LAND EVALUATION SITE ASSESSMENT (LESA) GIS APPLICATION REDESIGN Brad M. Shirey, GISP The Pennsylvania State University Master of GIS Program – Capstone.

LAND EVALUATION SITE ASSESSMENT (LESA)

GIS APPLICATION

REDESIGN

Brad M. Shirey, GISP

The Pennsylvania State University

Master of GIS Program – Capstone Proposal Advisor: Dr. Doug Miller

Presentation Overview

Background Project Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Geographic & Historic Context

Where Are We?

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Geographic & Historic Context

What is the Issue?

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

State & Regional Implications

Act 138 – Agricultural Easement Purchase Program How Many Counties are Involved? Statewide Facts and Figures

• Over $581,000,000 Spent • Over 275,000 Acres

What Other States?

Participant Counties In Red

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Berks County Farmland Preservation

History of Preservation in Berks County History of ALP Office How Does GIS Play a Role? Why a Change Now?

1990 20081998

Agricultural Conservation Easements Purchased – Farms Preserved

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Land Evaluation Site Assessment (LESA)

What is it? Who Uses it? Why is it Used? When Was it Built? Who Built it? What Platform

Built on?

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Project Objectives

Create New LESA Application for the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Office (ALP)• ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 Technology • Same Data and Scoring Procedures Used• Intuitive and Adaptable Interface

More Efficient Outputs for Analysis and Ranking Input from ALP Staff Proper Documentation and Training QAQC

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Project Requirements

Resolve GIS Data Needs and Program Criteria. Needs Assessment Client Involvement Tackle Software and Code Problems

of Legacy Application ESRI ModelBuilder for Software Development Application Documentation Client Satisfaction

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Assessment Criteria

What are ProgramCriteria?

Land Evaluation vs.Site Assessment

Why is GIS Important? How Complex?

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Software Development – Model Builder

What is it? Ties Together Tools, Data and Analysis Modules Geoprocessing in

Manageable Parts Automate

Python Scripting

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

LESA – Data Requirements

How Many Data Sets? From Where? Unique Information

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

LESA – Data Requirements

Tax Parcels and Preserved Farms Current Applicants Ag Security Areas Roads and Highways County and Municipal Boundaries Sewer and Water Service Areas Soils and Land Use Cluster Areas Historic, Scenic, and Government Lands

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Best Practices Ensure ALP Staff Involvement Validate Against Legacy Application Avoid Errors of Omission and

• Outputs of Project not serving the needs of the client Errors of Commission

• Analysis steps expands beyond needs of the project

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Module Troubleshooting Validate Data, What are Outputs,

Validate Calculations Test Various Steps When Placed Together Test, Modify, Re-Test Ample Review for All Parties (Especially Non-GIS)

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Timeline

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

October 2009 – November 2009Review Previous Software – Outline Geoprocessing Needs

Assess Needs of ALP – Begin Prelim QAQC

December 2009 – January 2010Bring Modules Together – Tie to Scripting

Application Documentation – Continue QAQC

February 2010 – March 2010Finalize Data – Run Test Assessment

Conduct Ranking with New & Previous VersionComplete Documentation

April 2010

Present at AAG Conference

Anticipated Results / Benefits

Organizational Benefits• Berks County Staff Efficiency• Professional Level Software Application • User Friendly, Properly Documented.

External Benefits• Extensible to Other Preservation Programs

Personal Benefits• Building Personal Capacity and Precedent for Future

Projects

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

Challenges

Model Builder and Python Scripting Issues Documentation of Modules Flexible Model Interface for Revisions Project Timeline

Background Objectives Methods Data QAQC Timeline Results/Benefits Challenges

References

County of Berks –Agricultural Land Preservation Office

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Farmland Preservation

The Pennsylvania State University –Land Analysis Laboratory

ESRI – ArcGIS Desktop, ArcCatalog, ModelBuilder

Acknowledgements

Berks County Information Systems DepartmentTodd Simpson, CIO

Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Office Tami Hildebrand, Director

Berks County Planning Commission Beth Burkovich, GIS Analyst

Penn State UniversityDr. Doug Miller, Advisor

Questions ?