4>EPA
United States N
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of
Water
(WH-547)
EPA-832-B-93-004
July 1993
Water-Related GISs
(Geographic Information
Systems) Along The -
United States-Mexico Border
EiWJRQNMEMTAL
TECTION ,..
Brwwntvtllt
lototnoFM
(AS
Printed on Recycled Paper
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United States-Mexico Border Program
Municipal Support Division
Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance (WH-547)
Office of Water
United States Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
This catalog is a preliminary list of water-related geographic information systems along4 the U.S.-
Mexico Border. Its aim is to acquaint GIS users and system developers with information on some
existing systems identified by various organizations that either have GISs or may want to develop
them. Catalog entries represent material submitted voluntarily by organizations wishing to have their
systems included. Descriptions of GISs listed in this catalog were provided by the system developers.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is not responsible for the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy, or
applicability of the systems described.
Project Manager: Eliot F. Tucker (202-260-5842);
Project Coordinator and Writer: Betty B. Ford (202-260-8510);
USEPA Region 6 Coordinator and GIS Technical Adviser: David A. Parrish (214-655-8352).
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Attachment 33
Centre de Investigation Cientifica y de Education Superior
de Ensenada, B.C. (CTCESE)
Graphic Layout-of Computer Network
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Attachment 32
U.S. Geological Survey, Texas District
USGS Water Resources Division GIS
Texas District Geographic Information System, Spatial Data Library
Description1
USEPAOffk* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1983 Pag* 291
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(BLANK PAGE)
P*9«290 USEPAOffio* of Water (WH«7). U.S.-M«doo Bontor Catalog attachment. July 1993.
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ensuring that agency programs are in concert with other state and
federal agencies.
Developing a business plan to prioritize and schedule the
development of public-funded programs for the acquisition of
geographic information of common interest, and to seek partners in the
public sector for data development.
Identify agencies to serve as data custodians and define the roles and
responsibilities for the agencies' data steward-ship.
Participation as part of this'cojjncil will ensure that the CIS format used for the
Environmental Atlas of the Border Area is compatible with that of other state and
federal agencies and that the Atlas can take advantage of other GIS work being
accomplished by the State in this area.
16
USEPA Office of Water (VW^T). US4taxkx> Bordw QIS Catalog tftechmml July 1903. Page 288
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the Border Area. The Computer Resources section supports programming, data base
applications, statistical and graphic analysis of data, and computer mapping and
modeling on the Bureau's computer system and on the University's IBM, VAX,
CONVEX, and Cray computer systems.
The Bureau's computer system consists of a Local Area VAX Cluster (LAVC) with a
VAX 4000 as a boot node. Three VAX 3100s and a MicroVAX II serve as satellite
nodes in this LAVC. Additional nodes include a DECstation 5000, a Silicon Graphics.
Inc. (SGI) Personal Iris workstation, and two SGI Indigo workstations. All workstations
are accessible through the Bureau's Zyplex terminal server. A print server provides
network accessibility to a line-printer and laser printer. An Ethernet network is the in-
house connection for all workstations (fig. 2). Additional computing capabilities include
72 Macintoshes, 19 IBM-compatible PCs, 15 Apple LaserWriters, 5 pen plotters, an
electrostatic plotter, 108 DEC terminals, and 5 digitizing tablets. All Macintoshes are
networked into a LocalTalk network that connects to the Bureau's Ethernet. The
Bureau's local networks are connected to UTs broad-band Ethernet system, which
allows high-speed communications with computer systems on campus and at the
Center for High Performance Computing. Internet and BITNET provide worldwide
networking capabilities.
In addition to providing VAX VMS, ULTRIX, UNIX, DOS, Windows, and Macintosh
operating systems, software capabilities include third- and fourth-generation data base
tools, word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical packages. Graphics and
environmental modeling capabilities include graphics programming libraries, contour
mapping, image processing, and data plotting in two and three dimensions. Seismic
data display, interpretation, and modeling capabilities are provided on both
workstations and Macintoshes. Additional capabilities include water flow modeling,
reservoir modeling, and well log interpretation.
Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities have been expanded to include
ARC/INFO and ArcView software, and a DECstation 5000 workstation. IBM-compatible
PCs, Macintoshes, and X-terminals will serve as additional "seats" on the system.
Output capabilities will consist of both color and black-and-white electrostatic plotters.
GIS capabilities currently include PC ARC/INFO installed on two IBM-compatible PCs.
Data input is through digital files, keyboard, and Calcomp digitizers. Hard-copy maps
are generated using Hewlett Packard DraftPro plotter, 7475 plotter, and LaserJet
Series II printer. Staff training specific to GIS includes courses in PC ARC/INFO,
Introduction to Workstation ARC/INFO, and Customizing ARC/INFO with AML Our GIS
specialist has a degree in Cartography and Photogrammetry. The BEG computing staff
includes six full-time professionals and additional support staff.
The head of our computing staff also serves on the Texas Geographic Information
Systems Planning Council as a member of the GIS Base Map Requirements
Definition Team. This Council was charged by Governor Ann Richards with the
responsibility of:
Planning for the most cost-effective means of acquiring and
distributing geographic information to the state as a whole and
15
Pag«288 . USEPA Olfic* of Wttor ^H*47). US-Mttdoo Border GIS Catalog rtteofumnL July 1903.
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Excellence for GIS, will be helpful in this effort. Geographic data bases will be created
in an ARC/INFO GIS format. Each layer will have both a Spanish and an English
language annotation layer, or perhaps a single bilingual annotation layer, with
explanatory information. The finalized layers can be manipulated by ArcView software,
but the user will be precluded from editing the finalized data. Procedures will be
established that describe when and how a layer can be edited and how those
changes will be documented. Hard copies of layers may be plotted using a color
electrostatic plotter that produces very high quality (400 dots per inch) graphics.
In summary, Year One results wi& produce (1) examples (preliminary maps) of some
of the principal types of data that can be compiled, (2) an assessment of data
availability for a variety of potential layers, (3) identification of potential sources of
data, and (4) standardized procedures for ARC/INFO data base creation. The Year-
One pilot study will demonstrate the utility of the GIS approach to formation of an
environmental data base for planning and decision making and will provide a realistic
example of the potential of the Environmental Atlas.of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo
Border Area.
V. Capabilities of the Bureau of Economic Geology
The Bureau of Economic Geology is a geologic and hydrogeologic research group at
The University of Texas at Austin with an international reputation for multidiscipiinary,
basic and applied research in the geosciences. Since 1909, the Bureau has carried
out the functions of a State Geological Survey. Bureau studies include a wide range of
topics in diverse settings both in the United States and in other countries. The Border
Area has been a focus for Bureau studies since the early decades of this century. This
long tradition of investigations of the geology, hydrology, and resources of the Border
Area continues today with currently active projects in the western Trans-Pecos, Big
Bend area, South Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Bureau of Economic Geology has been involved in studies in the broad
disciplines of environmental geology and hydrology for many years, and is a
recognized leader in the compilation of regional data sets. The "Environmental
Geologic Atlas of the Texas Coastal Zone," "Submerged Lands of Texas,"
"Atlas of Major Texas OH Reservoirs," "Atlas of Major Texas Gas
Reservoirs," and the "Geologic Atlas of Texas" are nationally known
publications that have established the Bureau as a leader in the compilation and
presentation of regional studies. Several of these publications will be primary sources
of data for the Environmental Atlas of the Border Area.
The Bureau of Economic Geology has a large full-time research staff of experienced
earth scientists and engineers with diverse interests and an excellent support staff of
professional editors, cartographers, and computer scientists. Our modem facilities and
state-of-the-art equipment can address a wide range of investigations. We are
experienced in managing large multidiscipiinary projects that require coordination with
state and federal agencies and industry both in the United States and internationally.
The capabilities of our computer staff and our computing hardware and software are of
particular importance to the GIS applications planned for the Environmental Atlas of
14
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. p.g« 287
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data (especially from Mexico), establish contacts with the key individuals or agencies
that have relevant information, and establish protocols for efficient data acquisition,
data entry, and data analysis that will guide all future work on the project.
Data available from Mexico will be less extensive than that from the United States.
However, it is important that all relevant data be included in the Atlas. One purpose of
the Atlas is to portray the available data so that areas of inadequate information can be
recognized and, if the data are critical to analysis of a particular issue, the data gap
can be rectified. For example, on the U.S. side of the border, there are areas where the
basic data on water wells (locationr depth to the static water level, and basic chemistry)
are likely incomplete. Compilation of available data will indicate places where testing
of a few wells will provide sufficient supplementary information to adequately describe
the characteristics of aquifers under consideration for development.
To assist in the gathering of information on Mexico, we may draw on other components
of the University of Texas System located near the border, e.g., El Paso, Pan-American
at Edinburg, Brownsville, or San Antonio. Many o? the scientists at these universities
conduct research in Mexico and have contacts at Mexican universities and with
Mexican officials. Internships or assistantships will be provided to students, some of
whom may be Mexican nationals, to compile and analyze data on Mexico. This
approach not only will be in the best interests of the project, but also it will help train
future environmental scientists. Identification of Mexican data sources and acquisition
of published reports or other information will be a challenging activity during year one.
Ground water, environmental geology, and perhaps surface water or energy resources
will be the focus of Year One activities. Locations of water wells, elevation of the water
table, and water chemistry are of special interest for the ground-water data base. The
Texas Water Commission, Texas Water Development Board, U.S. EPA, SEDUE, U.S.
Geological Survey, local water districts, and previous studies by the Bureau of
Economic Geology are sources of data. Geologic units, active geologic processes,
soils, geohydrologic units, and other geologic factors important for land use planning
of the area being studied would be emphasized as part of the environmental geology
compilation. Geological data are available from the Bureau of Economic Geology, U.S.
Geological Survey, professional journals, and various Mexican sources such as the
Sociedad Geologica Mexicana and publications of geological institutes at the northern
Mexico universities. Data for the surface water map will include perennial streams and
rivers, springs, floodplains, wetlands, and water and sediment analyses. FEMA and
the International Boundary and Water Commission have determined floodplains for
much of the Border Area, and some data are available on surface water quality.
Energy resources, especially important in the Matamoros-Brownsville area, will be
compiled if the lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo is part of the focus of year one activities.
Previous compilations of the United States portion of the Border Area by the Bureau of
Economic Geology will provide a major part of the data; publications by the Asociacion
Mexicana de Geologos Petroleros and other professional literature will provide
information on Mexican energy resources.
Critical GIS procedures and protocols that will guide future activities on this project will
be established during Year One. Contact with the EPA's Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas and their Spatial Analysis Laboratory, a Center of
13
Pap 286 ; usEPAOfflc* of Water ^H*47). US4todoo Bocd^ QIS Cttolog «B«ehm««. July 1963.
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somewhat unique compared to other sister-city areas. The Gulf Coast-Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo Delta and Lower Rio Grande/Bajo Rfo Bravo host large
wetlands, active coastal processes, areas subject to coastal flooding due to
tropical storms and hurricanes, and aquifers subject to salinization by
seawater intrusion. There is also a threat of environmental contamination
due to the inadvertent release of petroleum or other hazardous chemicals
as a result of a marine accident. The special character of this environment,
and the importance of its ecosystems, will require an extra level of care in
assessing risks associated with development.
The Matamoros-Brownsville area, at least on the north side of the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo, has a head start in the compilation of the environmental
data base due to previous work by the Bureau of Economic Geology. As
culmination of work extending from 1969 to the late 1970's, the Bureau
published a series of maps and accompanying texts, the "Environmental
Geologic Atlas of the Texas Coastal Zone," that addressed many of
the environmental issues of the Texas Gulf Coast. This work was divided
into 7 segments, and the maps and related products for the final segment—
Brownsvllle-Harllngen—was published in 1980. Although some of the
information is dated (man-made features and current land use), much of the
basic data are still valid. Information on the environmental geology maps
(physical properties, land-surface subsidence, faulting), active processes
map (hurricane flooding, shoreline processes, other active processes), and
the topography and bathymetry map can be utilized with little modification.
Other characteristics (mineral and energy resources, construction raw
materials, water systems, coastal wind regimes, tidal currents, and river
discharge) can be updated with current data. Additional data sets in the
coastal atlas will be extremely useful as indicators of environmental change
(distribution of wetlands and marshes, subaqueous and subaerial
environments and biologic assemblages).
Further, a companion set of studies to the Atlas, the "Submerged Lands
of Texas," was prepared by the Bureau of Economic Geology based on
extensive data gathered and sampled in the same time frame as the Atlas.
The Brownsville-Harllngen set was published in 1986. It includes
detailed information on the geochemistry, sediments, benthic
macroinvertebrates, and wetlands of the coastal areas and is a premier
data set for evaluating environmental changes over the past decade.
Together, the Coastal Atlas and the Submerged lands volumes are an
outstanding example of the utility of compilation of basic data and will be an
invaluable resource for the Matamoros-Brownsville portion of the
Environmental Atlas of the Border Area.
B. Objectives and Approach
Year One will produce a clear template for future work on the Atlas regardless of which
area is selected as a starting point (or if it is determined that some work should occur
in each area). Preliminary maps of selected critical elements that will be of immediate
benefit to the study area(s) will be produced. Other goals are to assess availability of
12
. US4»«xk»Bofdwa P«g«285
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IV. Scope of Work, Year-One Pilot Study
A. Area of study
Six sister city pairs astride the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo would be accorded priority status:
(1)Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, (2) Ciudad Acufta-Del Rio, (3) Piedras Negras-Eagle
Pass, (4) Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, (5) Reynosa-McAllen, and (6) Matamoros-
Brownsville. We propose that initial efforts be focused on either the twin-city area at the
upper end of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, or the Lower Rio
Qrande/Bajo Rio Bravo including Reynosa-McAllen and Matamoros-Brownsville.
/•
1. Ciudad Juarez-El Paso: The Ciudad Juarez-El Paso area is a critical
area because it contains the majority of the maquiladoras of the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area and is subject to a host of environmental
concerns. Water quality and water resources for these cities are issues
involving both surface and ground water and are international in scope.
Both cities obtain most of their water supplies from a shared, transboundary,
ground-water aquifer in the Hueco Bolson, a finite resource that is already
over-produced. The cone of depression associated with the Juarez
production wells has crossed the border into the United States, and El Paso
is so concerned about future water supplies that it has recently purchased
water rights to an area over 140 mi (225 km) to the southeast in northern
Presidio County, Texas.
The shallow Rio Grande/Rio Bravo aquifer, a local source of water for
colonias on both sides of the border, and the surface waters of the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo are under threat of contamination by up to 30 million
gallons a day of untreated industrial and municipal waste waters. The
surface and shallow subsurface waters are also subject to contamination by
agrichemicals, especially pesticides and perhaps defoliants, and
salinization is effecting the soils of agricultural areas, but the extent of these
problems has not yet been documented.
•
Air quality in the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso area is a major problem currently
being investigated. To help improve air quality, new gas pipelines are being
built from El Paso to Juarez to provide a cleaner burning fuel for both
power plants and industry. An additional pipeline to carry 105 MMcf/day to
the Samalyuca power plant complex will be needed by 1994.
Industrialization and urbanization of the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso area is
continuing at a rapid pace. The information to be provided in the
Environmental Atlas will be of fundamental importance in planning for
responsible development and in monitoring the environmental conditions of
the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso area,
2. Lower Rio Grande/Bajo Rfo Bravo: The Matamoros-Brownsville, and
nearby Reynosa-McAllen, sister cities have a litany of environmental
concerns similar to those of other developed areas along the border. In
addition, however, the location of this area, adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico,
and the presence of large petroleum resources and related industry make it
11
P"9*284
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Mineral Resources
The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area has numerous occurrences of metallic and
nonmetallic mineral commodities, including raw materials of value for local
construction, e.g., sand and gravel, limestone, crushed rock and asphalt. Some
deposits may also be contributing trace amounts of metals or other ions to surface or
ground waters that may cause elevated levels of these chemicals in soils, surface
waters, or ground water. The presence of these resources-should be considered as
part of any comprehensive plan for development. Production of these resources may
result in environmental issues that will have to be addressed. The Bureau of Economic
Geology will be a principal source of information for mineral occurrences in the Border
Area in the United States. The U.S. Geological SOrvey has a digital data base of some
of the mineral occurrences in Mexico. The locations of mineral prospects and deposits
will be compiled for each map unit. Each location will be annotated to indicate
commodities present and whether or not the commodity has been commercially
produced.
Meteorologlc Data
The climate of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area ranges from the semiarid of
upstream areas to the tropical of the Gulf Coast. Climate and meteorological factors
influence not only such things as agricultural practices, but also quantity and quality of
surface waters, dispersion of air-borne pollution, rates of recharge, and geological
processes. Meteorologic data compiled as part of the Environmental Atlas will include
wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and pan evaporation
data, where available for those map units that have meteorological stations. Data on
air quality are a related environmental attribute that can be included for those places
where monitoring stations have been established, such as in the Ciudad Juarez-El
Paso airshed. This information will be useful to those seeking to develop climate-
sensitive industry, such as aquaculture or greenhouse agriculture, and for those
charged with environmental monitoring.
.*
Cultural and Biologic Data
The above-mentioned types of data will serve as the fundamental layers in the GIS
Atlas upon which other equally important layers can be built. Such information as
ranges of plants and animals, occurrences of endangered species or fragile
ecosystems, or sites of historic or archaeological importance can be readily built into
the data base. Further, a striking feature of GIS is that it enables a scientist trained in a
single discipline to examine the interrelationships among different layers that may not
otherwise be readily apparent. A particular plant community, for example, may occur
only in areas underlain by a specific geologic unit. This will also permit a comparison
of the environmental monitoring data, such as heavy metal concentrations in
sediments or soils, with biologic data.
10
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog •tachnwnt July 1893. Pag. 283
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The U.S. and Mexico oil and gas resources within the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border
Area are primarily linked by the petroleum resource characteristics of the Gulf of
Mexico Basin (GOM). In general, these petroleum resources are dominated by gas
over oil. The GOM petroleum subprovinces of the border region include the onshore
Burgos-Sabinas basins and Maverick basins of Mexico, and the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo
Embayment of the onshore and offshore Gulf Coast of the U.S. The Reynosa field,
which produces mostly from the Frio trend in the Burgos basin, is the only giant field
(>1>00 million BOE known recovery) that directly straddles the-border. Estimates of gas
resources in northern Mexico vary from 7.3 Tcf to 36 Tcf. Adjacent giant fields in the
U.S. include Stratton-Agua Dulce, Borregos-Seeligson-T.C.B. and La Gloria.
Petroleum resources outside of the GOM basin but within 100 km of the border occur
in carbonate reservoirs of West Texas, but none'of the major oil resources of West
Texas occur within the Border Area
An accurate assessment of the petroleum resources in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo
Border Area will require analysis of trends and plays containing multiple fields and
reservoirs. Tasks will include (1) compiling a data base of individual plays within each
subprovince, (2) documenting the location and status of producing and abandoned
fields, and (3) classifying the reservoir types, depth range, reservoir quality, and
cumulative production for each product type (crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas
liquids). Final products would include GIS maps at the scale of 1:100,000 showing
trends, plays, fields, and reservoir types within each petroleum subprovince and the
delineation of the current and proposed pipelines, interconnects, and refineries in the
border region.
Energy Resources—Coal and Geothermal
The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area also contains coal and lignite resources and
areas favorable for the development of geothermal energy. In this area, coal, ranging
in rank from lignite to bituminous, occurs in lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous
strata. Deposits of commercial size and quality are present on both sides of the border.
The Eagle Pass coal field was-one of the most productive in Texas, having major
production between the 1880's and 1920's. Coal currently mined near Piedras
Negras, Coahuiia, is burned to generate electricity. The increase in industrial
development along the Border Area may result in an increase in coal production. The
Environmental Atlas will include data on the many locations of known coal resources
and occurrences in the Border Area and an assessment of potential areas that may
host undeveloped coal deposits.
Substantial geothermal resources are present in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border
Area, particularly in South Texas, where the resources are geopressured, and in
Trans-Pecos Texas. Although less well known, these favorable environments for
geothermal energy also continue into adjacent areas of Mexico. These resources are
too low temperature, in general, for the economic generation of electricity, but they are
of sufficient quality for other commercial uses such as space heating, aquaculture,
greenhouses, and drying of agricultural crops. The location of known geothermal
resources and the temperature and quality of the geothermal waters will be compiled
as part of the Atlas.
P«0«282 USEPA Offlo* of Wtter (WHOT). US4texioo Bordw OS Ofttlog attachment. July 1993.
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Subdivision of the bedrock units will reflect geotechnical characteristics, major
lithologies, and units having features of special importance for recharge or land use
planning (such as karst terrains). Soils and sediments will be subdivided according to
their geotechnical, chemical, or grain size characteristics. In most cases, both rocks
and sediments will first be mapped based on well-established geologic principles and
then reclassified into units appropriate for planning purpose?. Particular attention will
be given to units that host aquifers or are the major recharge zones for aquifers.
Other geologic attributes, in addition to the character of the soils, sediments, and rocks,
will also be addressed. The physiography of the land and the analysis of slopes and
topographic gradients will be important in some areas. Active geologic processes are
present, or the potential for active processes exists, throughout the region. Active
fluvial erosion, coastal processes, channel migration, flash floods, wind erosion or
deposition, landslides, subsidence, and earthquake-induced faulting have all locally
occurred, or are now active, in pans of the Border Area.
Much pertinent information is available from the Bureau of Economic Geology, the
U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and other agencies and
published sources but has not been critically compiled to meet Atlas objectives. In
addition, interpretation of aerial photographs will be used to supplement published
sources or to map features and units of particular concern to the Border Atlas. Some
field work will be needed to verify interpretations and to collect samples for analysis.
Energy Resources—Petroleum
Mexico and the United States have many interrelated concerns regarding energy and
the environmental impact of its development and use on the Border Area. These
issues include environmental concerns related to the air emissions produced by
burning of fossil fuels, availability of energy supplies, transportation of energy
resources and products (by land and by sea), development of new energy resources
(petroleum, coal, lignite, and geothermal), and refining of hydrocarbons.
The U.S. is Mexico's major market for oil exports, accounting for more than 56 percent,
or 720 million bbl, of the 1,277 million bbl produced in 1990. Recently Mexico has
experienced an increased internal demand coupled with inadequate current and
future refining capacity. Mexico's Ministry of Energy, Mines, and State Owned Industry
indicates that levels of per capita oil consumption in Mexico will increase from 10.1
barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in 1990 to 10.6 BOE in 1992 to 11.3 BOE in 1994, and
will require a doubling of the current refining capacity from 1.5 million b/d to 3 million
b/d by the year 1994.
Increased industrial activity in the Border Area, decreased exploration and production
expenditures by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) in the onshore Sabinas Basin, and
decreased prices for U.S. gas, which has provided a cheap source of more
environmentally benign energy for the maquiladoras, has shifted northern Mexico from
a net exporter of natural gas to the U.S. to a net importer. At the end of 1991, Mexico
was importing approximately 300 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) of U.S. natural
gas; current U.S. gas exports to Mexico are 350 MMcfd through interconnects at
Reynosa, Piedras Negras, Ciudad Juarez, and Naco.
8
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1»3. P|g, 281
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is broad. Characterizing natural TDS and major ionic composition can be
accomplished using relatively sparse data because the natural geologic controls tend
to be regional in character; characterizing contaminants requires much more specific
data because the sources tend to be localized. Publicly available data on
contaminants should, however, be included in the Atlas as it becomes available to
indicate the current state of the environmental quality of the aquifers.
Year One efforts will emphasize obtaining and collating extant records and
reconnaissance work to characterize well development, typical well construction, and
an evaluation of the feasibility of measurement, sampling and testing to supplement or
create the needed data base. Preliminary compilations of hydrologic maps of the
major aquifers will be based on existing data. Much of the required data are available
for the Texas side of the border. Well locations, water-level measurements, chemical
analyses, stratigraphic characteristics, and hydrologic property tests can be found in
the publications and files of various state and federal agencies. Archived state records
probably include information on over 80 percent of the wells over 50 ft in depth but
likely less than 20 percent of the shallow hand-dug wells serving rural homesites and
ranches. The availability of comparable data in Mexican government files must be
determined.
The text that will accompany the maps will discuss recharge, flow, and discharge of the
major aquifers, and chemical composition as it relates to human, agricultural, and
industrial uses. It will also identify areas for potential aquifer development and typical
well construction that would be required for a range of yields in the various aquifers.
Other more difficult issues, such as extent of aquifer development and potential for
expansion, and ground-water contamination, could also be addressed via products
such as aquifer vulnerability maps. Information from the Texas Water Development
Board, which tracks historical and future water demands, together with historical
hydrographs of water-level change will give some indication of the potential for safe
expansion of aquifer production relative to recharge rates. Eventually, ground-water
flow models should be developed to quantitatively assess impacts of water
development throughout the Border Area, and to address how aquifers are
interconnected across the border and how they interact with surface waters of the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo.
Environmental Geology
The attributes of the environmental geology layers will reflect the heterogeneous
characteristics of the soils, sediments, rocks, physiography, and active geologic
processes that are present in the Border Area. Geologic data are an essential part of
the Atlas as the characteristics of the surface and upper crustal levels of the earth
determine such things as how and where structures are built, where agriculture is
possible, how recharge of aquifers occurs, the productivity of aquifers, and the ability
of the natural environment to retard transport of contaminants from landfills and
repositories. Units will be selected and features will be portrayed that are most
relevant to the land use and environmental issues of a particular geographic area.
The two major categories of geologic units will be those that are subdivisions of
consolidated rock types and those related to unconsolidated sediments and soils.
P«9«280 USEPAOffioterf Water (WH647). US-Mexico BordwOS Catalog rttachiMflL July 1993.
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Ground Water
Ground water is one of the most critical resources of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border
Area. The quality and quantity of available ground water is a major constraint on
development of the region. As all available surface waters are allocated, additional
demands can only be met by increasing development of ground water. It is limited in
supply and is subject to contamination if industrialization, urban growth, and
agricultural practices are not carefully managed. In areas of shallow ground water and
locations of ground-water discharge, it is also a critical factor in maintaining many of
the native plant communitiesjand the wildlife that is dependent upon them. For all of
these reasons, ground water wilLbe a central issue in the Atlas. Furthermore, the Atlas
will enhance EPA's support of integrated state ground-water information management
systems.
Four major aquifers lie in the region: the alluvial/bolson aquifer in the Ciudad Juarez-
El Paso area, the-Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo area, the Gulf
Coast aquifer in the Matamoros-Brownsville area, and the Edwards-Trinity aquifer,
which underlies much of the middle third of the region. Each of these may to some
extent be a transboundary aquifer. Elsewhere most ground-water resources are
limited to local, shallow aquifers or to relatively small aquifers of limited extent such as
those present beneath some of the smaller bolsons.
The ground-water component of the Atlas will include maps of saturated thickness of
the aquifers (mainly for unconfirmed portions), depth to the base of the aquifers,
potentiometric surfaces, total dissolved solids, hydrochemical facies (concisely
depicting dominance of cation and anion pairs), recharge potential, recharge and
discharge areas, and delineation of confined versus unconfined parts of the aquifers
(important for wellhead protection). Other data specific to environmental monitoring of
aquifers, such as analyses of agricultural or industrial chemicals or other constituents,
might also be included. Maps of factors that will or may change over time, such as
saturated thickness, for example, must be dated. The maps will be supplemented with
historical hydrographs and other data to the extent possible. The potential yield of
wells in major aquifers will be indicated by tables of typical hydrologic properties such
as hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficients.
Water quality issues are primarily related to either salinization or humanly induced
contamination. Salinization occurs as a result of
(1) seawater intrusion (Gulf Coast aquifer)
(2) recharge of evaporatively concentrated saline irrigation waters (alluvial and
bolson aquifers)
(3) brines from oil and gas wells or improper disposal of related brines.
(4) water wells drilled into salt water zones and improperly sealed, and
(5) natural discharge of saline waters.
The interpretation of processes that control salinization in data-rich areas can be used
to predict the potential for salinization in areas of sparse data. Aquifer contamination
can also occur as a result of human, municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes
being dissolved or suspended in waters that recharge aquifers. The range of possible
contaminants, metals, bacteria, viruses, and various organic and inorganic chemicals,
USEPA Official Water (WH-547). US-M«dco Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. P«g«279
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unueo states, i ne i :iuu,ooo scale is of obvious benefit for conversion to metric units
and is a very convenient scale for land use planning and policy analysis.
The data to be included in the Atlas will be divided into several major categories:
ground water, surface water, environmental geology, energy resources, natural
resources, and meteorology. Each of these will have many kinds of detailed
information and will serve as the foundations on which to build data bases for
environmental monitoring and baseline data and for such attributes as, for example,
ranges of plant and animal communities, endangered species, critical ecosystems, soil
types, and archaeological sites. Derivative-maps for land use planning and
combinations-of specific attributes-for policy analysis can be readily produced that are
tailored to specific- regions within the Border Area. In a given portion of the Border
Area, for example, floodplains, aquifer recharge zones, and steep slopes may be
considered to be the most important attributes in land use planning; in another area,
expansive soils, areas of active erosion, and wetlands may be the critical attributes.
The following paragraphs summarize the kinds of data planned for inclusion in
the major levels of the GIS compilation. Because of the diversity of environments in
the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area, each map unit will be tailored to portray the
specific attributes that are most relevant-for environmental and planning issues of a
given geographic area.
Surface Water
Surface water resources are vital for both the human and the plant and animal
inhabitants of the border region. The major bodies of surface water are the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo, Rio Conchos, Pecos River, Amistad Reservoir, Falcon Lake, and
the Gulf of Mexico and associated coastal wetlands. There are about 30 sources that
contribute measurable amounts of surface water to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.
Secondary surface waters include the Arroyo Colorado System and irrigation and
drainage canals, many of which are connected to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. Other
surface waters are only episodically present in ephemeral streams and desert lakes
(playas). Important surface-water attributes include chemical data on both waters and
modern sediments, floodplains, distribution of wetlands, springs, limits of drainage
basins, and characteristics of surface-water flow (rates and volumes) and other data
from monitoring sites, especially of water quality. Man-made structures that impact
surface-water flow, such as dams, dikes, and areas where channelization have
occurred, should also be mapped. In the coastal areas, additional factors such as tidal
currents and bathymetry may also be included.
The GIS surface-water layer is interrelated to attributes that will be included in other
sets such as the distribution of wetland ecosystems and active surficial processes.
Surface waters are also important as a source of irrigation waters and are important
considerations for land use planning as well as environmental monitoring. Data from
state and federal agencies, including EPA, the International Boundary and Water
Commission, USGS, FEMA, Texas Water Commission, Texas Department of Health,
Texas Water Development Board, and Mexican agencies will be compiled as part of
the surface water layer.
P«g«278 USEPA Office of W«tw (VVH^T). US4««dg «tUchm«it July 1903.
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<06* w
94*
OKLAHOMA
MEXICO
E X A S
DEL RIO-EAGLE PASS !
CIUOAO ACUNA-PlEDRAS NEGRAS
Zf L '
MEXICO
LAREDO
NUEVO LAREDO
MCAULEN-BROWNSVILLE
REYNOSA-MATAMOROS
Rgure 1. Location map of Border Area for CIS mapping showing priority areas with
four fundamental map units per area. Each map unit will be 0.5° north-south by 1°
east-west.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexteo Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pag* 277
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scientists and engineers with expertise in the several different areas needed for this
work.
II. Introduction
The population of the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo Border Area is growing rapidly and with
this growth has come urbanization of the major sister cities and increased
industrialization (about 670 maquiladoras are now located in this area). Growth has
produced major environmental problems: overproduction of limited water resources,
and pollution of surface waters,-ground waters, soils, and air. It is estimated, for
example, that 22 to as much as 30 million gallons of untreated industrial and urban
waste waters are produced daily by Ciudad Juarez; another 27 million gallons per day
may be contributed to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo valley by Nuevo Laredo. Further,
industrial and hazardous waste management practices and abandoned waste
disposal sites are of major concern. Water-related diseases are endemic to some
areas of the border. Air pollution is especially acute in the El Paso-Juarez area.
Potential health effects of industrial, municipal, and agricultural contaminants are of
increasing concern. An area of special interest to both SEDUE and the EPA is the Gulf
of Mexico; the effects of commercial and industrial activity on the land, the Gulf, and the
critical wetlands require monitoring and evaluation.
NAFTA is expected to accelerate development in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border
Area. This growth will place additional pressure on the environment and increase the
potential for irreparable damage to fragile ecosystems. Clearly, policy makers,
regulators, and decision makers at all levels of government and industry, who are
responsible for guiding the future of the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo Border Area, from El
Paso del Nprte to the Gulf of Mexico beaches, must have reliable information on which
to base their actions.
The Environmental Atlas of the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo Border Area, as an information
source and analytical tool, is designed to address many of these informational needs.
Importantly, the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo data base will be binational, encompassing
both sides of the border. To allow formulation of environmental criteria, the data base
will be comprehensive yet capable of being modified so that new information can be
readily added. The data itself will be analyzed and interpreted so that its application is
readily apparent to users at all levels. Further, and vitally so, the data base will be
presented in both Spanish and English versions so that decision makers on both sides
of the border can address common issues from a common set of information. Once
compiled, the data base will serve as a source of baseline environmental data and as
an innovative template for a data base for the entire international border.
III. Attributes of the Atlas of the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo Border Area
Four priority areas with four fundamental map units per area are shown on figure 1.
Each fundamental map unit will have an east-west dimension of one degree
(longitude) and a north-south dimension of one-half degree (latitude). Each map unit
will be designed to be plotted at a scale of 1:100,000. These dimensions and this
scale correspond to the new set of base maps that the U.S. Geological Survey is in the
process of producing for the entire United States; these maps will have much higher
Pa0«27B
USEPA Offkw of Water QVH-547). US-M«doo Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1903.
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Desarrollo y Ecologia (SEDUE) as well as provide an opportunity for technical training
of Mexican scientists interested in environmental studies.
In short, our goal is to produce a product usable by environmental regulators and land-
use planners at all levels of government, as well as industry. The Atlas will provide
vital data compilations and analyses of environmental parameters critical to resolving
ground-water and surface-water issues, solid and hazardous waste siting, industrial
siting, infrastructure enlargement, e. g., sanitation facilities, roads and bridges (both for
sources of construction materials, such as sand, gravel, and limestone, as well as
impact assessment), and creation of refuges, parks, and recreational areas.
Preparation of the Atlas will entail compiling a substantial amount of environmental
data. We will compile the best existing data on the quality and quantity of ground-water
and surface-water resources, energy resources (oil, gas, lignite, coal, geothermal),
and mineral resources. The Atlas will delineate regional ground-water flow systems,
water quality, recharge areas, discharge areas, drainage basins, wetlands, and
floodplains. The distribution of bedrock units and sediments or soils will be subdivided
according to their engineering characteristics. Features of special interest that are
common only to portions of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo region (e.g., earthquake-induced
faulting, caves and collapse features, landslides, expansive soils, active coastal
processes or erosion) will also be portrayed. In sum, all characteristics and attributes
that may be important indicators or constraints on where and how the border region
can be responsibly developed or that are part of environmental monitoring will be
compiled in the Atlas.
The Atlas will be produced in both digital and hard-copy formats. The digital
Geographic Information System (GIS) presentation facilitates ready addition and
updating of information and will enable users to select and display parameters of
particular importance to their special interests. The maps, which form the core of the
Atlas, will be accompanied by an interpretive text and relevant data tabulations that
analyze and explain the various environmental parameters. For example, a full
understanding of ground-water systems is critically important to those attempting to
remediate existing problems and to those attempting to prevent future degradation and
ensure potable water supplies. Under our approach, maps of hydrologic parameters
will be interpreted so that users understand prevalent flow rates and directions, the
significance of the water-quality patterns, and the locations of recharge areas.
Compilation of existing data will allow recognition of those areas where additional
data points or refinements of existing information can significantly add to the reliability
and utility of the product.
In compiling the Atlas, priority will be given to those areas where the pressures of
development are the most intense: the sister cities of Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, Ciudad
Acurla-Del Rio, Piedras Negras-Eagle Pass, Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, and Reynosa-
McAllen and Matamoros-Brownsville in the Lower Rio Grande/Bajo R(o Bravo. These
sister cities are included in four high-priority areas each of which will require four
fundamental map units for data compilation.
Atlas preparation will involve a multiyear effort. An illustrative budget for a Year-One
Pilot Study is enclosed. Also enclosed are professional summaries of Bureau
USEPA Office of W«ter (WH-547). US-Madco Border OtS Cttalog attachment July 1983. Pig, 275
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PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL ATLAS OF THE
RIO GRANDE/RIO BRAVO BORDER AREA
I. Executive Summary
Concern by the United States and Mexico over the environment of the border region,
manifested in 1983 by the bilateral Border Environmental Agreement, has been given
added impetus by the ongoing negotiations of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA). Pursuant to the 1983 Agreement, an "Integrated Environmental
Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area (First Stage 1992-1994)" (the Border
Environmental Plan or "BEP") was issued February 25, 1992, which describes
measures to be taken on both sides of the border to clean up existing problems and
prevent or reduce future environmental degradation.
The BEP is designed to solve environmental problems in the Border Area, which is
defined as a 100-km-wide area on either side of the 2,000-mile (3,200-km)
international boundary. For nearly 1,200 miles (1,920km) of its total length, the
Border Area corridor forms a sinuous swath from El Paso/Ciudad Juarez to the Gulf of
Mexico with the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo at its center. This portion of the Border Area is
the subject of this proposal by the Bureau of Economic Geology.
Focus on the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo and the land and environment extending 100 km
on each side is appropriate, for it is the site of concentrated industrial, agricultural, and
urban activity. Moreover, substantial growth is projected for this area independent of
NAFTA, and this agreement could lead to a substantial acceleration of activity. With
development comes added population density and ever-increasing demands for clean
air, land, potable water, and energy. Careful planning is needed to meet these
challenges. Otherwise, the current struggle to deal with today's environmental
problems may be only an initial skirmish compared to the effort and cost of combating
problems that will occur if industrial development and the predicted doubling or more
of the border population occurs over the next few decades.
•
Border environmental initiatives—whether for remediation or long-term protection—
will be critically dependent on sound data, clearly and accurately analyzed. We
propose to develop an Environmental Atlas of the Rio Grande/Rfo Bravo
Border Area that responds to these informational and analytical needs.
The Atlas will address the water, land, and natural resources of the Rio Grande/Rfo
Bravo Border Area, providing planners, policy makers, and developers with
information and data they need to wisely assess and guide development. The Atlas
will have a variety of uses and users. A major product of this work will be data bases
forming an environmental baseline of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area, which
will enable regulators and others to assess the impact of development over time. The
Atlas will serve both as a data base for land use planning and as a convenient tool for
portraying information on the environmental status of the land, air, and water. In
addition, it will support policy development and analysis and prioritization of
enforcement activities, and it will be a valuable resource for environmental education.
It should also serve as a focus for technology transfer between EPA and Secretaria de
P«9«274
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A Proposal
to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI
Environmental Atlas of the
Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area
by the
Bureau of Economic Geology
W. L. Fisher, Director
The University of Texas at Austin
University Station, Box X
Austin, Texas 78713-7508
August 1992
USB* OWc«o« Water (WH-M7).US-M«dco Border OB Catalog attachment. July 1M3. Pag* 273
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PREFACE
'The following proposal for an environmental atlas for a -portion of the United
States-Mexico Border Area was prepared by the Bureau of Economic Geology
in the summer of 1992 and submitted to the U.S. Environmental-Protection
Agency, Region 6, in August 1992. Since then we have discussed the proposed
environmental atlas with additional potential users, and several events have
transpired that require minor changes in this document. SEDUE, for example,
has evolved into SEDESOL, and the North American Free Trade Agreement
has been signed. In addition, the Texas Water Development Board, through the
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS), has submitted a
proposal to Region 6 that complements this proposal and enables TNRIS to be
a state clearinghouse for data pertaining to the Texas-Mexico border.
More substantive additions should also be made. For example, Region 6 has
suggested that any project of this kind be expanded to include both the Texas
and the New Mexico segments of the United States-Mexico border.
Furthermore, although the emphasis of the current proposal is on sister city
pairs along the Rio Grande, a revision would expand the scope to include a
major effort of data compilation and analysis at a more regional scale. This is
needed to address those features, such as regional aquifers or major
watersheds, that extend beyond the 100-km-wide swath that defines the Border
Area, and to benchmark data sets or parameters that have regional impacts.
In short, this foundation document illustrates the parameters to be addressed
and the methodologies to be employed by the Bureau of Economic Geology in
compiling an environmental atlas of the Border Area. It can be readily modified
to accommodate changes in the scope of work as may be determined to be
appropriate during discussions regarding this important environmental initiative.
Bureau of Economic Geology
The University of Texas at Austin
December 21,1992
USEPAOfno«cfW«tor(WH«47).US4««dooBordOTQISC«dogaIteehiMnLJuly1903.
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rroposai
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI
Environmental Atlas of the
Rio Grande/Rio Bravo
Border Area
by the
Bureau of Economic Geology
The University of Texas at Austin
UNITED STATES
r
TAMAULIPA
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog •ttMhnwnt July 1993.
Page 271
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Attachment 31
University of Texas at Austin
Bureau of Economic Geology
•Border Environmental Atlas: Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area*
Project Description.
PftQt 270 - _
USEPAOffiMOfWater(WH-547). US-MexicoBordwQISCctaloQattachment July 1983
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Digital Cartography/GIS
File Description
Name of File
fit
Arit
•/ CM. Ant
Orfcfce/fcdb
S/etetffft Q Planned
Q 25% Complete
Q 50% Complete
D 75% Complete
D Complete
frtfVMqr
Alt*
Lttt IMeft
taf/6npkit
Alt*
fwftr* Typti C
c
Linear (lines, strings, chains
Point
Polygon
Annotation
Raster
> DNQ
k.«
Ofy
Meet
fnftttia
Dttim
Iflft
fflft
bmt*+rA*4ai
lit Sim.
MSlm.
tot**
OfMT
USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). U&Moxico Bordw OS Catalog •ItachnwnL July 1083.
Pag* 260
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Digital Cartography/CIS
File Description
AIRPORTS
jii fit This file contains tfte major Texas airports.
G»»gropkic Am Texas
Ctvtngt tf CM. Art* 100%
Ori}«M/5<8Jt 1:2.000,000
Stain tf Fit Q Planned
Q25% Complete
D50% Complete
Q75% Complete
B Complete
Updalt frtqtttty
Map/Sraphk
Attrik
Latt UpJatt 1/1/89
Mop/Grophit
Altrib
fttttft Jvttt Q Unear (lines, stnngs. chains)
Tf B Point
D Polygon
D Annotation
D Raster
Toptltjlttl H Yes D No
i«a« Oafc ftrnof 4v«iL ^ Yes D No
Toot Data ftrmtt Typ* 9 Track 6250 or 1600 bpi
Ktktttt Ftnktt AniaUt HYes QNO
Oiiktttt Dflfo fomof Ffi« ! 2 mo
•> AA f«K
4ftiqr CMfecf -Htmt A. Kim Ludeke
Mb
^ffMf Texas Natural Resources Informal
System
Dtptrtmtft
AUrttt P.O. Box 13231
Ory Austin
Sttft aW 4> TX 78711-3231
U*M (512) 463-8338
fax (512) 475-2053
fitfAeValfleUi? PttitCtfaf A I b 0 TS
Uefti Meters
D0r*«
f^« IM«
ferstff
Oeee*reaf
SiktrtH sphere
ISttfr
M vWlfl
7&M0
S,mMaj« Aiit tf Sttf.
Off Mto S«
Iff Sfea. ftrtU 37 00 00
2ae* Sttm. • arattW 37 00 00
CMfraJ 4Ur«ea -96 00 00
!•/ tf Pnf Oriffe 37 00 00
FaiM fasti* 0.0
fe/M Mertaiif 0.0
Offer Pertmtttrt
Pag* 268
ISEPAOffiot of Wttor (WH«47). US4todoo BordwOIS Ctf^og attachment. July 1983.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WICHITA CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
WILBARGER CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
WILLIAMSON CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
WILLIAMSON CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
WILSON CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
WILSON CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
WISE CNTY DEMS 1:24,000
YOUNG CNTY OEMs 124.000
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border 01S Catalog attachment July 1893.
Page 267
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
SDHPT DISTRICTS
SENATE 1990
SHACKELFORD CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
SHELBY CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
SHERMAN C* 'TY OEMs 1:24.000
STEPHENS CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
STONEWALL CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
SUTTON CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
SWTSU CAMPUS
TARRANT CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
TAYLOR CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
TERRELL CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
TEXAS A&M CAMPUS
TEXAS A&M EXPERIMENT STATIONS
THROCKMORTON CNTY OEMs 124,000
TIGER
TITUS CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
TOM GREEN CNTY OEMs 124,000
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE INVENTORY
TRAVIS CNTY OEMs 124,000
TRAVIS CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
TRINITY CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
TYLER CNTY OEMs 124.000
UPTON CNTY OEMs 124,000
VEGETATION - ROSILLOS MOUNTAINS
VEGETATION - SOUTHWEST TEXAS
VEGETATION TYPES
WALKER CNTY OEMs 124,000
WATERSHED PROTECTION ZONES
USEPA 0«io» ol Water (WH«7). US-M«doo Border OIS Cctelog •UaohmwiL July 1883.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NACOGDOCHES CNTY OEMs 124.000
NAVARRO CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
NEWTON CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
OIL & GAS WELLS
OLDHAM CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
OUTLINE
PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
PALO PINTO CNTY OEMs 1:24.0QO
PANOLA CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
PARKER CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
PECOS CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
POLK CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
POPULATION
RAILROADS
RAINFALL
REAGAN CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
RED RIVER CNTY OEMs .1:24.000
RIVER REACH
RIVERS
ROBERTSON CNTY DEMs 124.000
RUNNELS CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
RUNOFF
RUSK CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
SABINE CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
SAN AUGUSTINE CNTY DEMs 124.000
SAN JACINTO CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
SAN SABA CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
SAN SABA CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
SCHLEICHER CNTY DEMs 124.000
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). U&Mexteo Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1903.
Page 265
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
JACK CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
JASPER CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
JEFF DAVIS CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
JEFFERSON COUNTY
JONES CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
KENT COUNTY DLGs 1:24,000
KING CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
KNOX CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
LAKE MEREDITH N. R. A.
LAKES
LAMAR CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
LAND USE/LAND COVER
LAVACA CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
LEE CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
LEON CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
LIMESTONE CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
LLANO CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
LUBBOCK CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
LYNN CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
MACROSITES
MAJOR AQUIFERS
MATAGORDACNTY DEMs 1:24.000
MATAGORDACNTY DLGs 1:24.000
MILAM CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
MILITARY
MILLS CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
MINOR AQUIFERS
MONTAGUE CNTY DEMs 124.000
MONTGOMERY CNTY DEMs 124.000
MORRIS CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
Page 284
USEPAOffio* of W«t*f (WH-547). US-M«doo Bontor OS Cctelog «tt«chm*rt. July 1983.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FANNIN CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
FAYETTE CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
FOARD CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
FORT BEND CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
FREESTONE CNTY OEMs 124,000
GALVESTON CNTY OEMs 124,000.
GALVESTON CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
GARZACNTY DLGs 1:24.000
GLO SURVEYS
GONZALES CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
GRAY CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
GRAYSON CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
GUADALUPE CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
HARDEMAN CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
HARRIS CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
HARRIS CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
HARTLEY CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
HASKELL CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
HAYS CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
HAYS COUNTY
HENDERSON CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
HIGHWAYS
HOOD CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1990
HOUSTON CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
HUDSPETH CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
HYDROLOGIC UNIT MAP-1974
INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS
IRION CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
IRRIGATED FARMLANDS
USEPA Offic. of Water (Wr«47). US4tadco Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pa0e263
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAMBERS CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
CHEROKEE CNTY OEMs 124.000
CLAY CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
COLEMAN CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
COLEMAN CNTY DLGs 1 :.?4.000
COMANCHE CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
COMANCHE CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
CONGRESS U.S. 1990
CONGRESS U.S.FHA
CONGRESS U.S.SDHPT
COOKE CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
CORYELL CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
COUNTIES FHA
COUNTIES SDHPT
COUNTIES USGS
CROCKETT CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
CROSBY CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
CULBERSON CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
DALLAM CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
DAMS
DAVY CROCKETT NATL FOREST
DENTON CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
DICKENS CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS
DLGs 1:100,000
DONLEY CNTY DEMs 124.000
EASTLAND CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
ECOREGIONS
EL PASO CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
ERATH CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
Pag«262
USEPA Offio* of Wator (WH-547). US-M«dco Border OIS dialog attachment July 1M3.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AIRPORTS
ANGELINA CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
ARANSAS CNTY DLQs 1:24,000
ARMSTRONG CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
ATASCOSA CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
ATASCOSA CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
-BASTROP CNTY OEMs 1:24,000
BASTROP CNTY DLGs 1:24000
BAYLOR CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BELL CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BEXAR CNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT
BEXAR CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BEXAR CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
BIG THICKET NATIONAL PRESERVE
BLANCO CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
BRAZORIA CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BRAZORIA CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
BREWSTER CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BROWN CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BROWN CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
BURNET CNTY OEMs 1:24.000
BURNET CNTY DLGs 1:24,000
CALHOUN CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
CALLAHAN CNTY DLGs 1:24.000
CAMP CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
CARSON CNTY DEMs 1:24,000
CASS CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
CENSUS
CHAMBERS CNTY DEMs 1:24.000
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 261
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Digital Cartography/GIS
File Description
INTRODUCTION
This catalog contains a list of digital cartography/geographic information system-
compatible data available for Texas. It will be updatad four times each yaar. If you have
additions, delations, or changes to any of the listed files please contact:
A. Kim Ludaka, Ph.0.
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
P.O. Box 13231
Austin, TX 78711-3231
Phone (512) 463-8338
FAX (512) 475-2053
A more frequently updated version of the catalog Is available through an on-line
bulletin board developed in cooperation with the Department of Information Resources. To
access this bulletin board your software package must emulate VT52/VT100. Dial up using
2400 baud. The number is (512) 475-4766. When the screen displays "connect," press
RETURN one or two times until the screen gives the "usemame" prompt. At this prompt enter
GIS.INFO and press the RETURN key. The GIS/1NFO program will then be accessed.
