ITCA: Tribal Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technical Support Project

PROJECT STAFF: Vacant, Environmental Programs Coordinator
Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director

PROJECT PERIOD: October 1, 2006, to September 30, 2007

FUNDING SOURCES: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX, Multi-Media General Assistance Program

PURPOSE:

The Tribal Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technical Support Project was developed to inform tribal governments of the benefits of GIS and encourage the use of GIS as a tool for tribal environmental management. The GIS project provides tribal representatives with GIS & GPS educational materials, training, technical support and informs potential tribal GIS users of the availability and beneficial applications of GIS & GPS mapping technologies.

WORKPLAN OBJECTIVES:

Provide services and support to the Tribal Solid Waste Pilot Project: The GIS staff will schedule and conduct technical assistance on the tribal pilot project in assessing illegal/open dumpsites on the San Carlos Apache Tribe Reservation. The GIS staff will review project objectives with the tribal environmental staff and the ITCA Tribal Solid Waste Program Coordinator to develop a plan to identify illegal/open dumpsites within the reservation. GIS and San Carlos Apache Tribe Environmental Protection Agency staff will GPS all illegal/open dumpsites that are identified within the reservation and create a GIS map of the areas located based on the coordinates obtained throughout the project. The GIS staff will also analyze and provide findings and recommendations based on the completed GIS map.
Provide GIS/GPS Trainings: The GIS staff will coordinate and conduct GIS/GPS trainings at various skill levels of technological use for the tribes. A GIS and GPS schedule will be created and disseminated to the tribal GIS programs by the GIS staff as well as identifying the knowledge level of tribal staff in GIS/GPS to develop the appropriate skill level of training. The GIS staff will facilitate all scheduled trainings.
Provide GIS & GPS Support: The GIS staff will research, collect and disseminate any GIS/GPS related informational materials, including available training opportunities, equipment requirements and the latest advances in GIS to tribal representatives in Arizona.

SPECIFIC TRAINING AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL COMMMUNITIES:

Introduction to GIS & GPS: ITCA GIS staff will provide this power point presentation to tribal communities upon group request.
Selecting GIS Programs and GPS Equipment Based on Tribal Needs: ITCA GIS staff will provide this power point presentation to tribal communities upon group request.
GIS & GPS Training Notification: The GIS staff will research and notify tribal representatives of free on-line GIS software training and GIS & GPS training workshops available to tribal representatives. Tribal GIS programs interested in receiving these training notifications contact the ITCA GIS staff to be placed on the GIS mailing list and/or listserv.

TRIBAL GIS WORKING GROUP MEETING:

The Tribal GIS Working Group is the forum by which tribal representatives among the GIS "community" receive information and updates on the Tribal GIS Technical Support Program development & scheduling and also provides an opportunity for ITCA staff to receive feedback from tribal representatives on training and support needs. The Tribal GIS Working Group Meeting is scheduled bi-annually or on an as needed basis.

CONTACT INFORMATON:

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, like more information on the Tribal GIS Working Group, or require any additional information on the Tribal Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technical Support Project, please contact Cynthia Naha, Environmental Programs Coordinator or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director. Either person can be reached at (602) 258-4822.