DEP offers new geographic data map site
An open data map site developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will enable residents across the state to navigate detailed information on the air, land and water quality in the communities they live.
The geographic information system (GIS) compiles and simplifies DEP’s public data on abandoned mine lands, air quality, coal mining, hazardous waste, industrial mining, land recycling, oil and gas, public water supply, radiation, streams and lakes, waste management, water pollution control, and water resources.
“DEP has a lot of location-based information that citizens can find useful,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. He said the GIS is in line with Governor Wolf’s calls for improved state government transparency, efficiency, and customer service.
Visitors to the site can browse specific categories or drill down into the details, for example, searching for natural gas wells or impaired streams near a street address, zip code, or town.
They can also view the data as a map, table, or charts and download data into spreadsheets or embed it into a specific application or website.
With coal mining a former leading industry in the state, DEP noted Luzerne County is one of six major mine sites.
As of 2015, DEP said the Anthracite Region produced a total of 4,614,391 tons of coal, predominately from surface coal mines.
In Luzerne, DEP reported there are 11 anthracite mines that produced 2,145,544 tons of coal.
The new GIS currently has 300 data sets, which are updated daily. It coincides with the updated Oil and Gas Well Mapping application for the both conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells.
McDonnell said in addition, the GIS is a valuable tool for first responders.
Users can obtain GIS data also on OpenDataPA, a central repository for all open data sets published by state agencies.
To find data by location, click on one of the 14 blue tabs on the home page, which shows a list, then click on the particular set you are looking for.
In the bottom left corner of the map, click on the magnifying glass, to get a search field.
You can also type in a city, county or particular address there, that will show data points in the map.
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.