Grantee Research Project Results
2010 Progress Report: Mapping Regional Development for Smart Growth Planning to Minimize Degradation of Water Quality and Enhance Green Infrastructure
EPA Grant Number: R833345Title: Mapping Regional Development for Smart Growth Planning to Minimize Degradation of Water Quality and Enhance Green Infrastructure
Investigators: Katnik, Donald , Walker, Steve
Current Investigators: Katnik, Donald , Hertz, Elizabeth , Walker, Steve
Institution: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2009 through June 30,2010
Project Amount: $249,919
RFA: Collaborative Science And Technology Network For Sustainability (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Unplanned development threatens water quality and degrades ecosystems. Beginning with Habitat, a public-private partnership, provides local planners with maps of riparian habitats, water resources, high value plant and animal habitats, and undeveloped blocks to guide smart growth and enhance green infrastructure. Tracking development is critical for the success of this program. Unfortunately, local planners and land trusts lack the regional, long-term perspective that a map of cumulative development could provide. Further, this information could be used to assess whether communities have used Beginning with Habitat information to successfully guide growth away from important habitats and to protect water resources. This objective of this project is to use geospatial data to map development and provide that information to towns and land trusts to assist with smart-growth planning.
Progress Summary:
We contracted with The Sanborn Mapping Co. to assist with creating a “Baseline” (2004) and “Current” (2007) data set depicting roads and buildings in each time period. We have completed 86 percent of the project area. Data capture was slowed by an unexpected vacancy in the Maine staff working on the development mapping, so we applied for and received a 1-year, no-cost extension to complete the project.
Future Activities:
QC data for the 86 percent completed part of the project area, continue capturing data for the remaining 14 percent. Incorporate final data sets into the Beginning with Habitat natural resource maps.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 3 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
animal, aquatic, community-based, decision making, ecological effects, ecology, environmental assets, indicators, integrated assessment, Landsat, ME, modeling, monitoring, northeast, public good, sensitive populations, scaling, sustainable development, terrestrial, watersheds;, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Social Science, Ecology and Ecosystems, Energy, environmental education, community based, alternative infrastructure design, ecological design, environmental sustainability, green design, sustainable urban environment, land use, energy efficiencyRelevant Websites:
“Beginning with Habitat” interactive web mapping service. 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.