Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Transcription

1 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Superfund and Emergency Response Section Remediation Division Guidance for Collection of Spatial Data 1.0 Purpose This document describes the standards and procedures for collecting and submitting spatial data by regulated parties involved in active remediation projects administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Superfund and Emergency Response Section (Superfund Section). These programs include the Superfund Program, the RCRA Corrective Action Program, the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Program, the MPCA Site Assessment Program (Site Assessment), and Emergency Response. These requirements apply to both existing and new sites administered by or enrolled in these programs. The spatial data that are collected will be used by MPCA staff to facilitate site reviews, by the MPCA Outcomes Division as a component of the Environmental Data Access (EDA) program, as a fulfillment of the MPCA s spatial data policy and in partial fulfillment of EPA reporting requirements. 2.0 Spatial Data Requirements 2.1 Which locations must be reported? The two main types of spatial data to be collected are 1) Site Location Data; and 2) Feature Location Data. The Site Location Data point represents the location of the entire site or facility. One set of coordinates is required for each site. The Site Location Data point may represent one of the following: the center of the parcel/site, the main/front entrance, or the front gate/main entrance. It is the MPCA Superfund Section s policy that all site features for which samples or data are collected (i.e. analytical data, hydrologic data, etc.) must have a Feature Location Data point collected and provided to the MPCA. A Feature Location Data point reflects a particular site feature such as a soil boring, monitoring well, or test pit. If a Feature Location data point has multiple samples or multimedia samples collected from that location only one location coordinate need be reported for that Feature Location Data point if these samples have identical spatial coordinates (i.e. xy or latitude and longitude). Although these requirements are intended to apply to currently active sites and new feature locations, in some situations MPCA staff may request Feature Location Data for previous site investigations if the spatial data was collected or may be easily collected during the course of additional site investigations. 2.2 What is the required accuracy for the coordinates? The minimum requirement for positional accuracy is coordinate data that are within a maximum of 10 meters of their intended location. In some situations, MPCA staff may require greater Updated January 2008

2 accuracy for some feature locations in order to complete site reviews and provide approvals of work plans, response action plans, and implementation reports. In most cases, accuracy greater than 10 meters can be achieved with the use of modern handheld Global Position System (GPS) receivers. 2.3 Which coordinate systems may be used? Spatial data may be collected and reported in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection (Projected Coordinate System) coordinates or as latitude and longitude (Geographic Coordinate System). Both types of data may be obtained using a handheld GPS receiver. Projected Coordinate System - Data may be reported as projected coordinates using the UTM coordinate system. Minnesota County coordinates, also projected coordinates, will not be accepted. For UTM projected data, the datum used must be the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83), and the measurement units must be in meters. Minnesota lies within three UTM zones, although most of the state lies within one zone, Zone 15. It is common practice to extend Zone 15 to include areas of the state located in the other two zones, Zones 14 and 16. This expanded zone is referred to as Zone 15 extended (15 Extended). The standard coordinate system used by Minnesota state agencies is UTM Zone 15 Extended, NAD83. Geographic Coordinate System The latitude and longitude coordinate system is based on the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). WGS84 is an earth-centered datum and geographic coordinate system. All devices receiving signals from GPS satellites receive data in WGS84 format. 2.4 How should the coordinate data be reported? All spatial location data should be submitted electronically and as an appendix in the appropriate report using the Spatial Data Reporting Spreadsheet (Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet). The most current Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet can be downloaded from the following MPCA web page: The Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet contains a data entry worksheet template and two additional worksheets that provide general instructions on how to use the spreadsheet and a dictionary or explanation of terms. After spatial data are entered into the spreadsheet, the data can be displayed in a format suitable for printing paper reports for submittal by following the instructions provided on the spreadsheet. For sites currently under investigation, the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet should be submitted electronically via to the assigned project staff as soon as the coordinate data are available and have undergone any required quality control review and have been entered into the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet. The spatial data reporting forms that may be printed using this spreadsheet should also be included in the appropriate report that first presents the data pertaining to the locations as an appendix. As additional locations and spatial data are collected it is only necessary to submit the new spatial data. For sites enrolled in the VIC Program, the Site Location coordinate should be provided with the completed VIC Application either using the table provided within the VIC Application or through the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet. If investigation activities have already been conducted at the time a VIC application is submitted, both the Site Location and Feature Location coordinates for 2