The following software packages have been tested and are supported by dialup access
to the bulletin board:
PROCOMMV2.4 2400.E.7.2 (2400 baud, even partly, 7 bits. 2 stop bits)
KERMIT
2400.NA1 (2400baud.no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit)
SMARTCOMM 2400,N,8,1 (2400 baud, no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit)
Before requesting data from either the catalog or the bulletin board check to see that
your software can work with the available data formats and that you have sufficient storage
and data processing capacity to work with the files.
It Is also important that you have an understanding of basic mapping concepts such as
map scale, map accuracy, and map projections. When overlaying maps of different scales
and accuracies It is critical to remember that the resulting map will be only aa accurate aa
the least accurate initial map. Also, when overlaying maps be sure that the mapa are in the
same geographic projection.
This catalog provides some background information about each file. For each file that
you select be sure that you understand its appropriateness for your specific needs.
Page 260
USEPA Office of W«tor (WH-547). US-M«dco Border O«S Cctak* •ItechmMt July 1803.
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DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHY / GIS*
DATA CATALOG
Summer 1992
* Geographic Information System
USEPA Office of Water (VVH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pa0«2S9
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Attachment 30
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
•Digital Cartography/GIS Data Catalog (Tble of Contents +
sample page)
Pag* 256 USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mwdco Border QIS Catalog •ttachmwrt July1983
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1999
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CIS
TNRJS staff are developing the expertise to answer queries from various users about CIS systems
and data. These questions range from basic information to very specific technical issues
concerning hardware, CIS software, and data bases. Staff can give information about products
known to them and provide addresses and phone numbers of suppliers.
CIS SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPATING AGENCY PILOT PROJECTS
If an agency participating in TNRIS wants to evaluate the potential of CIS for some particular
problem. TNRIS may provide CIS support for a pilot project involving a small portion of the area
in question. If the pilot project results look promising, the participating agency can apply the
technique to the enure area of interest by contracting with a commercial vendor or by developing
an in-house capability. Pilot projects are undertaken only after approval by the Task Force and
are generally reviewed and recommended by the RSCC before Task Force consideration.
FACILITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL-CIS PROJECTS
It is the objective of TNRIS to provide the necessary training and support so that, whenever
possible, users can do their own CIS projects. These projects ordinarily use data supplied by the
agency or data that are on-hand at TNRIS; staff do not generate data through fieldwork, TNRIS
policies on equipment use by participating agencies and charges for use may limit the scope and
size of projects that can be undertaken.
LARGE CIS PROJECTS WITH PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
TNRIS may actively take pan in large CIS projects that require significant effort by TNRIS staff
members. TNRIS participation in these types of projects shall generally require the following
conditions: the project must have significant benefits for a participating agency and its mission
for the state; the project must have direct benefits for TNRIS; there must be a dear statement of
the reason TNRIS is uniquely suited to contribute to the project; and, in most instances. TNRIS
must receive significant financial assistance for additional personnel and expenses so that
dedication ot start and facilities to the project does not adversely affect the other functions of the
organization. Large CIS projects are undertaken only after approval by the Task Force and are
generally reviewed and recommended by the RSCC before Task Force consideration.
1990 CENSUS MAPPING AND STATISTICS
Government agencies already are frequent users of existing automated and tabular Census
information. The 1990 Census has a major emphasis on'computer mapping; the union of CIS
technology and Census statistics makes the supply of Census information in a graphic form a very
important task for TNRIS. The CIS software (ARC/INFO) purchased by TNRIS is well suited for
the analysis and display of Census data. When Census information becomes available in map
format. TNRIS will be prepared to supply the information with the hardware and software that
has been acquired and the expertise that is being developed by its staff.
USEPAOffic*of W«lw(WKW47).US4««dcoBofd«QISCatalog «ttochm«nt July 1993. Pag«257
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• I *M9.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT:
ROLE FOR TNRIS
CUSTODIAN AND SUPPLIER OF DIGITAL DATA BASES
TNRIS is a custodian and supplier of digital data bases in the same manner that it maintains and
supplies other natural resource information. It indexes and keeps a catalog of public and private
geographic files that can be read by mapping and CIS software. This catalog, which is a
specialized version of the TNRIS File Description Report, includes: the name of the organization
providing the data base; a description of the graphic and nongraphic data types; a description of
the geographic area covered by the data base; information about the data sources and scales used
in creating the data base; size of files and format of data storage; availability of files and type of
media for transfer; and name of contact person and telephone number.
TNRIS keeps and distributes copies of some public files. These are limited to data bases that are
static or come from public organizations which are not able or prefer not to handle requests for
their files. TNRIS's ability to distribute digital data of this kind is restricted by the availability of
tape drives and storage area for tape archives.
CIS EDUCATION COORDINATION
The TNRIS staff organizes and coordinates workshops, seminars, and conferences related to
geographic information systems. This is done in response to requests and expressions of interest
from system users, and with the recommendation of the Remote Sensing and Cartographic
Committee (RSCC) and approval of the TNRIS Task Force.
FILE INTERCHANGE SOFTWARE COORDINATION
Converting files and whole data bases from one format to another for use on various mapping
and CIS systems is complicated by the many different data storage formats available. To facilitate
file conversion TNRIS provides the-following information to users whenever possible: data
storage formats; availability of public domain and commercial file conversion software; and
names of private-sector firms that provide file conversion services.
TNRIS distributes some public domain conversion software and offers staff expertise gained
through experience in converting files. TNRIS provides limited file conversion service, usually
restricted to the kinds of geographic files that it supplies or are used on its CIS system.
COORDINATION OF CIS ACTIVITIES AMONG PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
The TNRIS staff keeps abreast of participating agency activities involving projects of mutual
interest and the possible purchase of CIS hardware, software, or data. Staff are aware of
opportunities for coordination among the agencies in these efforts.
Some examples of coordination of CIS activities are: arranging the demonstration of hardware.
software, or data of mutual interest; coordinating joint purchase or licensing of hardware.
software, or data where multiple-purchase discounts apply; and tracking present and planned
digitizing efforts by agencies to encourage cooperative efforts.
P«0«296 ^ USBH offjc. ^ Wttw (WH«7). US-M«deo Bortw <^ ttl^og «tt^hn»«it July 1983.
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Attachment 29
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
•Geographic Information System Development Role for TNRIS'
USEPAOffic«ofWiter(WH447). US4todoo Border QIS Catalog •ttachnwnt July 1«W . P«fl«2S5
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V. COMPUTER GRAPHICS
. Generation of Maps and Graphs for Member Agencies and Others
. Instruction in the Use of the System
VI. GEOGRAPHIC NAMES COORDINATION
. State coordination for U.S. Board on Geographic Names in naming geographic
features, mediating name disputes. _ —
VIL EDUCATION
. Workshops and Conferences
(Remote Sensing,, Air Photo Interpretation, Geographic Information Systems,
Census. Others tailored to meet specific agency needs).
. Presentations to agencies, university classes and other groups.
. Tours of TNRIS facilities.
. TNRIS Newsletter and other publications.
Pag«2S4 USEPAOffic* ef Water (W«47). US4taxfcx> Bocd«r OB Catalog atoohmwit July 1883.
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DATA AVAILABILITY
THROUGH THE
TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM
I. COMPUTERIZED NATURAL RESOURCES FILES
. Water
. Weather
. Geology
. Biology
II. MAP DATA
. USGS Topographic Maps
(124,000; 1:250,000; 1:100,000)
. Historic Topographic Maps
(1880*8 to Present)
. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetland Maps
. USGS Land Use Maps
. Nautical Charts
. Geodetic Data
. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Ecological Inventory Maps
. County Maps
. Forest Service Maps
. Texas Base Maps
NB: USGS products are free to governmental entities. Other maps are for
in-house use or reproduction.
IIL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS/SATELLITE DATA
. Black-and-White Prints
(Over 500,000 prints covering most of Texas; varying sources, dates, and scales.
. For loan).
. Color and Color Infrared Positive Film Rolls
(Over 2,000 rolls covering large areas of Texas. Mostly high-altitude, varying
scales. For use in-house).
. Landsat Images and Digital Data
(False color and black-and*white of entire State. Varying scales. Black-and-
White for loan. Color for in-house use. Landsat computer tapes for most of the
State available for duplication).
. Assistance in locating imagery not available at TNRIS.
(Indexes, ordering information, price lists).
IV. CENSUS DATA
. 1970 U.S. Census Data and Maps
. 1980 U.S. Census Data and Maps
. Special Census Reports
. Population Estimates/Projections
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THE TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM
Introduction
The Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) Is the State's clearinghouse for natural resources
data. Its primary purpose is to make data available to data users quickly and reliably. TNRIS was originally
established by the legislature in 1968 as the Texas Water Oriented Data Bank. In 1972, after four years of
growth and diversification, tt was designated the Texas Natural Resources Information System. In a more
recent legislative mandate, Senate BIN 325 of the 70th Texas State Legislature refers to TNRIS as "a
centralized information system incorporating all Texas natural resource data, socloeconomlc data related
to natural resources, or indexes related to data that are collected by state agencies or other entitles.'
TNRIS Is an operational unit of the Texas Water Development Board and for all administrative and managerial
purposes it is a part of that agency. Its policies and guidelines, however, are set by an interagency task
force composed of representatives from 15 of the State's natural resource agencies. Funding for TNRIS Is
provided by the State Legislature through the Water Development Board A seven-member staff, known as
TNRIS Systems Central, conducts the day-to-day activities of the System handling requests for data and
implementing new capabilities to support the participating State agencies. The staff includes individuals
trained in the natural and computer sciences. TNRIS supplies data to government, academia, and the
private sector. Systems Central offices are located on the fourth floor of the Stephen F. Austin State Office
Bidding, 1700 North Congress Avenue in Austin.
Data inventories/Data Library
Through the years, the TNRIS staff has conducted Inventories of computerized and non-automated natural
resource data housed in Texas State agencies. These inventories nave been compiled into the TNRIS Re
Description Report which describes over 350 individual data files. Inventories of aerial photography and map
holdings of private companies, universities, libraries, and other entities have been an important part of this
activity. The staff Indexes the data into TNRIS for use in supporting user requests. The Indexes refer users
to data which is housed in other agencies as well as to data files available in-house. Over 50 of the
computerized files are available through a remote terminal access system.
Tvoes ef Data and Other Services
In addition to providing information about data availability, TNRIS maintains a library of data which can be
accessed directly. For example, the System has a lending library of remotely sensed data which includes
aerial photography and satellite imagery of the entire State. TNRIS also serves as a distribution center for
U.S. Geological Survey maps (for government entities only) and has (.utnerous other map collections
available for in-house use or reproduction. Computerized files available through TNRIS pertain to water
resourcesrmeteorology, biological resources, geology, and Census data.
TNRIS fills a number of additional roles such as serving as Geographic Names Coordinator for the State.
providing staff support for the Texas Mapping Advisory Committee, offering technical support for State
agency projects, and sponsoring symposia and workshops. In addition, TNRIS operates a geographic
information system, primarily for support of participating agency mapping requirements. The core of the
System's responsibBities, however, is data inventory, indexing, and retrieval.
TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM
P.O. Box 13231
Austin, Texas 78711-3231
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Attachment 28
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
_ Description: Texas Natural Resources Information System*
USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993 Page 251
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Rather than making broad generalizations about the entire state, it allows us to .
address a diversity of issues pertaining to smaller geographic regions, to account
for differences between regions, and to assess cumulative pollutant impacts
throughout watersheds. Land, water, and coasts are treated as a single functional
unit with interlocking terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems. Assessments
conducted under the SB818 program will form the basis for a comprehensive -
approach to water resource management that will enable the commission-to
establish risk-based priorities to address under-Chapter 26 of the Texas Water
Code and under the federal Clean Water Act.
Tnis report marks the first summary of the assessments performed under SB818.
It reflects some of the complex and interrelated technical and social issues which
combined to require a new approach to water quality management in the State. It
details the limitations brought about by the unsystematic and single-objective
programs which have historically been the management strategy for the State.
xiii SB818 SUMMARY REPORT
Pa0*290 USEPA OffiM of Water pVH-547). USM«doo Border OJS Catalog •ttachnwnL July 1903.
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routinely monitor and model for toxic materials and nutrients, routinely assess the
impacts of water quality and water supply simultaneously, or assess the cumulative
water quality impacts on human health, regional ecosystems, aquatic life, critical
habitats and wetlands.
Concerned with the historically fragmented approach to management of water
quality and quantity issues, the 72nd legislature passed the Texas Clean Rivers Act
(SB818), an approach to water quality planning on a watershed basis . The act
requires that each river basin in the State be assessed individually, and reports be
provided to the Texas Water Commission (TWC) every even numbered year. The
commission is directed to compile a summary of these reports to the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
December 1 of each even numbered year;
In creating and mandating a new, integrated approach to water quality
management, SB818 details some specific guidance in accomplishing the water
quality assessments, namely:
Comprehensively assess water quality on a watershed basis with
special emphasis on assessment of nonpoint source pollution,
nutrients and toxic materials.
Delegate responsibility for waer quality assessm-ns to river
auxnontiss or other sppropriacs enrtries.
Allow for public input and access to the assessment process
~.rcu£r. fsrn^^cn of river zasin saeriss :crnrnic±is.
Permit on a basin-wide basis to the extent possible.
Fund for assessment through fees charged to wastewater and water
rights permittees.
Through this new approach, we can assess the ability of a river system, from
headwaters to the coast, to absorb and support the results of human activity.
SB8J8 SUMMARY REPORT xii
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mwdco Border QIS Catalog attachment Jriy 1993. Page 249
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SENATE BILL 818 Summary Report
I. INTRODUCTION
Texas. The name evokes thoughts of varying landscapes-vast, open spaces and
vibrant, bustling metroplexes, sub-tropical and desert climates, rolling hill
country, imposing cliffs and sweeping lowlands. The waters of Texas are equally
diverse, from the salt waters of the Gulf of Mexico, to pristine fresh waters; the
twisting bayous of the southeast, to the parched, intermittent streams in the west.
This diversity is both desirable and challenging, for with each of these waters
comes specific, varying demands. These waters are critically needed to provide
recreation, nourishment, irrigation, transportation, and economic growth. Yet,
Texas waters face adversity daily: threats from contaminated wastewater
discharges, contamination from nonpoim source pollution, overloading of
nutrients, intrusion of toxic materials, stresses on water supply, increased
sedimentation, excessive aquatic vegetation and destruction of habitat.
A. Summary of the Texas Clean Rivers Act of 1991
Texas watersheds serve more than 16.5 million people, and the state population is
expected to expand in the next 50 years to 30-35 million. Current demand for
water is 75% of existing capacity. We expect that, even with conservation
efforts, water demands in the state will eventually exceed existing water supplies.
Clean useable water is, and will continue to be, a priority for our state.
Therefore, it is imperative that the limited supplies of water we do have remain
unpolluted and available for drinking, recreation, and economic development.
Assessment and planning for the management of the diverse set of water quality
issues the State faces has proven difficult, for each river basin experiences its own
specific set of circumstances. While the existing water quality program effectively
addresses wastewater discharges from municipal and industrial point sources,
many additional water quality issues remain and are in need of attention. The
State's current program does not adequately address nonpoint source pollution,
» SB818 SUMMARY REPORT
P«0«248 USEPAOffiew oT Water (WH-547). US-Mwdoo Border OB Catalog attachment. July 1803.
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Attachment 27
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
Summaiy of Texas Clean Rivers Act of 1991. • Senate Bill 818
Summary Report"
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Modco Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993 P«Q« 247
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estimate.
PROJECT MILESTONES: Phase 1 milestones are:
Installation of hardware and software - the peripherals
have been delivered to Shoal Creek. The workstation is
at SFA. As" soon" as" it is "Helivered to__Shoal Creek the
(peripherals can b"e Installed and other tasks initiated.
Training - ARC/INFO training (5 day intro class) has been
completed by Margaret Hart. She is also scheduled for an
intro UNIX class taught by TWDB for next month. Further
training in UNIX and GeoVision is required for completion*
of this task.
Evaluation of software *.
Development of application package/process - a DRASTIC
application package exists already in ARC/INFO. The
application needs to be evaluated and perhaps modified to
suit the needs of the project et TWC.
Evaluation of data availability - a search for most of
the available data layers has been carried out by Bob
Elodgett. The data sets still need to be evaluated to
determine applicability to the DRASTIC mapping program.
r
Data collection and digitizing - data sets must be
collected (free or purchased) and non digital data roust
be digitized before it is useful for the project.
Pilot project map production - it is hoped that a
prototype DRASTIC map will be produced by end of FY 92.
Pag* 246 USEPAOffie* of Water (WH«47). US-M«doo Bo»dw OB Citoteg tlUchmtfiL July 1983.
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arc
TEXAS WATER COMMISSION
INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM
INITIAL GIS APPLICATIONS
APPLICATION:
BACKGROUND: DRASTIC mapping is currently carried out manually.
Maps are produced by collecting data, transfering information
for each layer onto mylar film/ and creating a final DRASTIC
map by overlaying the layers. The current process is slow and
time consuming. It is estimated that at the current rate of
approximately 5 to 7 county maps per year/ the project will
take nearly 50 years to complete. Many population centers in
Texas are in desperate need of the information carried "in -the
DRASTIC maps, but manual production limitations prohibit
creation of maps for these areas. It is estimated that fully
automating the process through a GIS should increase
production to perhaps four maps per month, resulting in a
completion of the project in ten years or less.
BENEFITS:
REFERENCES:
GIS SUPPORT HEEDED:
* PHASE 1: Current (FY92) needs to support DRASTIC
include digitizing data layers, integrating data sets;
calculation of the DRASTIC indices (modeling); and providing
access to other users of the DRASTIC maps in the agency and
throughout the state. .
* FUTURE: It is envisioned that the DRASTIC maps will
become part of an interactive model: a vulnerability or
suitability tool for others at the TWC to use in specific
programs that evaluate ground water pollution potential.
Support for other users through software such as ARC/VIEW will
be required to make DRASTIC an accessible tool for decision-
making at the TWC.
TARGET DATE:
H/S REQUIREMENTS:
* DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM; The basic requirements include the
RS-6000 workstation (currently at the SFA Building) and
peripherals (currently located at Shoal Creek), linked
together; and the appropriate software (UNIX, Geovision, and
ARC/INFO) installed for evaluation.
* INITIAL PRODUCTION PLATFORM:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS:. Phase 1 requirements (in FTE's) are envisioned
as 1.5 Ground Water Section staff, 0.5 GIS staff (from the GW
section), and 1 admin, production staff. This is a very rough
USEPA Offiot of Water (WH-547). US4todco Border GIS Catalog attachment. July 1983. p 245
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Attachment 26
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
Project Description: Integrated Information System:
Initial GIS Applications.*
USEPAOIHotoJ Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Bordw OB C«talog altaehmwiL July1«3
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Geographic Information System
* EPA Data General Aviion 412 workstation with:
1. Dual 20MHZ CPU's, 32 MB memory & dual 1.06 GB hard
disk drives
2. 16" Sony Trinitron color monitor with 8 bit/pixel
color frame buffer
3. DG/UX UNIX operating system software
4. X.400 graphics user interface
5. FORTRAN compiler
6. PCSoft MS-DOS environment software
6. Framemaker desktop publishing software
* Standalone expansion cabinet with peripherals:
1. 590 MB optical disk drive
2. CD-ROM reader
3. 150 MB 5.25" magnetic cartridge tape drive
4. 1.44 MB 5.25" MS-DOS floppy disk drive
5. 2 GB 8mm magnetic tape-backup drive
* Altek 36"X45" freestanding digitizing table
* Geographic information system software:
1. Workstation ARC/INFO, v. 6.0.1 for map making
2. TIN, v. 6.0.1, for surf ace-modeling
3. NETWORK, v. 6.0.1, for address-matching
* Seiko Colorpoint B-Size Thermal Transfer Printer (on
order)
STAFF
Primary:
Robert E. Blodgett, Geologist and Coordinator
Kurtis S. Wagner, GIS Analyst and Systems Administrator
Jeff L. Blass, Geologist (part-time, summer)
Chock J.R. Bailey, Geology Intern (part-time, summer)
Edward F. Block, Geography Intern (part-time, summer)
Technical Support:
Sheila A. Hoffpauir, Computer Support Specialist and*
Systems Administrator
Collaborators - University of Texas at Austin
Center for Research in Water Resources:
David R. Maidment, Professor
Tom Evans, Ph.D. candidate
USEPA Olfic* o
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Texas Hater Commission July 29, 1992
Water Utilities Division
Monitoring and Enforcement Section
PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
Scope
* Established in 1991 to meet EPA Phase II drinking water
rules.
* Provides technical support for issuing contaminant
monitoring waivers to public water supply systems.
* Collaboration with the Univ. of Texas Center for Research
in Water Resources to develop a GIS expert system.
Objectives & Methods
* Map locations of over 15,000 public water supply wells,
springs, and over 600 surface water intakes.
Methods: TWC Field Operations inspectors map
sources and TWC Ground Water Section digitizes
locations.
* Determine aquifers being used as public drinking water
sources and evaluate their susceptibility to
contamination.
Methods: TWDB Major and Minor Aquifer GIS map
layers and modified DRASTIC data from the TWC
Ground Water Section.
* Delineate the Zone of Contribution for each public water
supply well and the contributing drainage basin for
each intake.
Methods: EPA wellhead protection computer codes
with a 40-year time of travel, and the USGS
Eydrologic Unit GIS map layer.
* Determine potential sources for 38 regulated and 27
unregulated chemicals in the zone or basin of
contribution. •
Methods: Attribute data bases from the Toxic
Release Inventory, wellhead protection, leaking
underground storage tank, municipal solid waste,
RCRA, and Superfund programs, and the Texas
Agricultural Extension Service.
* Determine the transport characteristics of selected
chemicals at designated sites.
Methods: Use RUSTIC solute transport model.
pag.242 ' i5ipAoi^cfW«l«(W«47).US4««looBoidwa
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Attachment 25
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
•Public Drinking Water Supply Vulnerability Assessment
Program*
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). U&Maxfco BonJw OIS Catalog attachment. July 1883 Pag«241
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was estimated at 943,778 for 1990 (TWDB, 1990). Of this amount,
the majority, or 591,610, lived in El Paso County. Webb, Val
Verde, Starr, and Pecos counties followed in population size with
131,833, 38,721, 38,548, and 36,037 people, respectively.
Between them, these five counties accounted for 836,749 people,
or 88.7 percent of the Basin's population. The largest city was
£1 Paso, with 515,342 residents. Laredo is the second largest
city in the study area, with 122,899 people. Most of the major
population centers are located on the Rio Grande, with a -few
located on the Pecos. In northern Mexico, ciudad Juarez is the
second largest city after .Monterrey. _
Population projections for the Texas part of the B'asin,
using the high series of the Texas Water Development Board—which
bases population estimates on high growth rates of the past
twenty years—detail a tremendous growth in population.
Including the cities of McAllen and Brownsville, the population
of the Rio Grande Basin, estimated at 1,337,492 in 1990, should
increase to 1,577,014 by 2000 and 2,440,211 by 2030 (Texas Water
Development Board, 1989). Doubling of basin population should
occur within fifty years of 1990, with many border cities
doubling in population even sooner.
Pag«240 > USEPAOffio«olW«tof (WH*«7).U84todooBocdwOISC«t«loQ attachment July 1993.
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waters comprise almost all of the perennial water* within the
basin. Other streams that are known and nay possibly be
perennial include Terlingua Creek in Brewster County which flows
into Segment 2306 - Rio Grande Above Aaistad Reservoir, Cienegas
Creek in Val Verde County which flows into Segment 2304 - Rio
Grande Below. Amistad Reservoir, and Elm Creek in Maverick County
which flows into Segment 2304 - Rio Grande Below Amistad
Reservoir. TWC monitoring stations are located on Terlingua
Creek and Elm Creek and Cienegas Creek has been sampled and
assessed by the TWC in response to a waste discharge permit
action.
Cienegas Creek is located on the western edge of the City of
Del Rio and base flow is provided by Cienega Spring. A five per
cent cumulative probability flow of 10.2 cfs was calculated from -
data provided by an IBWC gaging station below the spring. Based
on physicochemical, benthic macroinvertebrate and fish data, the
TWC has assigned high quality aquatic life uses to the stream
from the confluence with the Rio Grande to the headwater spring
source.
Brief descriptions of each sampled stream modified from
Bayer, et al. (1992) is included in the segment-specific
discussion, in this report. Complete listings of benthic
macroinvertebrates, abundances and calculated metrics and fish
species assemblages are included in the report by Bayer, et al.
(1992) for each of the streams sampled.
BoeioecoBomie Characteristics of the Basin
The Rio Grande Basin is an international basin with people
living in the United States and Mexico. The study area, the Rio
Grande Basin in Texas, is one of the poorest regions in the
United States. The counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are
the poorest in the U.S. The per capita income in 1989 for Texas
was 12,904 dollars, while for the counties in the Basin it ranged
from a low of 5,386 dollars in Dimmit County to a high of 12,482
dollars in Loving County (Bureau of the Census, 1992).
Another measure of poverty is the percentage of all families
with incomes below poverty level. For the state of Texas, this
figure is 14.1 percent. Excluding Loving County (1990 population
107), which had no families below the poverty line, families with
incomes below poverty level ranged from 9.1 percent in Reeve.s
County to 56.5 percent for Starr County. However, many of the
Rio Grande counties have numbers for this index in the 30 to 40
percent range. For example, Budspeth, Edwards, Webb, Jim Hogg,
Zapata, Presidio, Ector, and Maverick Counties all had a third
or more of their families living below the poverty line. For El
Paso, the largest metropolitan area in the Basin, the figure is
22.4 percent. A total of 25 of the 31 counties in the Basin have
poverty rates greater than the statewide rate.
The population of the Rio Grande Basin in Texas, excluding
the portion nearest the mainstem in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties,
USEPAOffic* of Water (WH^7).US4tadcoBofd«rGISC«t^^ P«g«2»
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23
24
25
26
27
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Arizono/New Mexico Mountains
Southern Deserts
Western Hion Plaint
Southwestern Tobleionds
Central Great Plaint
Central Oklahoma/Texas Mains
Central Texas Plateau
Southern Texas Plains
Texas Bloddond Prairies
East Central Texas Plains'
Western Gulf Coastal Plain
South Central Plains
Figure 2
Ecoregioru of Texas
Page 238
USEPA Office of Weter (WH-547). US-Mexteo Border QIS Cetalog •ttachment. July 1883.
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USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US4todco Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pag* 237
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factors. These factors included land surface form, land use,
soil types and potential natural vegetation. The nap is intended
to provide a geographic framework for resource managers to
determine attainable ranges of chemical quality, biotic
assemblages, and trophic states of aquatic ecosystems. Omernik
and Gallant (1987) developed larger scale regional maps which
delineate most typical areas within each ecoregion. Figure 2
depicts the-12 Texas ecoregrons as extracted (and reduced) from
the regional map.
The TWO has undertaken an ambitious project to determine the
physical, chemical and Biological characteristics of selected
streams within the ecoregtons in order to establish appropriate
uses and water quality criteria for the various areas .of the
state. This project is also intended to provide information
necessary to develop biocriteria and to establish least disturbed
reference streams which can*provide a bench mark for determining
attainable ranges of chemical quality and biotic assemblages.
(Twidwell and Davis, 1989; Bayer,- et al., 1992). The basic
premise is that stream water quality and biotic assemblages
within ecoregions should fee similar since the acquired water
quality characteristics are derived from similar watershed
components within each ecoregion. The information from a few
streams can then be reasonably extrapolated to other streams
within the ecoregion.
Five of the 12 Texas ecoregions are contained wholly or
partially within the Rio Grande Basin (Figure 2). Table 1
contains the combination of physical features that were used to
delineate each ecoregion within the basin. Ecoregion 23 -
Arizona/New Mexico Mountains is only represented in Texas by. the
Guadalupe Mountains in a relatively small area of the basin along
the Texas/New Mexico border. Ecoregion 24 - Southern Deserts is
also wholly contained within the basin and represents the vast
majority of the drainage area of the Rio Grande in Texas. This
ecoregion encompasses the area commonly known as the Trans-Pecos
region of Texas, although the ecoregion boundary extends to the
east of the Pecos River from the border with New Mexico down to
the vicinity of Del Rio. Ecoregion 25 - Western High Plains
occupies a relatively narrow band of the basin from the New
Mexico border in Loving County southeastward to the northern
portion of Crockett County. Ecoregion 30 - Central Texas Plateau
occupies a small portion of the basin from the southwestern
portion of Schleicher County southward along the western border
of Sutton County, then south along the eastern border of Val
Verde County to near Del Rio, then southeast to Brackettville.
The remainder of the basin southeast of Del Rio is located in
Ecoregion 31 - Southern Texas Plains.
Eight streams located within the Rio Grande Basin were
sampled for the TWC ecoregion project (Bayer, et al., 1992), four
each in Ecoregions 24 and 31. Because of the arid conditions in
this part of the state, it is not surprising that documented
springs provided base flow in the majority of the streams.
The sampled ecoregion streams and the classified segmented
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impacts in the Basin. This assessment describes the watershed
within Texas. Although some of the elements will consider
Mexican influences on the water quality, this report will largely
consider only the watershed within Texas. As information becomes
available, it will be integrated into the ongoing biannual
regional assessment program. A major aspect of future
information gathering will focus on joint U.S.-Mexico agreements
for data-sharing and monitoring.
geography and Climate
The water quality in the Rio Grande Watershed, like all
watersheds, is defined by the geography and climate within the
watershed. The river originates in the Rocky Mountains of
southern Colorado at an elevation of 12/000 feet. It then flows
south from Colorado through New Mexico for 600 miles, in a
."shallow valley about 250-500 feet below the high desert plains
of the area.1* (Schmandt and Ward, 1991). The river enters Texas
at an elevation of 3800 feet. About 100 miles south of El Paso
the river cuts through a plateau, forming deep canyons and
gorges. After flowing through this, area for about 480 miles, the
final 680 miles of the Rio Grande flows through plains. The
geography of the Rio Grande Basin within the study area can be
classified as tropical or subtropical desert (Eaton and Anderson,
1991).
The northern portion of the Basin in Texas is mostly desert,
but the climate becomes less arid and more tropical as the river
flows south. In general, the region is hot, warm and windy
(Schmandt and Ward, 1991). The Basin averages more 100* F days
than any other part of Texas for the months of May through
September (Bomar, 1983). Temperatures are higher in the southern
basin than in the northern basin, on the whole.
The northern basin has less precipitation than the southern
basin. For example, average rainfall ranges from 7.82 inches at
El Paso to 12.21 inches at Fort Stockton in the upper and middle
portions of the basin, respectively, to 20.14 inches at Laredo
and 25.44 inches at Brownsville in the southern portion (Bomar,
1983). The Rio Conchos and the Rio Grande receive flow from
snowmelt, but below £1 Paso most water in the river comes from
thunderstorms and hurricanes (Schmandt and Ward, 1991).
Regional Ecosystems
Texas is a large state with many distinct natural land forms
and vegetational areas. Streams that traverse these natural
areas tend to be just as distinct since water flowing over and
through the land to stream channels acquires and integrates
characteristics from the soils and vegetation (Hynes, 1970).
Omernik (1987) developed an ecoregion map of the conterminous
United States based on perceived patterns in a combination of
USEPA Office of Water (Wr«47). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. PaQt 235
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Senator Bentsen's Office: Kathy Little
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Larry McKinney
Texas Department of'Health: Sally Gutierrez
Texas Hater Development Board: Todd Chenoveth
Texas state Soil and Water Conservation Board: James Moore
United States Fish and Wildlife Service': Pat Connor
United States Geological Survey: Frank Wells
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States
Section: Ozzie Linguist
UT Center for Research in Water Resources: George Ward
UT School of Public Health: Zrina Cech
Texas Center for Policy Studies: Mary Kelly
Environmental Defense Fund: .Jim Marston
Texas Railroad Comission: Windle Taylor
Texas Department of Agriculture: Steven Bearden
Regional Steering Committee meetings will be held this
autumn in these regions of the Basin: £1 Paso-Presidio; the
Middle Rio Grande; and the Lower Rio Grande Valley .from Falcon
Dam to the Gulf. The first of these meetings will be primarily
informational—to introduce the objectives of the assessment and
mechanism for local involvement. The meetings are scheduled for
£1 Paso on September 22nd and Laredo on September 25th. State
and local officials, environmental groups, university
representatives, and their Mexican counterparts will be invited
from throughout the Basin. A similar meeting has already been
held for the Lover Rio Grande by the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Development Council.
Geographic Focus ef Assessment
From the headwaters in Colorado in the Rocky Mountains, the
Rio Grande (or Rio Bravo in Mexico) flows 3100 kilometers (tan) to
the Gulf of Mexico, first passing south through New Mexico. The
Rio Grande enters Texas some twenty miles north of £1 Paso and
forms the border between Texas and Mexico as it flows from £1
Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande Watershed drains an
area of 355,500 square miles in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and
Mexico, of which about 88,968 square miles in the United States
and 87,365 square miles in Mexico contribute streamflow to the v-
Rio Grande; the remaining area drains internal basins (Eaton^^--^
1987). The Rio Grande Basin is depicted in Figure l^r~PrTncipal
tributaries in Texas are the Pecos River and the Devils River,
and in Mexico the Rio Conchos, the Rio Salado, and the Rio San
Juan.
The international nature of the Rio Grande River complicates
a water quality study of the Rio Grande. Major tributaries drain
into the Rio Grande from Mexico; the Rio Conchos provides most of
the flow of the Rio Grande below Presidio. The lack of water
quality data in the Mexican portions of the Rio Grande Basin make
it difficult to make a thorough assessment of water quality
P«fl«23« USEPA Offlo* of W«t*r(WH^7). US4taxfeoBord*r G£ Catalog itttthnMnt. July 1983.
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INTRODUCTION
Directive and Purpose of this Assessment
The Texas Clean Rivers Act, Senate Bill 818, 72nd
Legislature, 1991 (SB 818), requires that the Texas Water
Commission implement a regional water quality assessment program.
The Commission has, determined that the assessment program for the
Rio Grande Basin would best be accomplished by using designated
funds to prepare a report in-house and carry* on other activities
described in Sections 320.1-320.9 of the Texas Water Commission
Permanent Rules. The staff-of the Standards and Assessments
Division will coordinate this task. This is the first of the
biannual assessments and addresses the elements specified in
these rules (see Appendices 1 and 2 for SB 818 and related TWC
rules).
The assessment report documents the extent and causes of
water quality impacts using existing data. Response to water
quality concerns will be developed by the ongoing biannual water
quality assessment program as'mandated by SB 818. These will
include identifying additional information needs' and suggesting
how these needs can be met, and proposing specific actions by
entities with regulatory authority.
Entities and Participating Agencies
This assessment report has been prepared with the
participation of representatives from state agencies, political
subdivisions, and other governmental bodies and individuals or
entities with an expressed interest in water quality natters in
the watershed. These members represent a diversity of interests.
In order to encourage public participation at all levels, there
will be two tiers of committees for the Rio Grande River Basin:
one Oversight -Committee which will meet in Austin five or six
times over the next several years, and various Local Committees
which will meet with similar frequency in the border towns of £1
Paso, Laredo or Del Rio, and Brownsville or McAllen to discuss
regional concerns.
The Oversight Committee serves an advisory role. The
members will help identify water quality issues which are
significant to the watershed. Additionally, the agencies and
organizations which have representatives on the committee will
provide any relevant water quality data to the Water Commission
for use in the basin assessments.
The first of the Oversight Committee meetings was held in
Austin on August 19, 1992. The members of the Rio Grande River
Basin Oversight Steering Committee are as follows:
TWC: Barbara Britton, John Hinojosa, Laura Koesters, James
Kowis, Hector Villa, and Kendall Moss
Governor's Office: Frank Fuller, Andrea Abel
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Madco Border QIS Catalog •ttaehnwnt July 1993. Pag* 233
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SEGMENT 2313: San Felipe Creek ice
SEGMENT 2314: Rio Grande above International Dan let
BIBLIOGRAPHY (Rule Element 25) J.78
APPENDICES 185
1. Texas Clean Rivers Act,. Senate Bill 818
2. Texas Water Commission Permanent Rules,
Chapter 320.1—320.9 (SB 818 Rules)
3. An Investigation of a Cluster of Neural Tube Defects in
Cameron County, Texas. July 1992. Summary and Conclusions
Only. (Rule Element 15)
4. Rio Grande Toxic Substances Study (Rule Element 15)
5. Water Rights Holders in the Rio Grande Basin Authorized
to Withdraw Greater than 10,000 acre-feet per year
(Rule Element 11)
6. Bilingual Newsletter Investigation (Rule Element 6)
7. An Inventory of Public Involvement in the
Rio Grande Basin (Rule Element 7)
8. Municipal Wastewater Permits (Rule Element 8)
9. Industrial Wastewater Facilities (Rule Element 9)
vi
Pag* 232
USEPA Offioa of Water (WH647). US4tadoo Bordar OS Catalog attaehmant My 1983.
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SEGMENT-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY 55
Method and Organisation of Segment-Specific Assessment 55
Water Resources 55
Flow 55
Water Quality Impacts 55
Municipal Wastewater Disposal (Rule Element 8) 55
Industrial Wastewater Disposal (Rule Element 9) 56
Water Quality Monitoring 56
Surface Water Monitoring (Rule Element 1) 56
Water Quality Status 56
Standards Compliance (Rule Element 19) 56
Toxics (Rule Element 15) 58
Vonpoint sources of Pollution (Rule Element 17) 58
Ecoreaion Characteristics 58
SEGMENT 2301: Rio Grande Tidal 59
SEGMENT 2302: Rio Grande below Falcon Reservoir 65
SEGMENT 2303: International Falcon Reservoir 75
SEGMENT 2304: Rio Grande below Amistad Reservoir 79
SEGMENT 2305: International Amistad Reservoir 98
SEGMENT 2306: Rio Grande above Amistad Reservoir 102
SEGMENT 2307: Rio Grande below Riverside Diversion Dam 113
SEGMENT 2308: Rio Grande below International Dam 130
SEGMENT 2309: Devils River 138
SEGMENT 2310: Lower Pecos River 144
SEGMENT 2311: Upper Pecos River 147
SEGMENT 2312: Red Bluff Reservoir 163
v
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US4tadco Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. pa
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Colo&ias 15
Impacts of Underground and Petroleum 17
Storage Tanks (Rule Element 13)
Impacts of Solid Waste Management Facilities 17
and Superfund Sites (Rule Element 12)
Wells as Potential Pollution sources (Rule Element 7) 19
Spills and Unpermitted Releases 20
Water Quality Status 22
Water Quality Standards 22
Evaluation of Water Quality Conditions (Rule Element 19) 22
Toxics (Rule Element 15) 26
Health and Integrity of Aguatic Life (Rule Element 16) 27
Aguatic Vegetation (Rule Element 18) 33
Waters of Concern and High Quality (Rule Element 24) 33
Other Water Quality Problems (Rule Element 23) 36
Water Quality Management 37
Water Quality Planning 37
in the Rio Grande Basin (Rule Element 22)
Wasteloads 40
Household and Agricultural Hazardous 42
Waste Management (Rule Element 20)
Water Conservation Initiatives (Rule Element 26) 43
Ambient Monitoring Programs (Rule Element 1) 43
Public Participation in Water 46
Quality Issues (Rule Element 3)
Citizen Monitoring (Rule Element 2) 49
Enforcement and Regulatory Effectiveness (Rule Element 21) 53
iv
P*9*230 ' USEPA Offie* of W«Ur (WHS47). USJtedoo Border OtS Catalog attachment July 1903.
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CONTENTS
PREFACE
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES . viii
INTRODUCTION 1
pirective and Purpose of The Assessment 1
Entities and Participating Agendas i
Geographic Focus cf The Assessment (Rule Element 5) 2
Geography and Climate 3
Regional Ecosystems 3
Soeioeeonomic Characteristics of the Basin (Rule Element 4) 5
BASIN-WIDE ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY 7
Water Resources 7
Hydrology and Hydrologic Modifications 7
Kajor Aquifers and Their Uses (Rule Element 6) 8
Recent History of Water Use 8
Water Rights (Rule Element 11) 10
Potable water Quality and Health Effects ' 10
Climate change and Water Supply 11
Water Quality Impacts 12
Konpoint Sources of Pollution (Rule Element 17) 12
•
Stormvater Permits (Rule Element 10) 12
On-Site Disposal of Wastewater (Rule Element 14) 13
USEPA Offic* of Water (WHW). US4tadco Bord«r QIS Catalog attachment July 1893
' Pag* 229
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PREFACE
The focus of this assessment is surface water quality and the
identification of potential sources that influence water quality.
We have given only mention to ground water resources, solid waste
management, and human health risk in this year's assessment.
The Texas Clean Rivers Act, SB 818, calls for an ongoing
regional assessment process. This offers the opportunity for
investigating the sources and impacts of additional pollution
sources. Information on Mexican water quality and pollution
loading from tributaries is largely unavailable at this time. We
have made a request through the IBWC for ambient water quality
monitoring data from Mexico. It is also possible that estimates of
pollution loading from wastevater and air emissions in Mexican-
cities and factories can be inferred from industrial activity and
land use as this information becomes available.
There is considerable concern about the effects the pending
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would have on air and
water quality along the U.S.-Mexico border. Several other studies
are under way, each focusing on environmental conditions likely to
be aggravated by NAFTA. The Texas Department of Health recently
completed an investigation of possible causes of neural tube
defects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Texas Water
Commission, with the IBWC, USEPA, Texas Department of Health, and
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will be conducting a toxicity
survey of the entire Rio Grande in Texas this autumn. The U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation is conducting a study of water resources in
and along the Rio Grande. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
conducting an assessment of toxic impacts on the Atascosa Wildlife
Refuge along the Arroyo Colorado. The U.S. EPA is planning a
multi-media environmental monitoring and risk assessment in the
Br owns vi lie-Mat amor os area. Our goal is to have this assessment
contribute significantly to our understanding of present
environmental conditions in the Basin.
Pag«228
USEPA Offlc* of W«tw (WH*47). US4todeo Border OB Cctalog •tUehmwiL July 1983.
-------
REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY
THE RIO GRANDE BASIN
TEXAS WATER COMMISSION, ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS SECTION
PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH
THE TEXAS WATER COMMISSION
UNDER THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE
CLEAN RIVERS ACT
Draft Report, August 31, 1992
s- a rr
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). U&Mexteo Border QIS Catalog attachmenL July 1993
' * Page 227
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Attachment 24
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
Excerpts from 'Regional Assessment of Water Quality:
The Rio Grande Basin.* Texas Water Commission,
Environmental Systems Section.* Draft Report August 1992.
Pap 226 USEPA Offio* of W«tor (WH-547). US-M«odoo Bolder QIS C«Uk>fl •tuehmwit July 1M3
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4.2.8 PC'S (2)
80386-based computers capably of running both DOS and UNIX operating
systems, and including 8 MB of RAM, 100 MB hard disk, token ring board (and
possibly ethemet), and software necessary for x-terminal emulation. These PC'S
will be used to develop methods to allow users to access certain GIS functions
. from their normal desktop pc's.
4.3 GIS Software Configuration :
The GIS software package to be used by TWC must function in the
integrated TRACS environment. It must be UNIX-based and support
all the open systems standards described in the TRACS Systems
Requirements document. It must be a full-featured system, including
support for simultaneous raster/vector processing and three-
dimensional analysis. It must store attribute data in an external
INGRES relational database located on a remote server and support
full bi-directional access between the two platforms. The user
interface must be easy to use and it must allow direct access by
end-users to all GIS functions. It must provide the means to
maintain database security and integrity:
•
Section 2.4.1 describes the vendor evaluation study conducted by the
GIS Design Team. The design team feels, that at least four vendors
offer GIS solutions that meet TWC's requirements. TWC should
complete the GIS software selection process in early calendar 1991.
bt,™ u*
Draft • TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Report DecemDer 20. 1990 page 4-6
USEPA Offic. of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment. July 1993. P 225
-------
A.color electrostatic plotter capable of plotting on multiple media up to
44" wide. The resolution should be variable from 200 to 400 dots per
inch. Includes a controller and sufficient memory for high speed, high
volume plotting. To be used primarily for output products.
Medium Plotter (1)
A black & white electrostatic (ef other perilcsa teehnolpuy) plotter
capable of plotting on multiple media up to 36" wide at a resolution of
300 dpi. Includes controller and sufficient memory for high speed, high-
volume plotting. To be used primarily for check plots and black & white
output products.
Small Plotter (13)
A color, penless printer/plotter that sits on a desktop and provides output
on 8.5"xir and B.5"xl4" paper. The resolution should be at least 200
dpi. This device is intended to be set up in QIS workgroup ares to provide
a quick, easy means for users to obtain nardcopy of graphics generated
on workstation screens.
4.2.7 Scanners
Two types of scanning devices will be required:
Large Scanner (1) iTan^-ervt"
A device that can scan existing paper maps, producing a raster file that
can digitally processed and loaded into the CIS. The scanner should
accept maps up to wide, allow resolution settings from 200 to 400
opt, and recognize colors, grayscales, and black & white.
Page Scanner (\fy ^ rn\cvoWVi.
A smaller scanner that accepts up to 8.5"x14" paper, and supports black
& white at 300 dpi This scanner is intended primarily for inputing norv
georeferenced raster images to be accessed through GIS and TRACS,
and to support temporary, ad hoc entry of spatial data needed by users.
Draft • TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Report December 20, 1990 page 4-5
P*g«224
USEPA Offic* of WaUr (WH447). US4todoo Border QIS C«Uiog «IUehmmL Juty 1963.
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Level 2 — Low-end UNIX Workstation (10) (eg, SUN IPC)
A desktop UNIX workstation running GIS software locally. The station is
also capable of running GIS or other applications off a workgroup server.
This station has 16 MB of RAM. a 19" high resolution color graphics
monitor, 500 MB of disk storage, and runs at MIPS. A digitizing
table can be attached H needed. This level of workstation is appropriate
for analytical applications and for routine GIS database updates (such as
adding a new facility during a permit approval process).
Level 3 —Mid-size UNIX workstation (6) (eg, SPARCJI)
A desktop UNIX workstation running GIS software locally. The station is
also capable of running GIS or other applications off a workgroup server.
This station has 16 MB of RAM. a 19" high resolution color graphics
monitor, 2 GB of disk storage, and runs at MIPS. A digitizing table
can be attached if needed. This level of workstation is appropriate for
heavy duty analytical applications that would run too slowly on a level 2
station, for full time data conversion/production use. for input and
processing of raster data, and for applications development
4.2.5 Digitizer
There are two basic categories of manual digitizers appropriate for use in the
GIS: i , , ... ' •
i Lar^< ba.cJuiT
Large Digitizer
This is a digitizing table with adjustable base, 44"x60" active area, .001"
resolution, and a free-floating cursor. This device is appropriate for full
time data conversion and production use. (Investigate voice commands,
and wireless cursor)
Small Digitizer ( «-\
This is a table-top digitizing tablet with a 20"x24" 'active area,- .001"
resolution, and a free-floating cursor. It is appropriate for lower volume
digitizing from documents and maps up to the size of a 7.5 minute quad.
4.2.6 Plotters
Three types of plotters will be required to support TWC's GIS activities:
•
Large Plotter (1)
Draft - TWC/GlS Conceptual Design Repon December 20. 1990 page
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pig, 223
-------
to the database server will be transparent to 6IS users, via a workgroup server.
Since tne database server will not be required to support individual users, h wil!
be able to manage and provide access to GIS files much more efficiently than
otherwise possible.
Raster Data Server (1)
A central, UNIX-based computer that will specialize in handling graphic data
stored in raster form. Due to: the large size of these files, optical 'jukebox*
storage will be employed instead of conventional magnetic storage. Optical
storage is much more economical, but at. some expense in access time. Two
types of raster data will be stored on this server. Gee-referenced raster images
will comprise certain layers of the GIS, such as U.S. Geological Survey quads.
Non-georelerenced raster images are scanned documents, field inspector
sketches, etc that are logically associated with TWO regulated facilities and can
be accessed by both TRACS and GIS users. As with the GtS Database Server.
access to this server by users will be transparent via intermediate servers.
v^
4.2.3 GIS Workgroup Server (12)
A UNIX computer running a complete GIS software package and capable of
supporting a number of workstation users over a network. X Windows software
will provide a common, graphic user interface for all users. The server should
contain 24 MB of RAM to support 3 users, or 32 MB to support 5 to 7 users.. The
server should run at 25 MIPS and include 2 GB of disk storage.
