PROPOSED GIS AND GPS SUPPORTED APPLICATIONS FOR

SCARBORO COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT

EQUIPMENT NEEDS

Low-cost and/or free geographic information systems (GIS) software can be obtained through the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Conservation Program (http://www.conservationgis.org/).  The nature of the situation at Scarboro makes it a strong candidate for a donation of a multi-seat ArcView 3.x GIS software site license.   A second option for obtaining free GIS software is downloading LandView III GIS software and data from the Right-to-Know network (http://d1.rtknet.org/landview/).    

Both ArcView 3.x and LandView III are capable of supporting global positioning systems (GPS) data (http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm).  Ideally, a fully functional GPS unit and associated software would be used to collect data.  However, the cost of such equipment may be prohibitive ($3,500 and up).  Fortunately, with the termination of U.S. Department of Defense Selective Availability scrambling of GPS satellite signals, even low-cost GPS units are capable of relatively accurate ground position location.   With Magellan's map 330 ($300) (http://www.magellangps.com/products/map330.htm) hand held GPS, latitude/longitude ground positions can be collected and recorded, and then manually entered into a spreadsheet.   Garmin's eTrex is another low-cost GPS receiver (http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex). 

ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLE SITE POINT MAPPING USING GPS AND GIS

There appears to be concern among the citizens of Scarboro about the quality of recent soil sampling conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Subsequent citizen-led sampling can be supported using GPS and GIS.  The sample site map building process can serve as an environmental and technological education activity.  Tennessee State University (TSU) Geographic Information Science (GISc) Laboratory personnel can assist interested Scarboro citizens in mapping potential sampling sites not included in the DOE and EPA plans.  Those participating in the activity will gain experience with GIS and GPS software, spreadsheet database management, environmental field sampling, and scientific report writing.  Dr. David A. Padgett, TSU GISc Lab Director, conducted a similar study with Upward Bound students at Oberlin, Ohio.  There is also potential opportunity for participants to post sample site maps to the internet, thus gaining experience in web page development.  Soil, air, and water sample analysis could be conducted either with in-kind services from local environmental firms, or facilities at TSU.  The on-line GIS maps could provide Scarboro residents with up-to-date information on local environmental impacts and related health concerns.