Highlight 16--Digital Information Systems Assist
in Decisionmaking
A prototype digital earth science information system developed by GD scientists illustrates the important role that GD data, data models, and interpretations can play in policymaking decisions. This system will be used to identify and prioritize cleanup of thousands of abandoned mine sites on Federal lands. The prototype information system (fig. 16), developed for Federal cooperators in Montana, integrated information from geological, geochemical, geophysical, and mining data bases and other information. Environmental geology and geophysics models of mining districts and the surrounding rock terranes were then weighted with the data base information to rank areas of the State on the basis of their potential for mining-related environmental problems. This system proved instrumental to an interagency Federal working group in prioritizing Montana watersheds for further field investigations, site identification, and possible site remediation.
Figure 16. The Montana GeoExplorer, a prototype digital earth science information system, was used to help policymakers prioritize abandoned mines on Federal lands for environmental characterization and possible remediation. Watersheds in areas of the map colored red, magenta, and yellow were estimated to have the greatest potential occurrence of acid drainage released from mines and unmined, mineralized rocks. The methods used to develop such digital systems are being refined by using information gathered by USGS field studies of specific watersheds such as the Boulder Creek watershed (outlined in white on the map).
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Maintained by L. McElroy
Last updated 04.08.98