Geographic Information Systems as an Opportunity for Public Engagement in Environmental Data Analysis for Nuclear Waste Management - 17505
For half a century, scientists across government agencies, industry, academia and other research organizations have been using geographic information system (GIS) tools to display data collected for a wide variety of programs. Recent technology advances have made it possible for the public to also use GIS tools to display data. Meanwhile, around the world, volunteers are increasingly participating in citizen science activities that involve collecting environmental observations and measurements. Considering themes of broad interest to which citizen science and GIS tools could be applied, integrated nuclear waste management represents a potential opportunity for public engagement in environmental data analysis. In the United States, the Department of Energy's (DOE's) goal is to develop solutions for the long-term, sustainable management of the nation's spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) from commercial electricity generation, as well as national defense activities. The DOE has been exploring options for an integrated waste management system to transport, store, and dispose of SNF and HLW. To support its efforts, DOE has been exploring ways to seek broad input from the public. Literature was reviewed to assess recent advances in GIS technology and citizen science that could contribute to public engagement in waste management planning. Results identified a variety of promising tools and applications that are readily accessible online, including QGIS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Real Time Geo-spatial Data Viewer (RETIGO). For example, interested members of the public could illustrate air quality, water quality, and other environmental data in GIS plots to visually represent local conditions over time. This paper highlights potential opportunities for those interested in citizen science and GIS tools as part of exploring options for public engagement in planning for an integrated waste management system. (authors)