Abstract
GIS-Based Areawide Cumulative Effects Assessment Track: Environmental Management Author(s): Lynn Johnson The areawide cumulative effects assessment (ACEA) project was designed to identify the cumulative impacts on the environment which result from the incremental impacts of multiple transportation and other projects, and related urbanization in the Denver metropolitan region. To identify and characterize critical resources we held seven workshops with agency and other NEPA professionals which addressed CEA procedures in the various domains including land use change, habitat and threatened and endangered species, water resources, and community impacts (including environmental justice). Then we designed and implemented a demonstration project focusing on land use change, habitat and water quality. GIS and remote sensing tools were demonstrated to provide the means for data and models integration, thus providing a technical foundation for characterizing environmental effects. Based on project results, we argue that the GIS-based ACEA is feasible and will provide valuable support to both project-specific assessment of cumulative impacts and regional transportation planning. Lynn Johnson University of Colorado, Denver Civil Engineering (CB113) 1200 Larimer St., PO Box 173364 Denver , CO 80217-3364 US Phone: 303-556-2372 Fax: 303-556-2368 E-mail: Lynn.Johnson@cudenver.edu |
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