The Official Website of the Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS)

 
  Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC)
 
November 10, 1998 - Worcester, MA

"GIS IN THE COMMONWEALTH"
A Look at Present & Future GIS Initiatives

The following sections provide brief summaries, in outline form, of the main points presented by the listed speakers at the November 10, 1998 meeting of the Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC). 

Moderator - Mike Olkin, of Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission


Presentation by Aaron Richer, Data Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's GIS Program
"DEP GIS Point Data Development Project"

Aaron presented information describing current GIS data development initiatives at the DEP.  The presentation highlighted plans for the development of three point coverages locating (1) Major facilities regulated by the DEP, (2) Hazardous waste sites (21e sites), and (3) National Pollution Discharge Eleimination System (NPDES) permitted discharges (with funding assistance from EPA Region I).  In addition to developing spatial data to be shared through the MassGIS network, these initiatives are designed to increase the direct involvement of staff from DEP's regulatory programs with the collection and future maintenance of spatial data. 


Overview
  • Introduction
  • Project Goals
  • Project Steps
  • Mapping Initiatives
DEP GIS Program
  • Boston Office -
    • Develop and maintain spatial data
    • Provide GIS support to DEP Programs
      • Perform spatial analysis
      • Create custom and standard maps
    • Provide GPS support and training
    • Administration of GIS hardware/software
    • Support and coordinate Regional GIS Staff
  • Regional Offices - GIS Coordinators
    • Liaison between GIS Program and Regions
    • Provide GIS/GPS support and training
    • Develop spatial data
    • Special Projects
      • GE - Pittsfield
      • Mass. Military Reservation - Cape Cod
      • Ft. Devens
    • Proposed: 1 Data Development Staff / Region
DEP Data Development Initiatives
  • 1) BWP Regulated Facilities
    • DEP Bureau of Waste Prevention (BWP)
  • 2) BWSC Tier 1A 21E Sites
    • DEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC)
  • 3) NPDES Discharge Permits
    • DEP Bureau of Resource Protection (BRP) and BWP
Project Goals
  • I. Develop 3 new statewide point data sets which can be linked to programmatic data
    • Further integrate spatial data development and maintenance into DEP Programs and Bureaus.
  • II. Share geo-referenced spatial data regarding DEP regulatory activities through MassGIS.
    • INFO 2001 Initiative
Data Development Options
  • Field Verification (GPS)
    • potentially accurate
    • resource intensive
  • Program File Records
  • Institutional Knowledge
Project Assumptions
  • I. Features can be located by DEP technical staff on USGS or orthophoto maps,
    • Using personal knowledge
    • Referencing file records
    • Without having to conduct intensive field verification
  • II. Facilities and sites represented as point features will be useful for mapping and spatial analysis at scales suitable to support watershed based initiatives
Project Steps
1.) Define a standardized data structure to document   spatial and source data quality.
  • Standard Facility/Site Information Items:
    • Unique Identifier, Name, Town, Address, MassGIS Major Basin ID
  • Standard Data Documentation Items:
    • 1 - Location Type
    • 2 - Location Method
    • 3 - Source
    • 4 - Staff
    • 5 - Program
2.) Develop customized ArcView data development application.
  • DEP Point Development Tool (PDT) -
    • Custom ArcView application
    • attached as extension to the DataViewer.
    • A series of Avenue scripts and custom dialog which:
      • Facilitate the creation, editing and verification of point data.
      • Generate standard data documentation information.
3.) Generate Data Development Components.
  • Master Lists:
    • DB containing all target facilities/sites
    • used by the PDT to automatically populate attributes.
  • Development coverages:
    • Unverified locations
    • Compiled from various types of source data.
      • Address match
      • Coordinate input from programmatic DBs
      • Integration of existing spatial data sets.
4.) Identify staff to be involved in the automation process. 

5.) Locate, refine and/or verify facility/site locations.

  • Majority of automation conducted in Regional Offices
  • Data QC and management conducted in Boston
6.) Compile statewide point coverages 

7.) Coordinate with DEP Programs to establish SOP for data update, maintenance and sharing.

