A Geospatial Framework for the Coastal Zone National Needs for Coastal Mapping and Charting (2004) / Chapter Skim
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2 Coastal Mapping Needs and Activities
2 Coastal Mapping Needs and Activities
Pages 18-61
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From page 18... ...
. Based on this data collection and information-gathering process, the committee identified at least 15 federal agencies, almost all coastal states, and innumerable local agencies, academic institutions, and private companies involved in the collection or production of coastal mapping and charting data or products.
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From page 19... ...
Although state and local agencies play a key role in the acquisition and use of coastal geospatial data, the breadth and diversity of these activities prohibited an exhaustive review of each coastal state's activities and needs.1 The committee found considerable commonality of needs and activities among the states and local agencies and accordingly has included a "generic" section on state and local needs and activities. An overarching expression of the needs of state and local agencies is probably best presented in the recent Coastal States Organization (CSO)
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From page 20... ...
Analysis of the agency activities presented in Appendix A revealed that, while coastal zone mapping and charting applications are as varied and diverse as the user community, there is a strong thread of consistency and commonality in important elements of the communities' needs. These commonalities include a need for: · A consistent spatial framework for coastal data that allows a seamless transition from onshore to offshore, including clarification of offshore boundary definitions.
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From page 21... ...
Properties often measured or sampled directly include sediment and soil type, soil moisture and porosity, salinity, temperature, turbidity, nutrient concentrations, and data describing plant and animal communities. Numerous methods, platforms, and sensors are used to collect the framework and source data needed to produce coastal maps and charts (see Box 2.1)
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From page 22... ...
The most common acoustic remote sensors are echosounders and sonars. USCG GPS Differential Corrections SEISMIC REFLECTION SIDESCAN SONAR (Subsurface Coverage)
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From page 23... ...
and the development of software that will support data fusion and automated feature extraction will greatly facilitate the subsequent analysis and interpretation of complex coastal datasets. Derivative or "value-added" products are created from the integration and interpretation of reference frame and source data.
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From page 24... ...
Because survey track lines were generally far apart, obstructions or seafloor irregularities between track lines could remain undetected. 1.2 MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER Over the past decade, multibeam echosounders have increasingly replaced single-beam echosounders as the preferred tool for comprehensive bathymetric surveys.
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From page 25... ...
Consequently, repeat measurements of reference frame and source data, together with time series of the derived products, are a critical requirement for understanding and managing the coastal zone. COASTAL ISSUES REQUIRING GEOSPATIAL DATA AND PRODUCTS Appendix A summarizes, on an agency-by-agency basis, the needs and activities of the agencies involved in coastal zone mapping and charting.
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From page 26... ...
Lower frequencies can sound, with less accuracy, to full ocean depth. In addition to bathymetry, many multibeam echosounders can also simultaneously measure the magnitude of the reflected signal, which results in colocated backscatter (or multibeam)
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From page 27... ...
Accurate hydrographic surveys are essential for determining bathymetry and the nature of the water bottom, and for improving the dynamic model ing of tides, ocean waves, and the dynamic response of a ship transiting the channel. Several Australian ports actively manage the maximum loading of cargo ships through real-time ocean swell monitoring, accurate tidal model ing, high-resolution hydrographic surveys, and ship response modeling.
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From page 28... ...
Conventional Sidescan Sonar. Sidescan sonars can be used to make digital acoustic images of the seabed.
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There are several additional services required for safe and efficient navigation that further prevent or mitigate environmental catastrophes. A maritime information system that monitors changes in the maritime environment and provides mariners with reports of conditions that affect their operations is integral to providing safe and efficient navigation.
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A technical advance from the conventional side scan sonar is the chirp sidescan sonar. While conventional sidescan sonars transmit a single frequency (typically 100 or 500 kHz)
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From page 31... ...
2. In particular, Contracting Governments undertake to co-operate in carry ing out, as far as possible, the following nautical and hydrographic services, in the manner most suitable for the purpose of aiding navigation: 2.1 To ensure that hydrographic surveying is carried out, as far as pos sible, adequate to the requirements of safe navigation; 2.2 To prepare and issue official nautical charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, tide tables and other official nautical publications, where ap plicable, satisfying the needs of safe navigation; 2.3 To promulgate notices to mariners in order to keep official nautical charts and publications, as far as possible, up to date; 2.4 To provide data management arrangements to support these services.
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From page 32... ...
These improved versions are of particular interest for coastal mapping work because of their ability to achieve very wide swaths in relatively shallow water. 1.5 SUBBOTTOM PROFILER Subbottom profilers use reflected sound (similar to the way an ultra sound provides images of internal organs)
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From page 33... ...
