Navy Range GIS:
Integrating Range Operations and Environmental Management

Abstract

GIS technology has long offered time and cost saving benefits to Department of Defense (DoD) organizations for applications including base mapping, base operations, terrain analysis and navigation. Recently, GIS technology has been expanded to integrate Range Operations with Environmental Management at several DoD installations. Costly environmental documentation such as range Environmental Assessments have sparked the realization in DoD personnel that fast, easy access to comprehensive compilations of on-line data are crucial to preparing NEPA documentation, as well as providing information to the public regarding military operations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Range GIS applications and demonstrate the benefits that GIS affords personnel at DoD installations for locating, recording, maintaining, analyzing, and transporting range and environmental data. Examples will be drawn from two recent Navy case studies: “The Point Mugu Sea Range GIS” and “Navy-proposed Special Use Airspace”.

Introduction

The benefits of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology have been enjoyed by civilian and military workers throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) for many years, and the list of applications and the benefits continues to grow. Historically, DoD GIS applications have been popular with Natural Resources, Public Works and Environmental Affairs divisions and have demonstrated benefits such as increased job productivity, lessened project costs, and improved information access and management. But these divisions certainly aren’t the only ones taking advantage of GIS technology. Today, the enormous list of GIS applications includes those for Range Operations at several Navy installations. More specifically, GIS technology has proven its value as a tool to integrate Range Operations with Environmental Management.

GIS can no longer be thought of as only an “environmentalist’s” tool, and DoD Range Operations divisions should no longer be satisfied with having only “display systems” to accomplish their daily tasks. Furthermore, Range Operations and Environmental Management personnel are now using GIS as a tool to improve knowledge of each others missions. This paper discusses the applications and benefits of GIS technology as they are applied by Navy Range Operations divisions and integrated with environmental management. Two recent case studies are examined for the demonstrable benefits provided by GIS. GIS gives the Navy a tool that allows for easy access to, storage of, and maintenance of comprehensive geo-referenced information; more effective planning, management and analysis methods; and better transportation of range and environmental data within and between divisions and to the public.

GIS for Navy Ranges: Applications and Benefits

With GIS applications, the Navy can look forward to comprehensive compilations of on-line inter- and intra- departmental spatial and tabular geo-referenced data that offer many benefits. At several installations, GIS has been applied to planning, management, analysis and presentation applications. Through these applications users may observe benefits such as reduced test planning and constraints analysis time, hard-copy map use, and documentation preparation time. They can also enjoy increased information access, more flexible analysis tools for performing calculations and contingency scenarios, and easier information sharing capabilities. The following table best summarizes these applications and benefits:

Figure 1. Navy Range GIS Applications and Benefits
Applications	Benefits
Planning	Comprehensive source of data for research use Easy scenario lay-outs and modifications Lessens planning time Multiple aspects of planning done with one system Increased precision
Range Management	Lessens and eases document preparation efforts More effective management practices Easy access to more data Integration with Environmental Management Comprehensive source for recording, finding, maintaining, and transporting data User-friendly system and data Supports mapping of environmental constraints
Analysis Tasks	Adds visual analysis tool Supports cumulative effects analysis Perform calculations more efficiently Ask/answer what-if questions more efficiently Easily plot project-specific areas, routes, etc.
Presentation / Briefing Materials	Better custom map production capabilities More visual presentation More effective discussions with customers More effectively inform the public/respond to questions
Environmental Planning / Management	Easier NEPA documentation preparation Better environmental constraints analysis Supports mapping and management of high-value environmental areas

