epa region 6 gis screening tool for environmental assessment (gisst) sharon l. osowski, ph.d....
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EPA Region 6 GIS Screening Tool EPA Region 6 GIS Screening Tool for Environmental Assessment for Environmental Assessment
(GISST)(GISST)
Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D.Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D.EcologistEcologist
EPA Region 6EPA Region 6
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WHAT IS IT?WHAT IS IT?
GISST is a GIS-based tool that uses criteria that are scored to assist in initial assessment of potential environmental impacts
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Who can use GISST?Who can use GISST?
Anyone with training can use & interpret the
GISST output for planning and analysis
purposes
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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
Two ComponentsTwo Components
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How does GISST work?How does GISST work?
DATA
Program Needs
Develop Criteria (1-5)
It’s a process as well as a toolIt’s a process as well as a toolDocumentProgram into GIS
Ready for use
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Uses of GISSTUses of GISST
•NEPA Scoping
•Project Planning
•EA/EIS Preparation & Review
• Single direct impacts
• Alternatives analysis
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Application:IH69
Example
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HypotheticalHypothetical
National Corridor
TO
SIU Study Area
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Combined Constraints Map
Wetlands
NationalForests
Potential EJ area
T & E Species
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FloodplainTEAPRarityEconomics
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•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
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BenefitsBenefits
Identification of “red flags”Identification of “red flags”
Open process, documentationOpen process, documentation
Mitigation:True Mitigation:True AVOIDANCEAVOIDANCE!!!!
Then Minimization,Then CompensationThen Minimization,Then Compensation
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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.
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The Future!!GISST Incorporation into GISST Incorporation into
NEPAssistNEPAssist
Recalculation to a 0.25 kmRecalculation to a 0.25 km22 grid—more useful to MPOsgrid—more useful to MPOs
Recalculations using new Recalculations using new land cover data land cover data
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The ProcessStep 1: Can you transfer funds to a Fed Step 1: Can you transfer funds to a Fed Agency?Agency?
Step 2: Develop Interagency MOU (template)Step 2: Develop Interagency MOU (template)
Step 4: Agency Execs sign IAG document Step 4: Agency Execs sign IAG document obligating fundsobligating funds
Step 3: Agree on Scope of Work and Budget Step 3: Agree on Scope of Work and Budget (template)(template)
Step 5: Training session is scheduled Step 5: Training session is scheduled (approximately 1-2 months from funds (approximately 1-2 months from funds transfer)transfer)