Naval Oceanographic Office has collaborated with OCS in the collection of bathymetric and sidescan sonar data in strategic U.S. harbors (see Homeland Security section below)
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From page 34... ...
Ferrous objects, such as pipe lines, sunken vessels, and metal debris, will affect the ambient magnetic field measured by the magnetometer. These effects, or anomalies, provide indications of the presence of features that are not apparent from data pro vided by acoustic sensors.
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Power Squadron and the USCG Auxiliary, provide a valuable quality assurance function and source of input for LNMs. NGA does not generally collect source data, relying on the U.S.
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From page 36... ...
However, when combined with other technology such as a multibeam echosounder or sidescan sonar, this equipment can produce highly detailed habitat characterization. continued continued
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From page 37... ...
Similarly, USACE produces several products based on source data collected for the waterway projects for which the agency is responsible. Typical USACE products include inland waterway charts, both hard-copy and electronic, navigation channel condition reports, and engineering drawings of waterway projects.
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From page 38... ...
Optical remote sensing techniques rarely penetrate through the water column but can provide extremely valuable data to describe the terrestrial component of the coastal zone, as well as water quality conditions, sediment transport, surface water temperature, and organic productivity. 3.1 AERIAL AND SATELLITE IMAGERY Photography from aircraft can be accomplished with conventional film or digital technology.
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From page 39... ...
Acoustic detection in shallow water is difficult, but is more easily accomplished with a combination of high resolution bathymetry and bottom and water column characterization that relates to sound propagation. High-resolution bathymetry is pivotal to improved tidal and current models that are important components in understanding waterborne intrusion routes.
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CASI can also be used to assess some water quality parameters such as the presence of algae that are associated with Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs; e.g., red tides)
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From page 41... ...
, Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) , and Mean Sea Level (MSL)
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From page 42... ...
None theless, bathymetric LIDAR and ship-based multibeam echosounders are complementary; clear, very shallow water is best surveyed with LIDAR, whereas more turbid waters are best surveyed with multibeam echo sounders.
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From page 43... ...
Underwater dumping sites and oil and gas lease boundaries are on federal or state submerged lands, which in turn are determined based on the tide-coordinated shoreline. Compounding the problem of shoreline delineation is the spatial and temporal variability of tides as well as the influence of local winds and weather.
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From page 44... ...
SOURCES: 1.1single-beam echosounder, image courtesy of the Woods Hole Oceano graphic Institution; 1.2multibeam echosounder, image courtesy of Kongsberg Simrad; 1.3acoustic seafloor map, image courtesy of Stenmar Sonavision Limited; 1.4sidescan sonar, image courtesy of USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program; 1.5EdgeTech subbottom profiler, image courtesy of EdgeTech Sonar Products; 2.1Geometrics G-882 magnetometer, image courtesy of Geometrics; 2.3laser line scan, image courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; 2.5sediment profile camera deploy ment, image courtesy of NOAA Coastal Services Center; 3.5bathymetric LIDAR, image courtesy of Optech, Inc.; 4.2piston corer, image courtesy of USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program.
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From page 45... ...
EEZ boundaries are defined as boundaries 200 nautical miles from the MLLW shoreline as depicted on NOAA nautical charts. Ecological and Land-Use Boundaries Ecological and/or land-use descriptions and boundaries are necessary for effective resource management and coastal planning.
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From page 46... ...
The problems described above in delineating the shoreline and other coastal boundaries are ubiquitous to all those who need spatial information in the coastal zone -- it is a region that is difficult to map, and reference lines, reference frames, and reference points must be established that can be easily updated and transferred among a range of users. Consequently, the user community needs improved means to collect data in the region of the shoreline as well as the means to seamlessly integrate and transform data from disparate sources collected for different purposes.
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From page 47... ...
. The basic source data required to characterize this range of habitats include bathymetry and topography, submerged and emergent geology (including depositional environments and bottom characterization)
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From page 48... ...
, which noted that logical and consistent habitat classification would provide the basis for evaluating the extent and significance of habitat disturbance. While the complex issues of defining a uniform national habitat classification scheme are beyond the scope of this report, collection of the framework and source geospatial data essential for such a system are not.
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From page 49... ...
Human usage of coastal areas for food production, recreation, and other activities has water quality implications and requirements. The protection of estuarine and marine water quality from pollutants is a priority of local, state, and federal agencies as well as industry and the public (EPA, 2001)
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. Managers are increasingly looking for ways to spatially depict water quality data, both as management tools and to provide greater public access to the data (EPA, 2001)
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From page 51... ...
. Among the more important coastal hazards are coastal flooding, tsunamis, sea level rise, shoreline erosion and accretion, and other geologic agents such as earthquakes and landslides: Coastal Flooding Coastal flooding is the greatest hazard faced by U.S.
