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-GP will be collaborating with RGIS-South Georgia to create an inventory of local fire response resources. These resources will include data such as location of response centers and time of response to the surrounding areas. This data will be used to develop an evaluation of cost and travel associated with response times between given locations for each resource.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    One of the influences that guide the direction of the RGIS-GP objectives comes from discussions and interactions from these groups. The other influences are the changes in technology, which allows us to plan for future use of meteorological data within a GIS (most recently the increased availability of NEXRAD radar data). To help evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts, we will begin a process of interviews and dialog that specifically requests input from organizations on their perceptions of what their current needs are and their ideas for future needs.


  • Fire Weather Study
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Plains URL: http://www.rwic.und.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Use weather data assimilation tools in combination with first responder resources, communications, and transportation networks to evaluate the use of GIS in a rural setting for the purpose of mitigating the threat of range fires on rural residents. Work will research improved methods of incorporating weather as a decision support tool. The decision support will be facilitated through the use of geospatial tools.


  • Mid-South

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS will present and distribute at least one education modules/program to the RGIS constituency. These modules to be completed within FY2006 will include: a training manual; workbooks and other handouts; related information and publications; PowerPoint-based presentation materials; and as appropriate, web-based or stand-alone software. We will advertise and present these modules, based on need and interest from our local and/or regional constituents. These modules may be presented at workshops during our regional GIS conferences.


  • Develop New Methods for Aerial Digital Photography Acquisition
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    It is becoming clear that digital camera systems will become increasingly important as sources for key data for rural communities. A major RGIS-MS research initiative will be in the assessment and development of data processing methods for this data. These will include approaches to integrate ground control to improve registration and investigation of alternative means for content extraction.


  • Develop Methods to Acquire and Store Large LiDAR Data Sets
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS staff will investigate the value/challenges of the storage and retrieval of raw LiDAR in an object/relational (e.g., Oracle 10g) database. Methods for loading and retrieval will be investigated as will the use of embedded spatial operators for data processing of the LiDAR to useful data products, for example the automatic identification of newly built structures.


  • Investigate Approaches to High-Resolution Asset Management Geospatial Strategies
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    While the great majority of geospatial activity has previously been in smaller scale (lower resolution) mapping, asset management needs are already driving the technology to larger scale (higher resolution) data. RGIS-MS staff will work with local communities and groups to assess these multiple technology streams; integrate disparate data flows; and move towards increasing the value of these new high-resolution information assets.


  • Continue Leadership, Support, and Direction to the Arkansas Land Information Board, and Users of Geospatial Technologies
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    The Arkansas GIS Users Forum was established to facilitate cohesion within Arkansas’ GIS community and RGIS-MS staff will continue to provide input via technical support and active participation with this group. An additional focus in FY2006 will be continued support of the North West Arkansas (NWA) GIS Users group. The final objective of this effort is to reduce the costs of these data through group purchases and to ensure quality control during the proposal and contract development processes.


  • Provide Additional Access to Professional GIS Training Courses via Scholarships to Local Government Constituents
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    The RGIS-MS site has operated within an agreement with ESRI since 2000 to provide ESRI-based data and software to many state and local governments. As part of this effort, RGIS-MS will continue to introduce these officials to reduced training opportunities available via the ESRI Virtual Campus (distance education), the EAST geospatial campus, and/or ESRI instructor-led training classes.


  • Develop Solutions to Increase Accessibility of Geospatial Data to State Agencies, Local Governments, and the Public via the University of Arkansas Spatial Library (UASL) System
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS will continue its effort to facilitate the introduction and use of geospatial data and technologies for both operational programs and policy development within local and state governmental units. RGIS-MS will support the continued integration of locally available data sets, particularly county and city/town data sets; development and expansion of data access capabilities; efforts to facilitate the adoption of the enterprise data model at the local level; and education of all users to the effective utilization of the system.


  • Outreach Efforts for Promotion of GIS/LIS and Related Spatial Technologies Inside and Outside the RGIS-MS Region
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    In order to reach a larger audience and increase the awareness of the benefits of geospatial technologies, RGIS-MS staff will continue to participate in outreach efforts of national visibility. RGIS-MS staff members will provide information for magazine and newspaper articles for both state and national publications. RGIS-MS responds to requests for informational or technical briefings as received.