  • Establish SOP for Data update and maintenance
  • Determine programmatic attribute data
Point Data Initiatives
  • BWP Regulated Facilities - Bureau of Waste Prevention
  • BWSC Tier 1A  21E Sites - Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup
  • NPDES Discharge Permits - National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
BWP Initiative
  • Objective:  Map major DEP regulated facilities.
  • Initiative steps:
    • BWP determines “first cut” of regulated objects to be located:
      • Large Quantity Generators of Hazardous Waste
      • Large Quantity Toxics Users
      • Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities
      • Facilities with permits for air emissions
      • Facilities which discharge to groundwater
      • Hazardous waste recyclers
    • Large or potentially environmentally significant facilities
  • Facility vs. Regulated Object (RO)
  • Mapping 1533 facilities will yield 2101 regulated objects
  • Generate development coverages from various sources
    • Address Match of DEP FMF data.
    • EPA - CERCLA, RCRA and Federal Facilities coverages
      • Various sources and methods, variable accuracy
    • DEP GPS data (1993 and 1998 +/- 100 ft. from front door.)
      • Revisit GPS data sheets to review and quantify data quality (75%).
    • FMF coordinate data NOT used
      • self-reported coordinates from facilities
      • 3 - 5 miles accuracy
    • Yielded: development points for 80% of target facilities
  • Establish “best qualified” personnel to locate targeted facilities.
    • Inspectors
    • other program staff
  • Install data development components in DEP Regions.
    • master lists
    • development coverages
    • PDT
  • BWP staff generate, refine and/or verify facility locations
BWSC Tier 1A Initiative
  • Objectives:
    • Initial:  Map 21E Tier 1A sites
    • Overall:  Map other classifications of 21E sites
  • Initiative steps:
    • Coordination with DEP BWSC
      • Data Extracts
      • Pilot Projects -
        • Shawsheen Basin - Concluded Spring 1998
        • Cambridge Reservoir Watershed - Concluded Fall 1998
    • Generate DEP region based Tier 1A master lists and development coverages.
      • Address Match
      • Integration of existing spatial data sets
        • EPA NPL
        • DEP 21E pilot project data
      • Coordinate Input from BWSC DBs.
        • Statistical Analysis - BWSC LSP reported coordinates
          • 2700 UTM coordinate pairs in BWSC DBs
          • 70% chance of being within 100 meters
          • 96% chance of being within 1000 meters
          • 4% chance of being over 1000 meters
    • BWSC regional staff map sites using the PDT.
      • Personal Knowledge
      • 21E site files housed in DEP Regional offices.
        • Site Maps - various quality.
NPDES Initiative
  • Objectives:
    • Primary:  Map discharge locations of Major and Minor NPDES permits, including multiple discharges under one permit
    • Secondary:  Map the location of the permitted facility.
  • Initiative Steps:
    • Generate development coverages.
      • 205 Major/ 570 Minor active permits
      • Address Match
      • EPA Coverages
      • DEP NPDES Coverage
    • Plotted USGS based manuscript maps.
      • Analog version of PDT
    • Maps distributed to Regional staff.
    • DEP GIS Program staff automate verified and edited locations.
Conclusion
  • Initiatives are just a starting point
    • Further mapping may be dependant the hiring of GIS data development staff
  • GIS personnel and tools in place to take better advantage of the vast institutional knowledge and file records in DEP’s Regional offices

Contact Information:
Aaron Richer 
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 
One Winter Street 
Boston, MA  02108 
Phone: (617) 574-6856 
E-mail: Aaron.Richer@state.ma.us
Web site: http://www.state.ma.us/dep

Presentation by Christian Jacqz, Director, MassGIS
"MassGIS - Projects and Plans"

Mr. Jacqz discussed what's new at MassGIS, including new datalayers and data development initiatives (expanded orthophoto coverage, soils, zoning, and more). Mr. Jacqz then described some new GIS applications that will soon be available through MassGIS.  These include GIS tools for Watershed Analysis, a new version of the MassGIS Data Viewer, and a web page where you can download MassGIS data.  The presentation concluded with a discussion of the soon-to-be-established Regional Service Centers.  These centers will provide support for regional and local GIS, encourage participation in data updates, and improve data sharing among all levels of government throughout the Commonwealth. 


GIS Legislation - New Mandate
  • GIS legislation sets up “office of geographic and environmental information” in EOEA.  Its mission is very broad:


    • Collect, consolidate store and provide geographic and environmental information in order to improve stewardship of natural resources and the environment, promote economic development and guide land-use planning, risk assessment, emergency response and pollution control