One of the goals of a Range GIS implementation project is to make crucial information involving both Range and Environmental elements available to test planners and managers. With range environment data at their fingertips, these personnel can plan events, test scenarios or other operations and make well-informed decisions wisely in the initial stages of planning. For example, areas of the Range can be examined using GIS techniques so that test areas can be chosen more carefully to ensure that required NEPA documentation is no more lengthy or costly than necessary. Range planners can save time and frustration by choosing areas with little or no environmental sensitivity, if possible, for required operations. Range GIS data layers can be developed to represent pre-defined test areas of little or no environmental sensitivity (areas previously disturbed), and areas of high environmental sensitivity (such as known locations of threatened and/or endangered species). When using these data layers with others in planning an event, areas to be avoided are apparent immediately. Tabular data may also be linked to spatial data features to provide the planners/managers with even more valuable decision-making information. For example, the tabular data associated with the pre-defined test areas might include historic uses of the area, current conditions there, or even the name of an image or photo of the area that can be displayed within the GIS. The GIS can be used to overlay other coverages for examining soil types, vegetation, and/or instrumentation found at a particular site of interest. The benefits are seen in lessened planning time, ease of effort when discussing/informing the customer, possible avoidance of NEPA documentation, and the potential minimization of environmental impacts associated with testing. Should NEPA documentation be required, GIS analysis techniques can again be used in preparation for data interpretation, what-if scenarios, and map production--this is discussed in Case Study 2 later in the paper.

The following two case studies demonstrate how some of the previously identified GIS benefits are achieved in different ways. The first case includes a broad description of the Point Mugu Sea Range GIS (its applications and benefits). The second case provides a concise look at how GIS was successfully applied to the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for a Navy-proposed Special Use Airspace.

Case 1: The Point Mugu Sea Range GIS

Background

At the Point Mugu military installation in Ventura County, California, the Land, Sea, Airspace and Environmental Management Office (LSAEMO) of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division was among the first to envision the benefits that GIS technology could offer to the integration of the base’s Sea Range Operations and Environmental Management. Over 36,000 square miles of Pacific Ocean area make up the Point Mugu Sea Range--the DoD’s largest and most heavily instrumented sea/air range. When the Sea Range GIS Requirements Analysis process was undertaken by SRS Technologies and Esri GIS specialists last year, it was clear that the concept of GIS was not foreign to Point Mugu employees within the Environmental Division. A recent NAWS effort included developing environmental data layers for land features at Point Mugu and San Nicolas Island. However, Range Operations needed a system that contained the NAWS data layers as well as features for the Sea Range area, controlled airspace, Range-related facilities, target complex/sites, instrumentation locations and historical operations data. Specifically, the following key applications were identified (Sea Range Data Analysis Report-Draft, 1995):

Planning
Range Management
Analysis Tasks
Presentation/Briefing Materials
Environmental Planning/Management

At the time of the requirements analysis, the source data needed to provide the backbone for such GIS applications existed in a wide variety of places and formats. The appropriate source data needed to be located, collected and compiled into one comprehensive Sea Range GIS (Please refer to Appendix A for further information regarding Source Data). Several issues were encountered throughout this development process, two of which are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Sensitive Environmental Data.

Several of the environmental data layers prepared by NAWS are highly sensitive, yet range personnel need to have an understanding of environmental concerns and potential problems as they conduct their planning. To address this problem, only general locations and information were provided as part of the GIS for use by Range Operations personnel.

Source Data Complexities.

Source data collection for the Sea Range information was somewhat complex. GIS source data, collected from various sections of Range Operations and external agencies was in a plethora of formats. Each had to be closely examined for datum, projection and/or coordinate system information. Data that spanned the extent of the 36,000 square mile Sea Range was usually found to have been recorded originally by field data gatherers using the WGS-84 spheroid and Degrees-Minutes-Seconds (DMS) measurements of latitude and longitude. On the other hand, land feature data for the Point Mugu Main Base and San Nicolas Island sites were often found in California State Plane Coordinate Systems. To add to the list of coordinate systems, it was quickly discovered that many of the areas to be displayed and/or plotted had such an extent that the UTM coordinate system seemed most appropriate. All of this information had to be kept in mind when generating and compiling data layers in ArcInfo.

GIS Offers Benefits to Sea Range Operations

GIS benefits for the Range will be discussed in this section by: 1) addressing the two issues previously mentioned; 2) examining how GIS can be used to plan an event at the Sea Range; and 3) examining how GIS was used in preparing a Range Management Plan and how it may be used in preparing NEPA documentation.