  • Develop Geospatial Solutions to Assist the State and Local Communities with Economic Development
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS, in cooperation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and a number of state and federal agencies, initiated work towards a prototype on-line system that leveraged geospatial data and technologies to deliver timely economic development related information about Arkansas. Since that prototype project, RGIS-MS has continued to collaborate with the recently developed Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas (UAEDI) to identify appropriate enhancements to be made to the original demonstration project. Our efforts during this fiscal year will continue to be in support of the UAEDI initiatives and in the pursuit of research grants that will further the impact of our collaboration within the Mid-South region.


  • Collaborate with the RGIS-Great Plains Site to Develop Specifications, Post-Processing, Evaluation, and Storage of a LiDAR Elevation Dataset for Their Study Area
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    The RGIS-MS site will collaborate with the RGIS-Great Plains (RGIS-GP) site and assist in the education, training, and promotion of the use of LiDAR technology within their wind surface research within North Dakota. This objective will allow for the collaboration with RGIS-GP with LiDAR data processing. This effort will include LiDAR specification, storage, and dissemination.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS has worked with local and state governments to help them take advantage of geospatial information technologies. This has been done based on opportunities and observations of needs, without systematic analysis of where and how clientele have benefited and without a process to identify the most pressing needs. Using a combination of focus groups, interviews, and interactions with professional organizations, we will do a stakeholder assessment to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions of how effective RGIS-MS has been and to solicit ideas about unmet needs that we might address.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    We will assist communities and agencies with spatial information management and analysis needed to prepare for various kinds of emergencies and disasters and develop approaches to interpreting and using the data. We propose to act upon the results from our initial ‘target audience’ survey of first responder needs and develop a pilot ‘product delivery system’ to serve GIS datasets in a means most useful for the rural first responders within our constituency.


  • Continuation and Expanded Transfer of Planning Support Technology for Community Planning and Resource Management
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-MS will continue our working relationship with Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) and assist with their regional transportation planning and provide decision support for their 2015 transportation plan. RGIS-MS will continue to expand upon our past success with the Community Asset Development and Information System (CADIS) by working with other Northwest Arkansas community leaders to develop a fully integrated prototype decision support system. Our goal in the 2006 fiscal year is to assist with another demonstration of the capabilities of these technologies and make it available to the widest possible audience via the World Wide Web.


  • Assess Societal Needs for and Impacts of Planning Support Technology for Community Planning and Resource Management
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Mid-South URL: http://www.rgis.cast.uark.edu/
    Synopsis:

    One of the main objectives of the RGIS Special Project effort is to measure the impacts of planning support technologies and related procedures within the context of smaller, rural communities in America. RGIS-MS will work with participating communities and institutions to codify and share the experiences of the Mid-South region within the broader RGIS framework.


  • Tribal Technical Center

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    The modules will support geospatial education for American Indian and Alaskan Natives. Modules will include: a training manual; workbooks and other handouts; related information and publications; PowerPoint-based presentation materials; and as appropriate, web-based or stand-alone software. These modules will be distributed to the Tribal Colleges at the Tribal College Forum hosted by NativeView.


  • Collaborate with GIS Experts and Fellow RGIS Sites to Educate, Train, and Promote the Use of Spatial Technology to American Indian and Alaskan Natives Through Short Course Trainings
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-TTC will provide technical short courses and satellite broadcasts to support geospatial education for American Indian and Alaskan Natives. SIPI has offered several hands on short courses on GIS/GPS technology for students and tribal members. This training is designed for tribal personnel who are working with or have a need to understand the basics of geospatial technology, but due to time constraints cannot attend during a conventional semester. One of the goals of these short courses is to provide a “train the trainer” environment.


  • Research Land Use/Land Cover Changes in Albuquerque and Their Direct Impact on Adjacent Tribal Lands
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-TTC will begin researching the growth patterns, land use, and thermal data of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and begin to draw correlations between these land use/land cover changes and the ecologic impacts and changes on adjacent Tribal lands.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    Using a combination of focus groups, interviews, and interactions with professional organizations, we will do a stakeholder assessment to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions of how effective RGIS-TTC has been and to solicit ideas about unmet needs that we might address. RGIS-TTC will then host a workshop aimed at tribal leaders, practitioners, staff, as well as representatives from NativeView, with the purpose of setting forth goals that RGIS-TTC can achieve to meet those needs identified in the Stakeholder Assessment.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    Many of the tribal lands are vulnerable to both natural caused and ill-willed human disasters. RGIS-TTC will work with the Native American tribes to assist in the implementation and integration of geospatial technologies as applicable to disasters. The TTC will assist in the identification of possible disasters and work to assess the geospatial data and infrastructure needs of the tribe. We will assist in the needs assessment and resource planning; increase the utility of geospatial data analysis; and increase the awareness of potential disasters.


