Integration of National-Level Geospatial Ecological Tools and Data (2014)

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39 One of the initial project tasks was to evaluate existing tools to determine how well they met the needs of the intended end users of Eco-Plan. Tables B.1 through B.7 of this appendix present those results. For each identified need, a numeric score indicates how well the tool meets the need. A two indi- cates that the tool meets the need. A one signifies that the need is partially met. When the need is not met, the table cell is blank. The scores were then added for each category and summarized in Table B.8. The user needs are grouped into seven categories: • Access the tool • Import and export my data • View map data • Analyze data • Generate reports • Save and share information • Manage user and account settings A p p e n d i x B How Systems Address User Needs Table B.1. Access the Tool Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 100—Easily be aware (via email) of updates to the tool and the data the tool includes so that I can stay current with new features and data. 2 2 1 1 IPaC—no notifications found. NEPAssist—EPA News releases available by region, but not just for NEPAssist. ESA Webtool—“What’s New” page and BA status report is available in public-facing portion of the site. Online file cabinet e-mail folder, calendar, and task status updates provide updates on project-specific updates. 101—Choose to opt-out of email notifications about tool updates. 2 102—Filter my areas of interest (geographical areas, topics, data sets) to screen email notifications. 103—Access the site with a single click through an icon on my desktop. 2 2 2 2 2 104—Access the DOT or MPO local version of the tool so that I can collaborate in transportation decisions. 2 Only applies if a DOT or an MPO local version is available. Total for this category 6 6 2 3 3

40 Table B.2. Import and Export My Data Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 200—Import my GIS data so that I can see it in combination with other data sets. 2 2 Assumes “GIS data” means data other than the project. 201—Control whether or not, and with whom, to share my uploaded GIS data, so that I can share data sets as needed, and restrict dissemination of sensitive data to an approved list. 2 2 202—Access and import my current data so that I know transportation decisions consider the most up-to- date information about the resources I protect. 2 2 203—Select and export data layers from the tool and save them as GIS files so that I can use them with my own tools. 2 2 1 1 Partial means that data could not be directly downloaded from this appli- cation, but it had a link to the source where it could be downloaded (i.e., IPaC data available through ECOS and NEPAssist through EnviroFacts). Total for this category 8 8 1 1 0 Table B.3. View Map Data Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 300—Select my planning area so that I can restrict data I use to that area. 2 2 2 2 2 ESA Webtool—polygon drawn on maps to identify other biological assess- ments (BAs) completed within the project vicinity. 301—Change my area of interest/ planning area so that I can accommodate new information and decisions, and view informa- tion in different areas. 2 2 2 2 2 302—Import GIS coordinates or draw approximate location of my project/planning area so that I can identify high priority con- servation, preservation, and res- toration areas inside or within a specified distance from my project/plan. 2 2 2 2 2 NEPAssist—the user can also paste coordinates in the “Draw” box. 303—See my planning area on the map so that I can make decisions based on my area. 2 2 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—able to see other BAs completed within project vicinity and view documents from completed consultations. (continued on next page)

41 Table B.3. View Map Data Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 304—Have the ability to easily jump from one of my planning areas to another [the different areas that encompass the multiple projects or plans I am working on]. 1 1 1 1 1 All of the systems have map navigation tools that allow the user to move from one area of the map to another. Some have tools that allow the user to zoom to a selected feature of a layer. None have specific tools to jump from one transportation plan- ning area to another. 305—Select data layers relevant to my planning area so that I can make informed decisions. 2 2 2 2 306—Select data layers relevant to my area of interest so that I can see transportation projects planned near conservation, pres- ervation, and restoration areas that my organization is concerned about. 2 2 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—able to limit search of ongoing and completed ESA consul- tations according to geography, cov- ered species, or other keywords. 307—View map data, including transportation plans and projects that others have uploaded so that I can make decisions and approvals. 2 2 308—Use a tool (such as a layer wizard) to identify starter data sets so that I can see data that is available and how it might help me with my project. 2 2 1 1 UPlan and Data Basin have search tools that help users find data sets of interest. IPaC and NEPAssist use a table of contents to help users iden- tify available layers. 309—View information about proj- ects in the vicinity of conservation, preservation, and restoration areas that my organization is concerned about so that I can see project information and project contact information. 2 2 1 1 2 Partial means I could see my project but not other projects. 310—View information (metadata) about the data I select so that I can validate quality and currency. 2 2 1 1 2 ESA Webtool—metadata on the ongoing and completed ESA consultations. 311—View information (metadata) about the data I select so that I can identify organizations that have contributed data and may have special interest in my plan- ning area. 2 2 2 312—Be able to see the site’s prog- ress processing data/information (i.e., through an hourglass or progress bar) so that I know it is working. 2 2 2 2 Total for this category 25 25 18 20 13 (continued)