3 locations presented in the submitted reports should be provided at the time that the VIC application is submitted. 3.0 Collection Methods 3.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) Since the termination of Selective Availability (SA), an intentional degradation of GPS signals, civilian-grade GPS receivers provide significantly more accurate data than they did prior to SA termination in May Recently purchased, as well as older receivers can now obtain a horizontal accuracy of 10 meters or less in an unobstructed horizon without any corrections. Some receivers also allow data to be viewed in the representative geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) as well as projected coordinates (e.g. UTM). The positional accuracy of GPS data today is better than what has historically been obtained using paper map interpolation from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute series maps. 3.2 Interpolation From large-scale maps What is considered a large-scale map? An alternative method to GPS collection is to derive, or interpolate, coordinates from a large scale mapping product such as USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs), a computer generated image with corrections made for relief displacement meeting National Map Accuracy Standards at a 1:12,000 scale for 3.75-minute quarter quadrangles. These 1-meter resolution, black and white images are typically used as base layers for geographic information system (GIS) applications. They combine the accuracy of a 1:12,000 scale map with the visual qualities of a 1- meter resolution image. DOQs allow accurate coordinate collection once a site has been located within the image. The aerial photographs used for most DOQs in Minnesota were flown in the early 1990s. Under the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), the entire state was flown in the summer of 2003 to produce digital color orthophotos at 1-meter resolution. These data sets are comparable to USGS DOQs with the added benefits of being more up to date and in color. Other publically available internet-based spatial data programs such as Google Earth can be used to obtain spatial coordinates in latitude and longitude decimal degrees and some versions provide display of UTM coordinates. How do I get access to these mapping products? Each of the products mentioned above can be downloaded for free from more than one source and viewed using a GIS application. They can also be viewed on several GIS-based web viewers that allow online coordinate collection. GIS software may be helpful, however is not required to utilize these resources for coordinate collection. See Useful Links below for more detail regarding online access to GIS tools. 4.0 Spatial Data Reporting Spreadsheet Definitions This section describes the individual fields in the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet. The spatial data requirements are facilitated by completing and submitting the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet located on the MPCA web site at In using the Spatial Spreadsheet it is important to understand that there are three main data entry components to be provided: 1) Site background information including remediation program and 3

4 site name and number; 2) Site Location Data and 3) Site Feature Location Data. The Site background information must always be entered. Enter Site Location Data only in Part 2 of the form and Site Feature Location Data in Part 3 of the Spatial Spreadsheet. Once Site Location Data have been provided to the MPCA this portion of the spreadsheet does not need to be completed when submitting additional Site Feature Data unless for some reason a change in the Site Location Data coordinate (due to change in Site dimensions or correction) needs to be reported. 4.1 Spatial data definitions for required fields Remediation Program: Enter the appropriate lead MPCA remediation program for the site, VIC, Superfund, RCRA, Site Assessment or Emergency Response. MPCA Program ID Number: Provide the MPCA site project identification number. This field may be blank if the spatial information is being submitted for a new site that has yet to be assigned to MPCA staff or if the site number is unknown. If being submitted with a VIC application this field will likely be blank. The MPCA will assign a site number (i.e. VIC project number, Superfund project number, etc.) when the application is processed and this number should be used on subsequent data submittals for this site. Site Name: Enter the MPCA site name assigned by the MPCA. If this form is submitted for a new site, leave the field blank. Site Location Point Description: This is one point to indicate the location for the entire site. Choose one of the following three point options to describe the site location: center of site/parcel, main/front door, or front gate/main entrance. Longitude or Easting (X) and Latitude or Northing (Y): These two fields will contain the coordinates for either the Site Location or Site Feature Location. a) UTM Easting and Northing: Projected coordinates must be reported in meters, using North American Datum (NAD) 83 and Zone 15 Extended. The range of coordinates for Minnesota is UTM X 180, ,000 and Y 4,800,000-5,500,000. b) Latitude and Longitude - Geographic coordinates will only be accepted in decimal degrees (dd.dddddd) and the values should be reported using at least six decimal places. The range for Minnesota coordinate in decimal degrees is approximately: Latitude to and Longitude to Collection Method: This should be either by GPS or by electronic map interpolation in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Map interpolation from paper USGS 7.5-minute series quadrangles will not be accepted. GPS Survey Quality Sub-meter resolution GPS GPS Receiver Recreational/Over the counter GPS equipment Interpolation Digital Orthoquad (DOQ) (aerial photo) Collection Date: Date which coordinates were obtained. This is not necessarily the date when the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet was completed. Organization Name: The name of the firm, government agency, contractor etc. that is submitting the data. 4

