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

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

Who can use GISST?Who can use GISST?

Anyone with training can use & interpret the

GISST output for planning and analysis

purposes

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

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

Uses of GISSTUses of GISST

•NEPA Scoping

•Project Planning

•EA/EIS Preparation & Review

• Single direct impacts

• Alternatives analysis

Application:IH69

Example

HypotheticalHypothetical

National Corridor

TO

SIU Study Area

Combined Constraints Map

Wetlands

NationalForests

Potential EJ area

T & E Species

FloodplainTEAPRarityEconomics

•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

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

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 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

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)