42 Table B.4. Analyze Data Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 400—Use the analytic capabilities in the tool so that I can identify high priority conservation, preserva- tion, and restoration areas. 2 2 1 2 A 2 assumes a tool is currently available in the system to support this need. IPaC—a tool that partially supports this need is available. NEPAssist (secure version) has an “Add remote service” button that allows users to add data from an existing service and use it in the analysis. 401—Use the analytic capabilities in the tool so that I can identify a transportation corridor of least ecological impact. 2 2 2 1 A 2 assumes a tool is currently available in the system to support this need. NEPAssist—a tool that partially sup- ports this need is available. 402—Use the analytic capabilities in the tool so that I can identify potential transportation projects in the vicinity of conservation, preservation, and restoration areas that my organization is con- cerned about. 2 2 2 A 2 assumes a tool is currently available in the system to support this need. 403—Use the intersection tool so that I can view the intersection of data sets for an area of interest that I define. 2 2 2 2 2 404—Configure any analysis and weighting tools so that I can define my own ecological priorities. None of these systems have a weighting tool. 405—Use a well-developed API so that I can create or customize tools. 2 1 1 1 1 Partial indicator used when API is avail- able for the GIS component, but none is explicitly documented for the rest of the site. All of the sites use standard web application develop- ment tools implying that some sort of API is available. 406—Use a scripting language tool so that I can create or customize tools. 2 1 1 1 1 Systems marked 1 do not appear to have a special scripting language tool built into the system. However, they probably all use some sort of web development tools. 407—Use a plug-in extension archi- tecture so that I can add tools. 2 2 2 2 2 All of the tools appear to be built with expansion in mind. Total for this category 14 12 9 11 6

43 Table B.5. Generate Reports Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 500—See lists and sources of available important ecological data for my proj- ect area so that I can evaluate data gaps that I may need to fill or supplement. 2 2 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—provides links to USFWS and NOAA endangered species web pages/information. 501—See information in the form of a report for my planning area so that I can compare impacts. 2 2 2 2 502—Include intuitively organized tabular and graphic/mapped report outputs so that I can easily understand my data and analysis to generate reports. 2 2 2 2 503—See information in the form of a report for my planning area so that I can make decisions and approvals. 2 2 2 2 Total for this category 8 8 8 8 1 Table B.6. Save and Share Information Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 600—Remember the last view of data so that it is displayed by default when I log back on. 601—Allow me to save a view of my data with a specific name (“My GIS Reports”) so that I can easily see my previous analysis or previous projects on specific resources. 2 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—users can create an online file cabinet to manage ESA consultation process. Current/ revised drafts of documents can be uploaded and shared with the proj- ect team within the file cabinet. 602—Allow me to share a link of any of My GIS Reports so that I can easily share that information with others. 2 2 1 2 1 Partial means that the reports can be saved and shared but not through a direct link on the system. ESA Webtool—file cabinet adminis- trators can invite other users to the file cabinet to share information and collaborate on preparation and review of consultation document. 603—Allow me to save my default view of data so that I can see my important data sets when I log on. 2 2 604—Select whether data that I import should or should not be publicly available so that I can restrict access to confidential information. 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—once a consultation is complete, the file cabinet adminis- trator can choose which docu- ments and information to be made available for public access when the project is archived. 605—Allow me to define and manage groups so that I can share data with different groups of users. 2 2 2 606—Have the ability to save multiple projects so that I can easily navi- gate among them in my portfolio. 2 2 2 2 607—Have the ability to “Save As” so that I can copy a project to start a new one. 608—Allow me to see the dates my data sets were last updated. 2 2 2 2 2 All systems have metadata where this information is available. Total for this category 14 14 3 8 9

44 Table B.7. Manage User and Account Settings Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Reviewer Comment 700—Reset my password on my own so I don’t need to wait for anyone. 2 2 2 IPaC and NEPAssist—applies to public- facing versions, which do not have user accounts. 701—Receive technical support when I need it so that using the tool does not slow down my work. 2 2 2 2 2 “When I need it” interpreted to mean normal working hours, not 24/7. 702—Create user accounts so that people can access the tool with appropriate read/write access to the appropriate data. 2 2 2 2 IPaC—applies to public-facing versions, which do not have user accounts. 703—Update read/write access on existing user accounts so that appropriate access can be assigned if the user’s role changes. 2 2 2 2 IPaC—applies to public-facing versions, which do not have user accounts. 704—Delete obsolete user accounts so that the system doesn’t keep trying to send notifications to invalid email addresses and peo- ple who are no longer authorized cannot access the tool. 2 2 2 2 IPaC—applies to public-facing versions, which do not have user accounts. 705—Update user account informa- tion and reset passwords. 2 2 2 2 IPaC—applies to public-facing versions, which do not have user accounts. 706—Compose notifications to users to keep them informed about new features and system maintenance windows, including notification on the tool itself and by email for those users who have subscribed to notifications. 1 2 1 IPaC and NEPAssist—apply to public- facing versions, which do not have user accounts. ESA Webtool—“What’s New” section is used to provide updates to users. 707—View and respond to feed- back on the tool entered by users via on-line feedback functions. 2 2 2 2 1 ESA Webtool—direct contacts (e-mail, phone) for technical support and ESA consultation guidance provided. 708—View statistics on specific pages or functions in the tool to monitor how frequently it is being used. ? ? ? ? ? ?—none documented, but system manager could be using diagnostic tools. 709—View system logs to assist with troubleshooting problems. ? ? ? ? ? ?—none documented, but system manager could be using diagnostic tools. 710—Upload new GIS data sets to make sure the system is always up to date. 2 2 1 2 1 Partial means that the data owner makes new GIS data available and keeps it up to date, and the applica- tion accesses the current data through web services or central repository. Total for this category 17 18 5 14 15

45 Table B.8. Summary Need UPlan Data Basin IPaC NEPAssist ESA Webtool Access the tool 6 6 2 3 3 Import and export my data 8 8 1 1 0 View map data 25 25 17 21 12 Analyze data 14 12 9 11 6 Generate reports 8 8 8 8 1 Save and share information 14 14 3 8 9 Manage user and account settings 17 18 5 14 15 Overall Total 92 91 45 66 46