4.2.4. GIS Workstations
Three levels of workstation are proposed.for GIS use. All three are expected to
fully access all functions of the GIS software package and will include high
resolution graphics; they will differ in processor power and flexibility, tn
acquiring GIS workstations, division management should choose the lowest
level that supports the intended application.
Level 1 — X Station (35)
A terminal capable of delivering full GIS workstation functions when
connected to a GIS workgroup server. Each station has 16 MB of RAM
and 319" high resolution color graphics monitor. This is the appropriate
level for query-intensive applications.
Dran - TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Repon December 20. 1990 page 4-3
aB
-------
A 2 GIS Hardware Configuration
The initial GtS hardware configuration should include components necessary to
implement a complete set of GtS tools and to build high priority TWC/GIS
applications. Additional stations and input/output devices will be procured as
required in the future to support increasing GtS utilization in the agency.
Figure 4-2 gives an overview of the proposed TWC/GIS configuration. A central
GIS database server will hold all standard graphic GIS data and manage
access by multiple users. A central raster data server will use a large capacity
optical 'jukebox" storage device to store all raster images used by the GIS. GIS
workgroups are distributed throughout the agency and connected to the central* *
servers via an enhanced TWO network.
Each of TWO'S program divisions has identified potential GIS applications.
Many of the larger field offices woufd also benefit from access to GtS. it is logical
and economical to provide GIS access at a workgroup level; that is, each
program division and larger field office would maintain a separate work area
where GIS workstations and peripheral equipment are bcated. The proposed
workgroup configuration is shown in Figure 4-3.
The number of stations could vary initially from. 1 to 4, and some workgroups
may not require a page scanner, digitizer or plotter initially. The overall network
and GIS structure will be such that each workgroup can be incrementally
expanded to meet growing needs. The workgroup hardware need not be all'
located in the same room.
The Administrative Services Division will be expected to support the agency's
GIS in a number of areas such as digitizing .services, high Quality map
output/publishing, applications development, special projects, training, common
workstation access, database administration, and systems support. The
proposed initial hardware configuration for this division is shown in Figure 4-4.
... refer to need for the GIS configuration to fit into the general TRACS
configuration...
In its initial release, it is proposed that all GIS users work from a full workstation
platform. As TWO builds and refines applications using TRACS and GIS, It looks
promising that PC platforms may be utilized for some routine GIS tasks! '
Following are brief descriptions of the hardware components shown in Figures
4-2 through 4-4.
4.2.1 GIS Database Server (1)
A central, UNIX-based computer on which all agency-wide graphic GIS data will
reside. The server should run at 25 MIPS, have 32 MB of RAM. 20 GB of disk
storage, and the capability to expand diSK storage to 50 GB in the future. Access
Draft • TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Report December 20, 1990 page
USEPA Offic. of water (WH447). UfrM«dco Borctar GIS C^og tfteotaMtt. July
1993.
-------
V«ter CornmtMirm
Rwff
1-4
Overview of Proposed Ideal Architecture
.1-13
P«g«220
USEPAORie* oT Water (WH-547). US4tadoo Border OIS C«Uk>g •BaehmMH July 1BB3.
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4 CONFIGURATION
4.1 TRACS Configuration
TWC is in the process of procuring appropriate hardware and systems software
to develop and test TRACS, as well as to provide a platform tor expansion of
hardware capabilities to support TRACS production. Figure 4-1 gives an
overview of the proposed architecture.
Major components of the initial TRACS configuration include:
TRACS Database Server (1) — oooo 32.0
. Sz-o H-
Remote Office Workstations/Servers (3) — /cs/koos 320
PC Compatible Workstations (50)
Network — NFS
^
Relational Database Software —
TWC has placed a strong emphasis on adhering to the latest standards for
hardware, software, data communications, data management, development
tools, and user interface in the TRACS Request For Quotation (RFQ)...
Note that a subsequent procurement will be necessary to provide additional
hardware, software and network components needed to support an operational
TRACS system.
Drat: • TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Report December 20, 1990 page
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Peg* 219
-------
Integrated TRACS System
RDBMS
Relational
Database
Management
System
Commonly
referred ID
as TRACS
V J
r A
GIS
Geographic
Information
System
k. J
r A
EIS
Executive
Information
System
V J
Figure 2-1. Components of the TRACS Integrated System
A great number of federal, state and local agencies are working to
implement GIS technology, for reason very similar to TWC's.
However with TRACS, TWC has the rare opportunity to .formally
introduce GIS technology in concert with the design and development
of a unified, agency-wide relational database management system
(RDBMS). TWC may be one of the first agencies to deploy the latest
in RDBMS and GIS technologies in a complementary mode from the
ground up. This concept directly supports the information access
needs expressed in Framework For the Future.
2.2 Prior Use of GIS at TWC
In the mid 1970*s, the Texas Department of Water Resources
assembled one of the first GIS systems operating at the state
government level. Most basic computer mapping functions were
supported, and over several years powerful spatial analysis
functions were added. This system is currently managed by TWC's
Data Processing Services section, and it still supports a small
Dratt - TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Report December 20, 1990 page 2-2
Pag* 218
USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). US4todoo Border GIS dialog attachment July 19B3.
-------
BACKGROUND
2.1 TRACS Project
Over the past several years, a number of surveys and studies have
been conducted which related to the Information Management needs
of the Texas Water Commission (TWC). In an agency report,
Framework For the Future, published in December 1987. an
Information Processing Task Force established by the Executive
Director documented its findings regarding information needs in the -
agency. A very significant need expressed by a large percentage of
staff interviewed during the needs study was for a comprehensive,
integrated and flexible system to manage, analyze and generate
reports from the vast amounts of data and information collected and
used by agency staff. This need was included in the subsequent TWC
Strategic .Plan and the Long-Range Automated Information and
Telecommunications Systems (AITS) Plan.
In the AITS Plan, TWC proposed to address this need by designing a
new system, called the TWC Regulatory and Compliance System
(TRACS), that would replace scores' of existing systems. TRACS
would take advantage of the latest database design principles,
recent dramatic advances in hardware and software technologies,
and extensive involvement by' program area staff throughout the
development phase.
As discussions about TRACS continued, it became apparent that
some of the key requirements for improved information access were
geographic in nature. TWC manages and uses vast amounts of
information on paper maps, including environmental data and
locations of regulated entities. Recent advances in Geographic
Information System (CIS) technology have made .it practical to
process maps by computer. One of the most significant contributions
of TRACS would be to put TWCs maps on-line and to provide support
for management, analysis and viewing of map information. CIS has
thus been established as a key conceptual component of TRACS (see
figure 2-1).
Dran • TWC/GIS Conceptual Design Repon December 20. 1990 page 2-1
USEPA Office of Water
-------
I
Attachment 23 I
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
•Excerpts from TRACS program description.1
PaB* 216 USEPA Offict of Water (WH-MT), US-Mwdoo Border O1S Catalog «tt»ehmwit .My 19W
-------
7.1 information Resources Manager's Certifiration
7.2 Standards Compliance Reporting and the Peer Review
7.3 Waiver Applications
30
30
30
31
Appendix A
Appendix B-l
Appendix B-2
Appendix JW
Appendix B-4
Appendix B-S
Appendix C
Quality and Accuracy Report
Appendix D
Appendix £
Appendix F
Entity Report
Battty Rrourt Fields Deicoptk
Attribute Report
Attribute Report Fields Prscription
Sample Rqxjrts .
Quslity ffl^ Accuracy Report y^Tpp^ 1
Quality and Accuracy Report Sample 2
Entity and Attribute Report Sample
Figure 1 - Latitude-Longitude (Geographic Coordinates)
Figure 2 - State Plane Coordinate System Zones
Figure 3 - Universal Transverse Mercatnr (U1M) Zone
Figure 4 - Texas Statewide Mapping System
Glossary of GIS terms
GIS Standards Committee Membership List
eed
t:\eij\iuf\inmil .doc
USEPA Offic, o, Wrt.r (^547). US^xico Bordr QIS C*dofl ^Uchm^t Ju^
1993.
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3.4.8 Syinbology Key .................. .............. 19
3.4.9 PiCTPPtiipn/ffifosofaUtfrtflin ......I.........*......... 19
3.4.10 Grid Lines or Intersecttan Ucks ..................... 19
3.5 Standard Haidcopy Offlpnt Scales ........ . .................. 20
3.5.1 Site Specific Scales .............................. 20
3.5.2 1:24,000 .................................... 20
3.5.3 1:25,000 .................................... 20
3.i.4 1:15,840, 1:31,680, awl 1:63,300 ..................... 20
3.5.5 1:63.360, 1:126,720, and 1;253,440 ................... 20
3.5.6 1:62,500 ................. ................... 20
3.5.7 1:100,000 .......................... , ........ 20
3,5.8 1:250,000 ................................... 20
3.3.9 1:300,000 ................................... 21
3.5.10 1:1,000,000, 1:1,250,000, 1:1,500,000, and 1:2,000,000 ...... 21
4.0 Data Capture .......................................... 22
4.1 Map Precision .............. . ...................... 22
4.1.1 LatlTiitlc and Luugimde Values .................. , . . . . 22
4.1.2 X.Y or X,Y,Z Coordinale Values ..................... 22
4.2 Map Accuracy ..................................... 22
4.2.1 Horizontal Accuracy ............ ... .............. 22
4.2.2 Vertical Accuracy ............................... 23
4.3 Scale Abuse .......................... ., ............ 23
4.3.1 ScaleModng , ................................. 23
4.3.2 Scale Misrepresentation ........................... 23
4.4 Sources for Map Compilation ............................ 24
4.4.1 Easting Digital Maps ............................ 24
4.4.2 Original Digitizing .............................. 24
4.4.2.1 Digitizing From Other Than Hardcopy Maps ........ 24
4.4.2.2 Digitizing From Hardcopy Maps (7.5' USGS Quads) ... 25
4.4.2.2.1 Generational Slippage ................. 25
4.4.2.2.2 Manuscript Media . . , ................. 25
4.4.2.2.3 Registration. Ticks ................... 25
4.4.2.2.4 Edgematdiing .............. '. . ...... 26
5.0 Data Interchange Standards .............. , ................. 27
5.1 Files Transferred .................................... 27
5.2 Native and Direct Data Interchange Formats ................... 27
5.3 Neutral Data Interchange Formats ........... . .............. 27
5.4 Data Interchange .................................... 28
6.0 Metadata ............................................ 29
6.1 Quality and Accuracy Report ............................ 29
6.2 Data Dictionary .................................... 29
1991
USEPA Offic* of Water QWH*47). US4todco Border 018 Catalog attachment July 1993.
-------
Table of Contents
..«......••«••••••••.»-•••--••••«•«••««».. 4
1.1 Texas Geographic Informatioii Systems (GIS) Standards Comp^rtcs ..... 5
1.2 Update Process ..................................... 6
1.3 AJpticahflily ...... ........... •• .................... 6
2.0 Data. Layer Classification .................................. 7
2.1 fflengyftfoat Scheme . , ....... . ............. . ......... 7
2.2 Database O^M^gfag ............... • .................. 14
2.3 Naming Conventions ................................. 14
3.0 Cartography .......................................... 15
3.1 Datums / Hydrogiaphic Standards ................ . ...... . . 15
3.1.1 Hoffonpffll Damns ....... . ...................... 15
3.1.2 Vertical Damms ..................... ........... 15
3.1.3 Hydrogtaphic Standards ....... .................... 15
3.2 Projections and Coordinate Systems ........................ 15
3.2.1 T^ilitiv^'- - Longitude (Geographic Coordinates) ........ ..... 15
3.2.2 State Pl2nc Cuanfinatc Systems (1927 and 1983 daturas) ...... .. 16
3.2.3 Universal Transverse Mercator (OTM) .................. 16
32.4 Texas Statewide Mapping System ............ ; . . . ..... 16
3.2.4.1 Map Projection .......................... 16
3.2.4.2 Ellipsoid .............................. 16
3.2.4.3 Dauuii ........ . ........... . ........... 16
3.Z4.4 Longitude of Origin ....................... 17
3.2.4.5 infante of Origin ........................ 17
3.2.4.6 Swndaid Panflel 1 ...... .................. 17
3.2.4.7 Standard Paianel 2 ........................ 17
3.2.4.8 Fabe-Eastinj ........................... 17
3.2.4.9 False Northing ................. .- . . ...... 17
3.2.4.10 Unit of Measurement ...................... 17
3.3 Map Transformations ............ , .................... 17
3.4 Map Legend and Supplemental Information ............ . ...... 17
3.4.1 Map Title ................................... 18
3.4.2 Scale Representation ............................. 18
3.4.3 Map Dates ............................ ....... 18
3.4.4 Author ................................. ____ 18
3.4.5 Disclaimer ................................... 18
3.4.6 Sources) ......................... ........... 19
3.4.7 North Anow .................................. 19
AUJU« It, 199J
USEPA Offic. of W.Ur 0VHM7). US-M«dco Bordw GB C^log -UchmwL July 1993.
• *B^ fciij
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STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
FOR
GEOGRAPHIC INTCHRMAI3DN SYSTEMS
IN THE
STATE OF TEXAS
Developed by;
Texas Geographic Information
Systems Standards Committee
Published by:
Department of Information
Austin, Texas
August 1992
P*g«212
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Modco Bonter OtS Catalog •tUchmwit July 1903.
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Attachment 22
State of Texas
Department of Transportation
Texas Road Inventory Mapping System
•Standards and Guidelines for Geographic
Information Systems in the State of Texas:
Table of Contents' August 1992.
USEPA Offlc* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1903 Page 211
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Daw ....................... - ................................................ 46
Blanfc [[[ 47
Esearoment, Bluff .............................. ............................ 48
Mountain Range 4 Prominent Elevation (Symools) ............................. 49
Hitcn poi nt [[[ ... so
State Lint Monument [[[ 51
Boundary Lines [[[ 52
Airfield: Synools 4 Runways ............................................... S3
Public Facility Symbols ................................. . .................. 54
Blank [[[ 55
Government Symbol s ............. , ........................................... 56
Town Symbols. Names, Population I State Capitol ............................ 57
City Units ............................................ i ................... SB
Bubble Inset [[[ 59
Asterisks i Mileage Between Points ......................................... 60
ATI the above are In Files Ident1f1td! (5 DWts) U.06N er tS Digits) B.QGN
Feature Lev
-------
4-7-52
COUHTY MAP FEATURES
Texas Road Inventory Mapping System
"TRIMS"
Feature Levtl
Highway Nwmoer i Shield (Annotation) 1
Highway Boulevard Z
Frontage Road/Ramp. 3
Grid Identification & Grid Crossing 4
rflgnway 1n City 5
Pedestrian Overpass .6
Blank «7
Hi ghway Rural 3
Br1 ages on Boulevard 9
Blank 10
Bridge: Highway in city -.• 11
Bridge: Highway Rural • 12
Blank 13
Culture Names 14
Blank 15
Blank 16
concrete Ford (crseks) 17
City Streets/Street Boul evards 18
Street Names (Ctty version only) 19
Co Road Bridges 20
Rural SuDdivi sion Streets 21
County Road (Earth) 22
County Road (All weather) 23
County Road (Paved) 24
Blank 25
Rural Subdi vi sion Boul evards 26
Railroad: Main Line & Station Symool, Nane 27
Slant 28
Railroad: Spur Line 29
Blank 30
Railroad Bridge 31
Blank 32
Blank 33
water Feature Naaes 34
Fluae 35
Blank 36
Intermittent Streams 37
$treans/Ri vers (Flowlng) 38
Lakes 39
Stream Medium, 40
Stream Large 41
Intermittent Lake ....42
Inundation Line 43
Ship i Barge Symbol i GIWW Canal (water) i (names) 44
(Canal)(Lane) 45
USEPA Office of W«ter (WH$47). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1993. paaa 3^
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Attachment 21
State of Texas
Department of Transportation
Texas Road Inventory Mapping System
•County Map Features'
Pa0a206
USEPA Office of Wator (WH-547). US-Mmteo Boritr OS Catalog attachment. July 1883
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wetlands are being interpreted and classified from Landsat thematic
mapper imagery, and change analysis will be performed for habitat
features over the period from 1988 to 1992. Protocols and
methodology developed by the CoastWatch Mapping Program are being
applied in a pilot study to discriminate between the following
habitat classes: open saltwater; open freshwater; riverbeds;
saltmarsh (low and high); tidal flats; palustrine marsh; coastal
prairie; coastal uplands; and coastal land use in the adjacent
uplands (eg. -agriculture, native forest, urban, etc.)- A subscene
test area in lower Gal vest on Bay (Chocolate-Christmas-West Bays),
equivalent to about four (4) 7.5 min quad sheets, is being
investigated by conducting detailed ground surveys and accuracy
assessment. Global Positioning Satellite technology is being used
to establish known geo-referenced ground locations.
USEPA Offic* (A Water (WH-547). US-Maxico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 207
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Coastal Wetlands Habitat Monitoring in Texas
Warren Pulich Jr.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744
Historical inventories and trend analyses of coastal wetlands
have been poorly documented for Texas, perhaps moreso than any
other state with a similar magnitude of coastline. Since 1988, the
Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., Resource Protection Division, has
pursued the objective of building a digital map database of coastal
-wetlands, associated habitats and land use for its resource
management and assessment programs. Ba'sed on historical aerial
photography and digital remote sensing data, the wetlands database
would start in the mid 1970' s, and achieve the accuracy of a
1:24000 map scale. The habitat classification scheme adopted has
been developed by the NQAA CoastWatch Change Analysis Program and
comprises a hybrid system with the Cowardin U.S.F.W.S. National
Wetlands Inventory classification. This information will be
applicable to: habitat and land use inventories of the Texas
coastal zone; trend analysis of habitat changes over time; and
environmental impact assessment during regulatory reviews.
These goals present an enormous task for a mapping program
considering there are some 407 U.S.G.S. quads (7.5 min area) in
just the 18 coastal counties from Brownsville to east of Galveston
Bay. Such obvious program limitations have led to organizing the
scope of work into manageable phases based on priority of resource
information needs.
1) Cartographic mapping of submerged vegetation has been
targeted for the entire Texas coast. Previous qualitative studies
have indicated that this coastal habitat is decreasing
dramatically. Recent quantitative mapping has been completed on
this habitat component for the San Antonio Bay System, Galvester.
Bay System, and parts of the Corpus Christi-Nueces Bay System.
2) In order to address specific resource management issues,
wetland habitat mapping and change analysis has been performed for
certain key sites or entire bays. This was'recently done for one
of the TPWD Coastal Preserve management areas (Welder Point, a
Whooping Crane sanctuary)) and the Nueces Bay System as part of a
study to evaluate impacts of altered freshwater inflows from the
Nueces River. Wetlands have been compared over a ten year period
representing before and after the Choke Canyon Dam was built on the
Nueces River.
3) Cooperative arrangements are being developed with federal
programs to complement ongoing, national mapping efforts. Recent
cooperation with the NOAA/CoastWatch CCAP Program has dealt with
a pilot project on the Galveston Bay region of Texas. Emergent
Pag«206
USEPA Offlc* rfWrtw flVH-MT). US-M«doo Border OB Catalog «ttachm*nL July 1993.
-------
Attachment 20
State of Texas
Parks and Wildlife Dept
Coastal Wetlands Habitat Monitoring
Quality and Accuracy Reports
USEPA Offie* of Water (WH-547). US-M«clco Border Q1S Catalog attachment. July 1993 Pag* 205
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:-*&«"piat». developed, hi part
through the efforts of this project Tbe GLO, by way of this report recommends that the
data dictionary template be evaluated as a potential reporting requirement for future GIS
data submitted to EPA Region 6 by contractors or cooperating agencies. Consistency
with this data format would greatly facilitate die exchange of GIS data between state and
federal agencies in Texas and, it is hoped, throughout the region.
Pmflt204 USEPA Offlc* o( W«ter (WH-547). US-Mexico Bordw QIS dialog attachment July 1983.
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-^Executive Summary
Executive
Summary
I
n Texas, most major state agencies ""^ universities Hthy have, or are in die process
of acquiring, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Daily interactioo
between these state agencies and their federal counterparts would be greatly
existing ***** were readily available wfl easily transferable in
format Unfortunately, this is not the case, The majority of data now boosed in state and
federal agencies is not available in CHS format, and the small percentage of information
that has been converted to CHS digital format has been prepared on a project-by-project
basis, with little regard to future data transfer or sharing needs. The absence of national
or statewide GIS data standards has perpetuated mis problem.
Recent advancements fa CHS technology have produced a unique tool capable of rapidly
accessing large quantities of data, transforming the data into easily understood graphic
images, and allowing its manipulation to illustrate existing or proposed conditions. One
of die fundamental buQdtng blocks upon which a successful CHS must be constructed is
the "data dictionary." The CHS Data Dictionary, as defined by the Texas Department of
Infonnation Resources (DIR), provides a "description of the information contained in a
Hafa coverage, e.g., format, definition, structure, and usage."
Recognizing a need to improve information exchange capabilities of *W and federal
agencies in Texas, staff of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the U: S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 initiated a cooperative project under
the State/EPA Data Management (SEDM) Financial Assistance Program to assist with
the development and testing of a prototype CHS Data Dictionary.
Unknown to GLO and EPA collaborators, two other initiatives which would become
intimately linked with die project were under way. While discussions were being held
regarding development of a cooperative project, new state legislation was adopted
designating GLO as dte lead agency in Texas for oil spin response and prevention. This
new mandate earned with it die need for immediate development of a comprehensive
statewide ofl spill response and prevention program and die technical support necessary
to facilitate such a program. It was apparent from die outset of oil spill response planning
within toe GLO t^at hnTTiCTCf quantities of ^atfl from a variety of disciplines would be
required to meet die needs of the program. For dus reason, a high priority was placed
upon acquiring state-of-the-art GIS capability for die Texas General Land Office Ofl
Spin Prevention and Response Program (OSPRP) at die earliest possible opportunity.
Although a sense of urgency existed to 'develop this new oil spill GIS. planners within
GLO were aware from previous experience that (1) die most costly part of GIS
development is data acquisition, (2) die oil spill GIS would be a long-term commitment,
and data entered into die system would have to be useful for many years, and (3) most of
die data entered into die system would come from external sources. As these factors were
considered, GLO staff agreed that, regardless of die urgency, careful* planning was
needed to ensure that data acquired for die oil spill GIS was properly documented.
Without dus documentation, little confidence could be placed upon the accuracy or
reliability of die Aats\ The implementation of GIS data standards was recognized,
therefore, to be a critical component of die oil spill GIS development.
During this same period, DIR, die Texas state agency charged widi providing leadership
and coordination of information resource management within state government, created a
subcommittee of die Texas GIS Standards Committee to develop comprehensive
standards and guidelines for GIS used in state governmental agencies and universities.
These standards and guidelines would promote higher levels of data compatibility
between state agencies, thereby facilitating easy transfer of GIS data between users and
USEPA Office erf Water (Wr«47). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment. Jury 1993.
Page 203
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Development of a
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Prototype Data Dictionary
for Oil Spill Response Activities
Page 202
Project Report
Written by: C. Bruce Smith and Scot B. Friedman
Texas General Land Office
\ Texas General Land Office
"" f Garry Mauro, Commissioner
November 1992
Funded through a cooperative agreement with the
\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6
State/EPA Data Management Financial Assistance Program
Contract #X2006639-01-1
USEPA Offio* of W«t»r (WH*»7). US4tadco Border O1S Catalog ittachiMnt July 1983.
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Attachment 19
State of Texas
Texas General Land Office (GLO)
•GIS Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill Response
Activities: Executive Summary of Project Report
November1992.
USEPA Office of W«ter (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1993 Pag* 201
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USEPA Office of W«t«r (WH-547). US-Mwdco Border QIS C«Ulog attachment July 1993. pag« 199
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P«9»188 USEPAO«ico)alW«l»r(WH«47). US*ta>doo Bordo* QIS C*tolog
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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION
UNITED STATES AND MEXICO
UNITED STATES SECTION
NARENDRA N. QUNAJI
Commissioner
4171 North Mesa Street
El Paso. Texas 79902
MEXICAN SECTION
J. ARTURO HERRERA SOUS
' Commissioner
Apanado Postal 1612D
Cd. Juarez. Chihuahua
WATER BULLETIN NUMBER 60
Flow of the Rio Grande
and
Related Data
From Elephant Butte Dam, New Mexico
to the Gulf of Mexico
1990
STORAGE IN MAJOR RESERVOIRS
SOURCES OF RIVER FLOW
DIVERSIONS
QUALITY OF WATER
CLIMATOLOG1CAL DATA
DRAINAGE BASIN AND IRRIGATED AREAS
USEPA Offic. of Wttr
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Attachment 18
International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)
Excerpt: •Water Bulletin Number 60: Flow of the Rio Grande and
Related Data1 IBWC. 1990.
Pag* 196
USEPAO»fic«o« Water (WH-547). U&Mwdoo Border OS Catalog attachment Ju!y1W3
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identify and write directory entries for the major environmental-change related data
sets in the Mexican-U.S. border area.
Deliverables (Task 7):
Year one: Compendium of Data Custodians with brief descriptions of data held.
The Compendium will be published in both paper and electronic formats. Annual
updates.
Year two: Prototype Regional environmental Information system. Inventory of
waste disposal sites. Inventory of shared water resources.
Year three: Operational Regional Environmental Information System. Report on
environmental quality in the border area.
USEPA Offic* of Water (WH-547). US4bxkx> Border QIS CaUlog attachment July 1993. p-ge 195
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success of environmental protection efforts, and on the direction of future efforts. A
regional environmental information system would provide input into the U.S.
effort to ensure that domestic trade policies are environmentally sensitive and that
the U.S. environmental programs support free trade and sustainable growth.
Approach to Task 7: This task will follow the model for the creation of a Regional
Directory, Data Sharing Network and Information System for the U.S.-Mexico
Border Region. Development in FY 1993 will be limited to initiation of the survey
of appropriate regional EPA and non-EPA data sets.
Associated activities in the out-years will include:
• CIESIN will act as a gateway between the participants in the Environmental Plan for
the Mexican-U.S. Border Area and CIESIN's Information Cooperative members,
providing for the exchange of border-area related data and information.
• The participants in the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area will
have access to remote sensing data through CIESIN's Socioeconomic Data and
Applications Center (SEDAC).
• CIESIN will assist in the identification, collection, archiving, and dissemination of
specialized information relevant to environmental change investigators,
environmental change policy analysts, and the integration of interdisciplinary data
in the border area.
• CIESIN will serve as a point of access to border-area data and information for those
who are outside of the area, especially for the domestic and international
environmental change science community.
• CIESIN will be a source of remote sensing expertise, Geographic Information System
(CIS) capability, data harmonization, and data integration capability for the
participants in the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area.
• CIESIN will work with the participants in the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-
U.S. Border Area to develop and host a large interdisciplinary database of data sets
and related contextual information for the whole border area, including Mexico.
This database will allow investigators to easily access data for any part of the area,
across state and international boundaries.
• The participants in the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area will
assist CIESIN in obtaining major policy documents, as well as other information, for
CIESIN to put on-line, and will assist with the identification of data resources.
The primary task in the out -years of the project is to find more data sets
relevant to the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area that can be
usefully harmonized and integrated so as to shed light on a health, land-use, or
industrial metabolism issue; conduct the harmonization and integration of the data;
and then analyze and archive the results. In the process there will be an effort to
P*9«194 USEPAOffio«rtW«tw(WV«47).US4todcoBordwOISC«tolofl«ttK!hm«iL Juty 1983.
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conservation, and to promote environmentally sustainable development Some say
that the trade accord could lead to increased pollution along the U.S. Mexican border
and the lowering of U.S. environmental and food safety standards. However,
William K. Reilly, while EPA Administrator, said that NAFTA would encourage
the trade-pact parties to harmonize their standards upwards to increase protection of
the environment and health.
At the present time, based on the available data, the most serious
environmental concerns are related to the concentrations of people and industry in
the fourteen border-area sister cities. Congestion, uncontrolled urban development,
and lack of basic public health and sanitation facilities have become significant
problems in many communities. At many places on the U.S. side of the border,
unincorporated communities, called colonias, have sprung up adjacent to towns
and cities. These colonias are characterized by substandard housing, inadequate
roads and drainage, and barely adequate water and sewer systems, if such systems
exist at all. For example, less than one percent of Texas colonias are served by
wastewater treatment systems. Most waste water from colonias goes into closed-end
ditches, pits, or outhouses. Groundwater contamination is therefore more likely to
occur than surface water contamination, except under high rainfall conditions.
When high rainfall conditions occur, contaminated waste water is likely to affect the
water quality downstream of the effluent.
Air quality in the border area is affected by agricultural activities and use of
pesticides and fertilizers, urban traffic congestion, toxic pollutants emitted from
small industries along both sides of the border, and open burning of solid wastes,
primarily on the Mexican side of the border. In addition, many people heat their
homes with wood- or refuse-burning stoves that emit toxic air pollutants.
It is difficult to quantify the extent to which these different sources of
pollution are contributing to exposure of the residents along the border, since the
existing monitoring is inadequate for this purpose (ref.: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Secretaria de Desarrollo Urbano y Ecologia, Integrated
Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area {First Stage, 1992-1994]). In
the Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area, the need for increased
understanding of the environment was identified. One of the major objectives of
the first stage of the Environmental Plan (1992-1994) is to gain environmental
information, including quality of environmental resources, such as airsheds and
ground water, and the amount, concentrations, and sources of pollution in the area.
Purpose of Task 7: The goal of the task is to provide a regional environmental
information system capable of addressing targeted issues related to what has been
and is currently being done to characterize the exposure of the people living within
the Mexican-U.S. border region, and the extent to which people are being exposed,
the most significant routes of exposure, the sources of exposure, and the
relationship of these exposures to health risks. Communities need, and have a right
to know, that information, because it is the basis for informed judgments on the
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993. page 193
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Regional Environmental Information System
0 0
Survey ot current
capabilities ft. tools
Deliverable:
Cornpsndiufn of
Integrated Metadata
ft. Data Sets
Deliverable:
Prototype Regional
cfflnronmental
Information
System
12
iterative feedback loops
4/T^
User needs
assessment
/
/
£
4 6 ^
Analysis of data
flow requirements
& architecture of
the information
system
/ 1
Tool development ft.
Test ft. evaluation
Deliverable:
Operational Regional
Environmental
Information System
Identification of data
sets
TftchniCeU support
36
EPA User Working Group
Figure 7. PERT chart for development of Regional Environmental Information System.
Numbers upper right = duration (months).
Task 7: Inventory and integration of available information in the
Mexican-U.S. border area (September 1993 Implementation)
Background: The border area between Mexico and the United States is defined as
the zone within 100 km on either side of the political boundary of each country. It
stretches nearly 3200 km, or about 2000 miles, between the Gulf of Mexico and the
Pacific Ocean. More than 9.5 million people live in the border area, however over
95% of these people live in fourteen pairs of sister cities (Tijuana/San Diego,
Mexicali/Calexico, San Luis Rio Color ado/Yuma, Nogales/Nogales, Agua
Prieta/Douglas, Naco/Naco, Las Palomas/Columbus, Ciudad Juarez/El Paso,
Ojinaga/Presidio, Ciudad Acuna/Del Rio, Piedras Negras/Eagle Pass, Nuevo
Laredo/Laredo, Reynosa/McAllen, and Matamoros/Brownsville).
Even though the border area is divided into different political units,
including two countries, six Mexican states, and four U.S. states, it is—from many
perspectives, including the environmental—an undivided area. It will require an
integrated and coordinated approach to protect its future environmental quality and
^its future quality of life. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
states that one of its main purposes is to promote economic development and trade
expansion in a manner consistent with environmental protection and
Pap 182
USEPA Offio*
-------
Definition of the data integration demonstration consists of defining the
information requirements, what data sets will be integrated, and how they will be
integrated. This demonstration project will be defined in conjunction with the
selection process of prototype network members with guidance from an EPA User
Working Group.
Data Development
Data development entails the activities of categorization of data for data
retrieval; data conditioning, putting the data into usable formats; and integration of
data and development of integration products. This work will be done in
conjunction with the development of a Regional Environmental Information
System,
Development of Regional Environmental Information System
Development of this system will allow users to utilize data archived at other
network locations for specific applications. The development process includes
system functional definition in response to EPA regional and local needs;
architecture and operational definition; system design; system development; test,
verification and installation; and demonstration. This development will build
upon available Environmental Information Systems such as CIESIN's Saginaw
Valley Watershed Regional Prototype.
All regions will not be developed concurrently. The Great Lakes region will
be used as a regional prototype, where most development activity will occur in FY
1993. The Chesapeake Bay and the Mexican-U.S. Border region development will be
initiated in FY 1993 with greater emphasis given to Chesapeake Bay. In FY 1994 the
Great Lakes region will be expanded, tested, and refined; the Chesapeake Bay and the
Mexican-U.S. regions will be prototyped; and network development in two
additional regions will be implemented. In FY 1995 continued expansion, testing
and refinement will be made of the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and Mexican-U.S.
Border regions, the regions initiated in FY 1995 will be prototyped, and additional
regional development will be initiated. This, as all development, will be guided by
EPA User Working Groups. As systems for data access and integration are
developed for the Great Lakes and subsequent regions, they will be installed in other
regions where relevant.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1983. Pcg, 191
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development, (f) data integration demonstration definition, (g) data development,
and (h) development of the regional distributed data application system (Figure 7).
A brief discussion of these activities is as follows:
Survey of Regional Data Sets
A survey will be performed of non-EPA data sets of regional and local
significance. (EPA data sets will have been surveyed in Task 1.) Information
obtained from this survey will (a) provide input to regional directory development,
(b) help establish the scope of the regional network, and (c) provide input to the
definition of the regional distributed data application-specific archive system and
data integration demonstration.
Documentation of Survey
Results of the survey will be entered into a "tracking" database. This database
will be designed to facilitate the development of directory entries.
Development of Prototype Network Organizations
Regional data holders will be prioritized as potential regional network
members with guidance from EPA User Working Groups. Once identified as
relevant, contact will be established, and details of network membership will be
worked out.
Regional Directory System Prototype Engineering and Architecture
This involves the definition of the regional network operations, and defining
the architecture of the system. This engineering work will precede actual
development of the Regional Directory System Prototype.
Prototype Development
Development activity includes establishing network connectivity; developing
directory entries, including the establishment of a controlled vocabulary, and the
writing of directory entries; installation and demonstration of the distributed
directory prototype between the region's central node and a member node;
investigation of level 0 inventory access potential; development of a file transfer
system for level 0 inventory access; installation and demonstration of level 0
inventory access with file transfer from the region's central node to a member node;
the investigation of level 3 inventory access potential; development of level 3
system compatibility; installation and demonstration of level 3 inventory access
between the region's central node and a system at a member node; and training for
the installed systems.
Data Integration Demonstration Definition
P*0«190 5 USEPA Office of Water (WH^T). US4tadoo Border OB C«U^ attachment July 1983.
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Tasks 4 -10: Regional Environmental Information Systems
Overview: This task proposes the development of regional, computer-based
environmental information systems. These systems will offer a regional network
for data sharing and application-specific archives and functions on a regional and
local basis. They will be connected to the national-level EPA Directory and Data
Access System, as well as EOSDIS, SEDAC, and the QESIN's Information
Cooperative.
CIESIN will establish a Users Working Group to provide advice on
prioritization of data and services to help ensure that investment into data access is
driven by a broad spectrum of science and policy needs—both EPA and non-EPA
alike. The Users Working Group will include representatives from both the Federal
and non-Federal scientific, engineering, and policy communities. A goal of the
Working Group will be to encourage the identification, assembly, documentation,
and preservation of environmental data, and to help enable EPA to present to the
scientific and policy communities an integrated, comprehensive view of the
Agency's collective holdings, supporting policies and services to users.
The Regional Environmental Information Systems will be developed on a
regional basis and will consist of networks of data holders, EPA and non-EPA alike,
that maintain data archives pertinent to EPA regional and local concerns. These
data archives will be networked in a directory and information access system
architecture similar to the national-level EPA system that will be prototyped in Task
2. Directory as well as inventory access functions will be available. An EPA regional
program office will serve as a central node for the regional network, providing its
members connectivity to the national-level EPA system along with its extended
network. This relationship is presented in Figure 5 (page 25).
Within each region, an application-specific distributed data archive and
information system will be defined and developed. These systems will provide
access to application-specific archives distributed within each region. In this
concept, individual data holders develop and maintain their own data archives.
The ultimate functionality of the regional environmental information
systems will be driven by regional and local EPA information requirements, and
subject to data availability. They potentially could present users a directory of
available data and information, a means of access to that data, tools for data
manipulation and analysis, and the capability to display the resultant information.
Geographical or spatial context will be maintained for analysis and display by the
incorporation of Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities.
A common development model will be used in the prototyping of all
regional systems. This model incorporates (a) survey of regional data sets, (b)
documentation of the survey, (c) development of regional network organizations,
(d) directory system prototype engineering and architecture design, (e) prototype
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July: 1893. pag«
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INTEGRATION AND USE OF INFORMATION
REGARDING THE
HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
An Unsolicited Cooperative Agreement Proposal To:
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Grants Operations Branch (PM-216F)
Grants Administration Division
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Submitted By:
CIESIN
CONSORTIUM FOR INTERNATIONAL
EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATION NETWORK
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: ROBERTA BALSTAD MILLER
2250 Pierce Road
University Center, Michigan 48710 USA
Phone: (517) 797-2700
FAX: (517) 797-2622
March 1993
Pa0e 188 , USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1983.
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Attachment 17
Consortium for International Earth Science
Information Network (CIESEN)
Excerpt from draft work plan:
•Integration and Use of Information Regarding the
Human Dimensions of Environmental Change1
USEPAOffic* of Water (WBS47). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1993 ' Pay* 187
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UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1990
FEDERAL EXPENOmiRES BY COUNTY. FFY82-83 THRU FFY89-90
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: MFG.. MACHINERY
ELECTRIC BY COUNTY. 1982-1989
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: MFG.. PRMTMG BY
COUNTY. 1982-1989
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: MFG.. PROFESSIONAL 4
SCCNTFIC BY COUNTY. 1982-1989
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: MFG.. TRANSPORTATION
EQUIPMENT BY COUNTY. 1982-1989
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: RETAIL TRADE. EATMG ft
DRMKMG BY COUNTY. 1982-1989
ANNUAL AVERAGE COVERED WAGES: SERVICES. LODGING BY
COUNTY. 1982-1989
AVERAGE WAGE & SALARY EARNMGS BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU
1989
BUSMESS ESTABLISHMENT PAYROLL BY COUNTY. 1983 THRU
1989
PER CAPITA MCOME BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1989
PERSONAL MCOME BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1989
NUMBER OF BUSMESS ESTABLISHMENTS BY COUNTY. 1983
THRU 1989
NUMBER OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS WITH 1-4 EMPLOYEES
BY COUNTY. 1983 THRU 1989
NUMBER OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS WITH GREATER THAN
50 EMPLOYEES BY COUNTY. 1987 THRU 1989
NUMBER OF BUSMESS ESTABLISHMENTS WITH LESS THAN 50
EMPLOYEES BY COUNTY. 1983 THRU 1989
POPULATION ESTIMATES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1986
FARM RECEIPTS: ALL COMMODITIES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU
1989
GROSS RECEIPTS BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: AGRICULTURE BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 199V
GROSS RECEIPTS: CONSTRUCTION BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU
1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: FMANCE. MSURANCE ft REAL ESTATE BY
COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: GOVERNMENT BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: MANUFACTURING BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU
1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: MMMG BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: RETAIL TRADE BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: SERVICES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: TRANSPORTATION. COMMUNICATION ft
UTILITIES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1991
GROSS RECEIPTS: WHOLESALE TRADE BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU
1991
FOOD ASSISTANCE: AVERAGE MONTHLY REdPCNTS BY
COUNTY. FY8S-89 THRU FY89-90
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: AVERAGE MONTHLY RECIPCNTS BY
COUNTY. FY85-M THRU FY 89-90
B9VTH RATES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1990
DEATH RATES BY COUNTY. 1982 THRU 1990
Resource Geographic Information System. December 1992
Pag* 186
USEPA Offic* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexioo Border OB Catalog attachment July 1883.
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RGIS Clearinghouse Coverages
MlnROU
rlC-92)
MYDROLOQIC UNIT MAP. 1974 (AOBOHUM)
QUAD GRID FOR 7-1/2 MMUTE USGS QUADS (ORL6QUQ
MDIAN AND MILITARY RESERVATION BOUNDARCS (AOBOIMR)
•
NEW MEXICO WILDERNESS AREAS (AOBOWAXI
NATIONAL WILDUFE REFUGE A PARKS OR RECREATION AREAS
(AOBOBUAI
MUNIOPAL LEAGUE DISTRICTS
-------
Attachment 16
Universtiy of New Mexico
Technology Application Center
Resource Geographic Information System Clearinghouse
List of RGIS Clearinghouse Coverages
Pa0c184 ' USEPAOIfic«ofW«l»r(WH*«7). US4*«doo Bordw OB Catalofl «ttachm«m.
-------
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USEPA Offic* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 183
-------
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USEPA Offio* o( Wctof (WH*47). US-Mwdco Bordw QIS CtUlog tttmchmwit July 1903.
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Attachment 15
Universtiy of New Mexico
Technology Application Center
Resource Geographic Information System Clearinghouse
Foidout: -RGIS Clearinghouse1
USEPA Office o« Water (WH-547). US-M«dco Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993 Page 181
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MEMORANDUM
TO: John Peterson - GIS Coordinator
FROM: £jQ_--Richard G. Chavez - Community Planner
DATE: February 1, 1993
SUBJECT: Present Activities in southern New Mexico
Through the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) I am currently working
with five communities in southern New Mexico.
The communities in question are Truth or Consequences, Garfield, SaJem, Lordsburg,.
and Hanover.
T or C and Lordsburg are the only incorporated communities that I am assisting. My
assistance with these two communities consist of inventorying their water and
wastewater facilities for current and future facility needs, technical assistance will also
include identifying federal and state funding sources, and a review of the user rates in
order to asses user contributions for any loans that might need to be secured.
The technical assistance for Garfield and Hanover will be quite similar in that we will be
identifying current and future needs of their water system, funding sources, and user
rate reviews.
My work with Salem will involve trying to identify water and wastewater needs, services
and facilities in addition to a more broad perspective of community development, which
would include community organization for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing
community facility needs.
Another major project will involve the coordination of a workshop on "Alternative
Wastewater Treatments for Small Systems'. This workshop will involve approximately
six communities which mostly likely will be colonies.- Material will also be provided in
Spanish for the participants.
At this point in time, these are the only project I have going in southern New Mexico.
P«g«180
-------
eligibility rules, application procedures, deadlines, and other
requirements.
The Aceouia Sourcebook is available at no charge to the
community ditch associations of New Mexico as long as copies on
inventory continue to last. Reprints at a nominal cost can always be
arranged after the initial supply is exhausted. In addition, the
sourcebook can be shared with larger audiences such as at
workshops organized by local, regional and statewide acequia
organizations. For assistance in this regard or for more information
about the sourcebook, please write to: Jose A. Rivera, Southwest
Hispanic Research Institute, University of New Mexico-, 87131. If
you prefer to call by telephone, the number in Albuquerque is 277-
2965.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1983. Peg* 179
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PREFACE
The Acequia Sourcebook was made possible by the
Infrastructure' Development Assistance Program at the New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute, University of New Mexico. The
purpose of the sourcebook is to assist the community ditch
associations of New Mexico locate sources of funding, technical
assistance and information regarding infrastructure problems,
water resources management, and conservation planning. The
sections in the sourcebook were designed in a manner which allows
the associations to add, update or delete information as the
assistance programs and their requirements change year to year.
The sourcebook contains information on the various federal,
state, and regional assistance programs available to New Mexico's
acequia associations. Major and widely known sources as well as
dozens of related, and perhaps underutilized, sources were included.
The descriptive information regarding each of the sources was
derived from agency materials such as annual reports, pamphets,
program annoucements, application kits, project plans and other
public information documents. Where necessary, telephone or
personal interviews were conducted to amplify the printed
materials or to clarify specific points.
Care was taken to make the sourcebook entries as accurate and
updated as possible through the summer of 1990. In all cases,
however, the users of the sourcebook should contact the designated
office or agency for more information, especially regarding
P«9« 178 , USEPA Qflfc. o, Wttof (WHW47). US4*«doo Bocd«f OB Catalog attachment July 1993.
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Federal and State Cooperative Programs 11-4
Cooperative Extension Service II -4
Agricultural Experiment Stations II-6
Resource Conservation and Development Areas II-7
State and Regional Programs- II-9
Office of the State Engineer II-9
Soil and Water Conservation Districts 11-10
New Mexico State University 11-12
Water Resources Research Institute H-13
University of New Mexico 11-14
Acequias Organizations 11-16
ACEQUIA BIBLIOGRAPHY III-l
Articles III-l
Books and Monographs II1-2
Reports and Manuals Hi-3
Miscellaneous III-4
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 177
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CONTENTS
Preface i
Introduction ill
SECTION ONE: FUNDING PROGRAMS
ASCS Agricultural Conservation Program 1-1
State Engineer Grants-ln-Aid 1-4
Interstate Stream Commission 1-6
Irrigation Works Construction Fund 1-6
Regional Water Planning Grants 1-7
Water Research, Conservation and Development Fund 1-9
Army Corps of Engineers Acequia Restoration and Rehabilitation
Program 1-12
DFA State Programs 1-17
Community Assistance and CDBG Programs 1-17
Acequia and Community Ditch Fund 1-18
USDA-Related Programs 1-20
Soil and Water Loans 1-20
Association Loans for Irrigation and Drainage 1-21
Small Watershed Projects/Watershed Loans 1-22
NMSU Water Resources Research Institute 1-24
SECTION TWO: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
SOURCES
Federal Agencies ii-l
United States Geological Survey H-l
Soil Conservation Service 11-2
Ptg«176 USEPAOffic* of W«tw (VW-M7). US-M«doo Bordw OB Catalog attachment July 1883.
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Written and Compiled For:
Infrastructure Development Assistance Program
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute
University of New Mexico
By:
Jose A. Rivera, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Public Administration
Director, Southwest Hispanic Research Institute
September 1990
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pag* 175
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Through presentations with the Municipal League and increased referrals,
cooperation, and coordination with the NM Environment Department, we
have begun to do more work with smaller incorporated communities by
proving specific assistance in the area of inventory and prioritizing
enterprise systems physical infrastructure needs, also conducting water and
wastewater rate analysis in1 addition to suggesting improved management
accountability structures for these municipalities. We have worked with
are in the process of working with the following incorporated communities
in the area of water or wastewater.
/•
Belen Jemez Springs
Bernallillo Lordsburg
Chama Truth or Consequences-
Hatch Wfflard
PcB*174 USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Modco Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1903.
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Specific Goals
Assist with implementation of state solid waste plan
•-,
Assist with source reduction and recycling regulations
Assist with development of solid waste districts
Continue : Tri-County Regional landfill assistance
SNMEDD general planning and recycling assistance
Lincoln/Otero County regional landfill
Make landfill costs, recycling and regional transportation, analysis model
available for use by local governments
Permit calls from priority listing begin September 1993. Many local
governments will require assistance in regulatory permits, RFP, and
contracting negotiations.
Conduct a one day workshop for approximately six small communities on
the Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations and impact A component of
that workshop will consist of financial management and long term
planning for the physical facilities of the systems.
Conduct a one day workshop in southern New Mexico on alternative waste
water systems for small communities and improved onsite management of <
septic systems. Approximately six colonias will be targeted for this •
workshop. The information provided will include Spanish translations.
Target one designated colonia for special assistance. The special
assistance may require some community development activities such as
identifying and prioritising primary infrastructure needs of the community.
This may involve a great deal of liaison activities between the community
and various government entities,
Complete Guide Book for management of small water systems.
Continue assistance to small incorporated communities in the area of
enterprise fund management It is our experience that the fragmented
decision making process in small municipalities tends to inhibit sound
management practices, both financial, and operational.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 173
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PLANS FOR FY 93-94
Overall Program Objectives
• Improve maintenance and management techniques
>
through working with additional communities and small water and '
wastewater systems
• Improve capital investment planning and funding
through expansion of direct community assistance for enterprise
fund management
through expansion of assistance to municipalities and counties by
workshops and development of additional training materials and
analysis tools
• Improve regulatory response
through expansion of assistance to communities and counties in
development of regional authorities for solid waste management
• Support appropriate technology development and transfer
through newsletter and appropriate workshops
• Encourage better community development strategies
through continued work with COG's and LCD, and development of
additional workshops
pafl. 172 , USEPAOffie* of W«tof (WH«47). UfrMwdco Border OIS dialog attaehm.* July 1993.
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PLANS FOR REMAINDER OF FY 92-93
Provide assistance to additional communities in the review of
their current and future capital improvements, needs, user
rate charges and schedules, and potential funding sources
Garfield Lordsburg
Hanover Tecolotito
Jemez Springs Truth or Consequences
Provide assistance to communities which are potential
violators with their wastewater treatment facilities
Bernalillo Hatch
Presentation to the Government Finance Officers
Association and Clerk/Treasurers Association sponsored by
the New Mexico Municipal League in December on how to
calculate wastewater rates and overall financial management
of enterprise fund operations
Conduct Wastewater Treatment Alternatives workshop for
six colonias which have been designated communities
• Provide on-going assistance to the Tri-County Regional Solid
Waste Authority. GO bonds were recently issued for a
regional landfill.
