Empowering the Environmental Manager With GIS-Based Landfill Applications, 2000 Environmental Conference Proceedings

- M. E. House, G. B. Leber -- Large volumes of environmental data are generated annually from water quality and water level monitoring programs at International Paper Company's on-site landfill in Jay, Maine. Information management presents a challenge for the environmental manager, who requires day-to-day access and use of the data. Woodard & Curran worked with International Paper to develop a data management tool to help overcome this challenge. GIS-based programs were utilized to develop a system to store and maintain project data and serve as an interpretive tool to generate cross sections, vertical flow nets, constituent trends and contour maps, all from a single integrated database. In order to enable the environmental manager to easily utilize the system, a GIS-based application was designed allowing the manager to view all site conceptual maps, conduct independent data queries and perform statistical analyses. The use of these tools resulted in centralization and effective utilization of project information on many levels, allowing for a collaborative relationship between the environmental manager, consultant and regulators. Ease of information access proved essential in supporting environmental programs, negotiations and landfill expansion activities.