GIS by the Environmental System Research Institute

Granted the opportunity to intern at the Division of Environmental Quality, I am in the process of learning how to apply the basic functions of ArcGIS. The geographic information system was created by the Environmental System Research Institute to see patterns and understand map densities, areas, and census tracts. Many individuals are unaware of GIS and its impact in the world around us. I have been working with the ArcGIS 9 system software that enables users to create maps and input GPS coordinates gathered from field work. ArcGIS is designed to work with just about every type of geographic data.

The experience has taught me to properly use a Global Positioning System. The Garment 76 GPS is a device that collects and pinpoints coordinates from satellite signals interacting with the handheld unit.

One of my first projects was conducting house-to-house visits about their on-site disposal system. My mentor and I interviewed at least one individual per house lot in the residential areas of Kagman I and II and checked whether the people were in compliance with the DEQ Wastewater Treatment & Disposal regulations. We also determined if their individual waste disposal systems are functioning properly. In addition, we collect GPS points of its location within the premises and also inspect for any potential environmental hazards that might be harmful to the environment and public health.

After retrieving GPS coordinates from each premises I then entered them into a database for data inventory and mapping purposes. The GPS device lets users collect and store information successfully by giving the exact location of a place and time.

My other internship project includes the Lau Lau Bay Re-vegetation project (Phase II) and studying how the surrounding and upland activities impact the coral reefs of Lau Lau bay. Lately, we had conducted surveys within the Lau Lau streams during and after heavy rainfalls to visually observe the amount of sediments being washed downstream from upland. Once this project is completed we will have a better understanding of what’s causing the coral degradation at the Lau Lau site.

The ArcGIS data will provide better and effective solutions to preventing further damage to the coral reef. Recently my mentor and I worked on a project dealing with the storm water drainage systems along the coastlines of Saipan, starting from the northern part of the island working our way down to the southern part of the island. We were able to observe the conditions of the drainages and the impacts it has caused on our beaches. We gathered data’s for each drainage, identified them and marked a location using the Trimble GeoXT 2004 series, which is a much more highly sophisticated GPS handheld system. It is used for gathering accurate data (sub meters) after differentially correcting each point. The device lets users gather points, lines, and areas more efficiently than the Garment 76 GPS because the Trimble Geo XT is a survey grade handheld mobile computer along with all its advance features built all into a 3 lb handheld device. It operates by a software called TerraSync, using all of the satellites orbiting in space and works together to locate points, lines, and areas more proficiently. I then can transform these GPS data into shapefile to be incorporated into ArcGIS. After it becomes a data layer it could be used for creating maps, performing analysis, understand areas of concerns by the use of overlaying other available data layers, and to use the data in making better decisions regarding DEQ’s permitting activities, and in some cases predict contamination scenarios in our environment utilizing ArcGIS tools and extensions. The primary reason for using a map is to communicate geographic information.

All these experiences I have gained from DEQ have been valuable to my livelihood. I am astounded by all the creativity built into ArcGIS that when I achieve my college degree I plan on pursuing my dream of becoming a certified GIS expert. Thanks to Yubert M. Alepuyo and the Coral Reef Initiative internship team I am ever more grateful for the knowledge passed down to me seeing that I will use it to my benefit. Not only did this experience provide me the opportunity to learn about protecting the environment, it also made me aware of my responsibility to keep it cleaner and safer and ensure that the citizens of the CNMI are doing the same.