Geospatial Support Services for Environmental Programs

Project Description:

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) must address a myriad of environmental requirements for compliance and project approvals. The Stormwater Program addresses NPDES Permits for roadways and maintenance facilities. This requires MDTA to inventory, inspect, and maintain landscape vegetation, drainage systems, and stormwater BMPs, as well as to inventory impervious areas and their stormwater treatment. The Tank Program involves the management of above and underground storage tanks, and as required, addresses compliance needs under the MDE Oil Control Program. Another core activity is natural resources permitting and mitigation, which requires tracking of mitigation assets. MDTA will continue to maintain and enhance the enterprise geospatial databases to comply with regulations and manage environmental assets. The scope of services is to provide manage and maintain the enterprise geospatial database.

We also created GIS data links from “.shp” to “.KMZ” files for viewing GIS data in the MDTA’s Google Earth Enterprise. This application allows technicians to access the data using Google Earth.

Key Features:

  • collect and catalog the data and information needed to meet minimum control measures for NPDES Compliance for MDTA’s MS4 Permit.
  • support the ongoing efforts to inventory Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Stormwater Management Ponds
  • Provide inspection support for MDTA’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP), Illicit Discharge (IDDE), slope issues and drainage inspections.
  • Support the tracking of the remediation actions for slope issues, BMPs and drainage activities identified through inspections
  • work with MDTA staff to track geotechnical information related to contaminated sites including maintaining HazMat inventory
  • provide support to inventory natural resource assets and support project activities. These assets may include trees, wetlands, streams, and other natural features.
  • facilitate the use of the GIS in day to day tasks by staff, decision-making and support related to environmental compliance and MDTA’s projects.
A pond in the middle of a field with houses on the other side.