1. EPA Region 6 GIS Screening Tool for Environmental Assessment (GISST) Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D. Ecologist EPA Region 6

2. WHAT IS IT? GISST is a GIS-based tool that uses criteria that are scored to assist in initial assessment of potential environmental impacts

3. Who can use GISST? Anyone with training can use & interpret the GISST output for planning and analysis purposes

4. 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 Components

5. How does GISST work? DATA Program Needs Develop Criteria (1-5) It’s a process as well as a tool DocumentProgram into GIS Ready for use

6. Uses of GISST NEPA Scoping Project Planning EA/EIS Preparation & Review Single direct impacts Alternatives analysis

7. Application: IH69 Example

8. Hypothetical National Corridor TO SIU Study Area

9. Combined Constraints Map Wetlands National Forests Potential EJ area T & E Species

10. FloodplainTEAP Rarity Economics

11. 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

12. Benefits Identification of “red flags” Open process, documentation Mitigation:True AVOIDANCE!! Then Minimization,Then Compensation

13. 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.

27. The Future!! GISST Incorporation into NEPAssist Recalculation to a 0.25 km 2 grid — more useful to MPOs Recalculations using new land cover data

28. The Process Step 1: Can you transfer funds to a Fed Agency? Step 2: Develop Interagency MOU (template) Step 4: Agency Execs sign IAG document obligating funds Step 3: Agree on Scope of Work and Budget (template) Step 5: Training session is scheduled (approximately 1-2 months from funds transfer)