  • Continue Transfer of Geospatial Information Technology for Community and Resource Management
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Tribal Technical Center URL: http://www.ruralgis.org/sipi/
    Synopsis:

    Geospatial information technology (GIT) offers new opportunities to assist tribal officials, planners, and staff in preparing and implementing geospatial technologies.


  • Pacific Northwest

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-PNW will develop an educational module based around the data and methods developed for proper delineation of floodways as crucial to a variety of rural management objectives, including the identification of flooding hazards and critical areas. The module will be designed to be a primer for this course, focusing on introducing data types, their uses, limitations, and applications to floodway delineation. It will promote the understanding of these new tools for delineating floodplains for watershed and shoreline planning beyond RGIS-PNW’s immediate outreach.


  • Development of a Marine Shoreline Assessment Decision Support System
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    The overall goal of this project is to develop guidance on how to prepare effective marine shoreline assessments for planners updating their local Shoreline Master Programs and Comprehensive Plans in Washington State, as regulated by the state’s Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP).


  • Use of Geospatial Data and Methods to Delineate Floodways
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    This objective will develop a guidance document on how to delineate floodways for several streams of various types, primarily based on gradient and degree of confinement. Deliverables will include the production of GIS data layers delineating the SMA floodways for several streams of varying types. A report will also be generated describing GIS and field delineation steps; data used and sources available; analysis of the differences between the SMA and FEMA floodways (e.g., area extent); and, what if any, predictive relationships are discovered between stream types and floodway types.


  • Develop and Test Geospatial Technologies and Methods for Cumulative Impact Assessment for Shoreline Management.
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    This objective provides information on how to scope, identify appropriate geospatial methods, and provide the necessary documentation required for developing defensible cumulative impact analyses and restoration plans. We will develop a systematic process for quantitatively and qualitatively reviewing predicted cumulative effects and alternative actions, as described in Washington Shoreline Master Programs, Environmental Impact Statements, and Environmental Assessments, based on the various policy definitions of cumulative impacts and minimum compliance measures associated with developing Shoreline Master Programs, Environmental Impact Statements, and alternatives analyses for full NEPA disclosure.


  • Application of NOAA’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Tool
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    NOAA developed the Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool (N-SPECT) to help land managers and local planners predict potential water quality impacts to rivers and streams from nonpoint source pollution and erosion. We will test N-SPECT in at least one jurisdiction that is anticipating conversion of land cover. We will assess the ease of application and train local planners on how to interpret the output for resource management purposes.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    Technologies such as Internet Mapping Services (IMS) are increasingly becoming an effective tool for gathering information and opinions from citizens and communities. RGIS-PNW will implement a pilot project with a local rural community to assess the effectiveness of this innovative technology to extract information from citizens. Through feedback provided via the IMS, RGIS-PNW will assess utility of the system for voicing and communicating citizen needs, ideas, and perceptions and where improvements can be made to the system’s functions.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project: Wildfire Mapping Analysis
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Pacific Northwest URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~csi/RGIS/index.html
    Synopsis:

    In Kittitas County, WA, an increasing number of residential developments are being planned and are occurring within forest and shrub lands. The application of geospatial technologies could be used to help identify regions at risk of future wildfires. Armed with this information, land use decision-makers could focus their resources upon mitigating fire hazard risks within the identified regions. This work will research the development of a fire hazard decision support tool. The tool will be generated through the integration of two modeling components: 1) a fire hazard model; and 2) a land use forecasting model.


  • Chesapeake Wilkes University

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    We will develop at least one additional module that will be based on a PowerPoint presentation and potentially other appropriate materials like handouts or practice exercises. The following potential modules are under consideration: - Community-based GIS for local government leaders, including best practices - CITYgreen as a GIS planning tool for local communities - GIS applications for forester and forestry issues (potential invitation) - Federated GIS best practices and web-based GIS applications for collaborating counties and state government offices


  • Continue Outreach, Coordination, Partnering and Cooperation, Technical Support, Education, and Training Workshops for Local Government
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    We have spearheaded a strategy to research, develop, and debug a multiple county “Federated GIS.” This effort attempts to establish a methodology for sharing GIS data sets, collected, maintained, and stored at local government levels, but also between and among all levels of government.