The Point Mugu Sea Range GIS provides the capabilities for including sensitive data in an application by inputting the source data in a very general form. These areas have associated attribute data that identifies the sensitive nature of the data and where to go/what to do if more specific information is required. This compromise demonstrates the integration of Range Operations and Environmental Management using GIS.

To lessen the possible confusion resulting from the different projections needed for displaying certain areas of the Sea Range, built-in ArcView functionality was used. Once the ArcInfo data is imported into an ArcView project, views can be established for certain features according to the extent of their areas. The diagram shown in Figure 2 illustrates how this was accomplished for the Sea Range GIS. This solution provides for a more tailored, user-friendly working atmosphere than referencing many maps with different projections and/or coordinate systems.

Figure 2. Projecting Areas of the
Point Mugu Sea Range

Geographic Projection of the Point Mugu Sea Range	Universal Transverse Mercator Projection of the Channel Islands Area (UTM Zone 11)	Lambert Conformal Conic Projection of the Point Mugu Main Base (CA SPCS Zone 5)

The Sea Range GIS was assembled with the following goal: Develop a comprehensive compilation of geo-referenced spatial and tabular range and environmental data to benefit Range Operations personnel for the benefit of the installation as a whole. As such, the following key data layers were collected and assembled using workstation ArcInfo:

Figure 3. Key Sea Range GIS Data Layers
Base Infrastructure (Office Buildings, Airfield Facilities, Road Network) Instrumentation Sites Air and Sea Surveillance Radar Coverage Sea Range Boundaries Special Use Airspace (Warning Areas & Restricted Airspace) Low Level Routes Traffic Corridors Underwater Areas Data Communication Links Sunken Ships Target Recovery Areas Bathymetry Endangered Species Sites Wildlife Closed Access Areas/Marine Mammal and Bird Breeding Areas Marine Mammal Migration Patterns Marine Mammal Distribution Archaeologically Sensitive Areas (general areas)

The need for assembling these layers into the GIS is justified in the following example of planning for a test at the Sea Range.

Range personnel have realized that automated planning is crucial in preparing for uses of the Sea Range and that Range capability in this area is instrumental in maintaining a large customer base. In many cases, NEPA documentation may be required before an event occurs and always, a detailed plan must be laid out. Historically, these planning and documentation preparation tasks could be research as well as pencil-and-paper intensive. For example, to plan for an event at the Sea Range, the several tasks may be undertaken by a team of Range planners. They can use GIS data layers to improve the overall planning process as shown in the following figure:

Figure 4. Integrated Test Planning at the Point Mugu Sea Range Using GIS
Tasks	Relevant GIS Data Layers	Status
1. IDENTIFY THE TEST AREA AND NECESSARY FACILITIES
Locate areas to be used/check scheduled tests	Sea Range (Sub-Range) Boundaries, Special Use Airspace, Traffic Corridors
Locate Hangar and/or Office space as necessary	General Infrastructure (Office Buildings, Airfield Facilities, Road Network, etc.)
Identify necessary instrumentation and verify their extent of operation	Instrumentation Sites, Surveillance Radar Coverage, Data Communications
2. PLAN THE TEST SCENARIO
Plot flight/ship/submarine paths	Flight Paths, Traffic Corridors
Plot target paths	Target Paths (generated case-by-case)
3. ANALYZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING	Endangered Species Sites, Wildlife Closed Access Areas, Marine Mammal Distribution and Migration Patterns, Archaeologically Sensitive Areas
4. PLAN FOR TARGET RECOVERY	Bathymetry, Underwater Areas, Target Recovery Areas
5. PRESENT PRELIMINARY PLANS TO CUSTOMERS--ANALYZE, DISCUSS, MODIFY	All data layers
6. POST-EVENT ARCHIVE	Sea Range Boundaries, Target Recovery Areas, Sunken Ships

