Automating Federal Environmental Compliance Activities Bruce Nielsen – GIS Specialist Stephen Ball, PhD – Cultural Resources Specialist David Stratman - Biologist 1

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 lands 2

What Conservation Practices? Soil Water Quality Wildlife 3

Soil 4

Water Quality and Wildlife 5

6 Linton Goose Pond 2,406 ha (5,945 ac) Beehunter Marsh 483 ha 1,193 ac

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Many NRCS practices require excavation which can potentially impact environmental and cultural resources 8

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 10

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 11

The Bottleneck Biologists and Archaeologists employed by the Indiana NRCS –ONE Biologist –ONE Archaeologist 12

Evolution of Compliance Tools Printed map –Insecure –Labor intensive –Static –Limited extent –Subject to interpretation 13

Evolution of Compliance Tools Printed Map Data & ArcMap Layer File –More (but not) secure –Less labor intensive –Subject to interpretation 14

Does Hiding Data Make Sense? Google Street View 15

Does Hiding Data Make Sense? Drinking Water Protection Areas 16 Source: indot/3160.htm Source: 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 17

Evolution of Compliance Tools Printed Map Data & ArcMap Layer File Compliance Tools –Most Secure –Lowest Maintenance –No interpretation 18

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 19

Compliance Tools Utilize Sensitive Datasets –Cultural Resource sites –Threatened & Endangered Species locations Protect Sensitive Datasets from accidental release 20

Demonstration 21

Future Enhancements 22

Questions? 23

Thank you for attending USDA is an equal opportunity employer 24