CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/01/09 Through 8/31/09
Project Title: Dissemination and Deployment of a Web-Based Tool to Support Natural Resource-Based Planning at the Local Level
Principal Investigator(s): . David W. Dickson, Chester L. Arnold, Emily H. Wilson
Project Start Date: 11/01/07
Report Compiled by: David Dickson
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Objective 1: Enhance the UConn Online Community Resource Inventory (CRI) tool with the addition of coastal habitat data, and then “franchise” it for Rhode Island.
Connecticut added a new forest data to the "habitats" layer on its Community Resource inventory site. The new data identifies core and fragmented forest. They also updated the roads and topography layers and added a slope layer.
Rhode Island has completed its version of the Online CRI and integrated into a somewhat broader mapping resource site called the Rhode Island Atlas. In addition to online maps, Rhode Island has added the ability to view its data in Google Earth. http://www.edc.uri.edu/atlas/
Objective 2: Train the South Carolina and Minnesota NEMO programs to create and deploy this tool, along with the accompanying educational program.
Since our training in January 2009, South Carolina and Minnesota have been developing their own versions of an online CRI.
South Carolina has compiled data layers for inclusion in their tool, including (1) federal, state, and private protected lands; (2) major rivers with boat ramps; (3) land parcels and urbanized areas; (4) highways and streets; (5) watershed and stream delineations; (6) flood areas; (7) wetland delineations, and (8) soils data. They are currently exploring which online map browsers they will use to display their data and developing a web interface. The team has established a steering committee of stakeholders to advise them on tool development and outreach and have held numerous meetings. The steering committee members represent municipal and county staff, non-profit organizations, educators, and local, state, and federal agencies. An on-line survey questionnaire was developed to poll the committee for guidance on effective tool development and delivery. They expect the tool to complete by January 2010.
Minnesota has compiled and processed all over their data layers and are working now on the web interface. They plan to launch the site in October 2009. They will begin doing workshops associated with the website after that.
In addition to Minnesota and South Carolina, North Carolina, Delaware and New York are also exploring adapting the CRI for portions of their states. While North Carolina and New York are still in the exploratory phases, Delaware has already completed their site with a focuse on watersheds instead of towns. It can be found here: http://nemo.udel.edu/cri_watershed.html
The Connecticut and Rhode Island teams have begun work on a cookbook that will highlight the different recipes states have used to create an online community resource inventory website.
Objective 3: Report on the use and impact of the tool in targeted coastal communities in the four states.
Connecticut continues to collect data on the use of its site. Other states will collect data on usage once their sites are launched.
Objective 4: Promote the tool and the project through the National NEMO and National Geospatial Technology Extension networks.
The National NEMO Network continues to promote this project though its website, newsletter, workshops, presentations, and consultations with other states.
The initiative was highlighted in a presentation at the US EPA National Stormwater Outreach Conference in Portland, OR in May 2009.
B. Knowledge Dissemination Activities
Please see PDF
C. Any Changes in Original Plan
The only change has been the addition of three additional states to the project.
D. Collaboration with Stakeholders
Each of the states involved in the project is consulting local stakeholders as they develop their tool.
E. Project objectives for next reporting period:
Objective 1: Enhance the UConn Online Community Resource Inventory (CRI) tool with the addition of coastal habitat data, and then "franchise" it for Rhode Island.
Complete RI CRI website & release to representatives of target audience for feedback.
Objective 2: Train the South Carolina and Minnesota NEMO programs to create and deploy
this tool, along with the accompanying educational program.
Continue to draft online CRI "cookbook"
Complete beta versions of nline CRI websites in Minnesota and South Carolina.
Objective 3: Report on the use and impact of the tool in targeted coastal communities in the four states.
Continue to track usage of CT CRI site
Begin to track usage of RI, MN, SC CRI site
Objective 4: Promote the tool and the project through the National NEMO and National Geospatial Technology Extension networks.
Continue to promote project through NEMO Network presentations and publications. We will also highlight at upcoming national conferences.