  • Continue to Conduct Research and Development on GIS Watershed Applications: Monitoring, Assessment, Land Use, and Landscape Gradients
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Severe, extensive land damage from mining and major CSOs degradation of a large river ecosystem has resulted in significant economic stagnation in this 10 county area of the AHR with over 200 townships, municipalities, and boroughs. The Phase I AHR GIS Watershed Plan identifies the need to conduct research and development activities; to promote GIS; and to assess and monitor environmental impacts to water quality, landscapes, and watersheds. A major goal is to facilitate reclamation and ecological restoration efforts.


  • Continue to Collaborate on Watershed Applications with a Focus on LiDAR (RGIS-PNW) and Meteorological Data (RGIS-GP)
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-Pacific Northwest (RGIS-PNW) and RGIS-Great Plains (RGIS-GP), respectively, have special capabilities in LiDAR and atmospheric-meteorological modeling that has been helpful to RGIS-CWU in its GIS research and educational programs. We plan to continue our collaboration to share experiences, applications, software, datasets, and training exercises along with “lessons learned” in educating local rural constituencies for watershed awareness.


  • Assist Wilkes University Departments in Becoming Familiar with GIS
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Chesapeake Wilkes is evaluating its GIS component for two academic programs: one in environmental engineering; and the other in earth and environmental sciences. Specifically, a GIS watershed approach has been proposed as part of a departmental freshman foundation course for incoming high school students. The AHR watershed and associated GIS databases from our research program in RGIS is being considered as part of non-majors’ course that will highlight environmental community planning.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-CWU has worked with local governments to help them collaborate and leverage resources for data acquisition and taking advantage of geospatial technologies. We have spearheaded a strategy to research, develop, and debug a multiple county “Federated GIS.” In particular, we have facilitated statewide development of a county GIS professional organization. As part of these ongoing and evolving activities and program, we will do a stakeholder assessment to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions of how effective RGIS-CWU has been regarding professional objectives for county GIS staffers.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    What is lacking at this point is coordination of federal and state efforts with local emergency management planning and first-responders. We also have a surfeit of data and a lack of knowledge about how to use it. In the context of our evolving “Federated GIS” program, we will continue to help communities and agencies with spatial information management and analysis needed to prepare for various kinds of emergencies and disasters and develop approaches to interpreting and using the data. We will focus on defining what the needs are and what kinds of options exist for meeting these needs.


  • Continue Transfer of Planning Support Technology for Community Planning and Resource Management
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Regional and statewide sharing of data will be showcased in a major web-based GIS demo supported in part by the state government for Homeland Security (executive branch) and at least one county counter terrorism task force. Software solutions to different data models, data standards, and different projections will be the subject of this technology application with relevance to natural disaster management, along with homeland security (terrorism) concerns.


  • Assess Societal Needs for and Impacts of Planning Support Technology for Community Planning and Resource Management
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake Wilkes University URL: http://www.pagis.org/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    One objective of this program is to insure that the technologies and the procedures implemented and evaluated in conjunction with the local partners are relevant to county officials and other local communities or townships. Chesapeake Wilkes will work with communities and groups to codify and share the experiences of our special Federated GIS project with the broader RGIS community.


  • Chesapeake - Penn State

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In 2006-2007, RGIS-CPS will develop an educational module focusing on Use of USDA-NRCS Digital Soils Databases in a GIS. The use of digital SSURGO and STATSGO soils databases acquired from USDA-NRCS presents significant problems for many GIS users not trained in soil science and often result in incorrect interpretations and analyses.


  • Enhance and Conduct Classroom Educational Programs on Uses of Geospatial Technologies for Environmental Assessment and Land Use Planning
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-CPS provides training in the use of GIS, GPS, remote sensing, and other related geospatial technologies to user groups throughout the region. These courses are offered as part of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Geospatial Technology Program. This year we will enhance these offerings by updating existing courses for new software developments and create new, more application-oriented courses for planning, utility management, and farmland protection.