• Continue work with Local Government Division on training
local government officials in capital improvements
programming. Refine and redistribute "Cost Estimating
Guide for Capital Improvements Projects"
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. paga 171
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Technical assistance is being provided to Eight Northern
Indian Pueblos to help define job responsibilities for an
environmental specialist to be located in each pueblo.
Assistance is also being provided in the training that will be
necessary and development of a job career series
Capital Investment Planning and Funding
Conducted three GIF workshops for municipalities and counties. 103
attendees from 130 local governments.
Assistance was provided to COG's and individual
communities for preparation of CD? to support DFA/Local
Government Division programs
A "Cost Estimating Guide for Capital Improvements
Projects" to support Local Government Division program
was developed and distributed. The guide gives approximate
construction costs for various capital improvements projects.
Assistance is being provided to Taos County in the
development of a county master plan
Additional Related Projects
Received grant from W. K. Kellogg Foundation to develop
the Western Infrastructure Leadership Institute in a joint
venture with Arizona State University. This is an executive
development program to build regional infrastructure
management capability.
Received grant from US EPA to develop training materials
for Public-Private Partnerships for environmental facilities.
Training for local government officials will be conducted in
EPA Region VI in mid 1993.
B^
-------
Enterprise Fund Management
Work with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation has
been on-going for three years. Assistance in the review of
current and future capital improvements, needs, user rate
charges and schedules, and potential funding sources has
been provided to:
Berino Tecolitito
Chama Vado
Pie Town
Assistance has been given to small incorporated communities
that have been identified by the Municipal Water Pollution
Prevention Coordinator, MM Environment Department, as
potential or current compliance violators with their
wastewater treatment facility:
Chama Truth or Consequences
Lordsburg Willard
A one-day workshop in conjunction with RCAC on financial
management and the Safe Drinking Water Act; communities
attending:
Chacon Springer
Holman Tecolote
La Loma Tecolotito
Mosquero Watrous
Roy
A. Developed "Guidebook for Management for Small Water ^
Systems" which provides information on how to start up and *
maintain small water systems from incorporation to setting,
rates »
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1983. Page 168
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Infrastructure Development Assistance Program
The Infrastructure Development Assistance Program (IDAP) has provided training and
technical assistance to communities throughout the state for nearly five years. Our work
concentrates on helping small communities build local capacity to better meet their
needs to plan, develop, operate and maintain their infrastructure facilities. Most activity
involves assistance in capital improvement planning (GIF), enterprise fund management
and solid waste management
The IDAP accomplishments and plans for this year and next are summarized in the .
following sections.
1992 - 1993 ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
Solid Waste Planning
• Assisted Pecos on landfill closure plan
• Assisted Encino on landfill closure plan
• Tri-County Regional Solid Waste Authority (Torrance County, southern
Santa Fe County and eastern Bernallilo County)
Conducted preliminary landfill site assessment
• Southeast NM Economic Development District
Economic analysis of landfill sites; prepared recycling plan; assisted
with RFP for solid waste consultant and proposal evaluation
• Lincoln/Otero County
Prepared market feasibility study; landfill cost analysis; preliminary
site analysis and selection
• Taos and North Central Region
Prepared landfill feasibility study and cost analysis
• NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Statewide recycling economic development study
• Participated in Governor's Conference on the Environment and USDA
Cooperative Extension Solid Waste Conference
P«B«168 USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Bordtf OIS Catalog «ttachm«nL JuV 1983.
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NEW MEXICO
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The University of New Mexico
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute
1001 University Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
\
Program Director — Norman D. Falk, P.E.
(505)272-7340 ..
January 1993
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. page ,57
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Attachment 14
Universtiy of New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute (NMERI)
•New Mexico Infrastructure Development Assistance
Program.1 January 1993.
USEPA Office of Water (WH*47). US-M«deo Bordw QtS Catalog attachment July 1903
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CONTACT AGENCY:
CIS MANAGER
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87131
PHONE:(505)277-3622
FAX:{505)277-3614
R**oorc« Geographic Information Sy*t*m
AOBOCOB 3-92
D-10
USEPA Offic* of W«t«r (WH-547). US-M«I«> Bordw OIS Catalog «tt«chm«nt JuV 1983. P«g« 165
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ATTRIBUTE TYPE: ARC/POLY ITEM NAME: COUNTYLN
INPUT WIDTH: 1 OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
TYPE: I DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: NEW MEXICO COUNTY BOUNDARY ONLY; NO STATE OUTLINE
CONTENT: COUNTYLN • 1; ALLOWS USER TO SELECT THE NM COUNTY BOUNDARY
ATTRIBUTE TYPE: POLY ITEM NAME: COUNTY NAME
INPUT WIDTH: 10 OUTPUT WIDTH: 10
TYPE: C DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: NEW MEXICO COUNTY NAMES
CONTENT: ALLOWS USER TO SELECT INDIVIDUAL OR ALL COUNTY NAMES FOR NEW MEXICC
PART III: Data Quality
DATA LAYER SUMMARY:
DATA LAYER: NEW MEXICO COUNTY BOUNDARY
FEATURE TYPE: ARC
DATA FORMAT:
SOFTWARE: ARC/INFO 5.01
PROJECTION: LAMBERT CONFORMAL CONIC
. UNITS: METERS DATUM: NAD 27
0
DATA ACCURACY TOLERANCES:
FEATURE ACCURACY: AS ACCURATE AS SOURCE DATA
POSITIONAL ACCURACY: ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY:
RMS: .004 -50.79 METERS
DATA DEVELOPMENT AUTOMATION:
AUTOMATION PROCESS: MANUALLY DIGITIZED
DEVICE: CALCOMP 9000 SERIES
TECHNICIAN: MILTON OSPINA
AUTOMATION DATE: 12/25/90
QUALITY CONTROL: CHECK PLOT OVERLAYED WITH ORIGINAL; NO ERRORS WERE
DETECTED
UPDATE SCHEDULE: NONE
• LAST UPDATE:
COMMENTS:
R««oure« Geographic Infomwtion Syrtwn
AOBOCOB 3-92
D-9
.US4^
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COVERAGE DOCUMENTATION
The purpose of this documentation is to thoroughly describe the coverage being
named, information is provided on the source graphic, as well as what
processing the data has undergone to create the coverage.
COVERAGE ID: AOBOCOB
DATA CATEGORY: BOUNDARY
PART I: Source Graphic Lineage Report
TITLE: STATE OF NEW MEXICO DATE:
AUTHOR: US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ORIGINAL: 1967
SOURCE: US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REVISION: 1985
COORDINATE SYSTEM: LAT/LONG. UTM. STATE PLANE. TRS SCALE: 1:500.000
PROJECTION: LAMBERT CONFORMAL CONIC DATUM: NAD 27
BASE MAP: USGS STATE BASE MEDIA: MYLAR
GEOGRAPHIC LEVEL: STATE
USE: GENERAL REFERENCE FOR STATE OF NEW MEXICO
COMMENTS:
RESTRICTIONS:
COLLECTED BY: TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
PHONE: (505)277-3622
PART (I: Data Dictionary
ATTRIBUTE TYPE: ARC/POLY ITEM NAME: STATE
INPUT WIDTH: 1 OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
TYPE: | DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: NEW MEXICO STATE BOUNDARY
CONTENT: STATE - 1; ALLOWS USER TO SELECT THE NM STATE BOUNDARY
Rctoure* Geographic Infonrntion Sydwn
AOBOCOB 3-92
D-8
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 163
-------
PROJECTION: LAMBERT CONFORMAL CONIC
UNITS: METERS DATUM: NAD 27
DATA ACCURACY TOLERANCES:
FEATURE ACCURACY: AS ACCURATE AS THE MULTIPLE SOURCES THE DATA WERE COMF
(LED FROM
POSITIONAL ACCURACY: ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY:
RMS:
DATA DEVELOPMENT AUTOMATION:
AUTOMATION PROCESS: KEY ENTRY
DEVICE: TEKTRONICS 4200 SERIES
TECHNICIAN: SARAH FRUIT AND ERLE WRIGHT
AUTOMATION DATE: 01/28/91
QUALITY CONTROL: CHECK PLOT OVERLAYED WITH USGS STATE OF NEW MEXICO BASl
AND EACH COORDINATE-CHECKED AGAINST SOURCE DATA
UPDATE SCHEDULE: NONE
LAST UPDATE:
COMMENTS:
CONTACT AGENCY:
GIS MANAGER
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87131
PHONE:(505)277-3622
FAX:(505)277-36U
RMOUTM Geographic Information Syctwn
GR.OCN! 3-92
D-7
,l*4^
-------
RESTRICTIONS:
COLLECTED BY:
PHONE:
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
(505)277-3622
PART II: Data Dictionary
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POINT
9
I
ITEM NAME:
OUTPUT WIDTH:
DECIMALS:
POP 90
9 "
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS NUMERICAL POPULATION COUNT FOR THE 99 INCORPO-
RATED PLACES IN NEW MEXICO
EXAMPLE: SILVER CITY - 10.683; ALLOWS USER TO SELECT THE INCORPORATED
PLACE AND DISPLAY THE 1990 POPULATION
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POINT
1
I
ITEM NAME: CODE
OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
DECIMALS:
ALLOWS THE USER TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GNIS AND BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
POPULATED PLACES
CODE - 1: POPULATED PLACES BASED ON GNIS BUT NOT RECOGNIZED BY
CENSUS BUREAU; CODE - 2: GNIS DUPLICATES ON THE GNIS COUNT; CODE - 3:
DECENNIAL CENSUS RECOGNIZED PLACES
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POINT
40
C
ITEM NAME: NAME
OUTPUT WIDTH: 40
DECIMALS:
NAME OF UNINCORPORATED AND INCORPORATED CITIES. TOWNS. & VILLAGES IN
NEW MEXICO
PART Ml: Data Quality
DATA LAYER SUMMARY:
DATA LAYER:
FEATURE TYPE:
POPULATED PLACES
POINT
DATA FORMAT:
SOFTWARE:
ARC/INFO 5.01
R«*ourc* Geographic Information Sy*t*m
GFLOGNI 3-92
D-6
USEPAOffic* of Water (WH-547). US^«dco Border OIS Catalog «tachm.nt July 1993.
Pag* 161
-------
COVERAGE DOCUMENTATION
The purpose of this documentation is to thoroughly describe the coverage being
named. Information is provided on the source graphic, as well as what
processing the data has undergone to create the coverage.
COVERAGE ID:
DATA CATEGORY:
GFLOGNI
POPULATED PLACES
PART I: Source Graphic Lineage Report
Source
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
SOURCE:
GEOGRAPHIC NAMES INFORMATION SYSTEM (GNIS)
NEW MEXICO. ALPHABETICAL LISTING
US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
-DATE:
ORIGINAL-
REVISION:
1980
COORDINATE SYSTEM:
PROJECTION:
BASE MAP:
GEOGRAPHIC LEVEL: STATE
LAT/LONG
SCALE:
DATUM:
MEDIA:
NAD 27
TABULAR
USE: REFERENCE FOR ALL GEOGRAPHIC NAMES IN NEW MEXICO
COMMENTS: THIS SOURCE IS GNIS PHASE I
RESTRICTIONS:
COLLECTED BY:
PHONE:
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
(505)277-3622
Source
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
SOURCE:
'NM POPULATION TOTALS BY CITY. 1990
US CENSUS BUREAU
US CENSUS BUREAU
COORDINATE SYSTEM: N/A
PROJECTION: N/A
BASE MAP: N/A
GEOGRAPHIC LEVEL: STATE
USE:
COMMENTS:
DATE:
ORIGINAL'
REVISION:
1991
SCALE:
DATUM:
MEDIA:
N/A
N/A
TABULAR
Rmourc* Geographic Information Syitwn
GFLOGNI 3-92
D-5
PagalOO
USEPA Offioa of Water (WH-S47). US-Madco Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1M3.
-------
CONTACT AGENCY:
CIS MANAGER
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE. NM 87131
PHONE:(S05J277-3622
FAX:(50S)277-3614
Rnoure* Geographic Information Syctwn
AOBOHUM 5-92
USEPA Offic* of W«t«r (WH*47). US^todeo Bordw QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. P«g« 1»
-------
ATTRIBUTE TYPE: ARC REDEFINED ITEM NAME: ACT UNIT
INPUT WIDTH: 1 OUTPUT WIDTH: 1 ~
TYPE: I DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: ARCS WHICH DEFINE THE ACCOUNTING UNIT BOUNDARY LINES
CONTENT: EXAMPLE: ACT UNIT - 1 ALLOWS USER TO SELECT THE ACCOUNTING UNI
BOUNDARIES. "
ATTRIBUTE TYPE: ARC REDEFINED ITEM NAME: CAT UNIT
INPUT WIDTH: 1 OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
TYPE: DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: ARCS WHICH DEFINE THE CATALOGING UNIT BOUNDARY LINES
CONTENT: EXAMPLE: CAT UNIT - 1 ALLOWS USER TO SELECT THE CATALOGING UNI
BOUNDARYLINES
PART Hi: Data Quality
DATA LAYER SUMMARY:
DATA LAYER: BOUNDARY
FEATURE TYPE: POLY
DATA FORMAT:
SOFTWARE: ARC/INFO 5.01
PROJECTION: LAMBERT CONFORMAL CONIC
UNITS: METERS DATUM: NAD 27
DATA ACCURACY TOLERANCES:
FEATURE ACCURACY: AS ACCURATE AS SOURCE DATA
POSITIONAL ACCURACY: ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY:
RMS: .004« 50 METERS .
DATA DEVELOPMENT AUTOMATION:
AUTOMATION PROCESS: MANUALLY DIGITIZED
DEVICE: CALCOMP 9000 SERIES
TECHNICIAN: SARAH FRUIT/ERLE WRIGHT
AUTOMATION DATE: 05/30/91
QUALITY CONTROL: CHECK PLOT - OVERLAYED WITH ORIGINAL; NO ERRORS WERE
DETECTED
UPDATE SCHEDULE:NONE
LAST UPDATE:
COMMENTS:
Rxourc* Geographic Information Syctwn
AOBOHUM 5-92
D-3
-------
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POLY
2
I
REDEFINED ITEM NAME: REG
OUTPUT WIDTH: 2
DECIMALS:
2-DIGIT REGIONAL CODE FOR HYDROLOGIC UNITS USED BY THE US WATEi
RESOURCE COUNCIL
FIRST 2-DIGITS OF HYDRO CODE
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POLY.
2
I
REDEFINED ITEM NAME: SUBREG
OUTPUT WIDTH: 2
DECIMALS:
2-DIGIT SUBREGIONAL CODE FRO HUDROLOGIC UNITS USED BY US WATEF
RESOURCES COUNCIL
THIRD AND FOURTH DIGITS OF HYDRO CODE
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POLY
2
I
REDEFINDED ITEM NAME: ACT UNIT
OUTPUT WIDTH: 2
DECIMALS:
2-DIGIT ACCOUNTING UNIT CODE FOR HYDROLOGIC UNITS USED BY USGS FOR
NATIONAL WATER DATA NETWORK
FIFTH AND SIXTH DIGITS OF HYDRO CODE
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
POLY
2
I
REDEFINED ITEM NAME: CAT UNIT
OUTPUT WIDTH: 2 "
DECIMALS:
2-DIGIT CATALOGING UNIT CODE FOR HYDROLOGIC UNITS UTILIZED BY USGS FOR
INDEXING
SEVENTH AND EIGHTH DIGITS OF HYDRO CODE
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
ARC
1
I
REDEFINED ITEM NAME: REG
OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
DECIMALS:
ARCS WHICH DEFINE THE REGIONAL CODE BOUNDARIES FOR THE HYDROLOGIC
UNITS
EXAMPLE: REG - 1 ALLOWS USER TO RESLECT THE REGIONAL BOUNDARIES
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
INPUT WIDTH:
TYPE:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION:
CONTENT:
ARC
1
I
REDEFINED ITEM NAME: SUBREG
OUTPUT WIDTH: 1
DECIMALS:
ARCS WHICH DEFINE THE SUBREGIONAL BOUNDARY
EXAMPLE: SUBREG - 1 ALLOWS USER TO RESELECT THE SUBREGIONAL
BOUNDARIES
Resource Geo0r«phie Information Syvtem
AOBOHUM 5-92
D-2
USEPA Otfic. of Wrier (Wf+547). US-M«x!co Bord*r CIS Catalog atUchnwnt July 1993.
Pag«1S7
-------
COVERAGE DOCUMENTATION
The purpose of this documentation is to thoroughly describe the coverage being
named. Information is provided on the source graphic, as well as what
processing the data has undergone to create the coverage.
COVERAGE ID: AOBOHUM
DATA CATEGORY: ADMINISTRATIVE/OWNERSHIP
PART I: Source Graphic Lineage Report •
TITLE: HYDROLOGIC UNIT MAP-1974. STATE OF NEW MEXICO DATE:
AUTHOR: US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ORIGINAL: 1967
SOURCE: US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REVISION: 1974
COORDINATE SYSTEM: LAT/LONG, TRS SCALE: 1:500.000
PROJECTION: LAMBERT CONFORMAL CONIC DATUM: NAD 27
BASE MAP: USGS STATE BASE MAP MEDIA: MYLAR
GEOGRAPHIC LEVEL: STATE
USE: SHOWS HYDROGRAPHIC UNITS AND HYDROGRAPHY USED BY USGS
COMMENTS: SHOWS HYDROLOGIC UNITS AND ACCOMPANYING HYDROGRAPHY USED BY USGS FOR
CATALOGING AND WATER ACCOUNTING
RESTRICTIONS:
COLLECTED BY: TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CENTER
PHONE: (505)277-3622
PART II: Data Dictionary
ATTRIBUTE TYPE: POLY ITEM NAME: HYDRO COOT
INPUT WIDTH: 8 OUTPUT WIDTH: 8
TYPE: I DECIMALS:
ALTERNATE NAME:
DESCRIPTION: 8-DIGIT HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODE USED BY THE USGS FOR CATALOGING AND
INDEXING
CONTENT:
Resource Geographic Information Synwn
AOBOHUM 5-S2
D-l
-------
APPENDIX D
COVERAGE DOCUMENTATION
14
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. pa0« 155
-------
River Basins
.N,
PageC-4
P«g«154
USEPAOffio* of Water (WH«47). US4««doo Bordw QIS C^log «ttochmwt July 1983.
-------
Regional Water Planning Areas
.N
Page C-3
USEPA Office of Water (WHS47). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pag* 153 '
-------
Hydrologic Units
Page C-2
P«g«152
USEPAOffic* of Water (WH-547). US-Maxteo Bordar OI8 Catalog attachm*!*. July 1983.
-------
County Boundries
.N
PageC-1
USEPA Office of Water (WH*47). US-Mexico Border Q1S Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 151
-------
APPENDIX C
CIS COVERAGES
13
Pag. 150 I«EP^c»ol Water (WH^.UfrM«looBo«terGIS(*«^
-------
COE Report
County: RIOARRD3A 022
District Code: SWAS001
CORPS OF ENGINEERS ALBQ DIST
Community : ABIQUIU 0004
Basin : RIO GRANDE 07
Agency : CESWA Study Type : WCML Sponsor
Date Tntt**t>** : Date CVrrrplftPd: 02/01/92
Origional Cost: $100,000 O & M Cost: $0 Jan. 1992 : $130.000
Annual Project Benefits: $1000 Benefit Cost Ratio: 12
Number of reports for mis site: 1
Report Title : ABIQUIU DAM AND RESERVOIR OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WATER
CONTROL MANUAL TITLED ABIQUIU DAM AND RESERVOIR, RIO CHAMA,NEW
MEXICO, APPENDIX A TO RIO GRANDE BASIN MASTER REGULATION MANUAL
(FEBRUARY 1982).
Project : EARTHFILL STRUCTURE FOR FLOOD AND SEDIMENT CONTROL WITH SPF LEVEL OF
PROTECTION. PROJECT IS AUTHORIZED TO STORE 200,000 AF OF SAN
JUAN-CHAMA DIVERSION WATER. MAJOR WATER USERS INCLUDE CITY OF
ALBUQUERQUE & RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT.
Study Area : ABIQUIU DAM IS LOCATED ON THE RIO CHAMA NEAR THE TOWN OF ABIQUIU, NM,
ABOUT 32 MILES UPSTREAM FROM THE CONFLUENCE OF THE RIO CHAMA AND
THE RIO GRANDE THE RESERVOIR HAS A DRAINAGE AREA OF APPROXIMATELY
2146 SQ.ML
awnarta : AUTHORIZED BY FLOOD CONTROL ACTS OF 1948 AND 1950. REPORTS INCLUDE
ABIQUIU RESERVOIR REALLOCATTON-RIO CHAMA STUDY SUMMARY A
APPENDICES A, B, C (1981) AND ABIQUIU RESERVOIR, DM NO. 19, INITIAL
RESERVOIR FILLING PLAN/FLOOD EMERGENCY FLAN (OCTOBER 1983).
Jtatus : DAM COMPLETED IN 1963. REC FACUJnES COMPLETED IN 1981. REPORTED FLOOD
CONTROL BENEFITS COMPUTED FOR 1991 & CUMULATIVE BENEFITS AMOUNT TO
$230,209,100 TO DATE. B:C RATIO FROM 1960 HOUSE DOCUMENT & THE O&M IS
AVERAGE ANNUAL SINCE PROJECT COMPLETION.
Time / Date Enter
Sample COE Report
PageB-3
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1893.
Page 149
-------
Community
County
Basin
FEMA Report
FORT SUMMER
DE BACA
PECOS
Code :0165
Code : 007
Code : 06
NHP Status: R NFIP Map: I
NHPDate : 02-04-81
Number of NFIP & WYO Policies : 0
NFEP Coverage : $0 WYO Coverage : $0
Number of Claims Made : 0
Amount of NFIP Claims Paid : $0
District Code : SWAF025
Number of reports for this site : 1
Time / Date Entered : 16:55:48 12-23-91
Sample EEMA Report
Page B-2
P«g« 148
USEPA Offie* of Water (WH-547). US4todoo Border OS dialog •ttachmwit July 1993.
-------
COE/FEMA Summary Report
Community Code
Community
District
County Code
County
Basin Code
Basin
COE Study
FEMA Study
0366
RIO GRANDE
Select Type of Report:
Sample Summary Rep
PageB-l
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Pag* 147
-------
APPENDIX B
SAMPLE REPORTS
12
p 146 USEPA Offk* of Water (WH-547). US-M«teo Border OIS Catalog attachment. July 1»3.
V
-------
REFERENCES
1. COE, Albuquerque District, "New Mexico Statewide Inventory of Flood Protection Needs,"
Final Report to the Interstate Stream Commission, January, 1992
10
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1993. Pag* 145
-------
SECTION IV
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. CONCLUSIONS
All six of the stated objectives were completed as pan of die development of the FPI CIS
application. With the successful completion of this project it is clear that CIS is well suited to this
application of access to bibliographic information. CIS databases like the FPI, when convened to
a CIS application, hold tremendous potential uses for water resource and other natural resource
managers. — - »
B. RECOMMENDATIONS
After initial use and evaluation of the FPI CIS application, as has been summarized here,
additional enhancements which might be added to it include the following:
1. Add explanation text as found in report
2. Provide a mechanism to capture and print the contents of a selected window session to a
standard postscript printer
3. Add base themes for enhanced geographic reference Le., Rivers and Roads
4. Breakout Real Property from non-infrastructure producing studies in COE reports
5. Prepare and /or include Soil Conservation Service 11 digit code watersheds and
incorporate into reporting breakdown.
After having successfully completed die conversion of the FPI into a user friendly CIS
based information access system it is dear that its utility could confidently be expanded to include
many other valuable databases. These might include:
1. Interstate Stream Commission's Water Use and Ground Water Report Database ---
2. USGS Reports
3. Soil Conservation Service Snow Pack and Infrastructure Reports
4. Water Resource Research Institute (WRRI) Reports
5. Bureau of Reclamation Reports
-------
TABLE 1. LIST OF USER OPTIONS (CONCLUDED).
Menu Option Description/Purpose
Summary Pick a community and display it's summary
repon, optionally display me associated COE
or FEMA report
Counties Activate die drop down menu to designate die
Counties *
COE Studies Only Shade die counties widi COE Studies
FEMA Studies Only Shade die counties with FEMA Studies
Study Sites Shade all counties with either study
Report Pick a county and display it's associated COE
or FEMA repon
River Basins Activate die drop down menu to designate die River
Basins
Study Sites Shade die river basins with COE Studies
Report Pick a river .basin and display it's associated
COE or FEMA report
Return Return to die main menu
Zoom Zoom on an area by picking two diagonal boundary points
and redraw all currently requested features
Reset Reset the graphic display area to the entire state and redraw
ail currently requested features
Clear . Clear die graphic display and unselect all features
Quit Exit the CIS application and return to ARC/INPO
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 143
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TABLE 1. LIST OF USER OPTIONS
Menu Option
Description/Purpose
Hydrologic Units
River Basins
Brazos-Red
Gila
Little Colorado
Mimbres
Pecos
Rio Grande
San Juan
Tularosa
AD
Basin Names
Counties
Borders
Names
Water Planning Areas
Borders
Names
Study Sites
Communities
COE Studies Only
FEMA Studies Only
Both Studies
All Study Sites
Draw the Hydrologic Unit boundaries
Activate the drop down menu to draw the River Basins
Draw the Brazos-Red river basin
Draw the Canadian river basin
Draw the Gila river basin
Draw the Little Colorado river basin *
Draw the Mimbres river basin
Draw die Pecos river basin
Draw the Rio Grande river basin
Draw the San Juan river basin
Draw the Tularosa river basin
Draw all the river basin boundaries
Plot the river basin names
Activate die drop down menu to draw the Counties
Draw the county boundaries
Plot die county boundary names
Activate die drop down menu for die Water Planning Areas
Draw the Regional Water Planning Area borders
Plot the Regional Water Planning Area names
Activate the menu to designate the Study Sites
Activate the drop down menu to designate die
Communities
Plot locations of communities with COE
Studies
Plot locations of communities with FEMA
Studies
Plot locations of communities widi COE and
FEMA Studies
. •
Plot locations of all communities with either
study
Pag* 142
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mwdco Border QB Catalog attachment July 1093.
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SECTION m
USER INTERFACE
A. DESCRIPTION
The user interface for this application is a menu driven combination of graphic and text
windows displayed simultaneously on the user terminal The user interacts with the menus and
display windows through the use of a mouse activated cursor. Menu selection or study site
designation is achieved by "pointing and clicking" on the particular selection. To select an area for
zooming, the user points and clicks on two diagonal points bounflingThe area of interest *
B. MENU OPTIONS
User options may be used in any order or combination and for either die entire state or for
any portion of the state, that is: any zoomed area. Table 1 list specifies and describes the user
options.
USEPA Office of Water (WHS47). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1983. pag« 141
-------
The USGS GNIS required some modification to accommodate the use of some "unofficial"
names in the original FPI data and to correct some deficiencies in the current GNIS (locating
communities not found in the GNIS).
The Hydrologic Unit coverage required some enhancement to allow aggregation of the
hydrologic units into the major river basins. The aggregated hydrologic units were then used to
generate a river basin coverage.
The County Boundary coverage was used as it was received
i
As was mentioned, the Statewide Regional Water Planning Areas coverage, was obtained
from the Interstate Steam Commission in an AutoCAD® format. This coverage was convened into
a DXF format using an internal AutoCAD0 function and men convened into ARC/INFO0
coverages using ARC/INFO® utilities. Two data layers were extracted and convened: the planning
area boundaries and their names.
Appendix C contains hard copy maps of the Regional Water Planning Areas coverage, die
Counties Boundaries coverage, the River Basin coverage, and the River Basin Coverage.
C. RELATE TABLES
The last significant data preparation task was the generation of a data table which allowed
the CIS to relate the spatial data to die attribute data. This so called "relate table" defines the six
data table relationships required for geolinking. This relate table is an original data set developed
for this application.
D. SUMMARY '• •
The attribute data was geolinked via the relate tables to die spatial data. Prom this linkage
the ability to spatially access the original FPI data through a CIS application was developed as the
user interface.
-------
SECTION n
DATABASE PREPARATION
The CIS database for this task incorporated two primary data types, first, the attribute data,
comprised of die study rite summaries and reports residing in the FPI database on a personal
computer, and second, the spatial data, comprised of ARC/INFO0 coverages available for use on a
UNIX based workstation. The development and implementation platform chosen for mis
application was ARC/INFO0 CIS software running on a DEC Station 5000/200 workstation.
This imposed a requirement for all data to be suitable for this environment Appendix A contains
the program and menu script listing developed during this task. •
A. ATTRIBUTE DATA
The first data type, the attribute data, consisted of three data sets, the communities data set,
also called the summary data set, (FLOCOMMDBF), die Army COEs Site Study data set,
(FLOSSWA.DBF), and the FEMA Site Study data set, (FLOFSWADBF). At the onset of this
task, these three data sets were contained in a dBaselll Plus® database in the internal database
format. These data sets were extracted from the dBaselll Plus0 environment in an ASCII format
using internal dBasein Plus® functions, and transmitted via Local Area Network to the
workstation. Once in the workstation environment, the data was conditioned for insertion into the
CIS database management system: INFO0. Three data structures designed to accommodate the
FPI data were then implemented in the CIS and the data was imported into these data structures
through the use of ARC/INFO® utilities. This now made the FPI data accessible in a CIS
environment. Appendix B contains sample reports which are available within the-FPI CIS
application.
B. SPATIAL DATA
The second data type, the spatial ^«**. consisted of three ARC/INFO® coverages available
in die public domain: die USGS GNIS, die Hydrologic Unit thematic coverage, and die County
Boundary coverage. Also, one convened AutoCAD0 coverage of water planning areas widi
associated names, provided by die Interstate Steam Commission, was incorporated. All mapped
coverages used were available at a scale of 1:500,000 and covered die geographic extent of New
Mexico (Appendix Q. For more detailed documentation on each of diese coverages see Appendix
D.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 139
-------
spatial referencing mechanism to water resource based bibliographic references brings a new
paradigm to collective information access not previously seen in New Mexico. Hopefully this new
approach to information retrieval will serve as a foundation for other water resource related
databases which reside within the state.
C. OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the FPI CIS task described herein was to convert the existing
non-CIS based FPI into a CIS based tool for use in spatially querying and analyzing the flood
protection data currently available in New Mexico. The following achieved this conversion:
I. The original data sets contained in the FPI were used to avoid the cost of
regenerating the data.
2. The FPI data sets were restructured, as required, to be suitable for use in a CIS.
3. Public domain CIS data sets were acquired for use in spatially locating the FPI
study sites.
4. The FPI data sets were geographically linked with the CIS data sets to allow GIS
manipulation of UK FPI data.
5.,. Designed and implemented a GIS application to allow spatial query and analysis of
the FPI data.
6. Retained, wherever possible, the current functionality of the original FPI data.
D. APPROACH
The approach taken to develop the FPI GIS application involved a direct determination of
cunentcapabiUties and then a projection of the enhancements possible in a GIS. First, the current
FPI functionality and data contents were evaluated using an in-house copy of the FPL Second, an
assessment was made of the added functionality and capabilities possible in a GIS implementation
of mis type of database. Third, a determination was made of the steps needed to develop and
implement the GIS with it's related software, daffffrct data structures, and data layers. Finally, a
definition of the development schedule and sequence was developed.
Pa0*138 USEPAOffio* of Water (WH«7).US4tadcoBo»d«r GIS C*«k>8«»ttehin«nt July 1803.
-------
accurate mapping of these study sites and areas. Having this comprehensive spatial and tabular
database pertaining to statewide flood protection studies will contribute significantly to many of the
United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Water Rights Program manager's decision making
needs as well as other water resource managers in New Mexico.
B. BACKGROUND
The FPI database was originally requested by die Interstate Stream Commission from the
CESWA for incorporation into a revised state water plan. As mentioned earlier, this agreement
was established as pan of the PAS Program, which was established by Congress to enable states
to use COEs planning expertise in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development,
utilization, and conservation of the water and related land resources of drainage basins located
within the boundaries of a state. At the request of the Albuquerque District COEs Planning
Department through the efforts of the USFWS, die New Mexico Engineering Research Institute
(NMERI) was commissioned to convert die FPI database to a menu driven CIS based report query
application.
As taken from Reference 1 :
"The database consists of Study Data reports and FEMA Data reports. The
Study Data report includes pertinent data from completed COEs planning studies
conducted for communities, counties, or river basins that identify flooding
problems and solutions. The FEMA Data report consists of National Flood
Insurance Program (NFTP) information for communities in New Mexico.
A computer program tided Planning Assistance to States (PAS) was
developed in Fort Worth Texas District for die Texas Statewide Inventory of Flood
Protection Needs compiled by die Fort Worth District in partnership widi die Texas
Water Development Board. The program was developed on die miciucutuputer to
assist in die compilation of die inventory data. The PAS System is written in
dBaseTH Plus9 and is * full feature, menu driven, user friendly, database
nageuKju system.
The FPI contains useful information for communities, regional agencies, civil defense
(emergency response) agencies, and water resource managers. Because of its orientation to
kxational reference (die reports of various sites and areas distributed dnoughout New Mexico) die
FPI lends itself well to die display and query capabilities which CIS software utilities offer. This
2
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-M«xkx> Border OB Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 137
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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
A. INTRODUCTION
Recently, the Corps of Engineers Southwest Division, Albuquerque District (CESWA)
completed and delivered the first compilation of the New Mexico Statewide Inventory of Flood
Protection Needs, in report and database format, (hereinafter to be referred to as "the Flood
Protection Inventory" (FPI)) to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission as part of the
Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Program (Reference 1). Established by the Water Resources
Development Act of 1974, the PAS Program provides a mechanism for the Corps of Engineers
(COE) to provide assistance to states for situations that are unique, such as preparing
comprehensive state water plans.
The FPI currently resides in a personal computer based Relational Database Management
System (ROMS), dBaseHI® Plus, and contains flood control study and project report references
which have been conducted throughout New Mexico since 1974. This includes Federal
Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), flood insurance studies and a variety of Corp of.
Engineers Flood Protection Study Data Reports. In its current dBaseffl0 Plus format the
inventory is an extremely useful reporting tool; however, it does not have the capability to display
and query the locations of each project in a mapped spatial format The inventory currently does
have the spatial references: community names, county names, and river basin names, which can
serve as links from the FPI data to a spatially referenced Geographic Information System (CIS)
based application.
This task documented herein applied the process of geographically linking the original data
sets to a spatial reference, making the original data sets suitable for use in a CIS. Geographic -
linking or "geolinking", as referred to here, is the process of relating a data set with a "soft" spatial
reference (Le. community name) to a data set with a "hard" spatial reference (Le. latitude,
longitude). The link is through the use of data elements common to both data sets and database
techniques known as relational operations. This technique combined the data elements from both
data sets to locate and describe a place of interest In mis case the community, county, and river
basin names found in the FPI database were used to geolink to the digital United States Geological
Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the County Boundary, and
aggregated Hydrologic Unit GIS coverages respectively for New Mexico. This allowed the
Pa0«136 USEPA OCRo of Water (WH-547). US4todoo Bocdw OB C«Ulog «ltochnwnL July 1«83-
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1. LIST OF USER OPTIONS '. 7
USEPAOffio* of Water (WH447). US-M«dco Bord«r QIS Catalog attachnwrt. July 1993. Page 135
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. INTRODUCTION _ 1
A. INTRODUCTION .7 1
B. BACKGROUND..-: ^ 2
C. OBJECTIVES „ 3
D. APPROACH 3
II. DATABASE PREPARATION 4
A. ATTRIBUTE DATA 4
B. SPATIALDATA T. 4
C. RELATE TABLES 5
D. SUMMARY 5
III. USER INTERFACE 6
A. DESCRIPTION 6
B. MENU OPTIONS 6
IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1.....9
A. CONCLUSIONS 9
B. RECOMMENDATIONS 9
REFERENCES 1 10
?•
APPENDIX
A. PROGRAM AND MENU SCRIPT LISTINGS 11
B. SAMPLE REPORTS 12
C. GIS COVERAGES 13
D. COVERAGE DOCUMENTATION 14
USEPAOIfic»ofW«t»fflVH«7).US-M«ico Boidw OS Catalog attachment. July 1903.
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NMERIOC 92/33
THE FLOOD PROTECTION INVENTORY:
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM APPLICATION
John L. Peterson, Ted A. Moore, and Glenn M. Olson
NEW MEXICO ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1376
May 1992
FINAL REPORT
Prepared for
United States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Region 2 Water Rights Program Manager
P.O. Box 1036
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103
USEPAOffio* of W^r(WW^7).US-M«dooBord«QISC«talOQ«IUchmeriL July 1993. Pag«133
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Attachment 13
Universtiy of New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute (NMERI)
The Flood Protection Inventory Needs Geographic
Information System Application1 Peterson, J; Moore,
T; and G. Olson. May 1992. *"
Pag* 132 ______
i USEPACffic»ctW-»r(W«47). US4todoo Border QIS Catalog •ttMhrnwiL July 1993
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Planned Additions to The NM Water Resource Information System for 1993
As was the original intent of the Rood Protection Needs Inventory GIS application,
another major contributor's holdings will be brought into the system in 1993. The Soil
Conservation Service's Albuquerque office will be contributing four record types to the WRIS in
FY93. These^will include Snowpack-reports, Soil Survey Report(s) status, Resource and
Conservation Development Projects, and Basin Reports.
In addition to added record types, NMERI will add menu hooks for future inclusion of the
USGS's Ground Water Site Inventory, EPA River Reach-3 file coverages, EPA's Toxic Chemical
Release Inventory, and when it is completed, the Soil Conservation Service's 11 digit Sub-Basin
Watershed coverage, to the application.. Other relevant coverages may be added as requested.
NMERI will reconstruct the WRIS application to fully take advantage of Arc/Info 6.1 thread and
cursor functions for enhanced user interface performance.
*•
NMERI Infrastructure Development Assistance Program (IDAP) Activities
The Infrastructure Development Assistance Program (IDAP) was created in 1988 to
address infrastructure problems in New Mexico (see enclosed program description). The program
is administered by NMERI and by legislative appropriation. The purpose of the IDAP is to
strengthen local infrastructure management capabilities through a statewide program of technical
assistance, training, and technical development The program is intended to mobilize appropriate
public and private resources to make additional professional assistance available to towns,
counties, and other public bodies with infrastructure management responsibilities. IDAP programs
are coordinated by a broad-based Infrastructure Council composed of representatives from public
and private sector organizations.
Currently as a pan of the IDAP program's activities, NMERI is actively working with
several communities in New Mexico, many in southern New Mexico, to assist with water and
wastewater planning. I have enclosed a memorandum from our community planner summarizing
our most current IDAP activities in the southern part of the state. Although not currently linked to
our WRIS GIS application, reports and other helpful information may be associated to their
respective community locations by use of the USGS Geographic Names Information System
(GNIS) or by editing in known locations, i.e., colonias locations captured by GPS measurements
or satellite imagery.
Another useful IDAP produced reference to parties interested in development of GIS in the
border area is the Acequia Sourcebook. Please find enclosed a brief overview of THE ACEQUIA
SOURCEBOOK FOR your information (copies arc available upon request).
USEPA Otfio* of Water (WV«47). US-M«dco Bordw QIS C«tolog attochmtrrt. July 1983. Pag* 131
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NMERI personnel inventoried and produced, the first existing catalog of digital data known
to reside in the state of New Mexico as part of the RGIS Program.
NMERI continues the on-going development of a CIS based multi-agency system which
effectively shares water related data bases and promotes water related data exchange between state
and federal agencies within New Mexico.
NMERI personnel were instrumental in developing the current set of CIS standards and
guidelines for New Mexico.
NMERI GIS and Related Water Resource Holdings and Activities:
The Flood Protection Inventory Needs Geographic Information System (GIS)
Application (tentatively planned to be referred to as the New Mexico Water
Resource Information System (NM WRIS) in 1993 as it is expanded)
Enclosed as an attachment is a final report presented to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and sponsored by the Corp of Engineers (COE) and New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission,
entitled THE FLOOD PROTECTION INVENTORY NEEDS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
SYSTEM APPLICATION. Work performed in the development of this GIS application will
eventually be incorporated into New Mexico's State Water Plan.
This report summarizes a GIS application for accessing all flood protection related COE
Reports compiled for projects between 1974 and 1992 and Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) reports for all reports on record, by spatially indexed GIS query functions.
Within this Arc/Info based application a user can query COE or FEMA reports prepared at three
levels of geography; community, county, or by river basin. GIS coverages used for this
application include: New Mexico County Boundaries and Names, USGS Geographic Names
Information System (GNIS) used to locate communities, the USGS 8-digit code Hydrologic Unit
boundaries, River Basin boundaries and their names, and Regional Water Planning district
boundaries and their respective names.
The database contains useful information for communities, regional agencies, civil defense
(emergency response) agencies, and water resource managers.., Because of its orientation to
locational reference (the reports of various sites and areas distributed throughout New Mexico) the
Flood Protection Inventory lends itself well to the display and query capabilities which GIS
software utilities offer. This spatial referencing mechanism to water resource based bibliographic
references brings a new paradigm to collective information access not previously seen in New
Mexico. Hopefully this new approach to information retrieval will serve as a foundation for other
water resource related databases which reside within the state.
Pa0«190 USEPAC*k»
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CIS AND DIRECTLY RELATED WATER RESOURCE HOLDINGS OF THE
NEW MEXICO ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NMERI) FOR
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Introduction/Background
The New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI) is a branch of the University of
New Mexico's College of Engineering. NMERI conducts engineering and scientific research,
development, testing, and evaluation. Technical Assistance and expert services are also essential
NMERI tasks performed in support of the University's three-part mission: education, research,
and public service.
With over 25 years of research experience, NMERI serves the needs of clients from the
public and private sectors and enjoys an international reputation in many specialized areas.
NMERI GIS Capabilities
The New Mexico Engineering Research Institute has complete in-house capabilities to
develop data intensive GIS applications. We currently utilize the New Mexico state standard for
GIS software, Arc/Info version 6.1. We also have on site, two Digital Equipment Corporation
(DEC), 5000 series Unix/RISC work-stations and a variety of other data processing and
networking systems. Our staff includes a practicing geographer, engineers, and senior software
developers with specific expertise in the design and development of GIS based data systems and
other data intensive information systems. Additionally, NMERI has ongoing cooperative
agreements with other University of New Mexico entities which augment and round-out our data
development and networking capabilities.
NMERI Relevant GIS Experience
NMERI has specific relevant experience in the development of GIS based data systems.
We have developed GIS applications for clients which include the United States Department of
Agriculture, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the City of Albuquerque, NM, the New Mexico
Economic Development Department, the United States Army, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
NMERI has administered, since 1987, the Resource Geographic Information System
(RGIS) Program, a statewide GIS initiative established by the New Mexico State Legislature.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 129
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Attachment 12
Universtiy of New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute (NMERI)
•GIS and Directly Related Water Resource Holdings of
the New Mexico Engineering Research institute for
Southern New Mexico*
USEPA OffiM of Water (WH-547). US4todeo Border GIS Catalog tftachmwit July 1803
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high, moderate or low aquifer vulnerability. The criteria for
delineating the zones are based on water quality (total
dissolved solids) and depth to water values. (Dave Logan,
personal communication, February 1990.)
REFERENCES
1. Gallaher, Bruce M., Dennis M. McQuillan, Liza D. Chavez, Harry
F. Hull and Millicent Eidson. 1987. Ground-Water Quality and
Public Health, Albuquerque South Valley. NM Environmental
Improvement Division. Santa Fe. 240 p.
2. Keller, Natalie S. and Bruce M. Gallaher. 1987. Ground-
Water Quality in the Albuquerque South Valley, Albuquerque,
New Mexico: Raw Data and Statistical Summary. NM
Environmental Improvement Division. Santa Fe.
3. Perkins, Betty L. and Maxine S. Goad. 1980. Water Quality
Data for Discharges from New Mexico Uranium Mines and Mills.
NM Environmental Improvement Division. Santa Fe. 87 p.
USEPA Offioa of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS dialog attachment July 1983. Pagc 127
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Surface Water Bureau
Surface water quality. The Surface Water Bureau maintains
several databases related to surface water quality. As
surface water quality can affect ground water quality, data
from these sources can be of use to ground water protection
and investigations. *
1. NPDES Facts Database. Glenn Saums 827-2827
Information about NM NPDES permit holders.
2. - Water Body System. "Susan Hill .827-2792 *"
An EPA-written database on lake and stream use-attainability
status. It is associated with the EPA's Reach File 3, which
provides visual geographic information.
Underground Storage Tank Bureau*
1. Registered tanks. Nancy Gutierrez 827-0199
The Bureau maintains a database of registered underground
storage tanks (USTs) using Oracle software on NMED's Data
General Minicomputer. Information collected about each tank
includes location, tank status, age of tank and material and
quantity stored. The tank registration form, and therefore
the database, is being updated to contain additional data
concerning release detection, spill and overfill protection,
certificate of compliance, installation and corrosion
protection information. (Nancy Gutierrez, personal
communication, December 1990.)
2. Contamination case priority ranking. Anna Richards 827-
0079.
The Bureau maintains a contamination case priority ranking
database on an IBM PC using dBASE III+ software. Information
about the location, type of contaminant, depth to water and
other factors are used to determine a priority rank for each
leaking UST case. (Marcy Leavitt, personal communication,
December 1990.)
3. Case remediation status. Anna Richards 827-0079.
The Bureau maintains a leaking underground storage tank (LUST)
remediation database using Oracle software on NMED's Data
General minicomputer. This database contains information
about the location of LUSTs, contamination and the remedial
status. (Marcy Leavitt, personal communication, December
1990.)
4. Aquifer vulnerability naps. Anna Richards 827-0079.
In 1989, the Bureau had a consultant (Lee Wilson and
Associates) develop a set of aquifer vulnerability maps for
the entire State. The maps divide each county into zones of
P«0»126 USEPA Office of W«t«r (WH^. US^todoo Bordw <» Catalog attachment July 1M3.
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3. RICRIS. Anna Walker 827-4300
4. Biennial Report System. Anna Walker 827-4300
5. Small Quantity Generator. Stephanie Stoddard 827-4300
Solid Waste Bureau _
1. Landfills. Dave Duran 827-2950 _ '
" The Bureau maintains' a registered landfill database on an IBM
PC using dBASE III+ software. This database contains
information about landfills (both closed and active) that
handle domestic and commercial waste. More records are being
added to this database as the new solid waste regulations call
for registration of industrial landfills as well. Information
in this database includes location, type of landfill, surface
drainage, soil type, depth to water, age of landfill, wells
in proximity, nearby water courses and types of waste in the
landfill. There are plans to transfer this database to Oracle
software on NMED's Data General minicomputer. (Randy Gabriel,
personal communication, December 1990.)
2. PCBs, asbestos, recycling. The Bureau has plans to develop
a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) database that would contain
information about facility inspections as well as complaints
of spills or other violations The same type of database is
planned for asbestos information. The Bureau also would like
to develop a database for recycling information and activities
in New Mexico. Another planned database would be used to
store information related to household hazardous waste.
(Chuck Hules and Barbara Hoditschek, personal communication,
February 1990.)
3. Landfill Biting 6IS project. In 1989, the solid waste program
executed a demonstration project using GIS technology for
identifying potential landfill sites in the Albuguergue-Belen
Basin and vicinity. This project was performed jointly by
NMED, the U. S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division
in Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico/New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute (NMERI).
4. Permit Tracking. John French 827-2866.
5. Facility Type. George Beaumont 827-2780.
6. Management Plan. Carrie Strahan 827-2865.
7. Annual Report. Carrie Strahan 827-2865.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mttdco Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. page 12g
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personal communication, February 1990.)
13. Natural resource damages inventory. Dennis McQuillan 827-
2831.
The Remediation Section maintains a database of natural
resource damages in Mew Mexico due to hazardous materials.
The database contains information about contaminated ground
water, soil, surface water, air, flora, fauna, the food chain
and human exposure. Information about the location, source
of contamination and type of contaminant is maintained.
(Dennis McQuillan, personal communication, December 1990.)
14. Biannual report on hazardous waste. Jim Mullany 827-0212.
The Bureau has entered the 1987 Biannual Report on Hazardous
Waste onto the Focus database on an IBM PC. This database
contains information about large quantity generators of RCRA
waste. Information tracked includes location of facility,
type of waste and amount, as well as information on
transporters of waste and management of waste o'n site. (Jim
Mullany, personal communication, December 1990.)
Hazardous and Radioactive Materials Bureau
1. Hazardous waste facilities. Herbert Grover 827-4300 & Bruce
Swanton 827-4300
The Hazardous Waste Program tracks enforcement and permitting
information for facilities engaged in hazardous waste
activities in Mew Mexico. This information, as well as
information about site location, owner/operator and types of
hazardous waste managed is maintained in the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Hazardous Waste Data
Management System (HWDMS) on EPA's mainframe computer system
in North Carolina. (EPA is in the process of changing over
to a database called RCRIS which tracks the same information.)
There are about 15 sites that treat, store or dispose of large
quantities of hazardous waste in Mew Mexico, and about 100
facilities that generate or transport large quantities of
waste. The Program has also developed a limited database on
small quantity generators of hazardous waste within the State.
This database is stored using dBASE IH+ software on a
personal computer and contains information on approximately
1400 facilities. (Boyd Hamilton, personal communication,
December 1990.)
