In an effort to provide officials and conservation organizations with the skills and information needed to protect the ACEC, CZM began implementing a program of technical assistance to support resource management at the local level. The technical assistance program was designed to accomplish three things:

1. Transfer technical expertise and information to staff and volunteers working at the local level. Since GIS mapping has proven to be a powerful tool for analyzing and understanding how resources overlap and interact with each other, CZM established an ACEC GIS training program (PDF, 747K). CZM targeted training to local officials and nonprofit organizations active in the ACEC. These groups participated in introductory GIS training sessions and were invited to participate in a GIS workgroup to discuss further ways of using GIS for resource management and to troubleshoot problems.

2. Develop GIS data for the ACEC. CZM collected information for an ACEC GIS database that would supplement the information already existing in the state's GIS database. Local data layers developed include a more accurate ACEC boundary (PDF, 30K), tidal restrictions (PDF, 30K), salt marsh restoration sites (PDF, 36K), water quality sampling locations (PDF, 29K), no wake zones, mooring areas, and boat pumpout facilities (PDF, 68K).

3. Create natural resource maps. CZM created a series of three resource maps for the ACEC and surrounding watersheds. The first map (PDF, 1.3M) identifies and illustrates important natural resources such as saltmarsh, vernal pools, river buffers, and endangered species habitat. The second map (PDF, 685K) uses this information to identify and highlight areas where these resources overlap (more green = more overlap). In map three (PDF, 848K), the resource overlay is combined with an open space data layer to show how protected and unprotected open space correlate with resource overlap areas. These maps are available for use at agency meetings, public workshops, technical assistance meetings with local officials, and in publications.