Project Number: 5310-61000-013-03
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2006
End Date: Mar 21, 2009

Objective:
The spatial data infrastructure (SDI) project will support implementation of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) of non-point source (NPS) in the Salton Sea watershed of California's Imperial Valley by identifying effective management practices that reduce loads of NPS pollutants (e.g., sediment, salinity, fertilizer) into Imperial Valley agricultural drains, the New and Alamo Rivers, and the Salton Sea through the development of a geographic information system (GIS) and the use of spatial analytical procedures.

Approach:
The SDI project will use a GIS and classical and spatial statistics to inventory NPS pollutants and assess the influence of BMPs on NPS pollutant loads. The SDI project is broken into eight major procedural tasks that will be accomplished over a three-year period: (1) The planning phase will analyze requirements for improved best management practice (BMP) data collection and analysis through an inventory and assessment of existing literature and through a series of interviews with stakeholders to review the existing infrastructure and determine data, software/hardware, user, field, and remote data collection, analysis, reporting, and educational needs in the context of improving data collection and GIS infrastructure TMDL implementation. (2) Phase II will focus on the preparation of a project assessment and evaluation plan to ensure that project goals are met. (3) Phase III will involve designing and creating an integrated GIS to support TMDL implementation by leveraging the existing Region 7 AG-DAT database and the State Water Quality Control Board (SWQCB) CIWQS. (4) Phase IV includes designing and creating a GIS web-based data collection application as defined by the planning phase. (5) Phase V is the design and formulation of TMDL analytical tools and/or models to assess BMP influence on TMDL loads, (6) Phase VI involves the transfer of core technology to SWQCB with documentation and training of relevant staff of Redlands Institute. (7) Phase VII involves designing and building a set of outreach products to train users on the use of the GIS web-based applications. (8) The final phase, Phase VIII, will provide recommendations to refine the data models and tools created in Phases III-V. Salinity Laboratory staff will be responsible for Phases V and VIII and will assist with Phase I and VII. Documents Reimbursable with University of the Redlands. Log 27865. Formerly 5310-61000-012-03R (FEB 07)