Two Potter County Departments Create GIS Prototype
Two Potter County departments have teamed to create a new tool that streamlines environmental inspections for everything from the Clean Streams Law to road and bridge projects. It combines internet-based data entry and storage with geographic information systems (GIS) technology. This week, three Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials came to Coudersport for a demonstration of the mobile applications, which have impressed DEP and other agencies. They’re being viewed as best practices that can be emulated in other counties and perhaps at the statewide level. Will Hunt and Charlie Tuttle from the county’s Planning/GIS Department were joined by Jason Childs and Glenn Dunn II from the Potter County Conservation District in sharing information about the new tool with the DEP representatives. Dunn, who has been kept busy inspecting clear-cut forest tracts and road construction related to a major wind energy generation system in northeast Potter County, described how the application has reduced his burden in the field and improved data collection. Flanked by two of the DEP representatives in the photo above are, from left, Will Hunt, Glenn Dunn II and Jason Childs.