Blog Post 4

I found out how to change the coordinate system for the pipeline and enva justice areas. I just exported the files to a separate layer and then defined and projected the coordinate system to the one I'm using. Now I can go ahead with the spatial analysis portion of my project. I also clipped all of my layers and only kept the data for 10 counties (Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Ulster, Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester). I'm debating on clipping out a few more counties, but at least now it's starting to look more like the finished product.

Next up I will start the spatial analysis and also add labels. I'll add a picture of my map on the next blog post, and you guys can give me feedback. I also will write up the intro for my poster this week.

Blog Post 3

Adding Data and Focusing on Locations

I took all of your advice and added the potential environmental justice areas to my map! The pipeline does run either right through or near some environmental justice locations. One thing I found interesting is that the pipeline is proposed to pass through a potential enva justice area at its start in Albany. Also, the pipeline is proposed to branch off at two spots in southern NY and carry oil to two separate oil terminals. One of these terminals is located right next to a potential environmental justice site. This is important to note, as those who live in environmental justice areas usually have little or no say in decisions because of their social and/or economic background.

Before I can do any spatial analyses though, I have to make sure my pipeline and enva justice areas are in the right coordinate system.  I currently am not sure if the layers are automatically put in the correct coordinate system, because both layers had to be converted from a KML file to a layer. I tried going into the properties but had no luck, so I'll ask Professor Geis about it in class. Also, I'm having trouble trying to figure out how I want to present my map. I need to zoom in a decent amount to see certain details from layers (ex. streams, small polygons), but I don't have enough poster space to insert many maps. Instead of creating multiple maps zoomed in very closely, I was thinking maybe I should have a map of the whole pipeline, and then maybe 2-3 other maps that focus on areas of importance (ex. beginning in Albany, oil terminal in southern NY)? Do you guys have any suggestions? Also, thanks for the suggestion!

Here's an unclipped picture of the potential environmental justice areas.

Blog Post 2 - Finding and Projecting Data

Gathering data and creating the map.

I have gathered data from the NYS GIS Clearinghouse website and projected the data in the same coordinate system. Fortunately, I found the projected pipeline route online and was able to convert the KML file to a layer so I could use it for my map. Before, I was planning on georeferencing a picture of the proposed route and projecting it onto my map. The NYS lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds shapefile contained water-bodies with classifications varying from AA to D, so I only selected AA and A classified water-bodies and projected that layer. So far, I have all the layers projected on the map and have been playing around with them. I am thinking of putting a few different maps on my final poster with different layers activated for each one.

All the layers are activated for this picture

(cities, counties, watersheds, water-bodies, locations of rare animal, plant, and ecological communities)

Next I plan to go county by county and examine where the pipeline intersects various watersheds, bodies of water, and rare wildlife locations. Luckily, the data were readily available and I did not experience any roadblocks, so I am a little ahead of schedule.

Project Proposal

Justin Rappold
GIS Environmental Applications
Dr. Meierdiercks

Justin Rappold

GIS Environmental Applications

Dr. Meierdiercks

Introduction

The Pilgrim Pipeline is a proposed two way parallel pipeline that is supposed to run from Albany, New York to Linden, New Jersey. Its purpose is to transport Bakken shale oil south to the refineries located in NJ, and refined products north to Albany. If completed, the need to use oil barges on the Hudson River will be eliminated. There has been support and opposition to the pipeline. Those who oppose the pipeline cite that it will have negative impacts on environmental and public health (https://stoppilgrimpipeline.com). On the other hand, those who support the pipeline believe that it will be economically safer than using barges, as barges are at risk of damage during sever weather events (http://pilgrimpipeline.com/project-description/). It is important to map the watersheds, waterbodies, and locations of rare species and communities that the pipeline runs through/near to fully understand the effects it can have. Currently there is a GIS map of similar layers for New Jersey, but one does not exist for New York.

Objectives
-Create a map of the different counties in New York that the pipeline runs through
-Display which watersheds and bodies of water it runs through/near
-Display which areas it runs through where rare species and ecological communities are present

Methodology

I will first georeference the pipeline on ArcGIS, since the pipeline is only in the proposal stage. Then, I will add in a watershed layer from the Class A and AA watershed shapefile found on the NYS GIS Clearinghouse website (gis.ny.gov). A and AA classes are reserved for the most pristine and protected watersheds, so knowledge of whether the pipeline runs through such watersheds is important. The same will be done for streams in NYS. I will download and add a shapefile of New York's lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds, and create a layer of all the A and AA classified bodies of water (gis.ny.gov). I will also add three layers to show rare animal, plant, and ecological community locations. The shapefile containing all three layers will be downloaded from the NYS GIS Clearinghouse website (gis.ny.gov). In addition, I will conduct a spatial analysis and report how many bodies of water the pipeline will cross.

Deliverables

This project will provide the residents of NYS a comprehensive map that shows the projected route of the pipeline in relation to their water supplies and important, rare areas. This map may be able to help answer any questions New Yorkers have about the potential environmental impacts of the pipeline.

Data Sources
-ArcGis
-Gis.ny.gov (Water Quality Classifications - NYS, A and AAs Classified Watersheds in New York State, Natural Heritage Important Areas - NYNHP)

Work Plan

10/4     Draft the GIS project proposal.
10/11   Revise the GIS project proposal, collect data to use for the map.
10/18   Begin working on map (add georeferenced pictures), find any other data that may be
            missing.
10/25   Add stream and rivers layers.
11/1     Make sure all data is represented, start cleaning up the map and making it presentable.
11/8     Begin introduction for poster, adjust labels and colors accordingly.
11/15   Work on works-in-progress presentation.
11/22   Start writing methodology, objectives, conclusion, etc.
11/29   Rearrange the poster.
12/6     Finalize the project poster.
12/12   Present the poster.