Virginia Coastal Program: 2007 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
93.02
Grantee:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Project Title:
Coastal GEMS Enhancements
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Environmental Studies has created the Coastal Geospatial and Educational Mapping System, or Coastal GEMS, through FY03 Task 95.011 and FY06 Task 93.03. Coastal GEMS is a gateway, or starting point, for accessing more comprehensive coastal resource information which should be considered in planning efforts and in making management decisions. This gateway provides data and maps of the best remaining blue and green infrastructure in Virginia’s coastal zone from across state agencies and organizations, as well as information on the value and current management of those resources.
Contributing agencies and organizations will continue to sign data-sharing MOUs with the CZM Program and VCU, and provide their best available data for Coastal GEMS updates. Data will be edited or updated as outlined in these data-sharing agreements, as their availability is essential in ensuring informed decisions are made with regard to sensitive coastal resources. New data will be added as they are developed through Virginia CZM Program grants or are contributed from a partnering agency or organization. Enhancements to the tools and features within Coastal GEMS will occur as necessary to improve their functionality and performance.
Federal Funding:
$8,000.00
Project Contact:
Greg Garman, (804) 828-1574; ggarman@mail2.vcu.edu
Project Status:
10/01/07 - 9/30/08; Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Environmental Studies helped the Virginia CZM Program to create the Coastal Geospatial and Educational Mapping System, or Coastal GEMS, through FY03 Task 95.011 and FY06 Task 93.03. Coastal GEMS is a gateway, or starting point, for accessing more comprehensive coastal resource information which should be considered in planning efforts and in making management decisions. This gateway provides data and maps of the best remaining blue and green infrastructure in Virginia's coastal zone from across state agencies and organizations, as well as information on the value and current management of those resources.
Through FY07 Task 93.02, the Coastal GEMS mapping application was maintained at VCU and enhanced from April 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008. During this time period VCU CES staff worked with VA CZM staff to update existing Coastal GEMS layers including: Conservation Lands, Important Bird Areas, Essential Wildlife Habitat, Condemned Shellfish Areas, Private Oyster Leases, and Constructed Oyster Reefs and to add new layers to the application including: Clam Aquaculture Vulnerability Model, Oyster Aquaculture Vulnerability Model, Tidal Flushing Rates and layers associated with the VCLNA (Recreational Value Model, Watershed Integrity Model, Agricultural Value Model, Forest Economics Model). Data layers were processed for effective display on Coastal GEMS and then uploaded to a test IMS site where CZM staff could review symbology before they were added to the Coastal GEMS application.
Both spatial and non-spatial information related to the Coastal GEMS application are stored on a server at VCU CES in a Microsoft SQL server database running Windows 2003 server. The server running the GEMS application is also running Windows 2003 server as well as ESRI's ArcIMS 9.2. During the grant period, VCU CES staff performed necessary maintenance on these servers to keep Coastal GEMS functional and online. This maintenance included installing all required security and software updates from Microsoft and ESRI and whenever required, resolving unanticipated server hardware issues in a timely manner.
Access Coastal GEMS at http://deq.virginia.gov/coastal/coastalgems.html
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov