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FLDSS Functional Concepts and Analyses
The FLDSS has been developed around the concept of providing a multi-jurisdictional tool to assist in wise decision making concerning use and growth of the Finger Lakes Region. As a means to achieve this, it was decided at the start of the project that the system would be developed using input from regional stakeholders at all levels of government and organizations. To facilitate and help focus this input, a basic concept was devised that considers three primary focus areas: water resources (ground and surface water), agricultural protection areas and viewshed protection areas. The idea is that these areas can be defined and reviewed using the FLDSS; their coincident locations provide smaller areas on which to focus study, and they reveal areas that are the environmental “hot spots” in need of consideration for protection or conservation. These areas are referred to as Water Resource Priority Protection Areas (WREPPA).
Further, probability of growth and build out models have been tested to describe example scenarios, both with existing conditions and then including parameters that could help conserve or protect the WREPPAs as the region grows. The ability to combine this information with interactive 3D visualization results in a very powerful set of mapping, analysis and planning tools. The hope is that, through review and study of this information, the user will garner suggested ideas for a more enlightened approach to planning and management efforts in the region. The application of these approaches would ideally result in the continued wise use of the Finger Lakes Region’s resources and preservation of its character.
The development of many of the data layers available for use in the FLDSS required high level geo-processing and modeling. Below are brief descriptions of some of these models and processes. For further information please contact IAGT.
Riparian Buffer Delineation Equation (RDBE)
Use: A method to develop stream/water body buffers through data analysis rather than arbitrary means. Stream buffers are commonly reviewed for development criteria, runoff analysis, erosion studies etc.
Description: These calculated buffers represent the area required to attenuate as much pollution as a standard, often arbitrarily chosen buffer distance under average watershed conditions. Using this technique, results reflect reaches along water bodies that may require varying buffer widths based on the natural characteristics of the area, as compared to a consistent, arbitrary buffer that may be too large or too small at different points along the reach. The data utilized in the calculations are: soils (soil moisture holding capacity and hydraulic conductivity), land cover, and slope.
Land Evaluation and Size Assessment (LESA)
Use: One method to develop a ranking for the relative value of land for agricultural use.
Description: This analysis is designed to evaluate agricultural value or land parcels with the flexibility to use varying amounts of data depending on the area, land characteristics and data availability. Minimum suggested data include: land cover, wetlands, soils, roads, and zoning. This analysis was developed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides a handbook that can be downloaded from http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
Viewshed Analysis (Highly Visible Areas)
Use: This process was developed in an effort to map the location of highly visible areas in the watershed. It is hoped that combined with the 3D Viewshed Landscape, users can begin to subjectively determine what is an important view for protection as warranted by their needs or projects.
Description: This analysis was done using Geographic Information System (GIS) viewshed algorithms. Areas that are visible from state and county roads were located by running a viewshed analysis from locations approximately 0.25 miles apart along these roads. Required datasets included: high resolution digital elevation model and land cover.
DRASTIC
Use: To determine areas where groundwater may be vulnerable to infiltration of substances.
Description: The DRASTIC groundwater vulnerability model was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a method to quantify sensitivity of an area of interest to groundwater pollution. The parameters used to determine vulnerability are: Depth to groundwater, Recharge, Aquifer Media, Soils, Topography, Impact of Vadose Zone, and Conductivity. These parameters can be determined using surficial and bedrock geology data and are meant for small scale use, i.e. watershed size areas and larger.
Uplan
Use: Uplan is a computer model, developed by Bob Johnston from the University of California, Davis, used to derive areas that are likely to see development in the future.
Description: This model uses datasets that are often used to project growth such as the level of attractiveness for: roads, water bodies, protected wetlands, parks, proximity to urban areas etc. The result from a Uplan analysis is a set of probability of growth polygons that highlight areas that are most likely to see development in the future.
Community Buildout
Use: Community Buildout is a computer model, developed by the Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont, used to develop an estimate of the density of a fully built out area of interest.
Description : This software uses current parcel, residency, and zoning data to produce its resulting maps. It generates dot densities to represent the density of housing possible (not definitive locations) if existing zoning regulations are fully exploited.
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