CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/02/07 Through 3/01/08

Project Title: The StormWater Management Information System: Coastal Water Quality Enhancement Through the Use of an Internet-based Geospatial Tools for Planning Stormwater Management Systems
Principal Investigator(s): Richard G. Lathrop, Lisa Auermuller
Project Start Date: 9/01/07

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Figure 1

While the nominal start date for this project was 09/01/2007, the final approval and funding did not start until mid-December/2007. Thus this progress report does not reflect a full half year of project work.

Objective 1: Design and Develop Internet Accessible SWMIS.
Tasks to meet objective:
Provide streamlined on-line data entry system;

Progress on Task
To populate the SWMIS database with information on existing SWMS basins, we have been scanning in hard-copy documents and outputting as digital documents in pdf form. We have been developing a semi-automated technique using available character recognition software tools to read in the pdf document, extract the appropriate data records and populate the database.

Difficulties
Due to the great variability in the hardcopy form formats (including hand-written), the character recognition and automation of the data extraction hasn’t been as smooth as we hoped. We envision having to use a guided approach where a human analyst will have to intervene in trouble spots. This will obviously take more time. We plan to work with volunteers from the JCNERR to help in these data input tasks.

Provide geospatial viewer for query and display.

Progress on Task
The web-based geospatial viewer application, designed for the query and display of SWMS basin data stored in the SWMIS database, has been completed. This work was conducted during the fall prior to the delivery of funds in mid-December. The original application, since modified for this project, was originally developed in conjunction with the NJ State Soil Conservation Committee. The software application is based on the latest in Windows 32-bit server technology. This includes Internet Information Services 6.0, ASP.Net 2.0, and SQL Server 2005 Standard. Program functionality is coded with a combination of C# and SQL parameterized stored procedures. User authentication is based off .Net user profiles, which allows for the separation of user data from the submitted project data. GIS processes are powered by ESRI’s ArcGIS server technology and implemented in the application via the ArcObjects .net-compatible object library (however, the end-user does not need an ESRI ArcGIS site license of any kind). Geolocation of the project point is powered by a Google Maps interface customized with the Google Maps API. One of the key innovations of this approach is that we employ high spatial resolution road network and imagery as provided by the Google Maps server rather relying on our own server capacity. We are presently experimenting with an open source mapping software available through the OpenLayers (http://openlayers.org/) OpenLayers provides a JavaScript library for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no server-side dependencies.

Objective 2: Provide a geospatial inventory of existing SWMS infrastructure in relation to the watershed/hydrological system.

Tasks to meet objective:
Digitize/attribute historical SWMS data;

Progress on Task
Using available data on previously geolocated SWMS basins, as well as extracting basin location from the state of New Jersey’s 2002 LU/LC digital GIS data, we have developed an initial inventory of basin locations (Figure 1). We are in the process of cross-checking this map with Excel spreadsheet database of known SWMS basins received from the Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD), a project partner. This database includes some attribute data but only limited spatial location data, i.e. tax parcel ID number. We have acquired the tax parcel database from the Ocean County Planning Department and will link the two to provide an initial geolocation of the basins. This will be followed up by visual interpretation of recent aerial photography. To populate the database of existing SWMS basins, we are scanning in existing paper copies of the original basin application submitted to the OCSCD. We have purchased to portable scanners hooked up to two laptop computers to undertake the scanning. To help in this effort we are receiving the help of JCNERR volunteers. We have completed scanning of approximately 1150 forms out of approximately 1300 forms.

Compile GIS for Toms River pilot study: DEM, soils, SWC/Hydro, parcels

Progress on Task
We have completed the compilation of the background environmental GIS data layers from available GIS sources (i.e., US Geological Survey, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ocean County Planning).

List of possible mitigation targets (i.e., failing retention/detention basins needing BMPs);

Progress on Task
An initial list of known mitigation targets for each municipality in the Ocean County study area, as identified in their Municipal Stormwater Management Plan, has been developed. The specific targets will need to be geolocated in Time Period 2.

Document time and costs for development of SWMS GIS database.

Progress on Task
We have been recording the amount of time to populate the database, including both staff and volunteer time.

Objective 5: Conduct training and outreach to local officials.

Tasks to meet objective:
Front End Assessment;

Progress on Task
In order to design the SWMIS so that the needs of potential user groups are met, this front-end evaluation will be done to assess essential parameters and applications. A sub-set of the potential users will be surveyed to:
(1) Identify the parameters that are most important to their decision-making,
(2) Determine their level of comfort with online mapping tools (i.e. GOOGLE MAPS and other ESRI-based internet mapping servers),
(3) Determine the best structure for querying, inputting data to, and retrieving data from the SWMIS, and
(4) Determine what would enable or prevent them from using such a product. The results of this assessment will guide the overall structure, functionality and display of the SWMIS.

Data Collection Results:
Prefaced by a cover “letter” explaining why the survey is being conducted, respondents were given a link to an online survey. This survey will be administered through www.surveymonkey.com. This web-based service will also be utilized to collate responses and share results with project partners. We received 25 respondents to date and are still in the process of analyzing the survey results. The survey results are available online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=CygCfozciXbQ9Q7BuiuSOE6o8KO72WJjSm4d8MNDiEc_3d

Data Generated to date
We have not finalized any of the datasets to the point that they are ready for transfer.

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period
Objective 3: Undertake an analysis highlighting SWMS basins upstream of known impaired waterways.
The NJDEP Stormwater BMP Manual (2004) specifies that MSWMPs must also consider downstream features deemed as “sensitive receptors.” Sensitive receptors include features sensitive to changes in water quality changes, ground water recharge and flooding. The bulk of the sensitive receptors will be identified using a combination of existing state level publicly available GIS data sets, as well as more specific county level engineering and soil conservation district data. Additional data will be developed by enlisting the help of municipal, county and state officials to document local knowledge (i.e., problematic culverts and bridges; eroding/widening stream banks).

Objective 4: Develop on-line GIS tools/models to evaluate a proposed development project and SW management/mitigation plans to. The NJDEP Stormwater BMP Manual (2004) provides specific guidance for the evaluation of proposed development projects that will be translated into geographic rules as part of the geospatial toolkit of SWMIS. We will also use the results of the Front End Assessment to inform the software tool development.

Tasks to meet objective:
Assess the water quality/quantity impacts of the proposed project;
Determine the potential runoff and loading impacts of contributing catchment basin;
Trace downstream flowpath to identify sensitive receptors;
Evaluate the conformance of the plan with existing regulations and red-flag outstanding issues.

Expenditures
While the nominal start date for this project was 09/01/2007, the final approval and funding did not start until mid-December 2007. We started the programming work on the database development before funding was finalized but held off on the other aspects of the project until the funding was on-hand. Thus this progress report does not reflect a full half year of project work. The expenditures are within the range anticipated for the work accomplished to date.