Another of the many benefits demonstrated by the Sea Range GIS was its effectiveness as a tool in supporting the development of an accurate Range Management Plan for the base (Pt. Mugu Range Management Plan-Draft, 1995). GIS was used in this capacity to provide geographic data for inclusion in the document’s text (area and distance calculations, analysis tasks) as well as for the preparation of several custom map inserts. The Range Management Plan also functions, as the predecessor of an upcoming Environmental Impact Statement, to integrate Range Operations and Environmental Management. The GIS will continue to prove its invaluable worth in preparing the upcoming EIS as well as individual follow-on NEPA documentation for the Sea Range.

The Future of GIS at Point Mugu

Currently, the LSAEM Office (liason between Range and Environmental planners) uses ArcView on standalone computers. Ideally, a base-wide, networked GIS will be implemented vice standalone ArcView and/or ArcInfo stations being used and maintained separately by different offices. In the vision of the Project Officer, Capt. James Lewis, the following is an optimal GIS implementation plan:

Figure 5. Point Mugu GIS Configuration (Navy Range Experience with NEPA Compliance, 1995)

By allowing for the transporting of data across a base-wide network, the benefits of GIS can be enjoyed by all.

Case 2: Preparing an Environmental Assessment for Navy-Proposed Special Use Airspace

When the Navy proposed a new Special Use Airspace area off the coast of the Port Hueneme Naval Complex, GIS technology proved to offer both time and cost saving benefits in preparing environmental documentation and conducting environmental analyses. GIS was also used to prepare excellent presentations that proved very effective in educating and informing the public. The preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) was required as part of the proposal process; however, Port Hueneme did not initially have a GIS capability. Fortunately, much of the spatial and tabular data required for implementing a GIS already existed in digital form as part of the Point Mugu Sea Range GIS. The proposed Military Operation Area (MOA) is adjacent to the Sea Range as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Vicinity of the Proposed Military Operation Area (SWEF EA, 1995)

With contractor support, all relevant data was quickly located and assembled into ArcInfo GIS data layers. Once the layers had been compiled and verified for sufficient accuracy, GIS was used to perform a variety of analyses. Specifically, GIS was used to perform the following key tasks required for preparing the EA and responding to public concern regarding the proposal:

Plot the Proposed MOA and determine proximity to the Surface Warfare Engineering Facility (SWEF)
Calculate areas: MOA, MOA/Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary overlap
Calculate distances: from residential areas and beaches to the proposed MOA
Plot Sound Exposure Levels for different flight paths and evaluate those levels at residential areas (Figure 7)
Plot areas of reported bird-aircraft collisions
Plot flight paths based on turn radii of aircraft to be flown in the proposed MOA
Perform what if scenarios:
What if the Proposed MOA was moved further away from the coast?
What if the size of the MOA is decreased?
Prepare large-scale maps to assist in informing the public and addressing concerns

Figure 7. LearJet Sound Exposure Levels for a 350° Approach (SWEF EA, 1995)

In this application, GIS allowed the Navy to more closely examine the proposed area, more quickly display and analyze all spatial information, and more easily and efficiently address public concerns. Had a GIS not been implemented for this project, a considerable amount of time (and money) would have been spent using different hard-copy maps to try to pull together all of the necessary information accurately onto one hand-drawn or sketched map. Traditional pencil-and-paper methods for plotting areas and flight paths, determining proximities to existing features, performing what-if scenarios, making calculations, and preparing colorful map presentation products would certainly have been far less efficient and effective than modern GIS methods.