  • Provide Technical Support to Local Government in GIS Implementation
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    This year we will expand the functionality of CentreMap, an on-line community mapping and information system that will allow interactive access to a variety of spatial datasets important to land evaluation. Capabilities to identify vacant commercial building and evaluate their potential for business development will be added. SepticMap, an on-line septic system tracking system was recently completed and will be promoted to communities throughout the state and region. A septic management module will be added to the site to enable local municipalities to easily track system failures and maintenance. The state Department of Environmental Protection is working cooperatively on this effort.


  • Evaluate Limitations of Soils for On-lot Sewage Disposal in Pennsylvania and Assess Impacts on Agriculture and Future Growth
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In this study, GIS will be used to evaluate all currently-undeveloped lands in Pennsylvania based on their suitability for state-approved on-lot sewage disposal systems and agricultural productivity. Statewide USDA-SSURGO soils data will be used to determine suitability. Data will be compiled at the municipal level since it is at that level that land use decisions are made in Pennsylvania. Municipalities will be ranked according to total available lands suitable for on-lot sewage disposal and further by the agricultural productivity potential of those lands. This project will be conducted in cooperation with the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.


  • Develop a GIS-based Groundwater Recharge Rate Model for Pennsylvania
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In this study, historical stream gaging station data from across the state will be used to determine recharge rates for all watersheds with long-term flow records. Watershed characteristics, such as geology, soils, topography, climate, land use and other environmental landscape parameters, will be quantified for each watershed and used in a regression model to determine if watershed characteristics can be used to predict groundwater recharge rates for any watershed. If the model is successful, it will be useful for predicting recharge rates for watersheds lacking stream gages and provide a valuable tool for local decision-makers and managers.


  • Support USDA-NRCS in Digital Soil Survey Data Production, Dissemination, and Analysis
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    The Land Analysis Laboratory has a cooperative agreement with NRCS that maintains the NRCS Map Compilation and Digitizing Center at Penn State where geospatial technologies are used to produce and disseminate digital soils data. RGIS-CPS will continue to support these activities and provide assistance to enhance public access and use of digital soils data.


  • Enhance and Promote AgMap and FarmMap to Support Rural Agriculture
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    AgMap utilizes WebGIS technologies to allow agricultural businesses to interactively digitize their locations and populate a database describing their operations using only a web browser (http://agmap.psu.edu). The data are searchable by consumers and businesses seeking agricultural business support. FarmMap allows landowners to interactively map their farmland available for lease or sale; describe farm characteristics and facilities; and state terms and conditions. Farmers seeking land can search the entire state for available farmland based on farm and land characteristics important to their operations. Farmers will be able to map farm characteristics (soils, field boundaries, etc.) important to their operation.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-CPS had developed several software applications and tools, conducted analyses, and provided training and other technical support. Using a combination of focus groups, interviews, and interactions with professional organizations, we will do a stakeholder assessment to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions of how effective RGIS-CPS services and products have been viewed and to solicit ideas about unmet needs that we might want to address.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project – Development of a Crop Disease Spatial Information System - Phase 2
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In partnership with the PA Department of Agriculture, we propose to develop a comprehensive crop disease spatial information system using sample analysis from the state Plant Pathology Lab to begin to build a data/spatial file of crop diseases. Other public and private databases will be engaged in the project. This task will evaluate protocols and system needs for the development of a crop disease spatial information system. The system will allow spatial analysis of plant analysis laboratory samples processed in state, public, and private laboratories to track the progression of various diseases.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project – Assessment of PA County Agricultural Response Team (CART) Needs for Geospatial Technologies
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    The PA Dept of Agriculture (PDA) is rapidly developing databases and capabilities to respond to animal emergencies, but data confidentiality and liability issues limit the ability of PDA to share information with local CARTs, who in many cases, will be the first responders in a crisis. In this study, we propose to conduct a needs assessment of geospatial technology needs within CARTs to improve their ability to respond to emergencies.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project – Assess Hazards of Agricultural Pesticide Storage in Flood-prone Areas
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Chesapeake - Penn State URL: http://lal.cas.psu.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS-CPS is working with the PA Dept of Agriculture and the Future Farmers of America to conduct field and mail surveys of pesticide repositories throughout the state. Data will be made available to first responders to improve their response efficiencies and reduce risks. The project will involve mapping locations of stored pesticides on farm operations. Using data obtained from this project, we propose to conduct an assessment of flood-prone areas of the state to determine potential risks associated with storage methods and locations.


