CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/01/08 Through 2/15/09
Project Title: Enabling enhanced protection for the Lake Michigan Coast in the Chicago metropolitan region: A watershed planning support system
Principal Investigator(s): Brian Deal
Project Start Date: September 2007
Report Compiled By: Eric Hansen/Brian Deal
Project Overview
As discussed in the recent CICEET joint report, “Strengthening the Application of Science in Coastal Decision Making”, land use policy has important consequences for the health of coastal ecosystems. The Land-Use Evolution and Impact Assessment Model (LEAM) is a planning support system developed at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign that forecasts of future land use changes by coupling economic, social, and geographical models and integrating data on transportation systems, population change, employment centers, and so on. LEAM develops detailed maps of future land-use and helps planners assess the potential impact of proposed plans and/or scenarios.
In our CICEET-funded work, we at LEAM are developing a watershed planning support system (WPSS) for use by the member organizations of the Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership (LMWEP) in the Chicago metropolitan area. By coupling our existing land use simulations with hydrological models, LEAM is developing a web-based tool that will allow user organizations of the LMWEP to assess at a click the impact of future urbanization on important water quantity and quality issues affecting the Lake Michigan watershed. This project seeks to enhance the ability of groups and individuals like the Watershed Partnership and its members to 1) assess current resources and how they are being protected, 2) assess and communicate future considerations in protecting water resources, 3) deliver this knowledge so that it is understandable, usable, and widely available and 4) use this knowledge for developing and implementing specific actions to protect coastal and water resources. The overall timeline for this project is estimated to be approximately two years. For further general information, please see our 2007 CICEET Environmental Technology Development proposal.
Project progress for this period
SSIP work: Coordination with the Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership (LMWEP) is continued through this period and is on track. Plans and data are being assessed for relevance and potential for inclusion in strategy development. A recent meeting with our partners went smoothly and joint progress in developing the PSS continues.
The project has a new doctoral student from UIC/SeaGrant involved who is within the LMWEP jurisdictional boundary and more readily accessible for face-to-face meetings. He is assisting with coordination between LMWEP and LEAM and participating in the development of the WPSS.
Framework for Hydrological Modeling: The appropriate hydrological modeling components for inclusion in WPSS are being for their potential integration into the LEAM framework. Several tools have been evaluated and we are beginning the process of implementation on two fronts the EPA’s L-THIA tool and another more spatially disaggregate model CAS2D.
Development of the WPSS: A LEAM model has been developed for the region and regional runs have been completed. and shared with our partnering organizations. Model results are in the WPSS GeoPortal. Time has been spent on research and development of the WPSS GeoPortal, and adopting the ideas of the partnership[ organization. The SimMap display process has been extended, allowing for several different types of map data to be displayed (shape files, raster images, and imagine files) which increases the flexibility of the WPSS to display data in other formats. Document search capabilities have been improved and the structure for an Information System of Plans (ISoP) has been developed and extended. New user interface components are being developed that will provide more intuitive navigation of the WPSS.
The website can be viewed at the URL: http://www.leam.uiuc.edu/lmwpss
Data generated
SSIP data includes county, municipal, and regional plans, along with site identification data. Necessary additional information will be collected and added as identified by our partner organizations.
Project objectives for next reporting period
1) Complete strategy development and conduct simulations.
2) Continue development of web-based WPSS. Populate the site with collected data, and simulation results as they are completed.
3) Complete integration of hydrological model with LEAM framework. Conduct hydrologic analyses for each strategy.
4) Further develop Information System of Plans.
5) Continue development of Watershed Protection Action Plan.
Expenditures
Expenditures thus far include staff salary, funding for computing resources, and minimal transportation cost to meet with collaborating partners.