Abstract

Cumulative Effects Assessment Toolbox: Using Model Builder for Standard Geoprocessing
Track: Analysis and Geoprocessing
Authors: Ty Summerville, Jayson Hudson

The Cumulative Effects Assessment toolbox is a custom ArcGIS toolbox created with Model Builder for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District's Regulatory Branch to assist the permit review process of direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impact analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The goals of this pilot project, focused on Galveston Island, Texas, were to collect all input data and develop an ArcGIS desktop tool that can be used and maintained by novice GIS users. The simple solution allows users to apply standard methods and tools when reviewing permit applications. Prior to this solution, the Regulatory Branch operated without standardized geospatial methods and tools when reviewing permit applications which resulted in frequent inconsistency issues. This pilot project marks the beginning of an effort by the Galveston District to develop best practices for the analysis of environmental impacts of proposed permit applications using standard geospatial methodologies.