2. HIPP shipments. The Radioactive Waste Section has access to
the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) TRANSCOM database
which tracks the status of WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot
Project) shipments. Information maintained in this database
includes location, type of material, quantity, time shipped
and emergency response measures. (Bobby Lopez, personal
communication, December 1990.)
Pa°*124 , USEPAOffio. o» Water flYH-MT). US-Mwtoo Border OS Catalog tftechRwnt. July 1983.
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docket system using Oracle software on NMED's Data
General minicomputer. The case docket system tracks the
status of all ground water contamination cases being
handled by the Section.
8. Water Fairs. Barb Giesler 827-2732
The Technical Services Section has collected a large amount
of data from their Water Fair program. Water samples from
private wells are tested for pHf conductivity, temperature,
organic vapor, nitrate and iron. Further tests for manganese,
sulfate and sulfides are performed if deemed necessary. Some
of these data have been entered into one of two databases
using dBASE III+ software on an IBM PC. The rest of the data
reside in hardcopy files.
9. Albuquerque South Valley study. A cooperative agreement
between the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NMED was
entered into for the computer analysis of water quality data
from the Albuquerque South Valley that was collected for a
special study conducted during the mid-1980s. USGS's PRIME
minicomputer and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA1 s) IBM mainframe computer were used for the data
analysis. The results are available in two NMED publications
(1 and 2). The data are stored on EPA' s IBM mainframe
computer in North Carolina. They may also be available from
USGS Water Resources Division in Albuquerque.
1O. Uranium mines and mills study. In 1980 a report was prepared
presenting data obtained from effluent samples collected by
NMED during 1977 - 1979 at all New Mexico uranium mines known
to be undergoing dewatering and at all operating uranium mills
(3).
11. STORET. EPA & USGS
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) STORET
water quality database contains some ground water quality data
for New Mexico. Very little of NMED's ground water data,
however, are stored on this system. The ground water data
collected for the Grants Mineral Belt Study done by NMED are
stored on STORET. The U. S. Geological Survey's ground water
quality data are periodically transferred from the Survey's
National database to STORET.
formerly databases of the Toxic Sites Bureau:
12. Superfund sites. Randy Merker 827-0078
The Superfund Section tracks information about potential
Superfund sites in New Mexico. EPA maintains a Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information
System (CERCLIS) database that holds information on these
sites. Information stored in this database includes location
and the status of investigations at the sites. (Steve Gary,
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment. July 1993. p.g« 123
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system allows NMED to identify those dischargers failing to
adhere to reporting requirement guidelines and thus results
in better compliance with State ground water protection
regulations. Ground water quality monitoring data from
discharge plan facilities is largely stored in hardcopy files.
(John Parker, personal communication, December 1990.)
3. Underground Injection Control Program. Ernie Rebuck 827-2945
The Underground Injection Control Program in the Ground Water
Section maintains a database of underground injection sources
on an IBM PS/2 using dBASE III+ software. The database
contains information about the locations of these injection
sources, types of sources, waste stream characteristics,
injection intervals and geologic formation characteristics.
Most of these sources are class 5 "wells" (including various
types of disposal wells, miscellaneous wells and other
facilities such as septic tank leach fields not ordinarily
thought of as "wells"). (John Parker, personal communication,
December 1990.)
4. Septic systems. Delbert Bell 827-2788
The Liquid Waste Section maintains information on permitted
and registered domestic septic systems. These data are
computerized and are maintained in each of the four NMED
District Offices, rather than at the Central Office. Data on
system type, location, depth to water and lot size are some
of the parameters collected. (Pat Hanson, personal
communication, December 1990.)
5. Ground water contamination incidents. Natalie Keller 827-
2912
The Technical Services Section maintains a database of ground
water contamination incidents on an IBM PC using dBASE III+
software. There are well over 1500 documented ground water
contamination sites involving over 140 public wells and over
1300 private wells in New Mexico. Information about each
incident includes location, source of contamination, type of
contaminant and the status of cleanup activity.
6. Unauthorized discharges. Bill Bartels 827-2981
The Technical Services Section maintains an unauthorized
discharge and complaint database on NMED's Data General
minicomputer using Oracle software. This database allows
staff to track the types of incidents reported, their
potential to contaminate ground water and the status of their
compliance with the New Mexico Water Quality Control
Commission regulations. Among information entered is the
location, contaminants and actions taken on an incident. This
information was formerly kept in hard copy files.
n/a: 7. Ground water contamination cases. The Technical Services
Section also maintains a ground water contamination case
P*0«122 USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Bocdw OB Catalog «tachm«nL July 1«3-
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GROUND HATER QUALITY DATA SOURCES
at the
HM ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
Prepared by Natalie Keller
and Michael Gallagher
Evaluation & Planning Section
Surface Water Quality Bureau
1/92
The NM Environment Department (NMED) has a number of ground water
related databases and files. These data sets contain information
about ground water quality, as well as known and potential
contamination sources. The following is a list of these data
sources by program.
Ground Hater Protection and Remediation Bureau
1. Public water supplies. Richard Asbury 524-6300
The Drinking Water Section has computerized its public water
supply data management system. The Public Water System
Inventory stored in dBASE IV contains information on each
system, including all drinking water quality results.
Numerous reports can be generated by the computer system, such
as information on sampling schedules and contaminant level
violations. The above information is currently being entered
into an IBM PS/2 microcomputer in NMED's Central Office.
There are plans to transfer this database to Oracle software
on NMED's Data General minicomputer. (Richard Asbury,
personal communication, December 1990.)
Information dealing with microbiological and turbidity
reporting statewide is stored on an IBM PC in the NMED Las
Cruces District Office. (Richard Asbury, personal
communication, December 1990.)
2. Discharge plans. Chuck Thomas 827-0652
The Ground Water Section maintains a discharge plan database
on an IBM PS/2 using dBASE III+ software. This database is
in the process of being transferred to Oracle software on
NMED's Data General minicomputer. The Discharge Plan Tracking
System allows for the storing, cataloging, cross-referencing
and retrieving of data pertinent to discharge plan
administration and compliance tracking information. Location
information along with facility type, means of discharge,
monitoring requirements and compliance are tracked. The
USEPA Offioa of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 121
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DRAFT
programs, when not restricted by administrative or legal
requirements, and that all data bases comply with the mrTiimrmi set
of data elements for ground water.
Outputs:_
a. A summary of the minutes, of the meetings will be submitted to
the EPA 25 days following the end of each quartet, (Stategic
activity 5.)
4. Ground Water Media Users Training -
Ground water staff in various NMED programs addressing ground water
will be trained in the use of the Divisional software and hardware
systems. Training will be focused on promoting interaction between
programs. Staff working with programs that encounter interactions
between surface and ground water will also be eligible for this
training. This effort"will not duplicate training efforts which
may be included in other Federal grants. Expenditures for supplies
and/or contracts and/or other will be with forwarded funds from fy-
92 tasks not completed.
Outputs:
a. A list of training provided and staff trained will be sent to
EPA quarterly 25 days after the end of the quarter
b. An outline of the staff produced GIS training, and a list of
staff attending will be provided to EPA quarterly 25 days
after the end of the quarter. (Stategic activity 5.)
- ,4-. Water Fair Support
The Environment Department will continue to conduct its Water Fair
program, where technical staff and field sampling equipment are
taken into the community to test homeowner collected' samoles of
private well water. Grant funded staff will participate in
database development and maintenance. Some public information
materials will be produced or purchased with grant funds forwarded
from the uncompleted fy-92 task A. 5.
Outputs:
a. A listing of Water Fairs and basic statistics will be
presented to the EPA quarterly within 25 days of the end of
the quarter. (Stategic activities 5 and 6.)
Cost: $51,245
p.B.120 l*.
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DRAFT
Work Element B: Ground Water Data Management
1. Geographic Implementation Project
The recently establish arc-info geographic information system will
be used to create small scale base maps, and' demonstrating the
adequacy of current NMED databases as CIS layers. Projects will
also be developed to assist the ground water program evaluation
effort in work element A, when possible. When applicable, NMED
programs will be assisted in upgrading databases for use in the GIS
system.
Outputs: " _
a. A log of NMED programs given database assistance will be
maintained and a copy forwarded to EPA within 25 days after
the end of each quarter.
d. Maps of data layers developed will be produced and sent to EPA
quarterly.
c. Maps submitted with program evaluation reports will be
identified. (All outputs relate to stategic activity 5.)
2. Database Projects
Database projects directly related to ground water media technical
projects will be undertaken as required. Projects currently
scheduled include developing a wellhead protection database and an
environmental insult (non-permitted) database.
Outputs:
a. Reports from existing NMED databases will be developed to
demonstrate their impact on wellhead protection areas, and
submitted to EPA quarterly beginning with the third quarter,
b. Reports from the environmental insult database will be
developed and submitted to EPA quarterly beginning with the
second quarter.
c. A summary of additional database projects grant funded staff
has work on will be submitted 25 days after the end of each
quarter. (All outputs relate to stategic activities 4 and 5.)
3. Environment Department Ground Water Quality Data Working Group
The Ground Water Quality Data Working group established by the FY-
92 grant has been very successful. The grant funded data staff
person will continue to be a member of this working group. The
principle tasks will be to assure that all ground water data
collected and created by the Department is available to all
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexteo Sorter OIS CataJofl attachment July 1993. Page 119
-------
DRAFT
rk to aaeure all aotivitiae impacting ground water are baaed
on • oonaiatent undaretanding of the atate'e water reaonreea,
priority protection and. remediation requirement*, and regulatory
authorities and raapenaibilitiea. a, eompreheneive ground water
quality protection program moat, by definition, oonaider tha
intaraetiona af anrfaea and ground water, aad consider the
relationehip between around water quality and ground water
quantity.
Ontputat
Product* of each activity are dae to Da 25 daya after the end of
the quarter in which they are produced. Specific output* will bei
a. staff will keep the Profile currant aad participate
appropriately in developing a multi-year program plan and
implementing Haw Mexico 'a CGVP9. Opdatea on Conprehanaire
Procraa development will be •obmitted qoarterly. (CfiOMPP
development proceaa and atratigie aotivitiea 2 and 3.)
b. Hew Mexico 'a ability to aaaaaa and characterize it 'a around
water reeeuroe through exiating monitoring programe ao that
rational and conaiataat deoiaion-making can be undertaken will
be aaaeaaad. A report will be aubmitted at the end-of^year,
aad will include recommendation* to implement a aof ficient
program. (Strategic activity 9.)
Additional related oatputa will be forwarded to Z&A aa they are
generated or aa they are approved by HH8D adminiatrative officiala.
2. Ground Water Import to Cengreaa (30S(b))
Hew Mexico haa long bad a policy of fall inolotion of ground water
iaauea in it 'a biennial report to Conor eaa, Hater <7""^itiT UA
Pollatioa Cag^rol la B*<* Hagloo. Jumna 40 the 305 (b) report. The
•valuat - -
program evaluation data uaed for ground water quality program* haa
conaiatad, however, of indirect and non-comparable maaanrea..
Method* to better evaluate programe with direct water quality data,
where poeeible, will be developed during fy-»3 for uae in
developing both the CSSfft and the lf»4 303 (b) report. The
wellhead Protection program will be one of the program* evaluated.
Outputat
a. •ummariee' of program apeeifie evaluation report* will be
enbmitted aa developed. (Strategic activities 4 and 5.)
Coatt 49C,478
PaatllB USEPAOffioa of Water flVH-547). US4*exioo Border OlSCatalog attachment. Juty1993.
-------
DRAFT
FY 1993 EPA/STATE WORK PLAN AGREEMENT
CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 106-GROUND WATER
I. Overall Objective
The objective of developing the New Mexico Comprehensive Ground
Water Protection Program is incorporated into this work plan. The
CSGWPP strategic activity specified by the draft CSCWPP Guidance
is identified for each task. In FY 19.93 and succeeding years, New
Mexico hopes to make use of CWA 106-ground water funding to further
develop and implement a comprehensive program. Additionally, the
State hopes to assume funding responsibility for ongoing programs
initially generated using CWA 106 funds. Pending availability of
state funds, certain ongoing activities must continue as CWA 106-
funded projects.
II. Program Elements
A. Planning and Program Development
B. Ground Water Data Management
C. Agricultural Chemicals
Work Element A: Planning and Program Development
1. Comprehensive Ground Water Protection Program Development
A Comprehensive Water Resources Management Program is a fundamental
necessity in an arid state. At present, there are 13 State
governmental agencies whose actions directly or indirectly affect
New Mexico ground water. Within the New Mexico Environment
Department there are 21 programs, both state and federally
mandated, with the potential to affect the state's ground water.
The need for such a program is discussed in the New Mexico State
Ground Water Profile.
In addition to direct point and nonpoint sources of pollutants,
interactions between surface and ground water can compromise
otherwise pristine water resources. In a very real sense, all
environmental media are interconnected, and a total resource
management program must consider those interactions.
A first step in developing a program to manage the total water
resource is to develop a Comprehensive State Ground Water
Protection Program which would integrate or coordinate all state
ground water protection activities in New Mexico and provide a
USEPAOKiM of W«t«r (WH«47). US4todco Bontor OIS Catalog attachment July 1W3. P«9« 117
-------
VGA graphics
Modem (Bit FAX)
WordPerfect
CEO Connection
Arc/Info coverages on the Aviion include:
from DSGS, these DLG files: New Mexico hydrography; NM
transportation, including roads, railroads, and
miscellaneous transportation systems including pipelines,
telegraph, and telephone lines; NM county borders; and
GUIS, a set of USGS place names.
- also from DSGS: NM state borders; eco-regions; geology;
hydrologic unit borders; vegetative type; and land use;
and US county boundaries; and in a few selected cases,
coverage information on some neighboring counties in
adjacent states.
- drinking water well information in the Santa Fe area.
-------
NEC 486/331 personal computer
4 MB RAM
120 MB hard drive
VGA board
Entre VGA monitor
Ventel internal modem (1200)
60 MB tape backup system
Windows 3.1
Lotus 123 V2.4
Design Cad 2-D v5.0
CrossTalk
Graphics
Golden
Surfer
Grapher
GW Models
dBASE 3+
dBASE 4 vl.O
ArcView (demo copy)
Basic compiler
FORTRAN compiler
IBM PC AT personal computer
20 MB hard drive
40 MB hard card
Math coprocessor
640 RAM
CGA or EGA card
Sysgen multisync 3D
WordPerfect
Framework
DG Walkabout/sx
3 RAM
40 MB hard disk
math coprocessor
modem (2400)
PC Oracle
CEO Connection
DG Blast
DG Notebook/Walkabout (386/sx)
4 MB RAM
60 MB hard disk
math coprocessor
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment Jury 1983. Peg* 115
-------
Computer Hardware and Software
Evaluation and Planning Section
Surface Water Quality Bureau
February 16, 1993
Prepared by Natalie Keller
& Michael Gallagher
Peripherals
ALTER Proline Digitizer
Serial connection
D size
AC41 Controller
Keypad
Houston Instruments (HI) DMP-61 6 pen plotter
Serial connection
D size
HPGL emulation
Scanner (not installed)
Hewlett-Packard (HP) PaintJet XL300
Parallel connection
HPGL2 emulation
8.5 x 11 paper
11 x 17 paper
Texas Instruments (TI) 865'printer
Parallel connection
Dot matrix
Wide carriage
Monochrome monitor to use with laptop computers
Data General (DG) laser printer
Computers
AViiON 300 series workstation
24 MB RAM
360 MB hard drive
1000 MB add on hard drive
CD ROM reader
150 MB tape drive
UNIX operating system
ARC/INFO +
ArcView module
TIN module
-------
Existing and planned projects for the NMED/SWQB Data Center.
The major current project at our office is to achieve GIS
capability for our existing databases, which include the public
wells database (see page I/- #1, on the accompanying paper, "Ground
Water Quality Data Sources at the NMED"); the ground water (GW)
discharge plan, (pg 1, 12, usually referred to as the GW permit
database); the landfills database (pg4, II); the CERCLA database
(pg 5, middle II); and the Hazardous waste database (pg3, #1).
Our underground storage tank data (pg 5, bottom tl) does not have
lat/long information at present, but .may be added soon. The
Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) has less extensive in-house
database experience, but has achieved great capability and has
extensive historical records on the US EPA Storet national database
in Research Triangle Park, NC. SWQB in-house PC databases include
a surface water use attainability dataset and an NPDES discharge
permit database.
For the mid-term we would like to achieve an expanded GIS
capability for our surface water sections as well. Other projects
still in the discussion stage include digitizing the aquifer
vulnerability maps (pg 6, 14, we have on-hand, one paper map per
KM county); and developing a wellhead protection GIS database.
The DOE oversight programs intend to use GIS. We would like to
coordinate with them as they develop their procedures.
Hardware and software on Hand
Please refer to the accompanying list of hardware and software for
specific details. We use a Data General Aviion 300-series
workstation with about 24 MB RAM, and two HDs totalling about 1.3
GB of storage, running X-Windows and Arc/Info ver 6.1. We have an
Altec digitizer, a Houston Instruments Plotter, and an HP Color
Printer. The Aviion is networked to our other Data General mini
computers and will soon be connected to a network of ED personal
computers. The mini and the PCs currently contain the databases
of several surface and groundwater sections. We hope to link those
systems with Arc/Info on our workstation and with Arc/View on the
PCs so that all of our data is available to whichever staff can use
it.
The data center also contains a 486 PC running DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1
and programs such as Lotus 123, Design Cad 2-D, and several
graphing and modeling programs. We may install AutoCadd v!2 in
the near future.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 113
-------
Attachment 11
New Mexico Environment Dept (NMED)
'Existing and Planned Projects for——
NMED/SWQB Date Center
Pag*112
USEPAOffic»o< Water (WH-547). US4*«doo Bordw OB Catalog «ttochm«iL July 1983
-------
Census Bureau Public Demographic Data (ethnic distrib., +-18yrs, pop
Law Files (PL94-171) dens.)
Teale Data Center CA. Township/Range/Section Boundaries
USEPA . River Reach III (streams coded to relate to water
qual. data)
1:24.000 Scale: r
CDFG Nat Diversity DB Endangered Species
USGS Geographic Names Information System
USFWS National Wetlands Inventory
USEPA Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
Date of unknown scale:
CDOHS California Drinking Water Wells
USEPA Toxic Release Inventory
Many data lavers developed for these specific areas:
EMSL Yuma, Arizona
USEPA-R6.R9 US-Mexico Border
USEPA San Gabriel Basin
USEPA San Fernando
USEPA Southern California Bight
USEPA Mountain Vww/Moffett Field
USEPA Offic* of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page .,„
-------
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
Information Resource Management Branch
Geographic Information System Center
GEOGRAPHIC DATA LAYERS
October 1992
1:2.500.000 Scale Coverages:
USEPA Ecoregions
1:2.000.000 Scale Coverages:
USGS Digital Line Graphs
1:750.000 Scale Coverages:
USGS
1:500.000 Scale Coverages:
USGS
1:250.000 Scale Coverages:
USGS GIRAS
USGS
NOAA/NOS/USGS
1:100.000 Scale Coverages:
County Boundaries
Streams
Lakes
Dams
Hydrologic Unit Codes (Drainage Basins)
Indian Reservations
National Parks,Wildlife Refuges, etc.
California Faults
Nevada Geology
Land Use/Land Cover
Digital Elevation Model(DEM)
California Coastal Shelf Bathymetry
CENSUS BUREAU TIGER LINE FILES 1990. Data is available for the United States through EPA's
National GIS Program, OIRM Branch, Washington D.C. Tiger File geographic features include:
nonvisibte boundaries-
political boundaries-
road/rail features-
misc. trans.-
hydrographic features-
MSAs, census tracts, census blocks, ZIP code boundaries,
voting disL
county and municipaj boundaries, Indian Reservations,
National Parks and Forests
highways, county roads, city streets, address ranges for urban
pipelines, power transmission lines
shoreline, streams (peren/intermit),
canals, lakes
USEPA Off** or Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Borfer OtS Catalog attachment July 1 »3.
-------
Attachment 10
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
San Francisco, Calif.
•Geographic Data Layers: October 1992.'
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mwdoo Border OIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 109
-------
proximately 20 students and 4 GRAs in
four projects presents a significant chal-
lenge in project control. Clearly, strong
management is needed to ensure data base
quality and to keep the project on sched-
ule. Having clearly defined and well-under-
stood responsibilities and maintaining good
communication among participants are es-
sential to the project's success. Communi-
cation is facilitated by regular planning
meetings between the instructor and the
GRAs and biweekly team meetings during
the laboratory sessions to discuss the
project's status and any problems the stu-
dents may have.
The CIS applications course culminates
in the preparation and presentation of
group and individual modeling reports. To
satisfy the group requirement for the
course, each student team defines the con-
tents of the report, agrees on individual re-
sponsibilities for the presentation, performs
one or more dry runs of the report, and pre-
sents the results in oral and written form.
In their group reports, students are encour-
aged to give a project overview, describe
the processes they followed in developing
the data base, and discuss any special prob-
lems and recommendations for additional
project work. When the oral reports are
given, interested faculty, students, clients.
and other members of the public are in-
vited to attend. Typically, the presentations
are given in a highly professional manner
complete with slides and poster-size
displays.
INTERFACE
GIS education with
funded research
must be
accomplished
within a curricular
framework.
The other student obligation is the indi-
vidual modeling project. To complete this
requirement, each student applies a model
of his or her choice (deterministic or proba-
bilistic, and physical or human) to the data
• base developed by their team. The end prod-
uct is a poster display appropriate for a
Table 2. Course schedule for Geography 584
Oau
numbtr Court* schedule
1 Course Introduction. Overview of
CESAR
2 Overview ot CIS and GIS Software
3 GIS Applications I. Review of ARC/
INFO
4 GIS Applications II. GIS project
5 GIS Applications III. AMLs
6 GIS Applications IV. GIS project
. (continued)
7 System Planning AMLs (continued)
6 GlS Management. GIS protect
(continued)
9 Knowledge-Based Techniques Interac-
tive ARCPLOT (continued)
10 Error Management. GIS project
(continued)
11 GlS Standards. Interactive ARCPLOT
(continued)
'-12 Fractals GlS protect (continued)
13 Spatial Interpolation. ARCSHELL
14 Network Analysis Network software
15 GIS and Modeling. GIS project
(continued)
Oau
numbtr Count schedule
16 Legal Issues. Network, software
(continued)
17 The TIN Data Model. TIN software
18 Statewide GlSs. GIS project
19 National GlS Activities. TIN software
(continued)
20 Global GISs. GIS project (continued)
21 Preliminary Model Presentations
22 Examination
23 visualization. GIS project (continued)
24 The Future of GIS. GIS project
(continued)
25 GIS project (continued)
26 GlS protect (continued)
27 Team presentations
28 Team presentations
29 Individual presentations
30 Individual presentations
professional conference, as well as written
and oral reports. The emphasis for the in-
dividual project is to integrate scientific
modeling and GIS and articulate the results
to the instructor, other class members, and
interested persons who may wish to attend
the presentation.
Examples of projects include siting hik-
ing and riding trails in a state park, mea-
uring the effect on sensitive plant species
of releasing reclaimed water into a natural
stream, and modeling the erosion caused
by using off-highway vehicles.
•UMMMO U»
The CIS Applications course at SDSU dem-
onstrates how university instruction and
grant and contract research can be inte-
grated in a GIS curriculum with benefits to
students, faculty; and funding agencies.
Those benefits are exemplified by the de-
partment's contract with the State of Cali-
fornia's Department of Parks and Recrea-
tion, Off-Highway Vehicle Division. This
project will result in a comprehensive data
base that will be used by park managers to
monitor the environmental impacts of off-
highway vehicles. Students working on
this project learn about all phases of the
GIS process, from collecting data to output-
ting hard copy. Finally, the project's prin-
cipal investigators, who are faculty mem-
bers, gain additional GIS experience that
can be passed on to future students.
MEFKRKMCES
GoodchiU. M.F.. and KJt. Kemp, editors. 1990.
NCCIA Cure Curriculum in CIS. University of
California. Santa Barbara.
Wright. R.D., and EC. Griffin. 1991. CIS Teach-
ing Facilities'at San Dicfo State Univcnhy. CIS
Teaching Facilities: Six Cast Snidia Unite Ac-
quitition and Management ef laboratories. S.D.
Palbdino and K. Kemp, editors. NCCIA Techni-
cal Paper 91-21. University of California. Santa
Barbara.
Wright. R.D. 1991. Interfacing GIS Education
witti Giant and Contract Retard). CIS/US V? Pro-
ceeding 1:467-477. •
Pag* 108
USEPAOffiot. of Water (WH-547). US-Mcxioo Border OJS Catalog attachment July 19«.
-------
Table 1. CIS courses offered by the Department of Geography at San Diego State
University
Courses
Geographic Information Systems
GtS Applications
Internship/Special Study
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems Laboratory
Seminar in Techniques of Spatial Analysis
Research and Thesis
Prerequisite counts
Map Investigation
Aerial Photograph Interpretation
Maps and Graoruc Methods
Remote Sensing of Environment
Spatial Data Analysis
Computer Programming
Ancillary count*
Automated Cartography
Ouantitive Methods in Geographic Research
Intermediate Remote Sensing of Environment
Field Geography
Advanced Automated Cartography
Advanced Automated Cartography Laboratory
Advanced Ouantitive Methods in Geography
Advanced Remote Sensing
Advanced Remote Sensing Laboratory
Advanced Field Research
Level*
junior, senior
senior, graduate
senior, graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
junior
junior
junior
junior, senior
junior
freshman, sophomore
senior, graduate
senior, graduate
senior, graduate
senior, graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
graduate
per week. The lectures cover important
CIS implementation topics, most of which
have been adapted from NCClA's Core
Curriculum in CIS. The laboratories are de-
voted to carrying out the various phases of
a current funded project. To satisfactorily
complete all parts of the course generally
requires a minimum of 8-10 hours per
week. The required readings for this
course are pertinent articles from profes-
sional journals, conference proceedings,
and industry publications such as Gto Info
Systems.
Csene •nnejMtet an* r*** Prior to en-
tolling in the GIS Applications course, stu-
dents must have completed one of the fol-
lowing: Geography 484 — Geographic
Information Systems; Geography 583 —
Automated Cartography: or Geography
588 — Intermediate Remote Sensing. Ad-
ditionally, students must have completed t\
least one college-level course in computer
programming with a grade of "C" or bet-
ter. Recommended programming lan-
guages include FORTRAN. C, and Pascal.
Grades are awarded on the basis of student
performance on an essay examination (50
percent), an individual modeling activity in-
volving an oral presentation and a written
report (20 percent), and a team project that
also includes an oral presentation and a writ-
ten report (30 percent).
Uctwt Milieu. The lecture portion of
the course comprises 30 one-hour sessions
devoted to lectures on CIS applications
topics, an essay examination, team oral re-
ports, and individual oral reports on mod-
eling projects. The modeling project con-
ducted by each student is based on the data
base that is prepared as a pan of the team
project, as described later in this article.
The course lectures represent a combina-
tion of applications-oriented topics and a re-
view of ARC/INFO software on the VAX
minicomputer, the SUN workstations, and
the PCs.
Laboratory MtilMtt. The primary objective
for the laboratory is to allow students to ap-
ply the CIS implementation concepts cov-
ered in the lectures. This is accomplished
using a combination of demonstrations, dis-
cussions, tutorials, and work on current
projects. Data base compilation, data base
automation, analysis and modeling, and
hard-copy generation are among the topics
covered. ARC/INFO software is employed
for most projects, but other packages are
used as the need dictates. Students not al-
ready familiar with the software are re-
quired to spend approximately 40 hours in
the fast two weeks working through soft-
ware training materials.
StudMrt eroMct*. The team and individual
projects are the activities that focus the stu-
dents' CIS education. At the third class
meeting the 18-20 students are assigned to
four teams of 4 to 5 students each. Prior to
creating the teams, students are surveyed
to determine their knowledge of GIS and re-
lated disciplines, their professional inter-
ests, and their academic abilities. Assign-
ments result in teams that are roughly
equal on the basis of student strengths and
weaknesses. Each team is assigned to a cur-
rent funded project under the immediate su-
pervision of a graduate research assistant
(GRA) who is already working on the
project. The GRA meets with the team on
a regular basis and provides guidance in all
phases of data base development and mod-
eling, and, in general, serves as a resource
person for students on all matters relating
to the project.
Once teams are formed, each is briefed
about the project by the assigned GRA.
The briefing comprises information about
the project's background, its objectives, cur-
rent status, and a description of the layers
in the data base that still need to be cre-
ated. Additional familiarity with the proj-
ect is provided through a meeting between
the students and their project's client. Stu-
dents also take a reconnaissance field trip
to the project site if it is located within 50
miles of the university. The visit allows stu-
dents to better visualize the relationships
between landscape features and their repre-
sentation in digital form. Also, students
can determine whether any site-specific
problems exist, such as difficult access that
could inhibit field checking the data base.
Involving and coordinating a class of ap-
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 107
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Tht Executive Committee for CESAR are (left to right) Dr. Alton Hope, Dr. Richard Wright, Dr. Douglas Stow, Dr. Ernst Orrffin {chairman,
Department of Geography). Not shown Is Dr. Janet Franklin.
vi
II,
I
1!
of the costs of using equipment in
CESAR.
CESAR is vi-ell equipped with CIS hard-
ware and software. The two research-ori-
entsd rooms combine clusters of graphics
terminals (Tektronics. Wilson\illc. Ore-
gon). 486 PCs. and workstations from
IBM (Armonk. New York) and Sun Mi-
crosystems (Mountain View. California).
The adjoining spatial analysis laboratory is
equipped with 386 PCs. and Macll and
Macllci computers (Apple Computer. Cu-
pertino. California). All hardware and soft-
ware in the center are linked via the
Ethernet network. Linkages include connec-
tions to the in-house VAX 11/780 minicom-
puter and to the university's VAX 6000-
320 minicomputer (Digital Equipment Cor-
poration. Maynard. Massachusetts).
The software holdings for CIS. digital im-
age processing (DIP), automated cartogra-
phy, and spatial statistics are extensive.
Pa0e106
Leading the list of software are ARC/
INFO (Environmental Systems Research In-
stitute. Redlands, California) and ERDAS
(Atlanta, Georgia), which are integrated
via ERDAS's Live Link software. ARC/
INFO gives the department vector CIS ca-
pability, whereas raster processing is pro-
vided by ERDAS, SPANS (Tydac Tech-
nologies, Arlington, Virginia). OSU-MAP
(Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio),
1DRIS1 (Clark University, Worcester. Mas-
sachusetts), and MAP H (John Wiley and
Sons, New York, New York). ARC/
INFO. SPANS, and ERDAS are used for
both research and instruction, whereas
OSU-MAP. 1DRIS1. and MAP II are used
primarily for instruction.
CURRICULUM CONTEXT
Interfacing CIS education with funded
research must be accomplished within a
curncular framework. At SDSU the CIS
curriculum consists mainly of three-unit,
lecture-laboratory courses offered at the up-
per division and graduate levels on a semes-
ter basis. Enrollments in CIS classes are
80-100 students each year. Prerequisites
for CIS classes include one or more
courses from cartography and computer pro-
gramming. Table 1 lists CIS courses cur-
rently offered at the various levels.
GEOGRAPHY M4 - O1S
APPLICATIONS
COWM eventew. Geography 584 is the sec-
ond in a series of CIS courses offered by
the department. The course focuses on dif-
ferent applications for CIS: the implemen-
tation of CIS at local, regional, national,
and global scales; and the use of spatial ana-
lytic techniques in CIS. Table 2 lists the
course schedule.
The course format includes two hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory work
I > I
i? .
USEPA Offioe of Water (Wr«47). USUexfeo Border QtS Catalog attachment July 1983.
-------
' EDUCATION-
Integrating University
Education and Funded
Projects in a GIS
.Applications Course
Richard O. Wright
Sanpiego state University
The Geography Department a' San
Diegc State University has developed a
GIS applications course that is coordi-
nated with funded projects. This article
describes the institutional setting, the
laboratory facilities, and the curriculum
context for the course.
A PhD student (above) uses GIS software
to work with • layer of the Rancho*
Cuyemaca State Park data base.
ntegraling university geographic informa-
tion systems (GIS) education with
L- funded grant and contract research of-
fers a number of advantages and oppor-
tunities for students, faculty, and funding
organizations. Learning by doing k an ef-
fective educational approach. Additionally,
working on a reai-worid project helps gen-
erate interest in GIS and motivates student
learning. Qualified students can obtain
financial support through funded research
projects and gain insights into CIS as a pro-
fession through hands-on experience.
Funded projects are a source of monies for
maintaining a high technological level in
the CIS laboratory. Certainly, experience
on funded projects can augment a faculty
member's knowledge of CIS and thus in-
crease the quality of the instruction offered
to students. Finally, funding organizations
gain access to costly technology and to a
skilled faculty-student labor pool.
«0
tttlttsljtast MARCH IM;
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog .attachment July 1993.
San Diego State University's (SDSU's)
Department of Geography has developed a
CIS applications course that is coordinated
with funded projects. Projects are solicited
from public and private organizations at
the national, state, and local levels on both
informal and competitive bases. The types
of projects sought are those that have a sub-
stantive GIS research component in an ap-
plication of interest to our faculty. This
article provides an overview of an institu-
tional setting, laboratory facilities, and GIS
curriculum designed to train students to ap-
ply GIS technology.
WSTITUTIONAL SETTING
SDSU has a comprehensive curriculum
and a student body of about 33,000. GIS
is the exclusive responsibility of the Depart-
ment of Geography, which has 20.5 fac-
ulty positions to serve SO graduate majors
and 165 undergraduate majors. Approxi-
mately 5,000 students per year are enrolled
in geography courses.
The department's primary specialties in-
clude GIS, cartography, remote sensing,
spatial statistics, urban and behavioral
geography, biogeography, environmental
geography, and Latin America. The Bache-
lor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of
Philosophy (offered jointly with the Univer-
sity of California, Santa Barbara) degrees
and a Certificate in GIS are awarded hi
geography.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
The Center for Earth Systems Analysis Re-
search (CESAR) is the department's instruc-
tional-research facility. It occupies approxi-
mately 3.000 square feet of floor space and
has three main rooms that contain com-
puter equipment. Two of the rooms accom-
modate specialized graduate and undergradu-
ate courses and independent research. The
third room is a spatial analysis facility that
is used mainly as an instructional labora-
tory for courses in GIS, remote sensing, spa-
tial statistics, and automated cartography.
CESAR is dedicated for use by students en-
rolled in courses in the Department of
Geography and by geography faculty and
graduate students working on research
projects that include funding to cover some
Rlchtrt Wright is a professor in the Depart-
ment of Geography at San Diego State
University, San Diego, California.
Page 105
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Attachment 9
San Diego State University
•Integrating University Education and
Funded Projects in a GIS Applications
Course.' Geo Info Systems magazine.
Mar. 199Z Richard Dr Wright
ISffAOffic. of Water (WHS47). US.4*«doo Bordw OB C^lofl «tochm«iL July 1983.
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES
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Page 151
FIGURE 3
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT
SDSU FOUNDATION
COMPUTER CENTER
DEAN, COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS |
CHAIRMAN, GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Faculty
Clerical
Staff
Technical
Manager
Graduate
Research
Assistants
I
Students
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border Q1S Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 103
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Page ISO
FIGURE 2
CONCEPTUAL VIEW OF HARDWARE INTEGRATION
HP 8 Pen
Plotter I
Catomp
Digitizer
- 486 pC
Video
Digitizer
Tektronuc
InkJet
- 486 po
Cipher
Tap* Drive v^
OCR
Film Writer
_L
486 PC
- 486 PC
486 pC
486 pC
Hitachi
Digitizer
L_L Sun
~~ SparcStationl
Sun
4/110
486 PC
• »
Sun
SparcStationl
IBM
RISC 6000
Ethernet
486 pc
Broad I Band
Net 1 work
6000-320
VAX
11/780
VAX
Calcomp
Plotter
LQP02
Printer
Raster
Tech
VT/100
Terminal
T
VT/100
Terminal
Micro Vax II
DecWriterl!
,, Thermal
~ Printer
386 pc
386 PC
386 pc
386 pc
386 pc
386 pc
Tektronix
4207
Tektronix
4207
Tektronix
4207
Tektronix
4207
Tektronix
4207
Tektronix
4107
Cafcomp
Digitizer
Cttomp
Digitize
Caicomp
Digitizer
VT/100
Terminal
Zeta 8 Pen
Plotter
UMrWnur
Optical
Disk Drive
Macintosh II
1
Macintosh U
1
Macintosh Utx
Apple
Macintosh Iti
Macintosh II
Talk
Macintosh lid
Macintosh U
Macintosh Ud
Macintosh lid
LaserWriter
,1
1
ImageWrtter
Page 102
USEPA Office of Water (WH«47). US4*exteo Bofder OIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES
San Diego State University
Page 149
FIGURE 1
FLOOR PLAN
Stttofi
Dili.
trtm
HOC
CESAR
Project
'Computer Room
Technical
Manegef*a
Office
tlM*
V«
n
CESAR
Photographic
Darkroom
T Staff
tographer's
Office
towy i
• Border QIS C«t»log «tt*chment Jury 1983.
Page 101
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Page 148
TABLE 4
COURSES REQUIRING THE USE OF LAB IN CESAR
Course
381 • Maps and Graphic Methods
385 • Spatial Data Analysis
484 - Geographic Information Systems
488 • Remote Sensing of the Environment
582 • Automated Cartography
584 - Geographic Information Systems Applications
585 - Quantitative Methods in Geographic Research
588 - Intermediate Remote Sensing of the Environment
682 - Advanced Automated Cartography
683 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
685 • Advanced Quantitative Methods in
Geographic Research
688 • Advanced Remote Sensing of Environment
780 - Seminar in Techniques of Spatial Analysis
799 - Research and Thesis
Internship/Special Studies Courses
Level
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Sen/Grad
Sen/Grad
Sen/Grad.
Sen/Grad.
Graduate
Graduate
Graduate
Graduate
Graduate
Graduate
Sen/Grad.
Location of
Class Activity
Lect, & Lab in SAL
Leo. & Lab in SAL
Leo. & Lab in SAL
Leo. & Lab in SAL
Lect. & Lab in SAL
Some use of CESAR
Lect. in SAL
Lab in CESAR
Lect.& Lab in CESAR
Lect. in SAL
Lab in CESAR
Leo. in Seminar Rm.
Lab in CESAR
Lect in Seminar Rm.
Lab n CESAR
Lect. in Seminar Rm.
Lab in CESAR
Lect in Seminar Rm.
Lab in CESAR
Leo. in Seminar Rm.
Lab in CESAR
Lab in CESAR
Lab in CESAR
Typical
Class
Size
20
20-30
20
20
15-20
15-20
15-20
15-20
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-15
10
10
SAL - Spatial Analysis Laboratory
PtplOO
USEPA Offio« of W«ter (WH-547). US-M«doo Bordw OB Catalog attachment July 1983.
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Page 147
TABLE3
SOFTWARE
VAX
WORKSTATIONS
ARC/INFO 5.1
Disspla
Eidas7.2
Erdas/Aic Live Link
LandTrak
Vicar
BMDP
C compiler
Fortran compiler
Mini tab
Oracle
SPSS
APART
ARC/INFO 5.1
Erdas7.5
Erdas/Arc Live Link
IPW
SPANS
C compiler
Fortran compiler
PC
MACINTOSH
Autocad
Canvas
Claris CAD
Cricket Graph
CIS Tutor
Excel
Exstatix
MacDraw Pro
MacProject
Map n Map Processor
Mapmaker
MacDraw n
MacGIS
MacWrite
Pixel Paint
Statview
Super 3D
Word
ARC/INFO 3.4D
Autocad
Erdas7.5
Erdas/Arc Live Link
GISPlus
GEO/SQL
Idrisi
Map Collection
Maplnfo
OSUMap
SPANS
Transcad
BMDP
Fortran Compiler
Grapher
Lous 123
Manifest
Oracle
SPSS PC
Surfer
QEMM
Windows
WordPerfect
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1993.
Page 99
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TABLE 2
HARDWARE
-MINICOMPUTERS
VAX 6000-320 (Campus Computing)
VAX 780
MicroVAXn
TERMINALS
Tektronix 4207 (5)
Tektronix 4107
VTlOO's (7)
DecWriterll
WORKSTATIONS
Sun 4/110
-16Mb RAM
-300Mb Hard Drive (2)
-150Mb 1/4" Tape Drive
Sun SparcSution 1 (2)
-16Mb RAM
- 600Mb AnD ATAco Hard Drive
- 1Gb AnDATAco Hard Drive (1)
- 105Mb Conner Hard Drive
IBM RISC 6000
-16Mb RAM
- 1Gb AnDATAco Hard Drive
- 150Mb 1/4" Tape Drive
OUTPUT DEVICES
Tektronix 4696 InkJet Printer
Tektronix 4396DX Thermal Printer
Calcomp 1044 8 Pen Plotter
Hewlen Packard 7550A 8 Pen Plotter
Zeta 8 Pen Plotter
LaserWriter!! (Postscript) (2)
Personal LaserWriter (Postscript)
Dot Matrix Printer (4)
QCR Film Writer
INPUT DEVICES
Calcomp9100 Digitizer (4)
Hitachi Digitizer
Cohu Photodigitizer
MICROCOMPUTERS
486's (3)
- 200Mb IDE Hard Drive
- 20Mb Bernoulli Drive -
-8Mb RAM *
-14" Sony 1304 Monitor
-19" Mitsubishi Monitor
486 (2M
- 200Mb IDE Hard Drive
-8Mb RAM
-14" Sony 1304 Monitor
486 (3)
- 200Mb IDE Hard Drive
-8Mb RAM
-16" NEC 4D Monitor
386's (6)
- 100Mb IDE Hard Drive
-4Mb RAM
-14" Mitsubishi Diamond Scan Monitor
286
- Copy2PC (PC To MAC Data Conversion)
Macintosh nfx
-160Mb Hard Drive
-8Mb RAM
- 650 Mb Iomega LaserSafe Optical Disk Drive
- Color Scanner
- Digitizing Tablet
-19" SuperMac Monitor
Macintosh II (4)
-40Mb Hard Drive
-2Mb RAM
-19" SuperMac Monitor
Macintosh Hci (4)
-80Mb Hard Drive
-5Mb RAM
• 19" SuperMac Monitor
Other
Albedometer
Biovision Infrared Video Camera
Everest Infrared Thermometer (1)
Exotech Handheld Radiometer (2)
Panasonic 4 Head VCR
Tape Drive (9 Track)
Vista Truevision Frame Grabber
USEPA Offio* of Wcter (WH-547). US-Modeo Border OB C*Uk>Q MMhintnL July 1903.
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Page 145
TABLE 1
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE EXPENDITURES
Hardware
Software
Total
Phase 1-
150,000
50,000
200,000
Phase 2
75,000
18,000
93,000
PhaseS
80,000
10,000
90,000
On-going
Purchase.
Program
35,000
15,000
50,000
Total
340,000
93,000
433,000
Note: Dollar amounts are actual dollars spent and do not reflect deep discounts,
contributions, and trades. The actual replacement value of the equipment and software at
time of purchase is well over $600,000.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-M«teo Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 97
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•7. The initial allocations of space and funding for hardware and software should be
sufficient to create substantial capability at the outset of operation. A minimum
configuration is likely to hamstring the effort from the beginning. At least one
workstation should be provided for every three students. Fewer workstations will
not allow adequate student access to CIS equipment during the laboratory session.
8. Project activities should be initiated as soon as possible to place participants on a
steep learning curve, to establish a track record, and to have a product that can be
demonstrated to administrators, other faculty, and prospective funding agencies.
It is important that a cadre of expert users (faculty, staff, and students) be
established early on.
9. Devote as much time as possible to demonstrations and other activities which
raise the visibility of the facility to individuals both on and off campus.
10. Before the facility is established, agreements should be reached regarding
responsibilities for hardware and software maintenance .costs. A clear
understanding of who is responsible for what will help to avoid conflict later on.
11. Some effort should be made to negotiate cost reductions with vendors on the
purchases of hardware and software, especially on annual software maintenance
costs. However, remember that you normally can't get something for nothing
from the private sector. You must be prepared to offer something of benefit to the
company in exchange for cost reductions, such as the development of applications
software and laboratory exercises.
12. CIS instruction requires a rich instructor/student ratio. A minimum of one
instructor or instructional assistant for every ten students is desirable for
introductory CIS classes. Advanced classes involving extensive research projects
may require even fewer students per instructor
13. Finally, consult early and widely with those who have established successful CIS
facilities. A few thousands of dollars spent on experienced consultants is a wise
investment for an undertaking that can eventually exceed several hundreds of
thousands of dollars!
P«fl«»6 USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Border CIS Catalog •ttachnwnl July 1«3.
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES Page 143
San Diego State University
. 8. The initial 1.00 permanent Technical Manager position will be increased to 2.00
positions. This additional position will give some relief to the Technical Manager
and bring more knowledge of systems programming and UNIX operating
environments to the Center. This will allow a fuller utilization of workstations for
GIS/RS applications.
9. Although used intensively, the Center still has some unused research capacity.
More attention is being given to ways of integrating spatial modeling and decision
support systems methods with GISfDIP techniques. It is also desirable to expand
the graduate instruction and research uses of the facility in human geography
applications such as urban, socioeconomic, and transportation.
10. The use of the facility for regularly scheduled upper division/graduate instruction
in GIS/RS is nearing saturation, but there are unused weekend and summer hours
that could be made available for training workshops focusing on specific
applications, analytical techniques, and software packages. Workshops provide
an important community outreach function and can help to increase the financial
base of the Center. However, the community outreach function will continue to
be secondary to the primary mission of research and upper division/graduate
student instruction.
VL RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on our experience in developing CESAR, we can offer a number of
recommendations for those wishing to establish a similar facility.
1. A clear statement of the mission and goals of the facility should be articulated
early on. This will determine the facility's operating characteristics as weU as the
type of hardware and software to be purchased. For example, a facility that
serves both research and instructional needs will have a different technological
mix than one that is intended for instruction only.
2. Establishing and operating a GIS facility is a dynamic process that requires
flexibility as well as foresight on the part of those involved. To be successful you
must be able to adapt quickly to changes in technology, personnel, and research
demands.
3. The Department Chair must be a strong advocate of the facility to the university
administration.
4. The department and the university administration must be strongly committed to
the creation of a successful facility. Don't be reticent about getting commitments
in writing.
5. Two or more faculty members with expertise in GIS/DEP and its applications are
needed to mount a successful program and must be able to interact on a frequent
basis. Even more than the administration, they must be strongly dedicated to
making the facility a success.
6. A permanent staff position and a minimum operating budget should be allocated
to the facility to assure operating stability.
USEPA OffiM of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Peg* 95
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,8. To develop GlSs for public agencies for use in environmental resource
management and urban and regional planning.
In our opinion, many of these goals have been, achieved since the advent of CESAR.
We are proud that in less than five years CESAR has become one of the premier CIS/DIP
university instructional/research facilities in the United States.
Future Plans
- In the next five years it is "unlikely that CESAR will experience the same dramatic
increases in floor space and hardware as it has in the past five years. Instead, attention will
focus on upgrading and making more efficient use of existing facilities and on replacing
outmoded hardware and software with new capabilities as they evolve. We anticipate that
several initiatives are likely:
1. The effort now underway to integrate the various platforms via the Ethernet
system will be completed in the near future. Additional Ethernet cards, cabling,
and software are required to accomplish this task.
2. In addition to networking existing equipment, the capability of CESAR can be
enhanced significantly by upgrading some of the existing equipment. For
example, the hard disk capabilities of the Sun and Rise workstations are being
expanded. The performances of the ERDAS and PC ARC/INFO 386 computers
are also being increased by installing additional memory. Other improvements
are being achieved by adding 3-1/2" drives to some 386 computers and by
installing DBASE 3 to run with PC ARC/INFO.
3. As noted earlier, the lack of inter-project communication was identified as an
shortcoming in the functioning of CESAR. To rectify this, a loose matrix
organizational structure consisting of a) vegetation mapping, b) CIS, c)
biophysical remote sensing, and d) image processing/change detection interests
groups has been created to cut across project boundaries. Regular meetings of the
vegetation group for interested faculty and students is producing a cross
fertilization of ideas among projects.
4. A high priority is being given to obtaining software for analyzing socioeconomic,
demographic, and transportation data. This should encourage more involvement
in the Center by the department's human geography specialists.
5. Demonstration modules are important for showing the Center's accomplishments
and capabilities. The modules on hand need to be upgraded and new ones need to
be added to the Center's library.
6. Additional hardware, including tape backup systems, scanning, optical compact
disk, global positioning system, and color projection technologies are being
considered. There is also a need to expand the Center's color graphics and
workstation capabilities and to replace the in-house VAX 11/780 computer with a
more powerful machine.
7. Some software packages on hand have yet to be integrated into our CIS
curriculum. For example, GeoSQL, SPANS, and GRASS are significant
packages that are just now receiving our attention.
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES Page 14 J
San Diego State University
V. EVALUATION STAGE
After four years of operation, we are now in a position to evaluate some of the
successes and difficulties associated with the evolution of CESAR. The establishment of a
firm set of goals and planning for the long-term future of the Center within the broader
context of the department's goals is a critical consideration.
Achievement of Goals
Over time, the mission of CESAR has evolved to provide technical support for a
variety of the department's programs. These include supporting upper division/graduate
instruction and research in the areas of geographic information systems, remote sensing,
automated cartography, digital image processing, and spatial statistics. The center also seeks
to back research in a variety of geographic application areas such as urban and transportation
modeling and environmental analysis. Finally, CESAR has a community outreach mission
that involves training in CIS, DIP, and RS for potential users of these technologies in private
industry and government agencies.
