Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Detroit--Ann Arbor Metro Public Information Project
EPA Grant Number: R827965Title: Detroit--Ann Arbor Metro Public Information Project
Investigators: Kenyon, Cindy , Wades, Jim , VanderMeulen, Joe , Rubin, Laura , Moore, Leon , Score, Mike , Sweat, Mike , Head, Rebecca
Institution: Michigan State University , United States Geological Survey
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period:
Project Amount: $725,968
RFA: Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Statistics , Water , Aquatic Ecosystems , Air , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration
Objective:
The objective of the Detroit-Ann Arbor Metro Public Information Project was to assemble essential environmental data in an easily accessible Web site format for public use. The Web site provides interpretation of the environmental data and includes information regarding environmental issues to aid in user comprehension. The development of the site was aided by input from the community to enhance the project's effectiveness. The partners committed themselves to developing methods to sustain the project for continued delivery of up-to-date environmental information to the community. Finally, the project sought to inform the public of environmental issues and promote use of the Web site.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Activities in Year 1 of the project centered on the collection and interpretation of environmental data. Existing data sets from partners were converted into databases that could be displayed in spatial and geographic formats. Existing data included: watershed identification; aquatic insect monitoring; biological monitoring of macro invertebrates; stream-habitat assessment; water quality monitoring by stream gauge; onfarm soil moisture, plant growth, plant yield and field crop ecology; wildlife effects on agriculture; residential levels of radon gas; and arsenic and nitrate levels in drinking water.
Project partners were asked to provide a characterization of the data set(s) they maintained, as well as any explanatory information that would help users understand the data. Partners also developed a set of questions that their data could best answer. These questions and answers make up the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the Web site.
Materials were purchased to construct a complete electronics package as well as the receiving equipment and terminal node controller for the remote weather stations. Specific locations for weather tower placements were determined. The hardware needed to collect real-time stream data was purchased and eight stream gauges were upgraded by the USGS to allow real-time stage and discharge retrievals. Water-quality monitors were installed at three gauges as planned.
Discussions began regarding the hardware necessary to support the Web site. File transfer and back-up protocols were discussed and developed. One challenge was that updated data and real-time data would need to be transferred into the Washtenaw County computer system, but the county system needed protection from viruses. A separate server was purchased and protocols developed so that the county system was protected and data are updated and delivered in real-time format.
As the project entered the second year, the development of the Web site was the primary focus. The initial idea for arrangement and display of data was to access the Web site, type in a specific question, and have pertinent data retrieved and displayed. This proved to be a very difficult goal to achieve due to the complexity of the data sets and the design of such an advanced query system. It was determined that the primary access to data on the site would be through summary and custom map functions. To ensure the data were displayed and interpreted in a manner that is useful to the public, partners considered key questions to be addressed by their specific data. Supporting and interpretive text, glossary terms, and links to related Web sites were collected from partners. It was determined that the information would be organized into five sections: Air, Water, Land, Community, and House. Each section page is divided into four information groups: Maps, Answers, Links, and Actions.
The site was a work in progress and revisions and additions were made to the Site many times. As proposed in the initial project description, a Stakeholders Advisory Group met to review the site and comment on its data display and usability. Individuals were given test scenarios to determine if they could navigate through the site and view the data they needed. Comments were incorporated into the site. Final decisions were made on the type and configuration of the server and the server was purchased, configured, tested, and installed. A weather-receiving tower was installed on a Washtenaw County building and was connected to the server. The Web site was transferred from its temporary URL to the county server.
All partners have committed to maintaining, updating, and promoting the Web site. Several keywords have been included in the site so that Internet search engines will direct people to it.
The creation of this Web site fulfilled the project's stated objectives by bringing together several varied environmental datasets and displaying the information in a real-time, educational, "in your neighborhood" format. The amount and varied nature of the data proved to be a challenge in assembling the data and in finding a logical way to display them. The project partners wanted the site to be "user friendly" to the general public, while also being sophisticated enough that the technical information would be useful. The Web site fulfills those needs. The graphics and real-time data scrolls make the site attractive. Timely action and alert items allow the public to make changes in their behavior to protect their health and the environment. The organization is logical. There is extensive descriptive text and a large glossary that is linked to the text. The mappable interface allows users to customize and layer the data to meet their needs. The development of this Web site gives the public access to important environmental information.
Supplemental Keywords:
air, indoor air, precipitation, health effects, ecological effects, human health, carcinogen, infants, children, elderly, effluent, discharge, dissolved solids, remediation, decision-making, environmental assets, environmental chemistry, geology, monitoring, central, Great Lakes, Michigan, MI, EPA Region 5, agriculture, business, industry., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Waste, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Remediation, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Arsenic, State, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Monitoring/Modeling, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Environmental Monitoring, genetic susceptability, Ecology and Ecosystems, Water Pollutants, EPA Region, Great Lakes, Social Science, Ecological Indicators, agricultural runoff, EMPACT, stakeholder involvement, total dissolved solids, ecological effects, ecological exposure, sensitive populations, infants, exposure, human exposue, children, web site development, environmental data, community outreach, agriculture, water quality, elderly, human susceptibility, outreach and education, public health alerts, Region 5, educating school children, Michigan (MI), Detroit - Ann Arbor Metro, air quality, environmental hazard exposuresRelevant Websites:
http://empact.co.washtenaw.mi.us Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.