automating federal environmental compliance activities

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

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)

• 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

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

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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