Duties of the office - subject to appropriation
  • Expand library of GIS and related “environmental” information and provide access to that library
  • Foster cooperative data development and data sharing
  • Set standards “for the acquisition and management of geographical and environmental data by any agency, authority or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth”
  • Provide technical support to municipalities and regional agencies
  • Establish regional service centers
  • Establish statewide advisory board
  • Coordinate “scientific and technical expertise”
Regional Service Centers
  • EOEA  will be granting up to $200,000 this fiscal year to entities in nine regional service areas who will assist with planning, coordination and data development.
  • View a map of the planning regions
Local / Regional Survey
  • Survey designed by RPAs and MassGIS on local use of GIS
  • 440 surveys sent out with 57% response rate.  Survey needs to integrate earlier MAPC work and will then be on-line for peer networking and public information.
  • View a map showing local use of GIS across the Commonwealth
Statewide Advisory Board
  • Provide input from the broadest possible representation of GIS and environmental information users:
    • state agencies
    • regional and local entities
    • academic institutions
    • non-profit organizations
    • private sector
  • Help set priorities for the acquisition and management of new information
  • Help define the mission and future direction of the office
Current projects at MassGIS
  • Software
    • new version of the Data Viewer set up to handle more complex data relationships, available at http://www.state.ma.us/mgis
    • new capabilities to simplify the interface
  • Internet
    • FTP download capability of .tiff, .e00 & shapefiles (check web for info)
    • interactive update of remote servers
    • Browser mapping at maps.massgis.state.ma.us
  • Data development highlights:
    • Orthophoto basemap & 5K roads
  • also natural and cultural layers based on the orthophoto:
    • Zoning by RPAs & MassGIS
    • Wetlands by DEP (Intermap)
    • town boundaries with MHD
  • plus:
    • Soils by DFA & MassGIS
    • Hydro centerline & statewide DTM by MassGIS & USGS
    • Land use for Deerfield, Millers, Ipswich, Shawsheen, Buzzards Bay and the Islands by UMASS funded by DEP
Orthophoto project funding status
  • Cooperative funding from MassHighway,  EOEA and New England Electric Service Company to complete about 90% of the state by July of 1999
  • View a map of the current orthophoto coverage
Soils map conversion
  • Automated conversion of soils maps by scanning and vectorizing affords a 5 to 1 cost savings and very good fidelity to the original
  • Accurate labeling is the biggest challenge
Soils databases and applications
  • Over 20 related tables give detailed interpretive information for map units.
  • Each map unit may contain several components, and each component has layers, each with its own physical characteristics.
  • Soils applications are varied and rich - at recent workshop NRCS staff mapped hydric soils, depth to groundwater, sand and gravel availability and prime agricultural soils
Soils data - production status
  • SSURGO (Soil Survey Geographic) GIS data are being cooperatively developed by MassDFA, MassGIS and NRCS and reviewed at NRCS mapping center in Missouri.
  • View a map of the soils production status
Zoning
  • Cooperative data development effort by MassGIS and RPA’s.
  • Zoning polygons have detailed attributes referencing town zoning by-law as well as generalized codes
  • Orthophoto is preferred base.
  • View an orthophoto map with generalized Zoning districts.
  • View a map of the current statewide zoning status.
DEP - Wetlands mapping Hydro centerline & DTM
  • Arcview-based software for management of surface water related data and for watershed delineation
    • sampling, gaging, permitted activities, shoreline surveys
  • allow interactive queries
    • what’s upstream
    • what is the watershed for any point
  • Tools and datasets will be available by year-end for the whole state

Contact Information:
Christian Jacqz 
Massachusetts Geographic Information System 
20 Somerset St., 3rd Floor 
Boston, MA 02108 
Phone: 617 727-5227 ext. 309973 8466 
E-mail: Christian.Jacqz@state.ma.us

Presentation by Dave Freidenfeld, GIS Manager, and Bob Andersen, GIS Analyst, Massachusetts Highway Department Bureau of Transportation Planning and Development
"The GPS Future ..."

Mr. Freidenfeld discussed the past, present, and future use of GIS at MHD.  He outlined the data that have been migrated to GIS, such as the Road Inventory File and the Bridge database; detail present data developments such as linear referencing, ramps, and railroads; and highlight future data efforts such as new roadway centerlines and town boundaries.  Mr Freidenfeld will also discuss methods for updating and submitting updates of the road inventory files. 


The Past ….
  • Road Inventory Field Check
  • Migration to Arc/Info
  • Federal Highway Administration Requirements  (Functional Reclassification - Highway Performance Monitoring System - Bridges)
Road Inventory Attributes
  • Identification (CSN - Town # - Route #)
  • Administration (Functional Classification - NHS status- Jurisdiction)
  • Geometry (Surface Width - Number of Lanes - Sidewalk Width)
  • Use and Condition (Average Annual Daily Traffic - Pavement Condition)
Current Projects ….
  • Local Updates
  • Linear Referencing
  • Interchanges and Ramps
  • Traffic Signs
  • Traffic Monitoring System
  • Crash Record System
  • Railroads
  • Construction Projects
  • Road Borings
  • Adopt-a-Highway
  • Maintenance Crew Planning
Two statewide GIS applications. One good, one not so good.
  • Adopt-A-Highway  (Not so good)
    • Originally a volunteer program
    • 1995 grew to 300 sponsors
    • Move from Rbase to GIS for management
    • The “Great Design Mistake”
    • Now almost 600 sponsors
    • Volunteers plus two commercial companies
    • Tear down the old, build the new
  • Maintenance Crews (the good one)
    • to map the roads and collect Inventory data
    • 122 maintenance crews assigned
    • 94 depots around the state
    • 28 depots for storage only
    • 5 Districts,  14 sub-districts
    • 5,746 road segments
    • Process
      • Sell to the Districts
      • Construct sub-district polygon coverage
      • Assign crew number to each of 5,746 segments
      • Special polygons for District 4
      • Future uses
Future Efforts ….
  • New 5k Road Centerlines
  • Town Boundaries
  • Roadside Assets (Traffic Signals - Guardrails)
  • Project Information System
  • Complete Integration with all of MassHighway

Contact Information:
Dave Freidenfeld 
Phone: (617) 973-8239 
E-mail: David.Freidenfeld@state.ma.us		 Bob Andersen 
Phone: (617) 973-8234 
E-mail: Robert.Andersen@state.ma.us

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