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Inland Waterways Spill Response Mapping Project

The Inland Waterways Spill Response Mapping Project provides community planners and oil spill responders with spatial and technical information on the resources at risk during a spill. Areas included in this project are the portions of the Upper Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Great Lakes Basin that fall within U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 5.

Data are collected by partner organizations, such as the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association and the Great Lakes Commission. These data are then processed at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) where they are automated using geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Once automated, spatial databases can be displayed as hardcopy atlas maps or interactive GIS coverages. Atlas maps depict environmentally sensitive areas, hydrology, economically sensitive areas, tribal areas, potential spill sources, and transportation corridors against a backdrop of scanned U.S. Geological Survey Quadrangle base maps.

Data download

The UMESC provides technical support on cartographic requirements and spatial database management needs and is responsible for the development of standardized GIS products for USEPA Region 5 to meet requirements under the Oil Pollution Act. The Center uses its expertise in GIS and remote sensing technologies to develop spatial databases that meet the needs of planners and responders in the field.

In addition, UMESC develops standards for map products and implements these standards in the production of high quality digital and hardcopy maps. The UMESC serves as the central repository site or clearinghouse for spatial data and the source of technical support for USEPA Region 5. This centralized database is made accessible by CD-ROM and the Internet.

Project will be completed in September 2006.

Principal Investigator: Kirk Lohman - kirk_lohman@usgs.gov