To carry out its missions, a number of goals have been established for CESAR.
These include:
1. Enriching our students' educational experience by providing laboratory equipment
and hands-on experience for students in CIS, RS, AC, spatial statistics, and
selected systematic geography courses that require technical support
2. Providing financial support for graduate students in order to attract more and
better students to the graduate program. We have created a large cadre of
graduate students who have a sense of direct involvement in the department
3. Providing technical support for graduate student thesis research. Without CESAR
or a comparable facility many theses completed each year would not be feasible.
4. Generating funds to be used to maintain state-of-the-art technology in areas of
rapid change. Without a dependable source of income for upgrading hardware
and software capability, a GIS/DIP facility can quickly become obsolete and
uncompetitive in terms of research grants, and inadequate for instructional
purposes.
5. Helping to support other department functions that relate to CESAR (i.e. some
purchases made with CESAR funds also are used in support of other courses).
For example, map and aerial photographs obtained for grants or contracts can be
used in support of laboratory exercises on map and aerial photograph
interpretation.
6. Contributing to the professional development of faculty and facilitating scientific
research which increases the capability of GIS/DIP in spatial problem solving.
The hardware and software in CESAR make it possible tor faculty with
specialties in GIS and RS to compete for research grants and contracts to cany
out their research plans.
7. To provide GIS/DIP/RS training to educators, urban and regional planners, land
developers, environmental consultants, and other members of the community.
This is accomplished through demonstrations and workshops of varying lengths.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS dialog attachment July 1893. Page 93
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workshops and given opportunities to work in research projects leading to papers at
professional meetings and journal publications. In addition, a half-time technical assistant
has recently been added to alleviate some of the work-load of the Technical Manager.
External Relationships
The success of CESAR depends on its relations to a number of other entities both on
campus and off. As the activities of the Center have grown, these considerations have taken
on added importance and consume greater amounts of time and effort
Department of Geography CESAR is well integrated with other functions in the
department, a situation which contributes to positive attitudes about the Center. For
example, all personnel practices, including the hiring of graduate assistants and technical
staff, are accomplished within the context of the department's policies on governance.
Discussions of the Center are included in department meeting agenda and are intended to
familiarize all faculty with potential uses of CIS/DIP in* their specialties and to clarify the
role of the Center in carrying out the department's mission. The integration of CESAR in the
department has been aided by involving faculty who are not skilled in CIS/DIP in joint
research that incorporates their systematic training and requires the use of CESAR facilities.
As a result, 13 of the department's 20 tenure track faculty use CESAR either directly or
indirectly.
On Campus On the SDSU campus, administrators in the College of Arts and
Letters, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Foundation are supportive of the
department and its GIS/RS programs. This has been translated into improved physical
facilities and significant funding for hardware and software. Relationships with other
departments have been limited to cooperative research situations. To date, joint projects
involving GIS/DIP have been conducted with faculty in civil engineering (hydrology and
transportation analysis), ecology, biology, and geology as well as the Systems Ecology
Research Group. Although specific plans for expanding cooperative GIS/DIP projects with
other departments have not been formulated, it is anticipated that additional joint research
will be initiated with specialists in computer science, urban planning, and some of the social
sciences within the near future.
Government and Industry Many members of the Department of Geography,
including those on CESAR'S Executive Committee, have developed strong links with
community agencies and private industry. Extensive community service and the many
demonstrations of CESAR's capability performed for groups visiting CESAR have raised its
visibility. CESAR's mission includes a significant service component This is accomplished
through training workshops and contract research for public agencies and private firms. A
good example of a beneficial type of cooperative relationship with private industry is seen in
the designation of CESAR as a Beta site for numerous software manufacturers with whom
the Center has been involved.
Other Universities CESAR's relationships extend beyond the Campus boundaries to
other universities. The department is an associated institution of the NCGIA and several of
pur faculty have been involved with the CIS Core Curriculum and some of the CIS research
initiatives. The high esteem in which the department's GIS/RS program is held by peers at
various institutions has facilitated the recruitment of excellent graduate students to the
department and their integration into CESAR projects.
DsiPAO?K»g «ttochm»nt. July 1983.
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES Page 139
San Diego State University
Graduate Research Assistants Graduate research assistants play an important role
within the structure of CESAR. They are involved in virtually all phases of grant/contract
research and also lend their expertise to other students using the facility. Research assistants
for CESAR are selected from the pool of applicants admitted to the department's graduate
program and ranked for support by the faculty as a whole. From this ranked list, CESAR
project directors are given first choice from among the new, in-coming students with
appropriate technical skills. After consultation with project directors, those chosen for
CESAR assignments are integrated into various projects on the basis of their skills and
interests. Because the primary selection criteria for departmental research assistants are
academic performance (GPAs and GRE scores), in some instances there are imperfect
matches between the technical attributes of those selected for RA support and the technical
needs required for specific projects. This is an occasional problem, but one that must be
tolerated within limits because of our desire for CESAR to be integrated with the department.
These mismatches can usually be remedied within a short time by training RAs in die
specific areas they may be lacking.
Graduate student labor is an essential component of the CESAR operation. Because
we have had a stand-alone Master's program (until approval of the joint Ph.D. program with
UC Santa Barbara in the Fall of 1990), students normally leave the program after two years
and thus it is necessary to train new project team members on a frequent basis. The
inefficiencies associated with this turn-over are unavoidable given the desirability of
graduating Master's students in a timely manner. However, this problem should be
somewhat diminished by the growth of the PhJX program and the longer tenure of doctoral
students.
Another difficulty in relying upon graduate student researchers is mat at certain
points in the semester control over the timing of work schedules is limited because they have
other responsibilities as students. At times, their commitments to courses may detract from
the attention they pay to the assistantship assignments. Thus, in the short term there may be
some interruptions in the flow of project work, causing temporary delays in meeting project
deadlines.
Nonetheless, despite these limitations graduate research assistants have done an
excellent job for us. As a group they have been quick to acquire new skills, very responsible
in fulfilling their obligations, eager to accept responsibility, and often add useful insight to
the projects in which they are involved.
Integration of Research and Instruction Research and instruction are often well
integrated in courses at the both graduate and undergraduate levels, especially GIS classes.
This allows students to learn by participating in "real world" projects while at the same time
the projects benefit through the availability of students to perform fundamental tasks, such as
map compilation, database development, data processing, and data output, required in the
research.
Technical Manger CESAR's technical manager is highly competent, but at times is
overwhelmed by responsibilities that range from supervising the operation of the Center to
assisting students and faculty in the use of the equipment In terms of the operation of the
Center, this means that delays sometimes occur in accomplishing certain tasks required for
the smooth functioning of the Center and for improving its capability. Also, because the
facility has evolved so rapidly, there has been little opportunity to document all procedures
and information applicable to CESAR. Much of CESAR's operating and project information
is stored only in the Technical Manager's head! The loss of our Technical Manager would
cause a major disruption in the functioning of CESAR. To sustain his morale and sanity, the
Technical Manager has been encouraged to participate in professional meetings and
USEPA Office of W«t»r (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1983. Pag* 91
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supervised by the Chair, but interacts directly with the Technical Manager, Pis, and members
of the Executive Committee.
Graduate Research Assistants. Approximately 20 one-half time graduate research
assistants are employed in CESAR through the department. Most of these RAs are supported
by the grants or contracts on which they are working. In addition to project work, research
assistants are assigned evening and weekend blocks of time supervising the use of CESAR.
This allows CESAR to remain open for research and instructional activities even when the
Technical Manager is not on duty. Research assistants report directly to their faculty
supervisors, but interact frequently with the Technical Manager. On matters relating to
payroll and such things as office space, research assistants interact with the Chair or the
Department Secretary.
University Computer Center (UCC) Personnel The UCC provides a variety of
hardware and software support for CESAR. UCC personnel maintain ARC/INFO software
on the central VAX 6000-320 computer and assist the Technical Manager in the operation
and maintenance of CESAR's VAX 11/780 computer and its CIS software. UCC also offers
an equipment repair service for CESAR's Macintosh and IBM PC computers as well as
picking-up the cost for a number of software maintenance contracts in support of CESAR.
Software and hardware support involves direct communication between the Technical
Manager and UCC personnel. Policy matters require direct communication between the
Chair and UCC management
San Diego State University Foundation The Foundation is a non-profit auxiliary of
the university. It is responsible for administering all university grants and contracts,
including accounting, purchasing, and payroll functions. The Department Chair and the
project directors interact with Foundation personnel on a frequent basis. Each PI is assigned
a Foundation Project Administrator to coordinate their grant/contract Pis and Foundation
PAs work closely to ensure the smooth administrative operation of projects.
Internal Relationships
It can be concluded from what has been discussed to this point that CESAR is a fairly
complex operation. Internally, within the department, a variety of relationships exist which
must function in harmony if CESAR is to be successful.
Faculty Involvement CESAR has a core of five specialists in CIS and remote
sensing whose professional activities require a well equipped and smoothly functioning
facility as well as several additional faculty who utilize CIS within their research and
teaching activities. The synergism generated by the interaction of several faculty with vested
interests in the Center has provided the energy and dedication needed for a successful
operation.
Much of the research conducted in CESAR is of interest to more than one faculty
member. The result is that many projects are co-directed by two or more faculty. This has
contributed to a high level of cooperation among the CESAR faculty. Several of the projects
involve vegetation mapping. To facilitate communication, a vegetation specialty group
involving approximately 15 faculty and students was established which meets bimonthly to
share ideas, to discuss possible solutions to research problems, and to chart future research
directions. Also, a growing interest in modeling within CIS among faculty using CESAR is
providing a catalyst for interaction across the traditional physical/human boundaries of the
discipline.
P*0*80 USEPA OffiM of Water (VVH^T). US4*«dco Bord«r OtS CaUteg attochmwrL July 1983.
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San Diego State University
projects. Ail graduate research assistants involved in CESAR projects are issued keys to the
facility and can enter it at any time. Undergraduates can obtain access to CESAR after hours
by checking out a key for 24 to 48 hours from the Geography Department Office. CESAR is
available primarily to students enrolled in courses in the Department of Geography, typically
GIS/RS and related classes, and Geography faculty and graduate students working on
research projects. Use by faculty and students outside the department is limited to those who
are involved in joint research with members of the Geography faculty.
Responsibilities
The organization of CESAR reflects several aspects of its evolution and therefore
responsibilities for the facility are shared. As a departmental facility, the Department Chair
is integrally involved in its overall management As a cooperative instruction and research
laboratory, faculty are intimately involved in establishing policies and procedures as well as
day-to-day operational oversight. The daily operation of the facility is in tile hands of
CESAR's Technical Manager. These relationships and their interactions are outlined here.
Department Chair The Department Chair (Ernst Griffin) is the general manager for
CESAR with ultimate responsibility for its functioning (Figure 3). He works closely with the
Faculty Executive Committee to establish policies and with the Technical Manager to see
that those policies are carried out He interacts with upper level administrators in the
University Computer Center, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the
College of Arts and Letters, and the SDSU Foundation on matters that may affect the well
being of CESAR. He is also responsible for public relations with these groups.
Executive Committee The Executive Committee is comprised of five geography
faculty (Janet Franklin, Allen Hope, Gerard Rushton, Douglas Stow, and Richard Wright)
with expertise in DIP, RS, and GIS as well as various application areas such as hydrology,
biogeography, and decision support systems. They direct or co-direct approximately 90
percent of the funded research conducted in CESAR. As mentioned above, committee
members work closely with the Department Chair on policy matters. They also provide
advice to the Technical Manager on CESAR's daily operations and its technical needs. As
principal investigators on projects, they give direction to graduate research assistants and
other students who are working on CESAR projects. In addition to the Executive
Committee, meetings involving all CESAR faculty users (euphemistically called Cesarians)
are held periodically to discuss topics of importance. The entire faculty of the department is
also briefed regularly as to the status of CESAR and any changes in policies which may have
been made.
Technical Manager The Technical Manager (David McKinsey) is responsible for
the day-to-day operations of CESAR. He reports to the Department Chair and the Executive
Committee and interacts with personnel from the University Computer Center, Geography
faculty, the clerical staff, research assistants, and students enrolled in GIS, remote sensing,
spatial statistics, and various classes using GIS/DIP applications. The Technical Manager
assists faculty and students in the use of GIS/DIP systems, orders supplies, schedules and
records equipment use, gives software demonstrations, performs systems and applications
programming, and maintains hardware, software, and the reference manual library, dearly,
the Technical Manager is a key figure in the successful operation of CESAR.
Clerical Assistant One-half of a clerical assistant's position is funded through
CESAR activities. The Clerical Assistant maintains financial records on CESAR grants and
contracts, prepares purchase orders for supplies and equipment, types project reports, grant
and contract proposals, research papers, and CESAR correspondence. This person is
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Security
The security measures for CESAR'S hardware and software are moderate at best
Systematic backup of data is not done but there are a number of protections for software. For
example, all system software is backed up, account passwords are changed frequently, many
data sets are available for read access only, and archival data is on tape in a locked room with
limited access privileges. There is no special security for the equipment except for that
provided by locked doors, the presence of CESAR staff and research assistants, and nightly
checks by campus police personnel. CESAR's vulnerability to vandalism and-iheft, while
relatively high, has yet to be a problem in the five years of its operation.
Laboratory Use
CESAR is a department facility. As such, instruction and research use is largely
confined to geography faculty and to students enrolled in geography courses (See Table 4).
The SAL portion of CESAR is a combined lecture/laboratory facility. It is used
primarily for those junior-level CIS (and related) classes whose hardware and software needs
can be met with Macintosh and PC equipment The lectures for senior/graduate-level
students(500-numbered courses) are also conducted in SAL, but their laboratories must be
conducted in CESAR to take advantage of CESAR's more sophisticated CIS technology. In
the graduate portion (600- and 700-numbers) of the curriculum, classes are taught in the
seminar room, with CESAR being used for carrying out class-related CIS research activities.
Approximately 50 percent of the courses listed in Table 4 are offered each semester,
and have a combined enrollment of approximately 1 IS. Another 25 students and faculty
normally work in CESAR on various research projects, making for a total of 140 users who
must be accommodated each semester. To serve this volume of research and instruction,
priorities have to be set for the use of most equipment. Students in a particular class have
priority status for using equipment during the laboratory portion of their class. At other
times students can sign up for two-hour blocks and can continue working even longer at a
station until they are bumped by another person. This system maximizes access to the
equipment and works fairly well except near the semester's end where there is a large
demand by students who have waited until the last minute to complete class projects.
Most CIS courses involve two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per
week. A typical laboratory session consists of 1/2 hour of demonstration followed by 2 1/2
hours of work on an exercise or project under the immediate supervision of an experienced
graduate student assistant The average student will spend an additional 4-5 hours of
laboratory time each week outside of class, for a total of 7-8 hours of laboratory time per
week.
Because it is largely a self-supported facility, principal investigators on funded
projects who wish to use CESAR in their research are asked to include a CESAR use-charge
within their budget proposals. Monies generated in this way are used for maintenance and
up-grading activities within CESAR.
Operation of CESAR
During the academic year (September-June), CESAR is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00
PM, Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Summer hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The only time that CESAR is
unavailable for use is on Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 PM when clean up and preventative
maintenance are conducted. After 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and on weekends, the
Center is supervised by graduate assistants who are also working on CESAR research
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San Diego State University
• The three large rooms used in CESAR are well designed for their intended uses. A
30" x 48" computer table for each piece of equipment, a set of four 30" x 72" tables for
workspace and small group discussion, map storage cabinets, supplies storage cabinets,
bookcases for manuals, light tables, numerous bulletin boards, white boards, adjustable
chairs and a projection screen comprise the furnishings for the three large rooms. The
importance of numerous bulletin boards and white boards for posting work and equipment
reservations schedules, working illustrations, messages, and informative maps and charts
cannot be overemphasized. Likewise, it is important to provide adequate wall space and
bookcases for the very large volume of reference manuals typically needed to support use of
the equipment and the software.
Hardware
The department has put together an impressive facility in terms of hardware
capability (See Table 2). On the west side of CESAR, the computer hardware consists of
clusters of the following equipment: 1) Tektronix graphics terminals, 2) 486 PCs and 3)
workstations (SUN SPARC and IBM RISC). The adjoining spatial analysis laboratory
contains eight 386 PCs and eight Macintosh computers (4 Mac Us and 4 Mac nCis),
eventually to be expanded to 20 student stations. All hardware and software in the Center is
internally and externally linked via the Ethernet (See Figure 2). These linkages include
connections to the in-house VAX 11/780 as well as to the university's VAX 6000-320.
CESAR has been outfitted with several different digitizers and many different types
of printers and plotters (See Table 2). All are available to students for meeting the
requirements of both laboratory exercises and research. The equipment is available first on a
reservation system then on a first-come-first-served basis. Providing adequate hardcopy
capability at a low to moderate cost has been and continues to be a difficult problem. The
CaJcomp pen plotter, the Tektronix thermal printer, and the LaserWriter are the most popular
devices for output, but are inadequate for large-size color output requiring extensive polygon
fill. Other hardcopy technologies, e.g. electrostatic printers, are being considered, but high
purchase and maintenance costs militate against them.
In planning the acquisition of computer hardware, we decided that it would be
preferable to install small numbers (4-8) of several different types of equipment rather than
large numbers (20 or more) of one or two types. The advantage of this approach is that it
maximizes the flexibility and adaptability of the faculty for responding to technological
change and different research/instructional needs. A negative aspect of this approach is that
fewer students can be served Having a wide variety of computer hardware, with different
operating systems, also presents more complex maintenance and management problems.
Software
CESAR's software holdings for CIS, DIP, automated cartography, and spatial
statistics are extensive (See Table 3). Heading the list of software are ARC/INFO and
ERDAS. The former is available on PCs, workstations, and the two VAXs, whereas the
latter is installed on PCs and SUN workstations. As mentioned previously, ARC/INFO and
ERDAS are integrated on some stations via the "live link". ARC/INFO gives the department
vector CIS capabilities while raster functionalities are provided by ERDAS, SPANS, OSU-
MAP, IDRISI, and the MAP H Map Processor. ARC/INFO, SPANS, and ERDAS are
employed for both research and instruction. OSU-MAP, IDRISI, and MAPI! are used
primarily for instructional purposes.
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integrated into courses taught in the department. Thus there is a clear and symbiotic
relationship between the instructional and research goals of CESAR.
Hardware and Software Acquisitions - Phase 3
In recognition of the importance of continuing to upgrade CESAR'S computing
capability, the department recently completed the third phase of hardware and software
acquisition. Since its inception, teaching and research activities have been conducted
simultaneously within CESAR. As-the volume of grants/contract activity has expanded, so
has the number of our faculty who are skilled in IP/GIS and spatial techniques. From the
original nucleus of two colleagues teaching two courses per year, we now have seven faculty
members teaching more than a dozen courses per year in which IP/GIS are incorporated into
the curriculum. This parallel growth of instructional and research activities has placed a
good deal of stress on CESAR facilities. Therefore, we decided to separate some of the
instructional functions from the research activities in CESAR in order to enhance the
efficiency of both areas.
To accomplish this goal additional equipment was needed and a $96,000 purchase of
486 PCs, MAC IlCis, and SUN equipment was made. The funds were provided through a
loan from the University Foundation which will be repaid within 18 months from fees
charged to funded projects using CESAR.
Physical Plant
Concurrent with the receipt of new hardware and software in early 1987, 600 square
feet of floor space was dedicated to CESAR by converting the department's remote
sensing/aerial photograph interpretation laboratory into a CIS/DIP facility, which roughly
tripled the area previously available. The remote sensing/aerial photography interpretation
lab was temporarily relocated across the hallway into a portion of the cartography laboratory.
The space dedicated to CESAR was doubled the next year by expanding into an
adjacent room, which was obtained in a trade with the Sociology Department The existing
cartography laboratory (1250 square feet) was split into two rooms, one of which was given
to Sociology in exchange for the room adjacent to CESAR. The other room, of about 650
square feet, continued to be dedicated to manual cartography, remote sensing, and map and
aerial photograph interpretation. Finally, the space devoted to CESAR was increased to
3,000 square feet in December of 1990 when new research and office space, built especially
for the Department of Geography, was occupied.
IV. OPERATIONAL STAGE
General Layout
As the room layout shows (See Figure 1), CESAR facilities consist of three main
rooms containing computer equipment The two large rooms on the west separated by a
CPU room and offices for the Technical Manager and other CESAR staff, are devoted
primarily to research activities in GIS/DIP but also accommodate specialized graduate and
advanced undergraduate courses and independent student research. The adjoining large
room on the east the Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL), is used mainly as an instructional
laboratory for upper division and graduate courses in GIS, RS, spatial statistics and
automated cartography. A darkroom and an office for the Department Cartographer round
out these new laboratory facilities.
PapM
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Hardware and Software Acquisitions - Phase 2
As mentioned previously, while the initial proposal emphasized remote sensing,
within a year of its funding CESAR had evolved into an integrated GIS/RS research and
instruction facility. In the summer of 1987 a second lottery grant, this one for $93,000, was
funded by the university to upgrade CESAR to accommodate more students, larger databases
~and more sophisticated modeling. These monies were used to purchase Macintosh Ds, 386
PCs, and additional ARC/INFO and ERDAS capability. In addition, at roughly this same
time the university provided CESAR with a VAX 750 mainframe minicomputer for
ARC/INFO. While somewhat dated, having a VAX in-house within CESAR permitted us to
process much larger data sets as well as utilizing "Live-Link" techniques between ERDAS
and ARC/INFO. The original VAX 750 was recently replaced with a VAX 780. The
university maintains the CESAR VAX and we continue to have full access to all systems in
the University Computer Center through an Ethernet link.
The evolution of the facility as an integrated GIS/RS center was hastened by two
major grants. Within months after the establishment of CESAR a contract was awarded to
Richard Wright by United Enterprises Inc. to develop a land use GIS for a 9,000-acre portion
of Otay Ranch in southwestern San Diego County. The primary purpose of this 15-layer
database was to demonstrate how GIS technology could be employed in planning and
managing the development of the Otay Ranch subdivision. The owners of United
Enterprises who are also directors of the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, were pleased
with the outcome of the Otay Ranch GIS pilot project As a result of this project a formal
proposal was submitted by Richard Wright and Ernst Griffin to the Stephen and Mary Birch
Foundation to support the creation of a center for excellence in environmental and land use
analysis using GIS and IP technologies. The request, which was funded in September of
1988 in the amount of $632,000 over a five-year period, has several components: an
endowed chair contribution, graduate research assistant support, database development for
research and instruction, faculty released time for research and curriculum development,
hardware and software purchases, and community outreach via a series of summer
workshops. This grant was very important to the early development of CESAR in part
because it provided a degree of financial stability for several years.
A second grant that has had a major impact on the early evolution of CESAR was a
National Aeronautics and Space Administration award to Douglas Stow in the amount of
$600,000 over three years for a project entitled "Efficient Updates of Vector-Coded
Geographic Information Systems Using Remotely Sensed Data". This on-going
collaborative effort with ERDAS, ESRI and the San Diego Association of Governments
(SANDAG) involves research to promote the commercial use of satellite image data and
image processing systems for updating land use coverages in regional GISs. Techniques
have been developed and tested for integrating raster image data with vector GIS coverages.
The techniques have been transferred to SANDAG and are now being used operationally to
update a 1986 land use inventory to 1990 conditions. Similar techniques are now being
employed in another CESAR project for mapping vegetation and identifying sensitive
habitats in southern California. This grant, with its emphasis on raster-vector integration, has
helped to focus research and instructional activities in CESAR.
Like all grants and contracts accepted by CESAR, these projects incorporate graduate
students and often advanced undergraduates in the research process. These students receive
practical training in a wide array of research activities which enhance their educational
experience. A large percentage of our graduate students' theses and seniors' honors projects
emerge from their involvement in sponsored research projects. At die same time, the
specialized techniques and databases which result from research activities are frequently
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position 'costs. Subsequently, Allen Hope was hired to fill this position. As a result, the
Center was funded and three faculty with RS/GIS skills were in place.
One of the reasons that the university supported this initiative was because of the
excellent possibilities for externally funded projects that could be obtained by researchers
using RSA5IS_techniques. The department estimated that with qualified faculty the new
Center could generate a steady-state grant/contract funding base of $150,000 per year after
four years. These projections were evaluated by the SDSU Foundation's Development
Office (the university's research auxiliary) and were considered to be reasonable.,^ a result,
the university's administrators may-have felt that they were making a "good investment"
which could produce tangible returns.
Overall, we faced very few hurdles in pursuing this initiative. The university's
administrators at various levels were very supportive of our ideas and worked to help them
succeed. We are convinced that this was due to the fact that we had done a great deal of
groundwork all along the line. As a result, we were able to anticipate questions, provide
pertinent information in a timely manner, and intelligently project the impact of the program.
Further, the department had a Five-Year Plan in place and the proposal fell within the
objectives defined within the plan. 'The lesson from our experience is clear homework is
good.
ffl. ACQUISITION STAGE
Since its inception in 1986 there have been three major purchases of hardware and
software for CESAR (See Table 1). Two of these were the result of successful lottery
proposals within the university and the third was self-funded through a loan from the SDSU
Foundation. These three main acquisition phases will be discussed here. In addition, we
have an on-going program of purchases to maintain and up-grade CESAR's equipment base
financed through monies generated by CESAR,
Hardware and Software Acquisition • Phase 1
During the first year of funding the equipment and software actually purchased varied
little from that which was proposed. The only additions were the numerous odds and ends,
such as cables, computer chips, connectors, and supplies, that are essential to the operation of
a computer facility. Individually, these items do not cost much, but in total they added
several thousand dollars to the expenditure. That the initial purchase plan survived largely
intact into the acquisition stage was due in large part to the detailed planning that was done
and the short time (approximately three months) between proposal submission and systems
purchase.
An important aspect of the proposal stage that expedited the acquisition process was
the evaluation of hardware and software. Prior to submitting our proposal, it had been
determined that ARC/INFO and ERDAS software would comprise the primary CIS and DIP
capability of the new facility. These two packages and the companies that produce them
- ESRJ and ERDAS - rated highest in terms of the factors that we considered to be
important when selecting software and hardware for a research/educational facility.
Additionally, both companies recognized the potential value of having their software
installed at San Diego State University. Thus they were very cooperative in helping us to
define our needs as well as potential solutions. Consequently, when the proposed purchases
went out for bid ESRI and ERDAS were the only vendors that could provide
software/hardware with the capability we needed at a price we could afford.
C«talog
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES Page 131
San Diego State University
initiative. Several independent discussions were held with the Dean of the College of Arts
and Letters, the Dean of the Graduate Division and Research, the Vice President and
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Executive Director of the SDSU
Foundation. We outlined what we wanted to accomplish, what resources we thought would
be required, and what we envisioned the results would be for the department, the College,
and the university. We emphasized the merits of RS/GIS as an instructional and a research
_ tool, how our students would benefit if our ideas were implemented, and howthe initiative
tied into the long-term planning of the department. In turn, we received encouragement and
viable suggestions on'strategies for formulating a proposal. This may have been the key
phase in ultimately having a successful project because it involved key decision-makers early
in the process and may have brought them "on board" psychologically.
H. PROPOSAL STAGE
The initial official proposal to create a center emphasizing remote sensing, the
precursor of CESAR, was made in two parts during the late Spring of 1986: one through the
university's "Lottery Funds" competition and a second directly to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs. Although the proposals were made separately, they were integrally
related in that the first provided the funding for hardware/software while the second made
position monies available. Additional proposals to support CESAR were submitted and
funded in subsequent years from the university and externally.
As a pan of the law creating a state lottery in California, a percentage of the income
generated is divided among the various pans of the educational community. Within die CSU
system, a portion of those monies go directly to the individual campuses and are utilized at
the discretion of the presidents. Because of their sources, these funds are generally to be
used to benefit the instructional mission of the university. Therefore, the department
requested $200,000 to develop a center which focused upon advanced undergraduate and
graduate instruction in image processing of remotely sensed data and its cartographic
analysis through geographic information system technologies. Given the skills of the
existing faculty, the specific foci of the Center were to be hydroclimatology, geomorphoiogy,
and biogeography with an emphasis upon spatial analysis of form and process. It was argued
that the Center would enhance the learning experience of students in geography and closely
allied disciplines by providing hands-on experience with "sophisticated computer-based
techniques in remote sensing and geographic information systems". The proposal was
funded in the Summer of 1986.
The monies provided were used to purchase the initial hardware and software needed
to equip the lab. Three ERDAS PC turn-key systems with IP and CIS software modules
were the main components acquired for remote sensing activities, along with peripherals
such as an electronic digitizer, a video digitizer, a tape drive, an ink-jet printer, and a QCR
digital video copy camera. Two hand-held radiometers and polycorders were purchased for
field data collection. ARC/INFO software for use on a VAX minicomputer cluster was
acquired as die base for our CIS functions along with two Tektronix graphic terminals. A
CalComp plotter was also purchased to provide hardcopy.
Simultaneously, die Vice President for Academic Affairs was asked to approve and
fund a new entry-level tenure track position that would allow the department to bring in a
second specialist in remote sensing of die physical environment so that we could begin to
create a node of expertise in that area. The individual hired would be expected to become
grant active. To facilitate this latter consideration, a zero-teaching load was to be assigned
for die first semester. The Vice President and die Dean of die College of Arts and Letters
agreed to fund this position for two years, after which die department would absorb die
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In a broader context, during the mid-1980s the department was grappling with ways
to develop an identifiable focus which would allow it to move forward. We were seeking
ways to attract and retain outstanding young faculty while also improving our program's
stature, locally within the university as well as nationally within the discipline. At the same
time it was also becoming clear that a revolution was occurring in both software and
hardware, technically as well as cost-wise, that presented exceptional opportunities for
geographic research and instruction. Departments that developed programs which placed
them at the forefront of these changes could have the potential to make enormous strides
quite rapidly. This fortuitous conjunction in a time of departmental soul-searching and
accessible technological innovation was the catalyst which was to lead to the
conceptualization of CESAR.
The combination of RS/DIP/GIS as the technical focus of the department offered a
number of benefits. First, we had a small but highly skilled nucleus of faculty (Richard
Wright and Douglas Stow) already working in these areas. By adding to this core, we felt we
could bring about change without major disruptions in existing activities. Second, the
techniques were applicable to problems in both human and physical geography thus allowing
us to reach a wide range of student and faculty interests. We also perceived that this would
allow us to develop a facility which could broadly benefit the faculty as a whole and act as an
inducement to attract new faculty. Third, we felt strongly that students with a background in
these areas would be much better prepared for spatial problem solving. We concluded that
curricular changes in this direction would be a significant benefit for our majors, both
graduate and undergraduate. Fourth, application of these techniques to spatial problems
could provide significant advancements to geographic knowledge. This complimented the
desire of the faculty to increase their opportunities to do good, basic scientific research.
Fifth, image processing and CIS could be used to develop cross-disciplinary research ties on
campus, an important consideration from both a scientific and political perspective. Sixth,
there are excellent external grant/contract opportunities for faculty working with these
techniques. Because of limitations inherent in the California State University system budget,
it was important for the department to attempt to broaden its base of financial support
Finally, the public relations or "gee whiz" effect of the techniques was very strong and mis
could have an important impact upon administrators in control of funding. Virtually all of
the university's higher administration is composed of people trained in the sciences and they
recognized the importance of computers in research and instruction. Along with several
additional positives, we concluded that an initiative to create a major laboratory facility in
RS/GIS should be pursued vigorously.
Clearly, the pre-1987 situation had to be drastically upgraded if the department was to
conduct a major program of RS/GIS instruction and research commensurate with the
expertise and professional aspirations of the concerned faculty. Thus, the Department Chair
(Ernst Griffin) along with Profs. Wright and Stow set about to determine what was needed to
create an adequate laboratory. A number of hardware and software vendors were contacted
for information and a great deal of literature was perused. Several persons who had hands-on
experience with various systems configurations in established labs were contacted for their
opinions and advice. After a possible hardware/software configuration was agreed upon
internally, we invited a consultant (Dr. John Jensen, Department of Geography, University of
South Carolina) to critique pur thinking. As a result of his visit a revised plan was
established which gave us significantly greater flexibility and growth potential than our
original design. The cost of bringing in someone intimately familiar with setting up a lab
proved to be very worthwhile and cost effective.
Once we felt that we had an adequate idea of what was needed, informal contacts
were made with key administrators on campus to solicit their views and suggestions as to
how to proceed as well as to try to gauge the degree to which they might support our
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CIS TEACHING FACILITIES Page J29
San Diego State University
THE CENTER FOR EARTH SYSTEMS ANALYSIS RESEARCH
(CESAR):
AN INTEGRATED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND
DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING LABORATORY
The Department of Geography at San Diego State University houses the Stephen and
Mary Birch Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research (CESAR). Originally proposed in
the summer of 1986 as a facility emphasizing remote sensing, CESAR instead evolved into a
ttate-of-the-art, integrated geographic information systems (CIS) and digital image
processing (DIP) laboratory. CESAR serves a dual function as both an instructional facility
and a research laboratory supporting externally funded grants and contracts. Specific courses
at the upper division and graduate levels as well as independent student research occur within
CESAR. Simultaneously, a wide-variety of funded activities are in place. In mid-1991 the
total value of projects in progress was nearly $2 million and included international, national,
state and local-level projects funded by public and private sector institutions.
To provide a context of the academic environment in which CESAR functions, a
thumb-nail sketch of the university and department seems appropriate. San Diego State
University is the flagship campus of the 20-member California State University system. A
comprehensive university with some 33,000 students, SDSU offers bachelor's degrees in 76
areas, the master's degree in 56, and the doctorate in 8, including geography. Several
departments in the university have gained national stature for the quality of their programs.
The faculty attracted nearly $45 million dollars in research awards in 1990-1991. Within the
Department of Geography there are 20.5 faculty positions to serve some 165 undergraduate
and 50 graduate majors. Approximately 5,000 students per year take classes in Geography.
The department's primary specialties include GIS, cartography, remote sensing/DIP, and
spatial statistics as applied to problems in urban and behavioral geography, biogeography,
environmental geography, and Latin America. The Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and
Doctor of Philosophy (offered jointly with the University of California, Santa Barbara) as
well as a Certificate in GIS are awarded in Geography.
I. CONCEPTUAL STAGE
Prior to 1987 the department's ability to conduct a program of research and
instruction involving digital cartography, GIS, DIP, and remote sensing was severely limited
by inadequate facilities. Although courses in automated cartography and remote sensing had
been offered for more than a decade, the level of technology employed was very low. For
example, as late as 1986, image processing was limited to two or three small software
packages, such as M1CROPIPS, running on a single IBM PC. Automated cartography (AC)
and GIS courses were supported largely with Harvard software (e.g.. SYMAP and GRID),
DISSPLA, basic plot subroutines, and other graphic packages residing on die university's
CYBER mainframe computer. These programs were accessed by telephone lines via 300-
baud modems and displayed on four "dumb" terminals. In-house graphics capabilities
consisted of a Tektronix 4027 CRT, a Hitachi 42-inch digitizer, and a 12-inch Zeta plotter.
All of the equipment was housed in a room of less than 200 square feet The two courses
taught annually in remote sensing and automated cartography enrolled a total of
approximately 20 students. Because no staff support was available for these activities,
technical supervision was provided by the two faculty with expertise in RS/AC and by some
of the graduate students enrolled in the courses.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Peg* 61
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GIS TEACHING FACILITIES:
Six Case Studies on the Acquisition and
Management of Laboratories
Edited by:
Stephen D. Palladino and Karen K. Kemp
National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis
University of California at Santa Barbara
September, 1991
Pa0«aO USBVkOffiMrf Water (WH^. US4todco Border OS C*talo0 attachment July 1*3-
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Attachment 8
San Diego State University
Excerpt from:
•GIS Teaching Facilities:
Six Case Studies on the Acquisition
and Management of Laboratories.1
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DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
STEPHEN AND MARY BIRCH FOUNDATION
CENTER FOR EARTH SYSTEMS ANALYSIS RESEARCH
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation Center for Earth Systems
Analysis Research (CESAR) is a computer-based research and instruction
facility administered by the Department of Geography. The purpose of the
Center is to apply state-of-the-art technology in Image processing, remote
sensing, geographic information systems, automated cartography and
numerical modeling to problems with a spatial dimension. Research con-
ducted by the CESAR is directed at both applied and fundamental problems
in fields ranging from biophysical remote sensing to urban planning. This
research includes computer-based map and image data processing and
spatial simulation modeling as well as field experimentation. Current and in
progress grants and contracts are in excess of 2.0 million djollars.
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Attachment 7
San Diego State University
Descriptive information: Dept of
Geography. ~
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexkx> Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 77
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San Diego Regional Vehicle Occupancy and Classification Study-1990
(September 1990)
Regional Transportation Improvement Program (July 1990)
1992 TransNet FY90 Annual Report (July 1990)
San Diego Traffic Generators (January 1990)
Regional Transportation Models (June 1988)
INFO bulletins:
San Diego Freeways Levels of Service (INFO '92, No. 2)
1990 Regional Transit Survey (INFO '91, No.S) —
Maps:
1991 Average Weekday Traffic Volume Map (the Metropolitan Area and
North County maps are at a 1"- 6,000* scale, the East County map is at a
scale of f"-2mi.)
San Diego Regional. Bicycling Map (1"-1 mile scale)
Regional Transit Map
Publication callable through SountPoiiu. 35
Pa°*76 USEPAOtlk* of Water ^VH««7).US^yl«dooBofd« OB C^tok)Q«ltachm«*. July 1983.
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General and Community Plans
• General Plan Changes in the San Diego Region (March 1990)
• INFO Bulletins:
The Region's General Plans (INFO '87, No. 5)
Employment Estimates/Activity Centers
_• 1988 Employment Estimates (January 1990)*
• INFO
1990 Regional Employment Inventory (INFO *91, No. 6)^ ~
1990 Activity Centers (INFO '90, No. 5) *
Land Use
- • Regionally Significant Open Space—Definition (July 1990)
• 1986 Land Use Inventory (January 1987)*
• INFO Bulletin:
Land Usf Patterns in the San Diego Region (INFO '86, Special Issue)
• Map:
1990 Land Use Inventory (1"«2 mile scale)
Criminal Justice
• Crime in the San Diego Region-Annual Report (March 1992)
• Inmate Population Management Studies (January 1991)
• Indicators of Drug Use in San Diego County (October 1990)
• Impact of Illegal Immigration of the Criminal Justice System (August 1989)
• Needs Assessment: San Diego County Justice System, 1987 (May 1988)
Transportation/Transit
1991 Congestion Management Program (November 1991)
1990 Regional Transit Survey (October 1991)
Transportation Control Measures for the Air Quality Plan (June 1991)
Average Weekday Traffic Volumes 1986-1990 (May 1991)
Bicycle Counts at Selected Intersections in San Diego County 1990
(February 1991)
Regional Transportation Plan (January 1991)
• Publication availaU* through SoiartPoiM. 35
USEPA Offic. of Water (WH-547). US4««dco Border QIS Catalog .ttachnwnt JU|y 1993.
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Population and Housing Estimates
• January 1, 1991 Population and Housing Report (February 1992)*
• Population and Housing Estimation System-Revised Users Manual and Technical
Documentation (September 1988)
• INFO Bulletins:
January 1, 1991 Population and Housing Estimates (INFO '91, No. 4)
DemogTaphic/EconomicrCharacteri sties
• 1990 Household Income Estimates (May 1991)"
• 1988 Household Income and Expenditure Patterns (August 1990)*
• INFO Bulletins:
San Diego Fact Sheet (INFO '92, No. 1)
Demographic Characteristics of the San Diego Region (INFO '91, No. 3)
1990 Public School Enrollment (INFO '91, No. 1)
Vital Events in the San Diego Region (INFO '90, No. 6)
Trends and Comparisons in Economic Indicators (INFO '90, No. 3)
Demographic Maps of San Diego (INFO '89, No. 6)
Daytime Population 1986 and 2010 (INFO '89, No. 1)
Comparing San Diego (INFO '88, No. 1)
Purchasing Power in the San Diego Region (INFO '86, No. 2)
Regional Growth Forecast
• DEFM Forecast 1990 to 2015, Vol. II-Technical Forecasting Manual and User's
Guide (December 1991)
• DEFM Forecast 1990 to 2015, Vol. m-Database Documentation and Update
Manual (December 1991)
• Comprehensive Plan for the San Diego Region, Vol. 10 (October 1989)
• Overview of the Regional Growth Forecasting System (October 1989)
• Series 7 Growth Forecast-Water and Sewer Agencies (May 1989)
• Final Series 7 Regional Growth Forecast Land Use Inputs (October 1988)
• Demographic and Economic Forecast 1960-2010 (April 1987)*
• INFO Bulletin:
Series 7 Regional Growth Forecast (INFO '89, No. 2)
Population Growth in the San Diego Region 1900-2010 (INFO '88, Special
Issue)
Series 7 Regionwide Forecast (INFO '87, No. 1)
* fiMleaian available throng A SourctPoitu. 34
USEPAOffiMofWctor(WH«47).US4tadooBordw06C^dog«ltMhinwiLJuly1803.
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APPENDIX A
REPORTS AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
Current reports pertaining to each of the data bases described earlier in this report are listed
here. Publications containing data as well as those providing a technical discussion of the
methodology used are included. Also included is a list of INFO Bulletins that relate to
each topic area. INFO Bulletins, available individually or on a subscription basis, are
published seven times a year and contain information about recently produced or updated
data bases. For more information about these reports and the cost (if any) associated with
them, contact SANDAG's Public Information Specialist at (619) 595-5300.
Census
• 1990 Census: Housing Characteristics (October 1991)*
• 1990 Census: Population by Age and Race/Hispanic Origin (August 1991)*
• Population by Race: '80 & '90 Census Comparisons (April 1991)*
• 1990 Census: Population by Race (April 1991)*
• 1990 Census: Hispanic Population by Race (April 1991)*
• 1990 Census: Total Population and Housing Units (April 1991)*
• INFO Bulletins:
1990 Census Detailed Characteristics (INFO '92, No. 3)
1990 Census: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Overview (INFO '92,
Special Issue)
1990 Census Jurisdiction Profile (INFO '92, Special Issue)
1990 Census Population and Housing Characteristics (INFO '91, Special Issue)
1990 Census Race and Hispanic Origin (INFO '91, No. 2)
1990 Statistical Areas (INFO '91, Special Issue)
1990 Census (INFO '90, No. 2)
San Diego Migration Patterns (INFO '85, No. 5)
Public Use Micro-Data Sample for the San Diego Region (INFO '84. No. 8)
• Maps:
1990 Census Tracts With Subregional Areas (1"«2 mile scale)
1990 Census Tracts and Blocks (I"-800' scale)
Publication avoilabU through SowctPoha. 33
USEPA Office of Wtfer (WH*47). US-M«xkx> Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 73
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Natural Resource Areas
• Agricultural preserves
• Agricultural contract lands
• Important farmlands
• Sensitive soils
• National Wetlands Inventory (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Hydrography
• Hydrologic basins
• California Natural Diversity data base
• Coastal sage scrub
• MSCP vegetation (Multiple Species Conservation Program study area)
• MHCP vegetation (North County Wildlife Forum Multiple Habitat Conservation
Program study area)
P*9*72 : USEPA 0«k» of W«»w(WH*47).US44«dooBofdwOJSC*t«teg«lt^hm«it July 1993.
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Transportation
• Freeways
• Major roads
• Minor roads
• Local roads
• PailmarU
• Street annotation for freeways, interstates, major and minor streets
• Street network files for highway modeling ~~
• Transit network files for transit ridership models
• Local jurisdiction circulation element streets
• DIME file
Land Based
^•^•AM^^EHHAiK ^
• 1986 and 1990 generalized land use
• 1980, 1986 and 1990 land ownership
• General and Community plans
• Generalized steep slope (25%+) and flood plain boundaries
• Fault lines
Urban Activities
• Activity centers (major employers, office buildings, industrial parks, schools,
Hospitals, shopping centers)
• Elementary, junior high and high schools
• Existing landfills
• Employment sites
Base Map Features
• Public lands survey (township, range, sections, ranches)
• County boundary
• Shoreline, lakes, lagoons, major streams
USEPA Office of Water (WKS47). US4tadco Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 71
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BOUNDARY FILES AND COVERAGES
As discussed in the Data Bases section of this report, SANDAG maintains an updated version
of the DIME file as the street centeMine data base.* Also maintained as pan of the
geographic information system is a collection of boundary files and coverages for geographic
areas and features such as census tracts, jurisdictions! boundaries, special districts, freeways,
local streets, and natural resource^reas. These files are used in data analysis, modeling,
reporting and tabulating data, and for graphically portraying data in map form. User-defined
areas, such as service areas, can be digitized (put into computer-readable format) and added
to the collection of boundary files. -These files can then be used in a computer overlay
process to tabulatrand map data for those areas. The following is a list of the coverages and
boundary files maintained as part of the Regional Information System.
Boundary files
• Census tract boundaries (1980 and 1990)
• Census block and block group boundaries (1980 and 1990)
• Census Designated Places (CDP)
• Subregional Areas (SRA)
• Major Statistical Areas (MSA)
• North County Transit District (NCTD) and Metropolitan Transit Development
District (MTDB) service area boundaries
•. Jurisdictional boundaries (January 1, 1991)
• City and County of San Diego community planning areas
• Spheres of Influence (10 cities have spheres of influence that indicate likely areas
of future annexation)
• San Diego City Council and County Supervisorial districts
• • Zip codes
• School, water, sewer and fire districts *
• Traffic analysis zones
• Airport noise contours, accident potential zone (APZ) contours and runways
• Master Geographic Reference Areas (MGRAs): The smallest geographic unit
maintained in the regional information system, created by overlaying census
block and tract boundaries, jurisdiction boundaries, Community Plan Area
boundaries, and other geographic areas to form about 25,000 unique geographic
areas that can be aggregated to form user-defined areas.
P*°*7D . USEPAOffio* of W*»r (WK547). US-M«doo Border OS Ofclog «B«ohm«nl July 1883.
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on existing and future land uses. The models are updated based on information obtained
from the Travel Behavior Survey and On-Board Transit Survey, while existing and future
land use patterns are obtained from the Regional Growth Forecast. TRANPLAN is
commonly used to evaluate the traffic impacts of proposed development and improvements
to the region's existing and future highway and transit systems. The model is also used to
analyze person or transit trip movements between areas.
In addition to each jurisdiction's Circulation Element of the General Plan, SANDAG
maintains two computerized street network systems-a highway modeling network and a
transit modeling network. The networks are used in transportation modeling, facility site
location analysis, and computer map generation.
The highway modeling network consists of all freeways, prime arterials, major arterials, and
some smaller streets for the purpose of connectivity. Included are current street/road
patterns as well as future configurations. Some of the attributes associated with each street
segment are link distances, peak and offpeak travel times, posted speeds, name descriptors,
traffic volumes, functional road classifications, capacity (the amount of traffic which can
effectively flow through a section of roadway), and signal or stop sign controls.
The transit modeling network is a subset of the highway network. All street links with transit
activity are contained in the transit network Mies. All routes and their possible configurations
are represented. Street links with transit service have a number of attributes associated with
them, including route numbers which use the link, frequency of service or headways, number
of bus stops, travel times, bus speeds, and fare structures. Bus speeds and travel times are
based on a relationship to auto speeds and drive times, number of bus stops, bus stop
activity, and time of day. 1986 and 1990 base year networks are maintained, as well as
future networks for 1995, 2000, and 2010.
A short-range transit model called STOPS is used in evaluating the demographic and
economic characteristics of potential transit riders. It is an interactive menu-driven micro-
computer data retrieval system that includes graphics capabilities. Information such as race,
gender, age, housing value, and employment characteristics can be obtained for the
population within user-specified distances from existing or proposed transit stops.
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MODELS
Regional Growth Forecasting Models
There are two phases to the forecasting process and four major models used to obtain the end
results. The first phase uses the Demographic and Economic Forecasting Model (DEFM),
which produces a forecast for the San Diego region. DEFM combines a population-
employment forecasting model with an economic impact analysis system. It uses a series of
econometric equations, derived from historical data, which reflect the interaction between
economic forces and population growth. The model produces annual forecasts for the region
which represent the overall demand for housing and jobs over a 25-year forecast period.
DEFM consists of six sectors which are directly or indirectly linked. The sectors are
population, employment, income, construction, prices, and public finance.
The second phase uses two allocation models to distribute the regional forecast to subareas
within the region. The first of the subregional allocation models is the Employment
Allocation Model (EMPAL). It produces the future distribution of employment. This
distribution becomes the input to the second model used in the allocation process, the
Projective Land Use Model (PLUM). PLUM allocates other activities, such as population
and housing units to subareas based upon the location of employment, the capacity to absorb
additional development, and transportation accessibility.
The final model used in the forecasting process in the Sophisticated Allocation Process
(SOAP). SOAP is a micro-allocation model that distributes the subregional level forecast
from PLUM/EMPAL to the smallest geographic component, the Master Geographic
Reference Area (MGRA). The allocation of development activities to MGRAs is determined
by two primary factors-the availability of appropriate land for that activity and the
accessibility to employment opportunities.
Transportation and Transit Models
Transportation modeling efforts utilize the transit and socio-economic data bases and transit
networks described elsewhere in this report, as well as a number of others unique to
transportation planning. The Transportation Planning Package (TRANPLAN) is a set of
computer programs that assist in regional and subregional planning of street, highway, and
transit facilities. TRANPLAN includes a system of trip generation, trip distribution, and
mode-split models which create current and projected person, vehicle, and transit trips based
P»Q««8 , USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-M«doo Border OK Catalog attachment July 1993.
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information on occupancy counts over time and indicate whether programs to encourage
higher vehicle occupancy through ridesharing programs prove to be effective.
Freeway Level of Service Analysis
Traffic engineers utilize a level of service (LOS) rating to indicate the degree of congestion
along freeway segments. Although there are various methods to determine these ratings, the
method used locally is based upon the "volume/capacity* concept (the number of vehicles
divided by the freeway segment's capacity). Related to this calculation is vehicle density (the
number of vehicles per mile per lane) and the average travel speed. Using this methodology,
with vehicle counts provided by CALTRANS, six LOS ratings have been defined. Current
and historic weekday LOS information for 61 locations along the region's 11 freeways is
maintained. Hourly LOS data are also available to help evaluate the spreading of peak
period travel time. By monitoring traffic conditions over time, areas with the most critical
levels of congestion can be addressed.
Bicycle Use Survey
The Regional Bicycle Counting Program identifies directional bicycle volumes at major street
intersections. To conduct the counts, surveyors are stationed at intersections throughout the
region in the morning between 6:00a.m. and 9:00a.m. and in the afternoon between
3:00p.m. and 6:00p.m. Separate counts of adult riders, children, and those on mopeds are
taken. This study is conducted approximately every two years, with many of the sites
staying the same each year to allow for the analysis of data over time. In 1990, counts were
taken at 71 locations. The information is used by local government agencies in planning for
and providing a regional network of safe bicycle routes and facilities that will encourage
people to use the bicycle as an alternative means of commuting. The next bicycle counts are
scheduled for Fall 1993.
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other performance data to the region's fixed-route transit operators. In addition to boardings
and alightings, the number of passenger and revenue miles, average trip lengths, passenger
and revenue minutes, standing and seating capacity, maximum loads, gallons of fuel used,
miles of service over capacity, and on-time performance indicators also are measured for
each route. Transit operators usejhis information to correct running times, determine the
frequency of service, analyze route configurations and bus stop locations, and to analyze the
need for facility improvements and equipment changes.
Trolley Ridership Estimation Program
Since the Trolley is a barrier-free-system (no turnstiles, etc.) it is not feasible to count the
number of persons boarding and alighting each vehicle to determine ridership. It is therefore
necessary to estimate ridership by combining information collected from vendomat machines
with survey information collected on-board the vehicles by fare inspectors. The purpose of
the fare inspector surveys is to determine the percentage of passengers using a monthly pass
or other types of fare media not requiring the use of vendomat machines. By combining data
from these two sources (vendomat machines and fare inspector survey data), a monthly
estimate of ridership by fare payment type is produced. Average ridership for weekdays,
Saturdays, and Sundays are calculated for the system and by line. A data base is maintained
that contains trolley ridership information dating back to 1981, when trolley service began.
Average Daily Traffic Volumes
Each jurisdiction annually conducts vehicle counts on local streets and arterials, while
CALTRANS performs vehicle counts on the region's freeways. Each agency makes those
counts available to SANDAG for inclusion on the Average Weekday Traffic Volume map
that is published each year. The 24-hour volumes are standardized to represent traffic
volumes on an average weekday. Also published is a report listing all street segments and
their current and historical volumes over a five year period.
Vehicle Occupancy and Classification Survey
Vehicle occupancy monitoring programs were conducted in the San Diego region in 1981,
1985, and 1990. Each year, Meld counts at one hundred locations were made on non-holiday
weekdays during the morning peak commute period (6:30 a.m. to 8: a.m.), with counts
recorded at 15-minute intervals. At the same time that occupancy counts were made, field
surveyors determined vehicle classification data (trucks, passenger vehicles, motorcycles,
etc.). The results of the vehicle occupancy monitoring program are used to evaluate facility
needs, mode splits, vehicle emissions, and fuel consumption. The data also provide
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California Natural Diversity Data Base
The California Natural Diversity Data Base is a state-wide data base developed by the
California Department of Fish and Game. If contains information on rare, threatened or
endangered plant and animal sightings. SANDAG's version of the data base contains point
locations for species sightings within the San Diego region only. Although it is not a
comprehensive inventory of all rare plant and animal species, it provides historical and
current information on sightings of rare plants and animals.
TRANSPORTATION-RELATED DATA BASES
Travel Behavior Survey
Li 1986, a travel behavior survey was conducted of almost 3,000 randomly selected
households in the region. The two primary purposes of the survey were to obtain trip origin
and destination information and to determine travel patterns throughout the region. This
information is used to calibrate the trip generation, trip distribution, and mode split models
that are part of the regional transportation modeling package. For this survey, each
household member was asked to keep a trip diary of his or her travel during the assigned
travel day. This information included trip purpose, location, trip length, mode of travel, and
vehicle occupancy. Household characteristics obtained from the survey include household
size, tenure, structure type, income, and vehicle ownership. This survey is updated every 10
years.
On-Board Transit Survey
The most recent on-board transit survey was completed in the Fall of 1990. Over 40,000
surveys were collected on-board the region's 90 transit routes. The survey was conducted to
determine trip-making characteristics such as purpose, fare used, mode of access to and from
transit stops, and the origin and destination of the trip. In addition, the demographic
characteristics of transit riders were obtained, including age, gender, income, occupational
status, number of vehicles available, household size, geographic area of residence, and
frequency of use of public transit. The survey results are used by the region's fixed-route
transit operators in their transit planning activities.
Regional Transit Passenger Counting Program
This program updates passenger boardings and alighting* by bus stop on an annual basis.
While the program was initiated in 1979 to satisfy Urban Mass Transit Administration (now
Federal Transit Administration) requirements, it is also designed to provide ridership and
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National Wetlands Inventory
The National Wetlands Inventory, developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contains
data on wetlands in the San Diego region. The information was collected in 1985 and
identifies over 140 types of wetlands. The classification system is hierarchical and structured
around a combination of ecological, hydrological and substrate characteristics. The data base
contains wetland classifications for rivers, streams and creeks as well as for water bodies
such as lakes, lagoons, and bays^ ~
Hydrography
The hydrographic data base contains streams and their direction of flow replicating the
stream drainage patterns in the region. Digital files were obtained from the Teak Data
Center in Sacramento. The data base was developed in cooperation with the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and is based on digital files from the U.S.
Geological Survey.
Important Farmlands
The State of California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program inventories important farmlands in the state. The data base contains information on
the location of prime and unique farmlands, grazing lands, and farmlands of state-wide or
local importance in the region. This information is updated every two years.
Agricultural Lands
Agricultural preserves and Williamson Act contract lands are included in this data base.
Land within agricultural preserves is classified into three land use categories-urban prime
(parcels located within three miles of cities of 25,000+ population), other prime, and
nonprime (grazing land, which is the major agricultural contract land in San Diego County).
Vegetation
Various efforts are currently under way to collect information on natural vegetation
communities and sensitive habitats in the San Diego region. These include the City of San
Diego's Clean Water Program Multi-Species Conservation Plan, the Metropolitan Water
District's Pipeline 6 study, and well as efforts by local agencies and the North County
Wildlife Forum. All of the vegetation and habitat data bases will be joined into one seamless
county-wide data base.
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The 1990 Land Use Inventory reflects land use patterns in the region as they were in June,
1990. The file was created using new technologies involving satellite imagery and change
detection procedures. Multi-date imagery, from 1986 to 1990, were viewed simultaneously
to produce a composite image which highlighted areas of change. Using the image as a
backdrop, new land uses were added to the file. Ancillary resources, such as color infra-red
photography, Thomas Bros, maps, USGS topographical mips, the employment inventory,
and the activity centers data base were used to identify over 70 types of land uses. A color
1* to 2 mile scale Generalized Land Use map is available that portrays 19 categories of land
use. The digital file can be used to tabulate and plot any combination of land uses. The
land use inventory is updated approximately every five years for use in the Regional Growth
Forecast and the Regional Transportation Plan.
Public Ownership
The 1990 Public Ownership File inventories lands owned by public agencies. Eleven
categories of federal, state and local agencies are contained in the data base. Information
was obtained from local jurisdictions, the County of San Diego Tax Assessor, and other
public agencies such as the California Department of Forestry, California Department of
Parks and Recreation, and water and school districts. The data base is updated
approximately every five years in conjunction with the Regional Growth Forecast.
Public Land Survey
The Public Land Survey, developed primarily by the U.S. Geological Survey, shows
•% *
township and range lines and the resulting sections and ranches in the region's land base
survey.
Steep Slopes
This data base identifies areas in the region with a slope of 25 percent or more. The original
mapped information was created by the U.S. Geological Survey using a photomechanical
process to translate the distance between contours into percentage slope. The digital data
base was created by electronically scanning the mapped information and converting it to
ARC/INFO format.
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EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DATA BASES
Employment Estimates
The 1990 Regional Employment Inventory is the most current compilation of site-level
employment statistics. The inventory reflects an estimate of average annual employment
(from the Economic Development Department) classified by industry at the place of work
and is comprised of three components: civilian wage and salary employment, self-employed
and domestic workers, and military employment. Since 1972, employment inventories have
been produced by SANDAG for use in transportation studies, public facilities analyses,
growth forecasts, and other applications. An historical series such as this allows for analysis
of regional employment trends in terms of type of employment, number and size of
employers, and geographic distribution. The Employment Inventory is updated every two
years.
Activity Centers
"Activity centers" are facilities and institutions that attract large numbers of people and
generate high volumes of vehicle trips on a regular basis. The 1990 Activity Centers
Inventory contains data on eight different types of facilities: major employers, office
buildings, industrial parks, government centers, shopping centers, hospitals, tourist attractors,
and schools. The location, size, number of employees, and date of establishment is
maintained for each facility. Each facility is given a unique identification number which
allows tracking over time even though the name or location may change. The information
can be used to evaluate the need for additional facilities, to perform transportation demand
analyses, assist in land use planning, and to monitor growth forecasts. The Activity Centers
inventory is updated every year.
LAND .USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA BASES
General and Community Plans
An important data base is developed as a direct result of the Regional Growth Forecast
process. This is a computer-readable file of General/Community plans, which contains
planned land use information for each jurisdiction. Information about lands constrained from
private development by policy, public ownership, or for environmental reasons is also
maintained. By performing a series of computer overlays of existing land use, planned land
use, and constrained lands, net developable acres by land use category can be tabulated and
mapped. Also maintained is a computer-readable file of each jurisdiction's Circulation
Element of the General Plan.
Bo«fcratSC«^
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.geographic areas to allow for aggregation to user-defined and other non-standard geographic
areas.
Demographic Characteristics Estimates
While it is important to address planning issues on the basis of the overall change in
population size, changes in the characteristics of the population can be of equal or greater
significance. For example, changes in the age structure affect school, health care, and
marketing issues. Estimates of the population by age, racial/ethnic composition, and
household income are developed down to the census tract level of geography. The
demographic characteristics program has two purposes. The first is to provide current
information and update key trends in the region's demographic make-up. The second is to
analyze these changes and their impact on various planning issues in the region. These
estimates are produced every two years.
Regional Growth Forecast
In cooperation with local jurisdictions, a forecast of population, housing, employment, and
land use is developed. The first step in the process is to develop a regionwide forecast. A
subregional forecast is then prepared based on the General/Community plans each jurisdiction
has in place at the time the forecast is produced. (See "Regional Growth Forecasting
Models" in the Models section of this report.)
The current subregional forecast, Series 7, portrays the likely timing and distribution of
future population, housing, and employment for the years 1995, 2000, and 2010. This
forecast is currently being updated in a cooperative effort between SANDAG and local
jurisdictions. The Series 8 Regional Growth Forecast uses the 1990 Census as the base and
will provide information for the years 2000, 2010, and 2015. For the first time, the
subregional forecast will include projections of the population by four ethnic groups, age,
and sex. The preliminary Series 8 subregional allocation is scheduled for release in the Fall
of 1992.
Criminal Justice Data
The Criminal Justice Research Division collects and maintains historic and current crime and
justice-related information from the region's ten local law enforcement agencies. Statistical
data, such as crimes and clearance rates by type of offense, characteristics of crimes and
victims, and offender characteristics are examples of the types of information available in
tabular and graph form.
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Since the DIME file's inception for the 1970 Census, SANDAG has updated and maintained
a street center-line data base, making the file an integral part of the regional information
system. The "enhanced DIME file" now includes 1990 Census geographic area information
from the TIGER file, shape nodes, zip codes, private roads and full county coverage.
There are two special files that are scheduled for release in 1993." The first is the Census
Transportation Planning Package (CTPP). In this file census data are aggregated to special
transportation planning zones to provide demographic information and travel characteristics
about people at their place of work. The CTPP includes journey-to-work data (including
origin and destination information) means of transportation to work, travel times, socio-
economic characteristics of workers, and other census information about persons and
households.
The second special file is the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS). PUMS files consist of
a sample of actual census records (stripped of name and address) that allow the user to
produce special crosstabulations of information, such as age of householder by household
income. Because of the small sample.size of this file; the information is available only for
areas of 100,000 persons or more. There will be two PUMS files, one a five percent sample
and the second a one percent sample. In San Diego, geographic areas in the five percent
sample Mle will be defined as 13 groups of subregional areas, with the population in each
group ranging from just over 100,000 to about 350,000. The one percent sample will also
have information for 13 areas, but those areas are defined as the four cities over 100,000 in
population (Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego), with the City of San Diego
divided into nine areas and a total for the remainder of the county.
Population and Housing Estimates
Population growth in the region is monitored through annual population and housing
estimates, developed in cooperation with local agencies and the California State Department
of Finance (DOF). The estimates provide intercensal estimates of the size and geographic
distribution of the population for jurisdictions and census tracts. The estimates use the
census as their base and are prepared using the "housing unit method", the most commonly
used technique for making subcounty population and housing units estimates. The
components of this method are total housing units, occupancy rates.average household size,
and the number of people living in group quarters (such as military barracks and college
dormitories.) Using building completion and demolition data and group quarters and
annexation information provided by local agencies, DOF produces annual estimates for each
jurisdiction. SANDAG then produces estimates at the census tract level that are controlled to
the jurisdictional totals. Every two years, the estimates are produced for very small
P*°*60 USEPA Offic* of Water (WH-547). US4todoo Border OB Catalog attachment July 1993.
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DATA BASES
Historical, current, and projected data of many types are maintained as pan of the Regional
Information System. Some are primary data bases, created by SANDAG specifically for use
in regional and local planning activities. Others axe secondary in nature, compiled from
outside sources.
In most cases, information from each data base is available in summary format in printed
reports, bulletins, or in computer-readable format (ASCII or Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet format).
Technical reports describing the methodology used to produce the data are also available for
some data bases. Appendix A lists the data and technical reports containing information
about the data described in this section; Appendix B provides examples of data profiles that
are available for selected data bases.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC DATA BASES
Census
The census, conducted every ten years, provides the most detailed collection of demographic
data available. SANDAG/SourcePoint is designated as the Regional Census Data Center for
San Diego. As such, we are involved in pre-census planning activities, such as questionnaire
content development and the definition of census-related geographic areas, such as census
tracts and block groups. Once census data are released, we are the first in the region to
receive the data in computer-readable format and are able to make the information available
far in advance of printed reports distributed by the Census Bureau.
The most geographically detailed information comes from the "short form", or 100 percent
count questionnaire that all households received. This information, available down to the
census block level of geography, includes information about the population by ethnicity, age,
marital status, household composition, and housing information such as type, tenure,
occupancy status, value, and rent.
Less geographically detailed but more comprehensive in terms of the information available is
data from the "long form", or sample questionnaire. This questionnaire was received by
about one out of six households and contains all of the short form questions as well as
additional questions about income, educational attainment, occupation, employment status,
ancestry, place of work, disability status, vehicle ownership, commute patterns, and length of
residency. This information is available down to the block group level of geography.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* &
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In addition to printed format, SANDAG can receive and distribute data and digital
information on the following media:
PRIME:
• Magnetic tape: 1600 or 6250 bpi; EBCDIC; no label, block size < 24,000, even
block factor.
IBM compatible PCs:
• 3V4" or 5V4" diskette, low or high density.
UNIX Workstations:
• DC 6150 data cartridge tape (in Tape Archiving [TAR] format)
• 8 mm cassette (TAR. format)
• 3V4" diskette (TAR format)
PapSB i USEPAOWo* of Water (WH«47). US4todoo Border OB Catalog attachment July 1993.
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
SANDAG uses a Prime 9955 n minicomputer and Sun Sparcstations to perform the data
processing and geographic information systems (CIS) functions described in this report. Two
Calcomp 8-pen color plotters, one connected to the Prime computer and another connected to
a Sun Sparcstation, are used to produce all color plots. Outside service bureaus jre used to
provide electrostatic plotting services.
More than 80 PCs are maintained, with most connected through two Novell networks. In
response to the ever-increasing use of PCs in the workplace, SANDAG offers microcomputer
workshops free of charge to local agency staffs. The workshops, conducted twice a year,
include half-day sessions for spreadsheet (Lotus 1-2-3), wordprocessing, (WordPerfect) and
general PC skills at introductory and intermediate levels. Approximately 500 people attend
these workshops during each session.
The CIS used at SANDAG is ARC/INFO v.6.0, developed by ESRI of Redlands, California.
ARC/INFO is used to automate, manipulate, analyze and display geographic data. The
characteristics of the software include its modular design, its ability to integrate many types
of data, its utility for developing application-specific user interfaces with screen menus and
its programming language called Arc Macro Language (AML). ARC/INFO is structured to
accommodate various relational database management systems and can operate on many types
of computers with a variety of graphics hardware.
Using ARC/INFO, SANDAG has the ability to perform map digitizing and editing and
conduct analytical operations using map overlay and summary statistics procedures. Feature-
based editing is used to maintain and update the digital databases. Points, lines, areas, and
map annotation can be moved, copied, added, deleted, or reshaped using ARC/INFO.
Tabular attributes can be created and updated or transferred between features. The
cartographic production component of the software is used to produce a variety of map
products at SANDAG. Features from any number of map coverages can be selected for
display and drawn with different symbols.
ERDAS software provides image processing and raster geographic information system
capabilities. The ERDAS-ARC/info Live Link allows for the integration of vector data with
raster imagery. Additional software includes a Fortran compiler and SPSSx v. 3.1 for
statistical analysis.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment. July 1993. pa
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INTRODUCTION
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the regional planning agency and
•council of governments" for the SanJMego region. This Association is governed by a
Board of Directors composed of an elected official from each of the region's 19 local
governments. Supplementing the voting members are advisory representatives from the U.S.
Department of Defense, the California Department of Transportation (CALTRftNS), the San
Diego Unified Port District, and Tijuana/Baja California.
SANDAG's monthly Board of Directors meetings provide the public forum for significant
regional issues suchras growth, transportation, environmental management, housing, open
space, air quality, energy, fiscal management, economic development, and criminal justice.
Association Directors adopt plans, establish policies and develop programs for these regional
issues which are used by local governments and other public and private organizations.
As a result of the tasks carried out in the Overall Work Program and special projects for
member agencies, many data bases and an array of technical capabilities have been
developed. These, along with the staff that performs the processing and analysis of the
information, make up the Regional Information System. This report includes a discussion of
the major components of this system.
Access to information and services is available to SANDAG member agencies through the
Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. SourcePoint, a non-profit corporation chartered
by SANDAG, was established to provide data and technical expertise to non-member public
agencies, the private sector, and the general public. Appendix A contains a list of data
reports and technical documentation that have been developed for some of the information
described in the "Data Bases* section of this report. Appendix B includes sample data
profiles used to summarize the information in tabular form. In most cases, these can be
produced for standard geographic areas (such as jurisdictions) as well as for user-defined
areas, such as facility service areas or marketing areas.
p«0« 56 USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). U.S.-Moxico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
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Freeway Level of Service Analysis 19
Bicycle Use Survey 19
MODELS 23
Regional Growth Forecasting Models 23
Transportation and Transit Models 23
BOUNDARY FILES AND COVERAGES 27
Boundary Files 7 . . .27
Transportation 7 28
Land Based 28
Urban Activities 28
Base Map Features ._ 28
Natural Resource Areas 29
APPENDIX A-Reports and Technical Documentation 33
APPENDIX B~Data Profiles 39
APPENDK C-1990 Census Tract/Subregional Area Map 47
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547), US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1993. p 55
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE 7
DATA BASES 11
Demographic and Economic Data Bases 11
Census 11
Population and Housing Estimates 12
Demographic Characteristics Estimates 13
Regional Growth Forecast 13
Criminal Justice Data 13
Employment-Related Data Bases 14
Employment Estimates 14
Activity Centers 14
Land Use and Environmental Data Bases 14
General and Community Plans 14
Land Use 15
Public Ownership 15
Public Land Survey 15
Steep Slopes 15
National Wetlands Inventory 16
Hydrography 16
Important Farmlands 16
Agricultural Lands 16
Vegetation .' 16
California Natural Diversity Data Base 17
Transportation-Related Data Bases 17
Travel Behavior Survey 17
On-Board Transit Survey 17
Regional Transit Passenger Counting Program 17
Trolley Ridership Estimation Program 18
Average Daily Traffic Volumes 18
Vehicle Occupation and Classification Survey 18
Pafl*M Z5ERAOliio« of Water (VW^.US4««tooBord^
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ABSTRACT
TITLE: Regional Information System Overview
AUTHOR: San Diego Association of Governments
DATE: September 1992
NUMBER OF PAGES:
49
ABSTRACT:
As a result of the tasks carried out in the
Overall Work Program and special
projects for member agencies, many data
bases and an array of technical capabilities
have been developed. These, along with
the staff that performs the processing and
analysis of the information, make up the
Regional Information System. This report
(updated from the previous June 1992
report) includes a discussion of the major
components of this system.
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993.
Page 53
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Board of Directors
SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is a public agency formed voluntarily by
local governments to assure overall areawide planning and coordination for the San Diego region.
Voting members include the Incorporated Cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista. Coronado, Del Mar. El Cajon,
Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa. Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside,
Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista, and the County of San Diego.
Advisory and Liaison members include CALTRANS, U.S. Department of Defense,
and Tijuana/Baja California.
CHAIRWOMAN: Hon. Gloria McClellan
VICE CHAIRMAN: Hon. Mike Bixler
SECRETARY-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Kenneth E. Sulzer
CITY OF CARLSBAD
Hon. Bud Lewis. Mayor
(A) Hon. Ann Kulehin. Mayor Pro T«m
cmr OF CHULA VISTA
Hon. Leonard Moora, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Tim Nadar, Mayor
cmr OF CORONADO
Hon. Michal Napolitano. Mayor Pro Tarn
(A) Hon. Susan KaKh. Councilmambar
COY OF DEL MAR
Hon. Elliot Parks, Daputy Mayor
(A) Hon. Hanry Abarbanal, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Ed Gelbart, Councilmambar
cmr OF EL CAJON
Hon. Harriat Stookwall, Daputy Mayor
(A) Hon. Mark Lawis, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Richard Ramos, Councilmambar
cmroFENcwiTAS
Hon. Maura. Wiegand. Mayor
(A) Hon. QaH Hano. Councilmambar
cmr OF ESCONDIDO
Hon. Jarry Harmon, Mayor
(A) Hon. Lori HoR Plailar, Councilmambar
CtTY OF MPERIAL BEACH
Hon. Mika Bbdar. Mayor
(A) Hon. Mart Qoatha, Vtee Mayor
CITY OF LA MESA
Hon. Art Madrid. Mayor
(A) Hon. Barry Jantt, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Jay LaSuar. Vice Mayor
CTTY OF LEMON DROVE
Hon. Brian Cochran, Mayor
(A) Hon. Jaroma Legerton, Councilmambar
CtTY OF NATIONAL CITY
Hon. Jass E Van Davantar, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Miehaal Dalta, Councilmambar
CmrOFOCEANStDE
Hon. Nancy York. Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Malta Bishop. Daputy Mayor
cmr OF POWAY
Hon. Don Higginaon, Councttmambar
(A) Hon. Jan Goldsmith, Mayor
(A) Hon. Bob Emary, Councilmambar
CITY OF SAN DIEGO
Hon. Judy MoCarty, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Tom Bahr, Councilmambar
cmr OF SAN MARCOS
Hon. Laa Thibadaau, Mayor
(A) Hon. Mika Praaton. Vioa Mayor
(A) Hon. Mark Loschar, Councilmambar
cmr OF SANTEE
Hon. Jack Doyta, Mayor
(A) Hon. Hal Ryan, Vie* Mayor
CITY OF SOLANA BEACH
Hon. Richard Handlin, Councilmambar
(A) Hon. Margaret Schlasingar, Daputy Mayor
(A) Hon. Celine Olson. Mayor
cmr OF VISTA
Hon. Gloria E. MoCtaflan, Mayor
(A) Hon. Bamia Rappaport, Mayor Pro Tarn
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Hon. Brian Bilbray. Supervisor
(A) Hon. Susan Gotding, Suparvisor
(A) Hon. John MaeOonald, Suparviaor
STATE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION
(A) Jaaua Garcia, District Eleven Director
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Uaiaon Member)
Cant Tom Crane. CEC. USN
Commanding Officer Southwoet DMston
Naval FaoMbea Engineering Command
TUUANA/BAJA CAUFORNIA
(Advisory Member)
Hon. Cartea Montejo Favela
Presidenla Municipal da Tijuana
Revteed Auguat 24,1992
Page 62
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border GIS Catalog attachment July 1S93.
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REGIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
September 1992
San Diego
ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS
San Diego Association of Governments
First Interstate Plaza, Suite 800
401 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 595-5300
This project was financed with federal funds from the Urban Mass Transit Administration and
Federal Highway Administration, state funds, and local funds from SANDAG member jurisdictions.
MEMBER AGENCIES: Cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinrtas,
Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove. National City, Oceanside, Poway,
San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista, and County of San Diego
ADVISORY/LIAISON MEMBERS: California Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Defense,
and Tijuana/Baja California None
USEPAOffk* of Water dc«Bo^^ p M
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Attachment 6
San Diego Association of Governments
•Regional Information System Overview.*
Report September 1992. _
Peg* 50
USEPAOffiot of Water (WH*47). US-Mwtoo Border OB Ctfatog rttachmtrt. Ju«y19W.
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State of California
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Natural Heritage Division
Natural Diversity Data Base
License Agreement
You are subject to the following terms and conditions with regard to the purchase^ and/or
use of data from the Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB):
1. You are free to make copies of NDDB data or database applications in digital or
hardcopy form for use or distribution within your department, agency, business or
corporation. Subcontractors may have access to these data during the course of
any given project but should not be given a copy for their use on subsequent,
unrelated work. We are a cost recovery operation. Your distribution of
unauthorized copies of our data to individuals or corporate entities outside of your
own group compromises our fiscal resources and, consequently, our abilities to
collect and distribute these data to you. This copy privilege does not extend to
professional organizations, associations or affiliations. In these cases, we will
negotiate a special rate for organization members. Should you be approached by
individuals outside your organization for the type of data that we provide, please
refer them to the NDDB.
2. As a professional courtesy, we ask that you acknowledge the NDDB as a source of
your information whenever you use NDDB data in your reports, papers, publications
or in maps that incorporate NDDB graphic elements.
•\
3. You must recognize that the NDDB is dynamic. We add, delete and change records
on a daily basis. Consequently, we strongly advise that you plan to update your
NDDB data sets about every six months for most applications of our information. It
is your responsibility to use a current copy of NDDB data for your analysis or other
work.
4. NDDB data require a certain degree of biological expertise for proper analysis,
interpretation and application. Our staff is available to you by phone to advise you
in the technical aspects of our data. We can also arrange NDDB training and
orientation for you. It is your responsibility to insure that the data you obtain from
us are not misapplied.
5. We work very hard to keep the NDDB as current and up to date as possible given
our capabilities and resources. However, we cannot and do not portray the NDDB
as an exhaustive and comprehensive inventory of rare species and natural
communities. Field verification for the absence and presence of sensitive species
will always be an important obligation of our customers. Likewise, your
contribution of data to the NDDB is equally important to the maintenance of the
NDDB.
6/92
USEPA Office of W«tar (WH-547). US-Modco Border GtS Catalog attachment July 1993. PaQt 49
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Attachment 5
California Dept of Fish and Game
NaturalDiversity Data Base
•License Agreement1
USEPA OffiM of Water (WH-547). US4tadeo Bontor OB Catalog altochintnt. July 1903.
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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
HDDB^Beographic Information system
In 1989, the Department of Fish and Cane transferred the Natural
Diversity Data Base (NDDB) to a modern Geographic Information
System (CIS). The NDDB CIS is an integrated system of hardware,
software and data.which is used to store and analyze information
about the geographic:extent and condition of rare and endangered
species and communities in California.
The NDDB CIS uses Hewlett-Packard computers and HP-UX (UNIX)
operating system foe its computing platform. The configuration
consists of a local area network (IAN) -of seven workstations which
are -equipped with high-resolution color displays • and 8 to 32
megabytes of local RAM. Total disc storage space available on the
system is about 2.5 gigabytes. Peripheral devices include a
CalComp 36* color electrostatic plotter, one 3'x4' and four 2'x3'
digitizing tables-, a high-speed line printer, laser printer, a tape
cartridge unit and" a 6250 BPI 9-track tape drive.
The software used is a vector-based CIS called Gcnooap, a product
of Genasys, Inc. of Fort Collins, CO.. Genamap is closely linked
with the Oracle relational data base manager through th*e industry
standard, Structured Query Language (SQL) interface. Genamap is
used for the graphic and geographic functions, while Oracle handles
the extensive textual attributes. The system provides a variety of
tools for input, storage, manipulation and output of digital
spatial data. Data input is accomplished through digitizing
hardcopy maps, coordinate geometry (COCO), or importing existing
digital data. The graphic data are stored topologically within
Genamap as points, lines or areas. Each nap feature is assigned a
"tag" value which is the key field used to link it to the textual
attribute data stored in Oracle relational tables. Typical
analyses include retrieval of species occurrences based on
geographic location, such as by 7.5' quad or a project area; or by
proximity, such as within two miles of a project area. The
attribute data can be used to narrow the search criteria using
thematic characteristics, such as species or listing status, in
addition to geographic criteria. The results of queries can then
be output using pre-formatted text reports or color maps.
In addition to rare species and natural community data, the JEIS
contains land ownership information and -cartographic data such as.
roads, streams, boundaries and Public Land Survey System. The CIS
is also be used by the Significant*Natural Areas Program (SNAP) to
identify areas of significant biological diversity and by Realty
Services to manage parcel information for DFG-owned lands.
For information regarding the CIS contact Tom Lupo, Geographer, at
(916)445-6264. For species data retrievals contact Nancy Vierra,
Information Services Coordinator, at (916)324-3812.
« April 1992
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border OlS Catalog attachment July 1993. Page 47
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Attachment 4
California Dept of Fish and Game
Natural Diversity Data Base
Technical Description: NDDB GIS'
I5iPA"Offic. of Water (WH547). US4tadoo Bocd«r OB CttalOfl rttochmwit July 1993.
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Standard costs for other products continued:
Map Overlays $ 30.00
Magnetic Tape $ 15.00
Floppy Disk $ 2.50
1 Hour of Staff Time $ 25.00
Typical requests for information will usually involve a report and map overlay for a
single USGS 7.5' quad. The average quad in California has about seven (7) NDDB records.
The cost for such a retrieval would be calculated as follows:
Cost for 7 records (@ $8/record) $ 56.00
1 Map Overlay $ 30.00
Total $ 86.00
We find that many of the requests we receive are for projects in the south coastal and
San Francisco Bay areas where we have records for many rare and threatened species and
natural communities. In these regions, the per request cost usually range between $140 and
$240 per quad. Text only requests will not include a separate charge for staff time unless an
inordinate amount of staff time is required due to the custom nature of the request.
We will charge 50% of the total cost for cancellation of orders that we have taken,
processed, but not yet delivered. Orders that have been delivered cannot be returned,
and no refund will be made.
We frequently customize products to meet the needs and desires of our customers. For
example, we can produce county specific data sets for use with our RareFind application.
We attempt to be flexible with product design and pricing to best serve the information needs
of the conservation and development communities.
For'more information on NDDB products and services, please call our Information
Services Staff at either (916) 324-3812 or (916) 327-5960, or write to us at:
Information Services
Natural Heritage Division
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
WODUCTJHTOT2
USEPA Office of Water (VW«47). US-Mexico Border OIS Catalog attachment Juty 1993. Pag0 ^
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State of California
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Natural Heritage Division
Natural Diversity Data Base
PRICE SHEET - AUGUST 1992
The Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) collects information on the location and
condition of California's rare and threatened species and natural communities, and enters
these data into a computerized data management and mapping system. This information is
made available to interested parties for a fee in the form of computer printouts, map
overlays, and in computer files on disk or tape. The entire inventory can be purchased for
an annual subscription in the form of a microcomputer database application called RareFind.
RareFind provides a text based (no graphics) report for any of California's 2,800+, 1:24,000
scale quad maps (United States Geological Survey 7.5 minute maps).
The location for a single population or community stand is the basic unit of record in
this system. Product pricing is based on the number of records involved for a given-
retrieval. The NDDB uses a two-tiered pricing structure that affords a 50% reduction in the
per record cost for government agencies and private conservation organizations*. Private, for
profit organizations or individuals are charged the full rate. These rates are listed in the
following table.
Number of Records
first 100
from 101 to 200
from 201 to 500
from 501 to 1,000
from 1,001 to 3,000
from 3,001 to 8,000
over 8,000
Cost/record
Commercial Rate
$8.00
$4.00
$2.00
$1.00
$.50
$.25
$.12
.Cost/Record
Conservation Rate
$4.00
$2.00
$1.00
$.50
$.25
$.13
$.06
Standard costs for other products are:
RareFind (offered as an annual subscription) -
Commercial « $2,500 Conservation « $1,250
Renewals are given a 10% reduction off these rates. Organizations can make as many
copies of the data and application as necessary for their internal uses but can not make copies
for distribution outside of the organizations.
Pag* 44
USEPA OffiM of Water (WH-547). US-Mvdoo Border OB Catalog attachment. July 1983.
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Attachment 3
California Dept of Fish and Game
Natural Diversity Data Base
"Price Sheet. August 1992."
USEPA Offieiof Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border QIS Catalog attachment July 1993. Pag* 43
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NATURAL DIVERSITY DATA BASE!
Program Guide for Users
CaEfcnia'i native plants and
are hi jeopardy. Emyy
plaati
amd aaiaalt are added to the •*-
daagerad fist. Lack of knowledge
^Mlt ^MMlfifR Illnlnaiml fl^MMf^M W A
big problem for developers, coonty a*d
city planners, and environmental
gvoops. nt a means OK kecpng track oi
these raoorces, the Natural Diversity,,
Data Bate (NDDB) wat i
by the Department of Fish and
and TV Napre Conservancy.
The Natval Diveisky Data Bate
(NDDB) ii the largest comptterized in-
ventory of ijiC4 ITi of tpfcn>atioo. andprffiiMBi of aigjiung,,
Wkh in wealth of detailed mfacma-
tioo, NDDB • an import «rtf tool (or
dunce* taking place • CaEfcnia. It
provide* dewelopen, Bate departBeati
and other eontenatioo traopt with h-
fonutioa aeeded to deteruae where
decfinini plant and animal ipedet are
located aad if planned projects «m af-
NOTE:
I*>*geoiut*alyi9
-------
Attachment 2
California Dept of Fish and Game
Natural Diversity Data Base
•Program Guide for Users*
USEPA Office of Water (WH-547). US-Mexico Border CIS Catalog attachment July 1993 Page 41
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USEPA Offio* of Water (WH-547). US4todeo Border GIS Catalog attachmant July 1993.
Pag* 39
-------
ATTACHMENTS Page No.
Attachments reflect information some catalog participants provided to supplement catalog
abstracts of their GIS systems. The attachments are listed according to submitting
organization and follow the same order as that shown in the table of contents on page 4.
UNITED STATES:
ARIZONA:
University of Arizona: Arizona Remote Sensing Center
1. Foldout: •Capabilities in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems.*
Office of Arid Lands Studies, College of Agriculture, University of Arizona 38
CAUFORNIA:
State Agencies:
Department of Fish and Game: Natural Diversity Database:
2. Program Guide for Users 41
3. Price Sheet. August 1992. 43
4. Technical Description: NDDB Geographic Information Systems 46
5. License Agreement 48
San Diego Association of Governments:
6. 'Regional Information System Overview.' Report: San Diego Association of
Governments. September 1992 50
San Diego State University:
7. Descriptive information 77
8. Excerpt from 'GIS Teaching Facilities: Six Case Studies on the Acquisition
and Management of Laboratories.' Palladino, S.D., and K. K. Kemp.
September 1991 79
9. 'Integrating University Education and Funded Projects in a GIS Applications
Course.' Geo Info Systems magazine, Mar. 1992. Richard D. Wright 104
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9:
10. Geographic Data Layers. October 1992. 109
NEW MEXICO:
State Agencies:
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED):
11. 'Existing and Planned Projects for NMED/SWQB Data Center 112
University of New Mexico:
Engineering Research Institute:
12. 'GIS and Directly Related Water Resource Holdings of the New Mexico
Engineering Research Institute for Southern New Mexico* 128
13. The Flood Protection Inventory Needs Geographic Information System
Application.' Peterson, J; Moore, T; and G. Olson. May 1992. 132
14. 'New Mexico Infrastructure Development Assistance Program.' January 1993. .. 166
Technology Application Center Resource Geographic Information System:
15. Foldout: 'RGIS Clearinghouse.* 181
16. List of RGIS Clearinghouse Coverages 184
p*0* % United State* Environmental Protection Agwicy. Offiot of Water (WH-547). July 1803.
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ATTACHMENTS
-------
Attachment 1
University of Arizona
Arizona Remote Sensing Center
Foldout: 'Capabilities In Remote Sensing and
Geographic Information Systems.*
P«Q«38 ' USEPA Office of W«t»r(WH«47). US4taxkx> Bwd«r CIS Catalog rttachnMiit July1993
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ATTACHMENTS (continued)) Page No.
TEXAS:
Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN):
17. Excerpt from draft work plan 187
International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC):
18. Excerpt: "Water Bulletin Number 60: Flow of the Rio Grande and Related
Data* International Boundary and Water Commission 1990 196
State Agencies:
General Land Office (GLO):
19. CIS Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill Response Activities:
Executive Summary of Project Report November 1992 201
Parks and Wildlife: Coastal Wetlands Habitat Monitoring:
20. Quality and accuracy reports 205
Transportation: Texas Road Inventory Mapping System:
21. County map features w 208
22. Table of Contents, 'Standards and Guidelines for Geographic Information
Systems in the State of Texas.' Texas Geographic Information Systems
Standards Committee. August 1992. 211
Water Commission: Texas Water Commission Regulatory and Compliance
System (TRACS):
23. Excerpt from TRACS program description 216
24. Excerpt from 'Regional Assessment of Water Quality: The Rio Grande
Basin.' Texas Water Commission, Environmental Systems Section. Draft
Report August 1992. 226
25. Project Description: Public Drinking Water Supply Vulnerability
Assessment Program 241
26. Project Description: Integrated Information System: Initial GIS Applications. 244
27. Summary of Texas Clean Rivers Act of 1991 247
Water Development Board: Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS):
28. Description of TNRIS 251
29. Geographic Information System Development: Role for TNRIS 255
30. Digital Cartography/GIS Data Catalog (Table of Contents + sample page).. 258
Universities:
University of Texas at Austin: Bureau of Economic Geology:
31. Border Environmental Atlas: Project Description 270
U.S. Government Agencies:
Geological Survey, Texas District:
32. Texas District Geographic Information System, Spatial Data Library
Description. 291
MEXICO:
BAJA CALIFORNIA:
Centra de Investigation Cierrtifica y de Education Superior de Ensenada, B.C. (CICESE):
33. Graphic layout of computer network. 307
USEPAOffk* of Water (WHS47). US-Mexico Border OtS Catalog attachment July 1983
Pag* 37
-------
Centre de Investigation Cientlfica y de Education
Superior de Ensenada, B.C. (CICESE)
MEXICO
(Baja California, Mexico)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
Mainly Baja California, Mexico.
*
far city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico: watershed, surface
drainage, Uthology, terrain slope and aspect, faults and fractures.
Geographic Databases: Elevation models (3 second arc grid); geology (1:250,000 and some
1:50,000); satellite imagery, scanned aerial photographs; city block
vector files (DWG and DXF) of major cities; tabular data of
oceanographic, geological, and geophysical surveys.
CIS Platform: Hardware: Network of Sun workstations, satellite links to CRAY-YMP
supercomputers at San Diego Super Computer Center and Mexico City
Universidad Autonoma de Mexico.
*p
1 Software: GRASS, ERMAPPER, ORACLE relational database system, KHOROS
scientific visualization system. ^ :: ; -:;!; :
Major Applications:
Spatial database supporting Earth Sciences
Division research.
Data Sources:
Institute Nacional de Estadistica Geografica e
Informatica (INEGI). Surveys: geological,
geophysical, oceanographic.
Data Quality Management:
Have verified in-house developed data sets.
Updates/enhancements:
Working on enhancements, catalog, value
added data sets, integration of existing data
sets, importing or linking flat files or relational
data bases to GIS environment
Users of system/availability:
Research and teaching staff. Data are available
upon request and clearance by system
developers.
Contact:
United States:
M.C. Alejandro Hinojosa
Earth Sciences Division
Centre de Investigation Cientifica y de
Education Superior de Ensenada (CICESE)
P.O. BOX 434843
San Diego, CA 92143-4843.
Tel: (from U.S.) 01152-617-4-4501 to 4508.
Fax: (from U.S.) 01152-617-4-49-33 or 4-48-80.
EMAIL alhinc@cicese.mx
Mexico:
M.C. Alejandro Hinojosa
Centre de Investigation Cientifica y de
Education Superior de Ensenada (CICESE)
Apdo, Postal 2732
Ensenada, Baja California 22830
Mexico.
Tel: (from Mexico) 91-617-4-4501 to 4508.
Fax: (from Mexico) 91-617-4-49-33 or 448-80.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•CICESE is a research institution founded by the Mexican Government in 1973. Its mission is to
develop, assimilate, and spread new technologies and basic and applied science with emphasis on
the solution of regional and national problems. The Ecoiogia de Baja California (ECOBAC) group is
a group within CICESE It is dedicated to the study of the marine environment in the Pacific Border
area. One of its activities is to monitor pollution on the coastal zone from the city of Ensada, Baja
California to the U.S. border. For information on the ECOBAC group, contact Dr. M. L Uzarraga-
Partida at the CICESE telephone and fax numbers listed above."
ATTACHMENT:
33. Graphic layout of computer network.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1093.
Page 35
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University of Utah
DIGIT Lab
UTAH
(Arizona, Mexico)
Geographic Coverage: Southern Arizona, Northern Sonora, Negates.
Type of Coverage: Land use, terrain, transportation. : i > y
^Geographic Databases: Image files of border region.; : ; v ~ y: ~
CIS Platform: Hardware: Sun Spare II, Sun Spare IPX Tektronix 4301, Tektronix XP25, Tektronix
; :- ':;..• ^
Software: ARC/INFO, ERDAS, Microstation, JDRISI.
Contact:
Brian Haslam
Director, DIGIT Lab
Tel: 801-581-3612
Dr. George Hepner
Chair, Dept of Geography
Tel: 801-585-3155
University of Utah, OSH 270 - Geography
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Internet Email: blhas@geog.utah.edu
Fax: 801-581-6957
Users of system/availability:
Users are Southwest Center for Environmental
Research and Policy members, EPA, SEDESOL,
local agencies, and university investigators.
Fees are charged for certain data and services.
Internet access is available via public directory.
Login access is available upon request
approved by Brian Haslam.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•Some problems encountered have been the cost of satellite imagery and acquisition of Sonoran
data Limited data on the Border is available from USGS.1
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Major Applications:
Hazardous materials: surface/subsurface
migration, land use, populations at risk.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Census Bureau, Geological
Survey (USGS), Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Other: Secretaria de Desarrollo
Social (SEDESOL), Institute National de
Estadistica Geographica y Informatica (INEGI),
literature, local agencies.
Data Quality Management:
Geolineus for lineage tracking, RMS testing,
visual verification, coordinate of known location
testing.
Updates/enhancements:
Will acquire four Spare LX workstations.
Pag* 34
Unhid State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
-------
U.S. Geological Survey, Texas District
USGS Water Resources Division GIS
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage;
State of Texas.
Geologic, geographic, cartographic, and hydrogeplogic information;
State, county, and munjc^al boundaries; roads, trails, railroads,
pipelines. Physical measurement or analysis attributes are available for
fion-GIS databases.
Geographic Databases: Hydrologic Unft boundaries, GCRASA, ETRASA, NAWQA, NURP.
USGS also maintains several non-GIS databases of informatkxi about
ground water, surface water, and water quality.
G1S Platform: Hardware: Data General Avifon Unix Workstations.
Software: ARC/INFO.
Major Applications:
Prepare maps for conducting hydrologic
investigations reports; produce maps from
hydrologic models or statistical packages;
analyze spatial distribution of hydrologic
variables; conduct quality assurance checks on
district databases.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Geological Survey. Other.
various sources.
Data Quality Management:
The accuracy of data from non-USGS sources is
the responsibility of the agency that made the
original interpretations included in the data set
Updates/enhancements:
Not available.
Contacts:
Richard O. Hawkinson
District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
8011 Cameron Road, Bldg. 1
Austin, TX 78753
Tel: 512-873-3000
Fax: 512-873-3090
Users of system/availability:
The GIS supports about 30 users including
hydrologists and engineers. The Texas District
is connected to other USGS district offices
across the United States.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•Our experience is that much of the hydrologic information about the Border region is in printed
reports or in digital databases that have not been converted into GIS coverage. Our system is
compatible with all systems using ARC/INFO and we can prepare data sets for distribution to most
GISs in use today.*
ATTACHMENT:
32, Texas District Geographic Information System, Spatial Data Library Description.
United State* Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH547). July 1993.
Page 33
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Region 6 GIS Center
TEXAS
(New Mexico, Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage;
New Mexico, Texas,
Hydrography, U.S.-Mexico Border, primary highways, secondary roads,
minor roads and trails, polftical boundaries, railways, airports, selected
landmarks, Native American lands, population, ecoreglons, USGS 7,5
nun. quadrangle grid/State waste landfills, major Federal facilities, air
and water monltodng.'' ' ' '
Geographic Databases: U.S. EPA River Reach file and Ecoregions, USGS Quadrangle Grid,
Federal Hydrologic Basins, Public Law 84-171 redistricting population:
data; Census STF 3A economics and lifestyle data, Toxic Release
Inventory C87-I90), Superfund National Priority List sites.
CIS Platform: Hardware: DG Aviion 5220 file server, DG Avlion 412 work stations, Sun Spare
stations. CalComp digitizer, CD-ROM drive, optical disk cartridge, tape
drives, Tl PostScript laser printer, Versatec electrostatic plotter, Seiko
PostScript thermal wax plotter.
Software: UNIX operating system, ARC/INFO.
Description of Major Applications:
With Texas State agencies:
• Texas/Mexico Borderlands Data Center;
• Rio Grande/Rio Bravo GIS Task Force;
• Rio Grande toxic assessment study;
• Mapping of Colonias;
• Environmental Atlas of the Rio Grande/Rio
Bravo area;
• El Paso Air Quality Study.
• El Paso Ground Water Study;
• Inventory of solid waste sites;
Other:
• Cameron County Data Integration Pilot;
• International Data Exchange Pilot with
Secretaria de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL)
(on hold).
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Environmental Protection
Agency (Office of Research and Development);
Census Bureau; Geological Survey; Fish and
Wildlife Service; Army Corps of Engineers.
Other, colleges and universities; State agencies;
Secretaria de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL).
Data Quality Management:
All data is referenced to Census TIGER base
maps; data sets are documented using COV-
DOC AMLs. Features are located using local
maps, USGS quads, State and local expertise,
or maps provided by facilities on TIGER base.
Program staff are responsible for verifying data
provided by their systems.
Contact:
David A. Parrish, Regional GIS Coordinator
Environmental Analysis Section (6E-SA)
Tel: 214-655-8352
Fax: 214-655-7446
EPA EMail: parrish.david
Internet EMail: parrish.david@epamail.epa.gov
John Reed, Computer Systems Administrator
Computer Services Section (6M-AC)
Tel: 214-655-6553
EPA EMail: reed.john
Internet EMail: reed.john@epamail.epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1445 Ross Ave., Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Users of system/availability:
GIS is used by EPA Region 6 staff and
contractors via EPA X.25 network including
Internet
Updates/enhancements:
The Region 6 GIS Center plans to include data
elements required by the EPA locational data
policy and the FINDS policy.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
Region 6 works closely with State, local, and
international agencies to develop compatible
GIS systems/applications.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
P«g«32
United State* Environmental Protection Agmey, Offiot of Water (WHS47).
-------
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Joint Task Force-6
TEXAS
(Arizona, California, Mexico, New Mexico, Texas)
Southwestern US.-MexIco Land Border and within 40 miles of the
Border on the U.S. side (CA, AZ, NM, TX). Also entire Texas Gulf
Coast :;:
Slope Aspect, land use/land cover, some geology, elevation data, soil
•information, endangered species data r ••".-!