Conclusion

With GIS applications, the Navy can look forward to comprehensive compilations of on-line inter- and intra- departmental spatial and tabular geo-referenced data that benefit all divisions within an installation for the good of all base operations. These benefits may be summed up as providing easier, faster, better, cheaper, and more information. The result is more knowledgeable civilian and military workers; the benefits are also extended to their customers and to the public. As a result of implementing GIS technology, the Point Mugu Sea Range can look forward to offering a more cost-effective, environmentally sensitive, and organized test arena for its customers. The Port Hueneme complex can look forward to an easier time keeping the public informed and a quicker NEPA process.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to acknowledge Mr. Jeff Ballow, Head of the Land, Sea, Airspace and Environmental Management Office, Pacific Ranges and Facilities Department, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, for his Point Mugu Sea Range GIS vision and direction, and Mr. Pete Becker, Program Manager, Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, for his support and enthusiasm in applying GIS technology to the SWEF Environmental Assessment.

The author also wishes to acknowledge the following SRS Technologies personnel for their contributions: Mr. Erik Larsen, whose HTML and GIS support were instrumental in formatting this paper for publication and developing the GIS data layers for the applications mentioned; Mr. Ed Cherian and Mr. Rick Wirsing for their Range Operations and Environmental Assessment expertise, respectively; and Dr. R.G. Head, Vice President, Environmental Services, for his continual encouragement and support.

APPENDIX A: Sources of Data

In general, it often seems somewhat difficult to obtain digital data for a DoD installation. USGS 7.5’ series DLGs offer an easy start for assembling some basic GIS data layers, but often the 1:24,000 scale is too small for getting accurate enough information for a relatively small area, as many bases cover. Aside from being small-scale, DLGs are not available for all quadrangles, and the ones that are may be too outdated. Although state and local government agencies are quickly advancing in their GIS capabilities, many of them stop gathering GIS data at DoD installation boundaries. The Defense Mapping Agency is often a good source for finding mapped information for DoD installations, but the base’s Public Works Office may be the best choice. Public Works personnel quite often maintain detailed, large-scale, up-to-date spatial information for their installation in CAD packages such as AutoCAD. AutoCAD .DWG and/or .DXF files are usually quickly and easily converted into ArcInfo format (there are some things to watch out for, such as shaded AutoCAD polygons).

Source Data for the Point Mugu Sea Range GIS

Basic land features (general infrastructure) for the land areas had already been converted from AutoCad to ArcInfo format by NAWS, EPO. However, much of the data for the Sea Range was only available in the form of lists of coordinate locations from which ArcInfo coverages were generated automatically.

Special Use Airspace: AP/1A

Sea Range Boundaries

Instrumentation Sites

Marine Mammal Species Distribution

Sunken Ships

Several layers were generated automatically as “buffers” in ArcInfo:

HERO, HERP, HERP

Radar Coverage

Coastal and Contiguous Territory Zones

National Park and National Marine Sanctuary Boundaries

ESQD

The base already had ArcInfo data prepared by the Public Works departments for its main facilities and general infrastructure on the Point Mugu Main Base and San Nicolas Island.

Source Data for Port Hueneme GIS Data Layers

Gathering source data for the Port Hueneme Environmental Assessment analysis required only a minimal amount of time and cost. Only essential data were compiled into GIS data layers and much data was already available in the Point Mugu Sea Range GIS. The Ventura County Office of Mapping provided map information that was sufficient for generating GIS layers representing the coastline, the base boundaries, the city of Port Hueneme, nearby residential areas, beaches, and schools. Additional data was entered as coordinates and coverages were generated automatically by ArcInfo.

References

NAWCWPNS Point Mugu Sea Range Data Analysis Report, Draft, SRS Technologies, 31 August 1995.

NAWCWPNS Point Mugu Range Management Plan, Draft, SRS Technologies, November 1995.

Port Hueneme Complex, SWEF Environmental Assessment, SRS Technologies, 1995.

Navy Range Experience with NEPA Compliance, Captain James C. Lewis, 24 May 1995.

Author Information

Ms. Stefanie L. Hughes

GIS Specialist
SRS Technologies, Washington Operations Division
Environmental Services
1401 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22209
Telephone: (703) 522-5588
Fax: (703) 522-2891
E-mail: shughes@wod.srs.com

Navy Range GIS: Integrating Range Operations and Environmental Management

Navy Range GIS:
Integrating Range Operations and Environmental Management