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From page 52... ...
The tsunami killed more than 120 people and caused more than $106 million in damages, making it the costliest ever to strike the western United States and Canada.7 Sea Level Rise Historically, sea level variations have produced significant changes in shoreline position, with shorelines with gentle gradients being most affected. The current rate of sea level rise averages about 35 centimeters per century (Douglas, 1995)
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From page 53... ...
Regardless of the tactics used to reduce risk, long-term success has been achieved only when the nature of the threat has been understood and protective measures and/or practices have been designed accordingly. Table 2.1 provides some generic examples of the importance of coastal mapping and charting products to coastal hazards reduction, illustrating the dependence of design information for coastal hazards risk
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From page 54... ...
54 A GEOSPATIAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE COASTAL ZONE TABLE 2.1 Mapping/Charting Contributions to Coastal Hazard Risk Reduction Process, Model, and/or Hazard Product Type Map or Chart Requirements Coastal Flooding Runoff and Flood hazard maps, flood Topographic maps, DEMs rainfall warnings, flood models Storm surge Flood hazard maps, Blended bathymetric/topographic surge models maps and DEMs/DDMs Sea level Rise Inundation maps, Blended bathymetric/topographic risk assessments maps and DEMs/DDMs Waves Wind waves Wave contributions to Blended nearshore bathymetric/ storm surge, wave runup topographic maps and and wave setup DEMs/DDMs Extreme wave vulnerability Blended nearshore bathymetric/ assessment topographic maps and DEMs/DDMs Tsunami Tsunami wave propagation, Blended offshore/nearshore/ inundation maps, onshore bathymetric/topographic vulnerability assessment maps and geological maps Shoreline Erosion and Accretion Chronic Sea/lake-level rise impacts Repeated mapping to quantify rate on shoreline erosion and and distribution of change accretion, coastal change models Sea/lake-level rise Blended nearshore bathymetric/ vulnerability assessment topographic maps and DEM/DDMs, habitat maps Short-term Hurricane- and storm-induced Pre- and post-storm mapping to erosion and accretion quantify change Storm vulnerability Blended nearshore bathymetric/ assessment topographic maps and DEMs/DDMs; habitat maps Winds Topographic effects on High-resolution DEMs extreme winds, wind models, wind vulnerability assessments Landslides Landslide vulnerability Blended bathymetric/topographic assessments maps and DEMs/DDMs Volcanic Volcano/lava vulnerability Onshore/offshore volcanic activity Activity assessments distribution maps Earthquakes Seismic vulnerability Onshore/offshore fault and seismic assessments activity maps
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From page 55... ...
comes from the federally controlled "Outer Continental Shelf" -- that part of the continental margin adjacent to the United States that is not under control of the coastal state. Typically this is the area beyond 3 nautical miles from the shoreline but within the definition of the coastal zone used for this study.
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From page 56... ...
Beyond the reference frame data, a suite of source data products (acoustic imagery, optical imagery, offshore video and photography, direct sampling, etc.)
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From page 57... ...
Cultural Resources Management Cultural resources along the nation's coasts and offshore areas include coastal and maritime parks, maritime preservation sites, underwater and coastal archeological sites (including Native American middens, rock art sites, excavation sites) , maritime national historic landmarks, and national monuments (including lighthouses, life-saving stations, vessels, forts, submerged and coastal shipwrecks, and submerged historic docks and launches)
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From page 58... ...
The important source data needed for the management and protection of cultural resources in the coastal zone include: · High-resolution bathymetry (both reconnaissance and site-specific DDMs) ; · Coastal topography (high resolution DEMs)
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From page 59... ...
One impetus is the need to document the geospatial framework for the wealth of living and nonliving resources within our nation's EEZ (presently defined as 200 nautical miles from our territorial baseline -- the official shoreline defined on NOAA charts)
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From page 60... ...
At least 15 federal agencies, state and local governments, the private sector, academia, and the general public are actively involved in the collection, processing, or dissemination of coastal zone data and/or products. The challenge facing the committee has been to evaluate the large volume of information provided and to determine whether there are gaps between the needs for geospatial data and the activities of those acquiring and processing data in the coastal zone (i.e., "unfulfilled needs")
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From page 61... ...
The review of agency activities also indicated apparent overlaps in the collection and processing of coastal zone geospatial data. In some cases these proved to be only "apparent" overlaps, in that some agencies had similar titles for activities that on the surface appeared to be the same but in actuality are not (e.g., the NOAA-CSC Community Vulnerability Assessment Tool used by FEMA and EPA's Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool, which despite their similar names have completely different functions)
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