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
Geographic Databases: TIGER/Une data, STATSCO soils, Digital Elevation Map, Landsat
(:.;'.". : M !; ilhematic mapper images ~ r :/:
CIS Platform: Hardware: Sun Spare II, Versatec color electrostatic plotter; Textronix color ink jet
: £: : !" ^ :
'Software: ORASS 4.0, ERDAS, ARC/INFO.
Major Applications:
Not available.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Census Bureau, Defense
Mapping Agency, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), National Park Service. Other
Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, Earth
Orbiting Satellite (EOSAT).
Data Quality Management:
Land cover data derived from satellite imagery is
ground verified using global positioning
systems.
Updates/enhancements:
System is updated constantly to support clients.
Full implementation of system will begin in the
spring of 1993.
Contacts:
Scoff Walker
Physical Scientist
Tel: 817-334-3246
Internet Email Address: scott@155.84.92.32
Tom Nelson
Physical Scientist
Tel: 817-334-2095
Internet Email Address: tom@155.84.92.2
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 17300; CESWF-PL-RE
Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300
Fax: 817-885-7539
Users of system/availability:
System is used by researchers, EPA, military
engineers. Data is available on a case by case
basis with access limited by personnel time
limitations and by the sensitive nature of some
data
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•Some problems encountered include lack of a consistent geology layer across the study area and
a lack of manpower. The regional nature of the study area limits the scale of data; more detailed
data is not available covering the entire study area*
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
United State* Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1893.
Pag* 31
-------
University of Texas at Austin
Bureau of Economic Geology
TEXAS
(New Mexico, Texas)
Geographic Area:
-Type of Coverage:.
South Texas-lower Rio Grande area. South Padre Island, Gulf of
Mexico. Also Rio Grande Border Area and adjacent portions of the
New Mexico-Mexico Border Area :
Water depths, water chemistry, regional water-wen data, wetlands,
aquatic habitats, surficial geology and ground water data for selected
areas*- : ./..*.-••'.;•.. ..•••'•'•:':_.-'. ; •:..•• --.:. ...v., •' .=xfyvcv •..-/-
Geographic Databases: Not available. ; ^ r; ; r
CIS Platform: Hardware: DECstation 5000/240 PXG workstation, X-tenminals, IBM compatible
; 80386 and 60486 PCs, Macirtoshes, Silicon Graphics workstation, CD-
'„••"••• ROM drives, 8mm tape drive, Versatec 8936R color electrostatic plotter,
Versatec 7222 black-and white electrostatic plotter, QMS Colorscript
100 printer, Hewlett Packard Draftpro and 7475 plotters, Hewlett
Packard LaserJet Series II printer, Calcomp digitizers.
Software: ARC/INFO 6.1.1, ArcView, PC ARC/INFO 3.4D, GRASS.
Major Applications:
Studies of shoreline changes; distributions of
wetlands and aquatic habitats; characterizations
of geologic and hydrologic setting of proposed
radioactive waste repository.
Data Sources:
Not available.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Contact:
Jay A. Raney, Deputy Associate Director
Bureau of Economic Geology
University of Texas at Austin
University Station, Box X
Austin, TX 78713-7508
Tel: 512-471-1534 or 471-7721
Fax: 512-471-0140
Users of system/availability:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
Not available.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The Bureau has been using GIS for several years on a variety of projects. We have long-standing
interests in the coastal environments of the Gulf of Mexico, including the South Texas-Lower Rio
Grande area The Bureau expects to begin work soon on a Border Environmental Atlas that will
provide a comprehensive database for the Rio Grande Border Area and adjacent portions of the
New Mexico-Mexico Border Area* (See description on Page 29.)
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
P«g«30
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water O/VH-547). July 1983.
-------
University of Texas at Austin
.Bureau of Economic Geology
Border Environmental Atlas: Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Border Area
TEXAS
(Mexico, New Mexico, Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
The Border Area corridor from El Paso-Cuidad Juarez to the Gutf of
Mexico.
Hydrochemistry and hydrodynamics of ground water systems, ,
environmental geology, energy, and other natural resources; *~
environmental baseline data
Geographic Databases: Notavaflabte. : ~
>
CIS Platform: Hardware: OECstation 5000/240 PXG wortcstaUon, X-temninals, IBM cxxnpattbte
, 80386 and 80486 PCs, Macintoshes, Silicon Graphics workstation, CD-
ROM drives, 8mm tape drive, Versatec 8936R color-electrostatic plotter,
Vei^atec 7222 black and whhe electrostatic plotter, QMS Colc>rscript
100 printer, Hewlett Packard Draftpro and 7475 plotters, Hewlett
Packard LaserJet Series H printer. Calcomp digitizers: •
Software: ARC/INFO 6.1.1 MArcView, PC ARCTINFO 3.4D, GRASS.
Major Applications:
Assess and guide development of the border
area land use planning; assess environmental
status of air, land, and water; environmental
education; support policy development, analysis,
and prioritization of enforcement activities;
provide for technology transfer between EPA
and Secretaria de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL).
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Environmental Protection
Agency, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Geological Survey, International
Boundary and Water Commission. Other
Mexican agencies; State of Texas Water
Commission, Dept of Health, and Water
Development Board
Data Quality Management:
Quality assurance controls for GIS will be added
to the Bureau's existing quality assurance
program.
Updates/enhancements:
Not applicable.
Contacts:
Jay Raney, Deputy Associate Director
Texas Bureau of Economic Geology
University of Texas at Austin
University Station, Box X
Austin, TX 78713-7508
Tel: 512-471-1534 or 471-7721
Fax: 512-471-0140
Users of system/availability:
Not available.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The Bureau expects to begin work soon on the Border Environmental Atlas with startup funds
provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Atlas will provide a comprehensive
database for the Rio Grande Border area and adjacent portions of the New Mexico-Mexico Border
area*
ATTACHMENT: No. 31. Project description.
United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 29
-------
Texas A&M University
Texas Transportation Institute
TEXAS
(Mexico, Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage::
Laredo, Tex (Webb County); Nuevo Laredo, TamauDpas
-------
State of Texas
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
State of Texas.:
•»•• ' '
Water resources, lakes, aquifers, meteorology, biological resources,
geology, vegetation types, acoregions, nydrotoglc unfts, irrigated
farmlands, forests, dams, 08 and gas wells, airports, jurisdictlonal
boundaries, ftighways, population data.
Geographic Databases: Digital Elevation Models, Digital Une Graphs, Census data, TIGER/Une
data
GIS Platform: Hardware: SUN, Intergraph. - .
Software: ARC/INFO, Intergraph-MGE.
Major Applications:
TNRIS operates a GIS primarily to support
participating agency mapping requirements.
The system's responsibilities are primarily data
inventory, indexing, and distribution.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Geological Survey, Census
Bureau. Other, various Texas agencies.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
Not available.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
None.
Contact:
Charles Palmer, Manager
Texas Natural Resources Information System
Texas Water Development Board
P.O. Box 13231
Austin, TX 78711-2321
Tel: 512-463-8402
Fax: 512-463-9893
Users of system/availability:
TNRIS supplies data to government, academia,
and the private sector. Some data files are
available through a remote terminal access
system. Other data are available by contacting
the referenced agency. TNRIS has a lending
library of remotely sensed data and distributes
USGS maps to government agencies.
ATTACHMENTS:
28. Description of TNRIS.
29. Geographic Information System Development: Role for TNRIS.
30. Digital Cartography/GIS Data Catalog (Table of Contents + sample page).
United State* Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1983.
Pag* 27
-------
State of Texas
Texas Water Commission
TWO Regulatory and Compliance System (TRACS)
TEXAS
(Texas)
Rio Grande watershed within Texas.
Ecoregions, streams, aquatic life, public water supply weds, springs*
surface water Intakes, major and minor aquifers, stream flow, wellhead
protection data, well location, sotioeconomicdata, phystochemical ,
data, benthic mlcroinvertebrates, fish species, abundances.
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
^Geographic Databases: DRASTIC, RUSTIC solute transport model, RCRA data, Toxic Release.
Inventory, Superfuhd data, TIGER, EPA Ecoregions, river basins,
watershed Jxxjndaries, ~
CIS Platform: Hardware: IBM RS 6000,03 Avikxi
Software: ARC/INFO v. 6.1.1, TIN 6.0, NETWORK 6.0, GRID, ArcVTew,
Major Applications:
Evaluate groundwater pollution potential; assess
regional water quality (Rio Grande Basin); Public
Drinking Water Supply Vulnerability Assessment
program, Clean Rivers program.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Census Bureau,
Environmental Protection Agency, Geological
Survey. Other International Boundary and
Water Commission, Texas Water Commission,
Texas Water Development Board, Texas
Agricultural Extension Service.
Data Quality Management:
In-house certification criteria established.
Contacts:
Barry Allison, GIS Team Leader
Texas Water Commission
P.O. Box 13087
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Tel: 512-463-5368
Fax 512-463-8298
Users of system/availability.
System is used by in-house staff. However, staff
responds to information requests from outside
sources as internal resources permit
Updates/enhancements:
Recent system upgrades are reflected in shaded
area above under "CIS Platform.'
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•With this system, TWC is introducing GIS technology in concert with the design and development
of a unified, agency-wide relational database management system (RDBMS). TWC may be one of
the first agencies to deploy the latest in RDBMS and GIS technologies in a complementary mode
from the ground up.*
ATTACHMENTS:
23. Excerpt from TRACS program description.
24. Excerpt from Regional Assessment of Water Quality: The Rio Grande Basin. Texas Water
Commission, Environmental Systems Section. Draft Report August 1992.
25. Project Description, Public Drinking Water Supply Vulnerability Assessment Program.
26. Project Description, Integrated Information System: Initial GIS Applications.
27. Summary of Texas Clean Rivers Act of 1991.
United State* EnvkoniMntal Protection Agwwy, Office of Water (WH-547). July 1983.
-------
State of Texas
Department of Transportation
Texas Road Inventory Mapping System
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
-Type of Coverage:
State of Texas.
,_ s
DOT has digitized all USGS 7.5 miiuae quadrangles for Texas, Most
features are digitized except for contour lines.
Geographic Databases: USGS 7,5 minute quadrangles.
GIS Platform: Hardware: Intergraph.
Software; MteroStatioa
Major Applications:
Publication of county and city maps.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Geological Survey.
Data Quality Management:
Quality and accuracy report available from
Texas Department of Information Resources:
512-475-4700.
Updates/enhancements:
Generally updated on a 1-year to 3-year cycle.
Contact:
Step/ten IV. Shackelford
Texas Dept of Transportation (TXDOT)
Division of Automation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701-2483
Tel: 512-465-7714
Fax: 512-465-3671
Users of system/availability:
Texas Dept of Transportation and Texas Natural
Resources Information System (TNRIS):
512-463-8338.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
21. County map features.
22. Table of Contents, Standards and Guidelines for Geographic Information Systems in the State of
Texas, Texas Geographic Information Systems Standards Committee. August 1992.
United State* Environment*! Protection Agency, Office of Water (OW-547). July 1993.
Pap 25
-------
State of Texas
Railroad Commission of Texas
Oil and Gas Well/Pipeline Mapping System
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
JType of Coverage:
State of Texas (approximately SO percent complete: :128 of 254
counties; 40 in progress):
Oil and gas wen locations: Identification numbers, status, and type.
Hazardous Bquid pipelines: operator, type of-fluJds.
4Tiumber,system name;
CIS Platform: Hardware: VAX 8800 host, 6 VAX Station workstations, 14 X-window terminals;
Calcomp 58444 color and 67436 monochrome electrostatic plotters,
Versatec 36* monodvorne electrostatic plotter, :;
Software: Synercom Technology's 1NFORMAP HI v.3.4.7
Major Applications:
Well mapping system contains locations on over
600,000 welts, including all oil, gas, water
injection, brine mining, storage wells, and
geothermal wells. Pipeline mapping system
contains locations of hazardous liquid pipelines
under Railroad Commission jurisdiction.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Geological Survey 7.5 minute
quadrangle maps. Other: Railroad Commission
of Texas hard-copy maps, plats, and records;
aerial photography; Texas General Land Office
county survey maps.
Data Quality Management:
Visual verification and proofing using overlay at
a light table is done for each county; beginning
to verify well locations using Global Positioning
System receivers. Verification also takes place
as maps are used in the field. The accuracy of
the well data is limited by the validity of
information provided by regulated oil and gas
operators.
Updates/enhancements:
The system is 8 years old. The completed
portion of the State is updated continuously;
additional data layers (pits, disposal wells) will
be added later.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•Benefits of GIS have come from greater access to the location maps, easier updating of well
information, increased data security and greater variety in map scale options. The maps have been
used for many special projects which would not have been possible before. Cost and staffing have
been problems for the project, especially given the size of Texas and the number of wells (over 1
million) that must be automated.'
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Contacts:
Lorelei Weitzel
Systems Analyst
Tel: 512-463-7244
Letty Vicinaiz
Open Records Representative
Tel: 512-463-7254
Railroad Commission of Texas
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
Fax: 512-463-8488
Users of system/availability:
Commission staff, field inspectors, other State
and local governments; Federal agencies such
as Bureau of Land Management; members of
the oil and gas industry, and the general public.
Digital map data and hard-copy maps are
available for viewing in the Austin central office.
No online access to mapping system except
limited viewing in central office for the public.
P«g«24
Untod SUlM Environmtntal Preuetfon Ag«noy, Offle* of Water (WH*«7). July 1993.
-------
State of Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department
Coastal Wetlands Habitat Monitoring
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
Jype of Coverage:
Texas coastal zone, some inland parts of the Rio Grande.
.Land cover, wetlands, hydrology, species distribution.
Geographic Database*: Historical aerial photography and digital remote sensing data including
Landsat Thematic Mapper; 1:100,000 Digital Une Graphs.—
CIS Platform: Hardware: Sun workstation; 486 microcomputers; Ethernet system,
Software: Microimage 4.1; ARC/INFO 6.0; GRASS 3,0; ATLAS/GIS1,2.; ERDAS.
Major Applications:
Habitat and land use inventories of the Texas
coastal zone; trend analysis of habitat changes
over time; fisheries; resources assessment
during regulatory reviews; and cooperative
agreements with Federal programs to
complement ongoing, national mapping efforts.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Other. EOSAT Corp. (Landsat),
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, University
of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.
Data Quality Management:
Quality and accuracy reports (see attached).
Updates/enhancements:
Mapping of submerged vegetation and estuarine
habitats has been planned for the entire Texas
Coast Wetland habitat mapping and change
analysis have been performed for limited sites.
Contact:
Dr. Warren Pulich, Jr.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.
Coastal Studies Program
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Tel: 512-448-4314
Fax: 512-440-8887
Users of system/availability:
Data on various media are available on special
request
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•Eventually all data will be compiled in a biological resources GIS database for coastal Texas based
on ARC/INFO format*
ATTACHMENT:
20. Quality and accuracy reports.
Untod SUM Eiwto
•I Protection Agency. Offie* of Wtter (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 23
-------
State of Texas
Texas General Land Office (GLO)
GIS Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill Response Activities
TEXAS
(Texas)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
Texas Coastal Areas.
Oil spai related data, including surface water bodies, wetlands,
discharge sites, land and biological resources, estuarine areas,
jurisdictional boundaries, transportation, solid waste facilities, and land
use and ownership.
Geographic Databases: Not applicable.
GIS Platform: Hardware: Intergraph and Sun Workstations.
''«*• fc
Software: ARC/INFO 6.1.
Major Applications: Contacts:
Facilitate exchange of GIS data between State Bruce Smith, Assistant Director
and Federal Agencies in Texas; assist the GLO Coastal Division
in developing an oil spill GIS; ensure proper Tel: 512-463-5055
documentation of data sets acquired for the
GLO GIS. Scof Friedman, GIS Analyst
Tel: 512-463-5144
Texas General Land Office
Coastal Division
1700 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701-1495
Fax: 512-475-0680
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The 'Geographic Information System (GIS) Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill Response
Activities' is a compilation of information on oil spill related data sets held by State and Federal
Agencies. The dictionary is an initial component in GLO's development of a GIS to support the
Statewide oil spill response and prevention program. It is designed to ensure proper
documentation of data acquired for the GIS and is a first step in the development of State GIS data
standards. Conducted between September 1,1991, and November 31,1992, with funding by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State, the project received input from more than 52
individuals representing 19 organizations.
The dictionary describes the format location, structure, and usage of 55 data coverages called
thematic layers.' Other information items include: 'Entity Reports,' which identify and define the
data elements in the thematic layer, 'Attribute Reports,' which describe attributes or characteristic
features of the data; and a list of Texas GIS contacts."
ATTACHMENT:
19. Executive Summary of Project Report: •Development of a Geographic Information System (GIS)
Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill Response Activities.* November 1992.
P«g«22
United 8t^EnyJ«>nmtrtdP«l^ July 1993.
-------
Internationa! Boundary and Water
Commission (IBWC)
Joint U.S.-MexJcan Water Quality Monitoring
TEXAS
(California, Mexico, New Mexico, Texas)
The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) does not have a computer O1S but
- does compile water quality data, primarily chemicaVbJochemlcat data, Including metals^ The
.data, consisting of 40-60 parameters, Is maintained in Paradox 3.5, using Enable 300,
Geographical Are*: Border area from Texas-New Mexico State fine to the Guff olMBxico as
well as the New River area In California.
w-
'Type of Coverage: Storage in major reservoirs, sources of river flow, diversions, water quality,
dimatotogical data, drainage basin and Irrigated areas.
Contacts:
Qzz/e Linguist
International Boundary and Water Commission
United States Section
4171 N. Mesa, Suite C-310
El Paso, TX 79902
Tel: 915-534-6704
Fax: 915-534-6680
Users of system/availability:
Not available.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
IBWC does not plan to purchase any new
equipment in the near future.
Major Applications:
Flow of the Rio Grande and Related Data
published annually by the IBWC.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: IBWC, USDA Agricultural
Research Service and Soil Conservation Service,
Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service,
Geological Survey, National Weather Service.
Other: Texas Board of Health; Texas Water
Commission; Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District; Red Bluff Water Power Control District;
State of Colorado, Division of Water Resources;
Rio Grande Compact Commission; Delta Lake
Irrigation District; Del Rio City Water Dept; Eagle
Pass City Water Dept; Laredo City Water Dept;
Del Mar Conservation District; Central Power
and Light Co.; El Paso Dept of Water and
Sewerage; Maverick County Control and
Improvement District No. 1.
Mexican Agencies: Ministry of Agriculture and
Hydraulic Resources of Mexico, Meteorological
Service of Mexico, Meteorological Service of the
State of Chihuahua, Federal Power Commission
of Mexico, Potable Water Board of Piedras
Negras (Coahuila), Federal Board of Public
Improvement Works of Nuevo Laredo
(Tamautipas), Water and Drainage Board of Cd.
Acuna, Coahuila.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
TBWC has considered using the STORET database but access cost ($300) is prohibitive.*
ATTACHMENT:
18. Water Bulletin Number 60: Flow of the Rio Grande and Related Data. International Boundary
and Water Commission. 1990. Excerpt
United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water frVH-547). Jury 1993.
P«g*21
-------
Consortium for Internationa! Earth
Science Information Network (CIESIN)
U.S.-Mexico Regional Environmental Information System (Proposed)
TEXAS
(U.S.-Mexico Border)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
U.S,-MexicoBorder Area
Watershed boundaries, aquifer vulnerability, clrnate, soils, topography,
geology, land cover/land use, human population Cereus Ihfonration,
county boundaries and transportation, crop production, management
practices, government policies.
Geographic Database*: Physical, biological, and socfoeconomfc databases being determined
G1S Platform: Hardware: Sun SparcStatkxi LX, Sun SparcStation 10 Models 30 and 41;
Tektronix Phase color printer.
Software: GRASS, ARC/INFO, Oracle, ERDAS.
CIESIN proposes to develop a U.S,-Mexico Regic»r»aJ Environmemal Iriformatton System that
initially wfll include a Compendium of Metadata and Data Seis tor the Border :area j;7he:: C
Compendium will aim to identify major environmental change-related data sets In the U.S.-
Mexico Border area The new system will be adapted from one developed and tested in the
Saginaw Bay, Mich,, area Other tools available through CIESIN will be considered. This
project fe called for under an EPA-CIESIN Cooperative agreement The goal is to provide
information related to what has been and is being done to characterize exposure to
environmental risks of people living within the U.S.-Mexico Border regioa :
Major Applications:
Integration analysis of changes in environmental
resources, economics, and demographics and
of how these changes affect policy.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Dept of Agriculture's Soil
Conservation Service, Census Bureau, Defense
Mapping Agency, Environmental Protection
Agency, Geological Survey, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, NASA. Other
State agencies and academic institutions.
Data Quality Management:
Will comply with EPA Information Resources
Management Policy Manual and be compatible
with the Global Change Data and Information
Program Implementation Plan
Updates/enhancements: Not applicable.
Contacts:
Philip E. Meier, Data and Information Resources
CIESIN
2250 Pierce Rd.
Saginaw, Ml 48603
Tel: 517-797-2669
Fax: 517-797-2622
Internet: phil.meier@ciesin.org
Robert C. Worrest, Environmental Pgms Coord.
CIESIN
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 805
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-775-6614
Fax 202-775-6622
EPA EMail: worrestrobert
Internet: robertworrest@desin.org
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•CIESIN is a nonprofit consortium of universities and research institutions associated with
organizations throughout the world. It was formed out of a congressional mandate to find ways to
transform data the United States spends tremendous resources collecting into information that
policy analysts and resource managers can use.'
ATTACHMENT:
17. Excerpt from draft work plan.
Pag* 20
United State Environmental Protection Ag«ncy, Offic* of W«tor tWH-547). July 1903.
-------
University of New Mexico
Technology Application Center
Resource Geographic Information System (RGIS) Clearinghouse
NEW MEXICO
(New Mexico)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
•New Mexico (Statewide, regional, and county coverages);
Hydrology, surface water drainage, Bio Grande Channel Study Data,
feature names.
Geographic Databases: TlGER/Une files, 1:100,000 Digital Une Graphs, River Reach files,
nydrologlc units.
CIS Platform: Hardware: DEC 5000 workstation, Versatek electrostatic plotter.
Software: ARC/INFO 6.0,
Major Applications:
Data are collected and stored for Clearinghouse
distribution.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Census Bureau,
Environmental Protection Agency, Geological
Survey.
Data Quality Management:
Data sets developed in-house have
documentation and have been visually verified.
Other data sets are evaluated and documented
when possible.
Updates/enhancements:
System is 4 years old. Necessary
enhancements will be made as the program
grows and changes.
Contacts:
Shirley Lopez
Manager, GIS Division
Amy Budge
Manager, Geographic Data Services
Division/RGIS Clearinghouse
TAC, University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-6031
Tel: 505-277-3622
Fax: 505-277-3614
Internet: slopez@spock.unm.edu, and
abudge@spock.unm.edu
Users of system/availability:
Users are researchers and analysts in State,
Federal, and local government agencies and in
private industry. Data are available via various
media including diskettes, tapes, and hard copy.
Cost estimates are available upon request
Contact RGIS Clearinghouse.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•GIS has been most valuable in the types of activities the RGIS program does. We have found
ARC/INFO to be to be a useful management and data conversion tool It is also a very powerful
spatial analysis tool and when combined with remote sensing technology we are able to provide
more indepth analysis for our clients. Some problems encountered have been lack of full
documentation, incompatible systems, and porting large data sets from a workstation to PCs. The
system is constrained in that most data sets are currently at a small scale and there is a lack of
good quality source data in both mapped and digital formats.1
ATTACHMENTS:
15. Foldout: "RGIS Clearinghouse.1
16. List of RGIS coverages.
United State* Environmental Protection Ag«ncy. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Pag* 19
-------
University of New Mexico
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI)
NEW MEXICO
(New Mexico)
Geographic Area:
Southern NSW Mexico, local cities along the border, and some State-
wide information.
Type of Coverage: Hydrotogic data, water planning districts, jurisdictionaT boundaries.
Geographic Databases: US3S Hydrotogic Units, River Basins, Regional Water Planning Units,
New Mexico Counties, USQS Geographic Names information System
(GNIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency Reports.
CIS Platform-Hardware: DEC 5000 series Unix/RISC workstations and a variety of other data
processing and networking systems.
Software: ARC/INFO 6.1.1.
Major Applications:
• Resource Geographic Information System
(RGIS) development of a GIS-based multi-
agency system to share water related
databases;
• Support to water/wastewater treatment
planning, mainly in southern New Mexico;
• Catalog of existing digital data for the State
of New Mexico; and,
• Flood Protection Inventory Needs Geographic
Information System (GIS) Application.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Environmental Protection
Agency, Geological Survey, Army Corps of
Engineers, Federal Emergency Management
Agency. Other: State agencies.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
NMERI will soon add data from the Department
of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service. It also
plans to add other data from USGS and EPA.
Contacts:
John Peterson
Geographic Information Coordinator
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute
University of New Mexico
1001 University Blvd., SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106-4342
Tel: 505-272-7295
Fax: 505-272-7355
Users of system/availability:
Federal and State agencies and the private
sector.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•NMERI recommends The Acequia Sourcebook as a useful reference for persons interested in
developing a GIS in the Border area Copies are available from NMERI upon request1
ATTACHMENTS:
12. GIS and Directly Related Water Resource Holdings of the New Mexico Engineering Research
Institute (NMERI) for Southern New Mexico.
13. The Flood Protection Inventory Needs Geographic Information System Application. J. Peterson, T.
Moore, and G. Olson. May 1992.
14. New Mexico Infrastructure Development Assistance Program. January 1993.
16
' United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH447). July 1803.
-------
State of New Mexico
New Mexico Environment Department (NMEO)
Surface Water Quality Bureau
NEW MEXICO
(New Mexico)
Geographic Coverage;
Type of Coverage: -
New Mexico, firnited information for some neighboring counties in
,adjacent States,
/ hydrographlc unit boundaries, transportation, county and
State boundaries, .place names, ecoregtons, geology, vegetation, tend
use, pipelines, and telegraph and telephone lines for Ne^r Mexico.
Wellhead-protection information for the city of Santa Fe only.
Geographic Database*: Underground Storage Tanks (UST), ground water discharge plans,
drinking water wefe; landfflls,and others. These are In-house Oracle
or PC databases which contain varying degrees of geographic
- . informattoiiiTheyaTe'n^
work to that end is proceeding. (RCRA,; CERCUS, STORET are EPA-
maintained databases that contain New Mexico data.);
GIS Platform: Hardware: DG Aviion 300-series workstation, Aftek digitizer, Houston instruments
plotter,-Hewlett Packard color printer. :: \ : -.... ; :
Software: ARC/INFO, ArcView.and TIN. i: :
Major Applications:
Convert in-house ground water related
databases onto GiS coverages: most of these
are databases of pollution sources and potential
sources along with some well information (public
wells and water fair); digitize aquifer vulnerability
maps by county for the UST Bureau; generate
Ground Water Contamination Inventory maps
showing contamination and cleanup by county.
Data Sources:
Coverages listed under Type of Coverage* (in
shaded area above) except wellhead data are
from U.S. Geological Survey. Wellhead data
and Oracle and PC databases (listed under
•Geographic Databases') are in-house
databases.
Contact:
Michael Gallagher, Water Resource Specialist
Surface Water Quality Bureau
Evaluation & Planning Section
State of New Mexico Environment Dept
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
Tel: 505-827-2921
Fax: 505-827-0160
Users of system/availability:
Available for in-house use.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
Not available.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
None.
ATTACHMENT:
11. 'Existing and Planned Projects for the NMED/SWQB Data Center.*
United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WB-547).
Page 17
-------
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9 GIS Center
CALIFORNIA
(Arizona, California)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
Arizona, California.
Water bodies, streams, drinking water wells, wetlands, transportation,
cay and administrative boundaries, hydrotogic units, hydrograpNc
data, air monitoring stations, Indian reservations, wildlife refuges.
Geographic Databases: TIGgR/LJne, Digital Elevation Maps, Digital Une Graphs, River Reach
File, Ecoregions, Toxic Release inventory, California Oeasti Shelf
Bathymetry,
GIS Platform: Hardware: DG and Sunsparc workstations, etectrostatic plotter, color postscript
printer, thermal wax printer.
Software: ARC/INFO.
Major Applications:
Protecting endangered species; long-term and
short-term community planning, including land
use, growth, transportation, environmental
monitoring.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Census Bureau,
Environmental Protection Agency, Geological
Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Other: Stephen P. Teale Data
Center of the California Department of Fish and
Game.
Data Quality Management:
Documentation is kept on each coverage
including source, scale, projection, accuracy,
and constraints.
Updates/enhancements:
System is enhanced constantly to meet Agency
needs.
Contacts:
Carmen Maso
Cartographer (GIS)
U.S. EPA Region 9 (P-5)
75 Hawthorne St
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901
Tel: 415-744-1750
Fax: 415-744-1474
EPA EMail: EPA99029
Internet Email: maso.canmen@epamail.epa.gov
Users of system/availability:
EPA analysts are primary users. Direct access to
system is not available to general public.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The GIS Center at Region 9 is a service oriented team, assisting other divisions at Region 9 with
base map support, geographic analysis, and GIS project development11
ATTACHMENT:
10. Geographic Data Layers. October 1992.
Pag* 16
United State* Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH647).
-------
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Canter for Earth Systems Analysis Research
CAUFORNIA
(California)
Geographic Area:
UJS. side of the San Dtego-Baja California border, Tijuana River
Estuary, Pine Creek Watershed, Otay Mesa, Santa Margarita River
(tower portion), San Diego metropolitan area, Miramar Naval Airbase*
Type of Coverage: All types of natural resource data.
Geographic Databases: Natural resources databases. Digital Elevation Maps, some Digital Line
Graphs,^ «.
CIS Platform: Hardware: Sun, Vax, IBM Rise 6000, Tektronix, Calcomp plotter, Tektronix thermal
printer, Tektronix InkJet printer, HP pen plotter.
Software: ARC/INFbrGRASS, fiRDAS, 1DRISI, MAP,SPANS, and otters.
Major Applications:
Modeling water resources and pollution, multiple
species preserve planning.
Data Sources:
Maps, aerial photos, orthophotographs, and
various
Data Quality Management:
Visual verification and field checking.
Updates/enhancements:
System is 5 years old and is upgraded
periodically.
Contacts:
Dave McKinsey
Technical Manager
Tel: 619-594-8042
Internet: dave@geosun2.sdsu.edu
Richard Wright, Ph.D.
Professor of Geography
Tel: 619-594-5466
Internet: wright@geosun2.sdsu.edu
Dept of Geography
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182
Fax: 619-594-4938
Users of system/availability:
Researchers at SDSU and land use planners.
Access is limited to local users. Fees and
barters are used to defer costs.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The Center could not accomplish the types of analyses it does without GIS and remote sensing.
The main problem has been inadequate data*
ATTACHMENTS:
7. Descriptive information.
8. Excerpt from GIS Teaching Facilities: Six Case Studies on the Acquisition and Management of
Laboratories. Palladino, S.D., and Kemp, K.K. September 1991.
9. Integrating University Education and Funded Projects in a GIS Applications Course. Wright,
Richard D.
United State Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547)
Pag*15
-------
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
SANDAG Geographic Information System
CAUFORNIA
(California: San Diego County)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
San Diego County, California
Water and sewer districts, hydrographyt natural resource data, Census
tracts, jurisclictiorialooundarjes, land related data, urban activities, ,
transportation, freeways, roads, railroads, street annotation, street
center ifnes, transit network, employment, tend use, tend ownership,
slope, fault lines, activity centers, sols, vegetation, statistical areas.
- . (See Attachment)
Geographic Databases: DIME/TIGER, Digital Elevation Models, National Wetlands Inventory.
CIS Platform: Hardware: Prime 9955II minicomputer, Bun Spare stations, PCs. Calcomp color
pen plotters..
Software: ARC/INFO 6.0, ERDAS-ARC/1NFO Live Link, SPSSx-3.1, Fortran
compiler.
Major Applications:
Population, housing, and employment estimates;
demographic economic analyses; regional
growth forecasting; community planning;
transportation planning.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Census Bureau, Geological
Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service. Other.
California Department of Finance, various
SANDAG divisions, local jurisdictions, Stephen
Teale Data Center, California Dept of
Transportation (CALTRANS).
Data Quality Management:
Internal documentation of databases is
available.
Updates/enhancements:
System is updated periodically.
Contact:
Bob Parrott
Director of Research
San Diego Assn. of Governments
Suite 800, First Interstate Plaza
401 B Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: 619-595-5300
Fax: 619-595-5305
Users of system/availability:
Access to information is available to SANDAG
member agencies through a Local Technical
Assistance (LTA) program. For a fee
SourcePoint, a nonprofit corporation chartered
by SANDAG, provides data and technical
expertise to nonmember public agencies, the
private sector, and the general public.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
None.
ATTACHMENT:
6. "Regional Information System Overview.* Report: San Diego Association of Governments.
September 1992.
P«g«14
United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-647).
-------
State of California
Department of Fish and Game
Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB)
CALIFORNIA
(California)
Geographic Coverage:
'type of Coverage:
State of California
State and Federal listing status, location, condition, date of
observation, precision of siting of rare plants, animals, and natural
communities,
Geographic Database*: Point and polygon tocationa! information of sitings.
GIS Platform: Hardware: Hewlett-Packard computers, HP-UX (UNIX) operating system, CaJComp
electrostatic plotter, digitizing tables, high-speed line printer, laser
printer, tape cartridge unit, tape drive.
'Software: ARC/INFO, Genamap (vector-based),linked to Oracle relationat
database system.
Major Applications:
Determine where rare plant and animal species
are located. Determine whether planned
projects will affect species of special status.
Data Sources:
Citations are available upon request.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
The database is updated every day.
Contact:
Tom Lupo, Geographer
Natural Heritage Division
Tel: 916-445-6264
Fax: 916-324-0475)
Internet: tlupo@gishostdfg.ca.gov
Information Services Coordinator
Tel: 916-324-3812
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
User* of system/availability.
Data is available to the public for a fee. Costs
are calculated by the number of records located
in the area searched and by the time required to
prepare reports and overlays (see attachments).
COMMENTS (System Originator):
Nona
ATTACHMENTS:
2. Program Guide for Users.
3. Price Sheet August 1992.
4. Technical Description: NDDB Geographic Information System.
5. License Agreement
United State* Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WB-547). July 1993.
Page 13
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State of Califomnla
Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency
Stephen P. Teale Data Center
GIS Technology Center
CAUFORNIA
(California)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
State of California : / •:
Hydrology, Hydrography, vegetation, air basins, air districts, poOficaf:
: - and Jurisdictional districts, board of equalization districts, Census block
and tracts, efevatfon, terrain, geographic names, public tend 1
;, ownership, public land survey system, transportation, fi® responsibility:
• ' areas, water features, water wells and springs, airports and : ;:
transmission and railroad lines, city and county boundaries, populated
place names, major highways, 1989 Farmlands, 1985 National
; Wetlands Inventory. ;• :/ ='__-•
Geographic Databases: 1990 Census, TlGER/Une data, Digital Elevation Models, Digital Une
Graphs, Geographic-flames Inventory System.
CIS Platform: Hardware: Sun Microsystems Spare stations and DEC workstations networked to
a Sun 690 multiprocessor file server providing 100 mips of computer
power, 20 GIGS disk storage, Tektronix digitizers, PIC electrostatic
plotter and PostScript printer.
Software: ARC/INFO revisions 5.0, 5.0.1, and 6.0.1, GRID, TIN, NETWORK,
COGO, Object Code, ArcView, and SureMAPS.
Major Applications:
Natural resources management,
resource/service allocations, environmental
monitoring, transportation planning,
demographic analysis.
Data Sources:
Federal agencies: Census Bureau, Defense
Mapping Agency, Geological Survey, U.S. Forest
Service, Bureau of Land Management.
Other. State of California
Data Quality Management:
Quality varies with source data Subjective
evaluations of data quality are available in data
Pbrary documentation.
Updates/enhancements:
The following layers will be available soon:
airports, hospitals, and long term health care
facilities.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
The GIS Technology Center also provides application development and consulting services.'
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Contacts:
Pam Leonhardt, GIS Staff Analyst
Tel: 916-263-1767
Randy Moon/, Manager
GIS Technology Center
Tel: 916-263-1886
Stephen P. Teale Data Center
P.O. Box 13436
Sacramento, CA 95813-4436
Fax: 916-263-1346
Users of system/availability:
Data and services are available to Federal,
State, and local government agencies and the
general public. Fees are charged.
Pag«12
Un»»d Sttw Environmental Protection A0«ncy, Offlc* 01 W«t»r (WH-547). July
-------
Advanced Sciences Inc.
Corporate G1S
CALIFORNIA
(California, Mexico)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
San Oiego County and California, Baja California-Tijuana area :
Water quality, rivers, elevation* roads, cultural features, infrastructure.
Geographic Databases: TIGER line data, WATSTORE, DEMS, Digital Une Graph, data derived
: :from institute Nacional de Estadistica Geographica y Informatica ::
' ' ' " '
GIS Platform: Hardware: Sun Spare II. various PC 486/50. CD drive, HP D at drive, 1/4' tape
* . ."-•-.. . drive.. J-. •::-.-::••• :'. ' ' ' ... '.-' ' '":. ;/.-•• :: ;• . : .. .
Software: ARC/INFO :(C.l), GRASS, PC ARC/INFO a4D-h, ARC/CAD, ARC/VIEW,
= 1DR1S1.; v ....... • .vv. •• v;: • ' -.,:•;- . '
Contacts:
David W. Gallaher
GIS Manager
Rudy Prosser
GIS Coordinator
Advanced Sciences Inc.
4909 Murphy Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
Tel: 619-560-8552
Fax: 619-560-8538
Users of system/availability:
ASI staff and clients. System is for internal use
but ASI is open to exchange of information.
Major Applications:
Groundwater, hazardous waste, air quality,
vegetation, geology, wildlife, engineering, noise,
population, utilities, socioeconomic studies, and
community relations.
Data Sources:
Federal Agencies: Census Bureau, Dept. of
Defense, Navy Department, Environmental
Protection Agency, Geological Survey, National
Park Service. Other municipal CAD files, San
Diego Assn. of Governments, Institute Nacional
de Estadistica Geographica y Informatica
(INEGI), City of Tijuana, Earth Observation
Satellite Co. (EOSAT), and a variety of internally
built files.
Data Quality Management:
Where known, a data pedigree has been
established.
Updates/enhancements:
Expansion across the corporation is underway.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
•GIS has been beneficial to data integration, data visualization, conflict identification, and the ability
to ask previously impossible questions. The largest problem has been the cost and quality of data
Both scale and accuracy are highly variable and range from 1'« 100' to 1'=24,000'. Many
questions remain regarding the accuracy of data that we did not build. Most databases in use
today were not built with GIS in mind. In addition, a more detailed listing of data sets could be
useful in the future.'
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
United StatM Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 11
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University of Arizona
Arizona Remote Sensing Center
ARIZONA
(Arizona, Mexico)
Geographic Area:
Type of Coverage:
•Arizona; Negates and Sonora in Mexico.
Water quality, household water use, sewer and water infrastructure,
geology, surface hydrology, land use (1987), jurisdictions, zoning,
roads.
Geographic Database*: Generated internally.
CIS Platform: Hardware: IBM PC 386 and 486, digitizer, high resolution color monitor, tape
drive, optical disk drive, Calcomp pen plotter, XybJon multfepectraJ
video camera, bl-spectraf multiplexing video camera.
Software: ARC/INFO, ERDAS, IDRISL ,*
Major Applications:
Multitemporal mapping of rangeiand resources
and land use, assessment of vegetation
degradation, historic land use mapping,
vegetation and wildlife habitat mapping,
sampling locust habitat (West Africa),
muftitemporal mapping of a hazardous waste
site.
Data Sources:
Local, Federal, State, and international agencies.
Data Quality Management:
Not available.
Updates/enhancements:
On a continuing basis.
Contacts:
Stuart E Marsh, Associate Director
Arizona Remote Sensing Center
Office of Arid Lands Studies
College of Architecture
University of Arizona
845 North Park Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
Tel: 602-621-1955.
Fax: 602-621-3816
Telex: 1561507 ARID UT
Users of system/availability:
Not available.
COMMENTS (System Originator):
None.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Foldout: Capabilities in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. Office of Arid
Lands Studies, College of Agriculture, University of Arizona
Uftitod 81^ Envirannwntal Protection Ag«^^ Julyl
-------
GIS
Tex.:
U.S. EPA Region 6
Tex.:
U.S. Geological
Survey, Texas Dist.
Utah, Univ. of:
DIGIT Lab
MEXICO:
Centre de
Investigation
Cientifica y de
Education Superior
de Ensenada, B.C.
(CICESE)
pg
32
33
34
35
Baja
California/
California
Region
X
Sonora
Plains/
Colorado
River
-
X
Sierra
Madre
Occidental/
Continental
Divide
X
X
Northern
Plateau/
Great
Plains
X
X
Sierra Madre
Oriental/
Santiago
Mountain
X
X
Gulf of
Mexico
Coastal
Plain/ Gulf
Coast
Lowland
Region
X
X
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 9
-------
GIS
Tex:
International
Boundary and
Water Commission
Tex., State of:
General Land
Office
Tex., State of:
Parks and Wildlife
Dept.
Tex., State of:
Railroad
Commission
Tex., State of:
Transportation
Dept.
Tex., State of:
Water Commission
Tex., State of:
Water Development
Board
Tex., A&M Univ.,
Tex. Transportation
Institute
Tex., Univ. of at
Austin; Bureau of
Economic Geology;
GIS
Tex., Univ. of at
Austin; Bureau of
Economic Geology:
Border
Environmental Atlas
Tex.:
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Joint
Task Force-6
Pg
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
30
29
31
Baja
California/
California
Region
X
X
Sonora
Plains/
Colorado
River
X
Sierra
Madre
Occidental/
Continental
Divide
X
Northern
Plateau/
Great
Plains
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sierra Madre
Oriental/
Santiago
Mountain
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Gulf of '
Mexico
Coastal
Plain/ Gulf
Coast
Lowland
Region
X
x
AV
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PageB
United Statee Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
-------
US-Mexico Border GIS Systems: Geographic Coverage
GIS
Arizona, University
of: Arizona Remote
Sensing Center
Calif.:
Advanced
Sciences, Inc.
(corporate)
Calif.:
San Diego Assn of
Govts
Calif.:
San Diego State
University
Calif., State of:
Bus., Transp.,
Housing: Stephen
P. Teale Data
Center
Calif., State of:
Fish & Game Dept.
Calif:
U.S. EPA Region 9
New Mex., State of:
Environment Dept.
New Mex, Univ. of:
Engineering
Research Institute
New Mex., Univ. of:
Technology
Application Center
Tex:
Consortium for
International Earth
Science Information
Network (CIESIN)
Pg
10
11
14
15
12
13
16
17
18
19
20
Baja
California/
California
Region
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sonora
Plains/
Colorado
River
X
X
X
X
Sierra
Madre
Occidental/
Continental
Divide
-
X
X
X
X
Northern
Plateau/
Great
Plains
X
Sierra Madre
Oriental/
Santiago
Mountain
X
Gulf of
Mexico
Coastal
Plain/ Gulf
Coast
Lowland
Region
X
United State* Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 7
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Catalog Organization
Catalog Is Preliminary Effort
GIS Descriptions. The catalog contains a one-
page description for each of the 26 GISs listed.
Entries are listed alphabetically according to
the State/country where the GIS is physically
located. This location is indicated in the upper
right hand comer of each entry. The State or
country names appearing in parentheses
below the top line in the upper right comer
represent the areas of geographic coverage for
that entry.
Matrix Showing Geographic Coverage.
Following this page and before the individual
GIS listings is a matrix that summarizes the
coverage of each entry according to
geographic region from west to east along the
border; that is, from the Baja,
California/California region to the Gulf of
Mexico.
Attachments. Some organizations submitted
supplemental material that more fully explains
their systems. This material is presented
under the •ATTACHMENTS* section at the end
of the catalog.
The purpose of this catalog is to provide a
preliminary list of water-related GISs that
pertain to features along the border. It should
acquaint GIS developers and users with
information on some existing systems identified
by various organizations that either have GISs
or may want to develop them.
The goal is to help water program managers
and staff access valuable and dynamic
information as they strive to develop or
upgrade their own programs. It may help them
decide whether to introduce a GIS component
into their current projects. It may help them
determine whether a GIS exists that can serve
as a model they can adapt to their own
systems or needs. Or it may help them
discover that a GIS already exists on a subject
they had planned to pursue. A further goal is
to stimulate the information sharing and
people-to-people networking that help assure
the best use of scarce resources for all those
working to improve environmental conditions
along the U.S.-Mexico border.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-547). July 1993.
Page 6
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The GIS Catalog
and the
United States-Mexico Bonier
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Catalog
This catalog identifies 26 existing or proposed
geographic information systems (GISs) that
contain information on the water environment
within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of the
U.S.-Mexico border. The catalog is part of an
effort by governments and communities on
both sides of the border to better manage their
water resources as called for by the February
1992 'Integrated Border Environmental Plan for
the Mexican-U.S. Border Area' The Plan was
issued jointly by the Secretaria de Desarrollo
Urbano y Ecologia (SEDUE) of Mexico and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The
GIS catalog aims to provide a ready reference
for GIS system developers and users at all
levels of government and the private sector in
both the United States and Mexico.
The Need for GIS Information Along the
Border
The catalog responds to the need voiced by
water program managers and staff of both
countries to share GIS information that can
help solve environmental problems existing
along the border. GIS allows information
extracted from various existing databases to be
combined to produce valuable new information
formatted and displayed for quick
comprehension in a way which GIS has made
economically feasible for the first time. This
new data can not only visually demonstrate
relationships between complex environmental
problems but also can help point the way to
optimal solutions. Typical GIS outputs are
maps, charts, graphs, tabular listings, and
surface models.
What Is a GIS?
Managers and technical staff who have created
GISs express strong support for GIS as a
decisionmaking and planning tool. A
geographic information system is a
computerized database management system
that has a unique ability to link, integrate, and
visually display information contained in
numerous disparate databases. It allows
capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and
display of spatial (tocationally defined) data It
consists of hardware, software, data and an
organizational framework of people and
organizations. GIS technology bridges the
disciplines of computer science, information
management, and cartography. GIS data may
come from sources as diverse as maps, aerial
photographs, and satellite imagery to
socioeconomic, census, meteorological, and
crop records.
GISs and Water Quality
Among GISs described in the catalog are
projects either developed or in progress by
State, Federal, and local agencies; educational
institutions; advocacy groups; and the private
sector. Much of the information these systems
contain is useful to such water-related activities
as managing point and nonpoint pollution,
evaluating management alternatives for local
water use planning and zoning, and modeling
the effects of existing and proposed activities
on water quality.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-547). Jury 1993,
-------
CONTENTS Page No.
GIS Catalog and United States-Mexico Border 5
Matrix: Geographic Areas Covered by GISs 7
GIS locations listed alphabetically by State/Country:
UNITED STATES:
ARIZONA:
University of Arizona (Arizona Remote Sensing Center) 10
CALIFORNIA: - ~
Advanced Sciences, Inc. (corporate) 11
State Agencies: " _
Business, Transportation, and Housing:
Stephen P. Teale Data Center 12
Department of Fish and Game:
Natural Diversity Database 13
San Diego Association of Governments 14
San Diego State University 15
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 16
NEW MEXICO:
State Agencies:
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) 17
University of New Mexico:
Engineering Research Institute 18
Technology Application Center:
Resource Geographic Information System (RGIS)
Clearinghouse 19
TEXAS:
Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) 20
International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) 21
State Agencies:
General Land Office (GLO):
GIS Prototype Data Dictionary for Oil Spill
Response Activities 22
Parks and Wildlife: Coastal Wetlands Habitat Monitoring 23
Railroad Commission: Oil and Gas Well/Pipeline Mapping System 24
Transportation: Texas Road Inventory Mapping System 25
Water Commission: Texas Water Commission Regulatory and
Compliance System (TRACS) 26
Water Development Board: Texas Natural Resources Information
System (TNRIS) 27
Universities:
Texas A&M University: Texas Transportation Institute 28
University of Texas at Austin: Bureau of Economic Geology:
Border Environmental Atlas 29
Geographic Information System (GIS) 30
U.S. Government Agencies:
Army Corps of Engineers 31
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 32
Geological Survey 33
UTAH: University of Utah: DIGIT Lab 34
MEXICO:
BAJA CALIFORNIA: Centre de Investigation Cientifica y de Education Superior de
Ensenada, B.C. (CICESE) 35.
Attachments 36
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ex
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Production of this catalog was made possible through the
enthusiastic participation and generous contributions of time, talent,
and knowledge by the organizations who submitted information on
their own geographic information systems (GISs) for the catalog.
Especially noteworthy are the interest and commitment
exhibited by the GIS coordinators and others who serve as GIS
contacts for the participating organizations. These individuals, many
of whom are identified in the catalog entries, represent a substantial
intellectual and economic investment in water-related GIS information
by catalog contributors. Most are from academic institutions,
government agencies, advocacy groups, and the corporate sector.
Catalog participants have helped identify a significant
collection of GIS resources available to communities or organizations
seeking to alleviate the serious environmental problems that exist
along the United States-Mexico border. We appreciate their
cooperation and valuable contributions.
Michael B. Cook, Director
Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance (WH-547)
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D. C. 20460
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