David Hart GIS Specialist University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Wednesday, March 4, 2009

1. Building the Digital Great LakesThe Evolution of theWisconsin Coastal GIS Applications Project Since 1994 David Hart GIS Specialist University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Wednesday, March 4, 2009

2. Presentation Outline • Parallels between the NOAA CSC and the Wisconsin Coastal GIS Applications Project • Observations on the growth and evolution of Coastal GIS • 15 Years of Coastal GIS Progress • The Future

3. WI Coastal GIS Applications Project • The mission is to teach the application of geospatial technologies to support sustainable management of the Great Lakes. • The primary audience has been local, regional, and state government professionals. • A UW Sea Grant/LICGF partnership started in 1994.

4. Parallels – NOAA CSC & UWSG GIS • Both started in 1994.

5. Parallels – NOAA CSC & UWSG GIS • Both sought to leverage geospatial data for use by coastal managers • WLIP funding for local land records modernization from 1991 to 2008 = $129 million

6. Parallels – NOAA CSC & UWSG GIS • Both tapped into a range of geospatial technologies Satellite Remote Sensing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) In-Situ Sensors Global Positioning System (GPS)

7. Parallels – NOAA CSC & UWSG GIS • Both strive to build partnerships • The level of investment is a bit different • Staffing: (188 vs. a few of us), but UW Sea Grant did directly invest over $800K in the project, which (with additional external funds) supported 48 students

8. Growth and Evolution of Coastal GIS • Early during the tenure of the NOAA CSC, Anne spoke of how the coastal community lagged behind other disciplines in applying GIS • Through the “relentless” approach of the CSC, I think it is safe to say that is not the case anymore.

9. Growth and Evolution of Coastal GIS • The Coastal GeoTools conference reflects that progress over the years • In Wisconsin, I see the growth of GIS applications in the poster session at the Wisconsin Land Information Association annual conference • (and occasionally I can even see my subtle influence)

10. Shoreland Management PHASE 1 GIS TEACHING MODELS Coastal Erosion Water Quality Other Coastal Issues PHASE 2 COMPREHENSIVE COASTAL GIS Spatial Analysis Data Integration Data Acquisition Data Discovery PHASE 3 DYNAMIC AND DISTRIBUTED GIS PHASE 4 VISUALIZATION Data Visualization 3D Visualization Catalog Services for the Web Geospatial Interoperability Open Archives Web Mapping Dashboard Animation Coastal GIS Conceptual Model

11. Coastal GIS “Teaching Models” • Shoreland Management: Blue Lake, Oneida Co. • Coastal Erosion: Town of Mosel, Sheboygan Co. • Floodplain Management: Ozaukee Co. • Urban Nonpoint Source Runoff: Marquette, MI The training program was well received. Basic GIS training was reinforced with local data addressing local issues.

12. Comprehensive Coastal GIS • Coastal management issues often influence broad geographic areas and are rarely confined to neat administrative boundaries. Data discovery remains challenging. The institutional issues associated with data acquisition (cost, time, restrictions) may be getting worse. The technical issues associated with data integration are being solved.

13. Dynamic and Distributed GIS • 63 of 72 Wisconsin counties (88%) have publically accessible web mapping sites. • Only a couple acknowledge they have web mapping services. My image map linking to county web mapping sites is by far my most popular web site.

14. Dynamic and Distributed GIS A proof-of-concept supported by the CSC. It takes more to make spatial data relevant to decision-making.

15. Wisconsin Coastal Guide – Map Interfaces • Virtual Globe • Google Earth • NASA World Wind • Mapping Mashups • Google Map API • Yahoo Maps/Pipes • Microsoft Virtual Earth • Web Mapping Interface • OpenLayers • MapServer/Chameleon • GeoServer • ESRI ArcIMS What are the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches to web mapping?

16. Visualizing Coastal Hazards Can visualization help us release the information in technical studies and make it more relevant to coastal property owners?

17. Fox-Wolf Hydrologic Dashboard Moving towards SimGreatLakes. Relating activities on land to observations on open water.

18. The Future • Building and linking Coastal Web Atlases • International Coastal Atlas Network (http://icoastalatlas.net/)

19. The Future • Planning Support Systems • Plan Implementation • Sustainable Coastal Development

20. The Future • Visualization technologies • Extreme high-resolution and immersive panoramas. • Webcam panoramas. • Climate change outreach. Visualizing updated lake level scenarios.

21. The Future • Place-based games • South Shore Beach Augmented Reality Game: Students role-play as water chemists, public health officials, or wildlife ecologists who are called upon to investigate illnesses linked to the beach. Do place-based, role-playing, environmental detective games allow students in Great Lakes communities better understand coastal issues?

22. Parting Shot How do you approach obstacles? Some people thrive on obstacles and even seek them out! Public service is a noble calling. It is all about removing obstacles. • “Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.” • Tom Barrett