5 Organization Type: The type of organization submitting the spatial data. The list choices in the submittal form are: City Government Office, County Government Office, State Government Office, Consultant, Contractor, Developer, Indian Tribe, Voluntary/Responsible Party, Other. Station Type: The type of station for which a Feature Location Data point is being provided. Select choice from drop down list: Well, SVE Well, Boring, Piezometer, Surface Sample, Test Pit Sample, Test Trench Sample, Surface Water Sample, Sediment Sample, Soil Gas Sample, Sidewall Sample, Excavation Floor, Soil Gas Sample, Air Sample, and Other. Multiple samples or multimedia samples collected from the same Feature Location Data point need only have one location coordinate reported for each station type. For example, a soil sample and a ground water sample from a monitoring well would be reported as one Feature Location Data point, whereas a surface water and sediment sample would be reported as separate Feature Location Data points. Refer to the Dictionary worksheet on the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet for additional information. Station Name: Label or common name for the location of the data that is being provided (i.e. MW-3, SB-1, SS-4, TP-3, etc.) 4.2 Additional data fields Unique Well Number: The unique well number should be provided if the feature location is a permanent monitoring well, otherwise it will be left blank. Ground Elevation: This represents the elevation of the top of ground surface and will typically not be the elevation of where the sample was collected except for some surface samples. This is an optional field but the MPCA recommends that it be provided if it was collected. Top Screen Elevation: This field should be provided if the feature location is a monitoring well or piezometer. Bottom Screen Elevation: This field should be provided if the feature location is a monitoring well or piezometer. Comments: This field should be used to provide any additional information that is relevant to the site spatial or the non spatial data being submitted. This field is limited to 100 characters on the Spatial Reporting Spreadsheet. If the Station Type provided is Other a description of the type of station location should be provided as a comment. 5.0 Useful Links and Resources MPCA Petroleum Remediation Program (PRP) Spatial Data Collection Guidance Document 1-03 The PRP spatial data collection guidance document is very similar to the MPCA VIC program guidance document. However, the VIC program requires additional feature locations and reporting requirements. The PRP guidance document can be found at MPCA What s in My Neighborhood? 5

6 What s in My Neighborhood? is a GIS-based web viewer that allows users to view USGS DOQs as well as other base layers that aid in locating sites. The accompanying search tool also allows users to conduct searches by zip code, street address, city and several other methods. The coordinates of the active cursor are located in the bottom, left-hand corner of the viewer screen. The coordinate system used in the viewer is UTM Zone 15, NAD83. MPCA Petroleum Remediation Program wellhead protection interactive mapping application The PRP wellhead protection application is very similar in design to What s in My Neighborhood? and will provide the user with many of the same features, but this tool also includes access to USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs). DRGs are scanned images of the 7.5-minute series topographic maps. The coordinate system used in the viewer is UTM Zone 15, NAD83. Minnesota Department of Health County Well Index (CWI) Online CWI Online is a GIS-based web viewer that provides users access to the CWI database and displays non-public water supply wells that have been located. Several base layers are provided for reference including the 2003 NAIP color orthophotos and the USGS 7.5- minute series topographic maps. The coordinates of the mouse are located in the bottom, left-hand corner of the viewer screen. The coordinate system used in the viewer is UTM Zone 15, NAD83. Minnesota Department of Administration, Land Management Information Center (LMIC), USDA FSA aerial imagery download center From this site, users can navigate to multiple locations for downloading NAIP data from multiple years. For 2003 data, users can download county-wide data sets or select a user defined area using a raster clipping tool. The interactive clipping tool allows the user to preview images, both USGS DOQs and the 2003 NAIP color orthophotos, then clip and save an area on interest in TIFF format. The coordinates (UTM Zone 15, NAD83) of the cursor are located in the bottom, left-hand corner of the viewer screen. (FSA imagery center) (raster clipping tool) NOTE: County-wide data downloaded from LMIC may not always be in UTM Zone 15. Several, but not all counties on the western edge of the state are in Zone 14. The raster clipping tool uses UTM Zone 15, NAD83. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Landview Landview is a GIS-based online mapping tool that allows users to view several data sets 6

7 for creating maps. Maps can then be printed from the viewer. In addition to access to USGS DOQs, the USGS DRGs are also available. Coordinates of the cursor are located in the bottom, left-hand corner of the viewer screen. Coordinates are given in both geographic and projected (UTM Zone 15, NAD83) coordinate systems. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources GIS Data Deli USGS DOQs, USGS DRGs, and NAIP 2003 color orthophotos can be downloaded from this site. All data will be in UTM Zone15, NAD83. DOQs can be downloaded as quarter quadrangles. NAIP 2003 data can be downloaded in 15-minute tiles. Generally, these data sets are used in GIS applications. The data acquisition tool does not allow the user to view data sets directly in the viewer window with the exception of a few base layers that aid in navigating around the state. ESRI Arc Explorer Arc Explorer is a freely available lightweight GIS data viewer developed by ESRI that offers an easy way to perform a variety of basic GIS functions, including display of shape files, georeferenced images, and data query. 7