  • Great Lakes

  • Develop Geospatial Education Modules
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    In the next year, we will update one of the previous education modules (Accessing Spatial Data) and develop one new one on the role of riparian buffers in agricultural nonpoint source pollution control.


  • Maintain and Evaluate a Website to Support the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Recommendations from a recent report (December 2005) will be considered as rules are developed, including the development of web-based tools for watershed and farm-scale evaluation of potential sources of phosphorus and other pollutants. We will develop prototypes of an operational system to demonstrate how web-based information and tools can be used to support spatial identification of potential problem areas and points.


  • Facilitate the Creation of a Regional Land Information Network to Support Land Trusts in Northwest Wisconsin
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    RGIS can play a role in the regional coordination of information for land protection. Based on interaction with local groups and county and regional agencies, we will develop an internet mapping system and accompanying spatial analysis tools to provide information relevant to on-going protection efforts. This will serve as a prototype for the development of similar tools and websites for other initiatives around the state and provide a springboard for a statewide conservation organization, Gathering Waters, to begin to disseminate GIS capability to land trust organizations.


  • Support for the Working Land Initiative
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    We will demonstrate how the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection can identify areas of high cropland productivity under changing climatic conditions and project development trends 10 to 50 years in the future in order to identify areas where the greatest return on public investment in protecting farmland will occur. This analysis will also include identification of “agricultural clusters” where critical masses of farmland occur; a large enough area to maintain the agricultural infrastructure necessary for farming; and evaluation of crop production alternatives in light of changing climate, demographics, and demand.


  • Transfer of Planning Support Technology for Smart Growth Planning
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    One of the main objectives of this program is to insure that the technologies and the procedures implemented and evaluated in Dane County and in other pilot project communities are relevant to local needs. We will continue to support Dane County’s Smart Growth planning effort and use case study methods to study and document their experiences. We will document their use of planning support tools and the Community Planning Resources website and estimate the potential costs and benefits of using these tools.


  • Evaluating Participatory GIS Techniques for Neighborhood Watershed Planning
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    An effort is underway to help residents understand nonpoint source pollution control options. Based on the hypothesis that public participation GIS (PPGIS) approaches help engages citizens in planning processes, we will set up an experiment to evaluate a PPGIS-based approach versus traditional planning methods based on public information meetings. Using pre- and post-intervention surveys and interviews, we will compare awareness and activities in two sets of demographically paired neighborhoods (two each using PPGIS and traditional techniques).


  • Defining and Delineating Soil Infiltration and Groundwater Recharge
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Land development can create two water quantity problems – impervious surfaces lead to greater surface runoff and the potential for downstream flooding and less water penetrates the soil for groundwater recharge leading to depletion of water supply aquifers. If developers can be guided away from areas critical for infiltration and recharge, these problems can be mitigated. We will develop a model using Dane County GIS data and through collaboration with on-going University of Wisconsin (UW) and USGS monitoring efforts, calibrate and validate the model. This will lead to information products for use by planners and developers.


  • LIS/GIS User Training Workshops
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Continue support for the LIS/GIS hardware and software Technology Transfer Center that has been provided by RGIS-GL. The center operates with support from RGIS, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and training fees. Workshops include various applications of geospatial technologies for a variety of rural land management and planning issues.


  • Stakeholder Assessment
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    For several years, RGIS-GL has worked with rural governments and tribes to help them take advantage of geospatial information technologies. The assessment will explore the needs of local governments in incorporating GIS in their planning activities in the State of Wisconsin.


  • Enhancing Rural Security Demonstration Project – Phase II
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    We will help communities and agencies with spatial information management and analysis needed to prepare for various kinds of emergencies and disasters and develop approaches to interpreting and using the data. Through participation in emergency planning exercises and pilot projects, we will develop recommendations and procedures to improve on data access and timeliness of system response between state officials and local first responders.


  • Strategies for Tribal Data Security – Phase II
    Activity Date: 2006/2007
    Site: Great Lakes URL: http://www.lic.wisc.edu/rgis/
    Synopsis:

    Tribes need clear guidance on legal and technical means to information security, but what is feasible and legitimate are not always clear. In the first phase of this objective, we identified the legal and practical issues associated with tribal data security. In this next phase, we will concentrate on the development of practical tools – Web, guidebooks, bulletins, and training – to help tribes incorporate the findings into their GIS practices.


RGIS

gps

GPS locations overlayed on color orthophotography

developmetn

Development potential in a rural area.