Project Proposal

Michele Golden

Siena College

October 16, 2012

 

Introduction

            The Friends of Clifton Park Open Space would like to update the maps they have to better represent the natural resource values of each parcel of land. These maps and spreadsheets will be used as a tool to help evaluate land that may be developed and help preserve land in Western Clifton Park.

            The current rating system for the land parcels numbers is inadequate, as there are too many brackets that parcels can fall into. This leaves some parcels that have good resources left with low scores and therefore the map portrays them as not favorable. An improvement in the rating system needs to be looked at. The data spread sheets also need to be updated so that FCPOS can modify the spreadsheet and see the change on the map immediately.

            The focus of this project is to continue with the “Natural Resource Value of Land in Western Clifton Park: a Student Internship Project for the FCPOS,” a final report by a former student. The goal is to update, modify, and improve upon the report to make the final representation in the map more realistic to what is present in the Town of Clifton Park.

Objectives

·         Create an unlocked version of data spreadsheets so FCPOS can change data if necessary

·         Analyze current scoring system and consider other options that would present the data best

·         In cooperation with FCPOS, select the best rating system and update the data spreadsheets and final maps

·         Create two disks with  4 maps each (Habitat/Woodlands, Water, Agriculture, Total Natural Resource Value)

o   One for the Town of Clifton Park (no labels)

o   One for FCOPS (labels that can be turned on)

Methodology

            I will use GIS to analyze the rating system and see what would work best to represent the space best.

Data Sources

·         “Natural Resource Value of Land in Western Clifton Park: a Student Internship for the FCPOS”

Work Plan

October           Make initial meeting with FCPOS to confer with representative

                        Look over previous report

                        Analyze current rating system

November       Second meeting with FCPOS

o   Have data spreadsheet unlocked

o   Present options for rating system

                        Update data spreadsheet to display new rating system

                        Create final versions; one fore Town of CP and one for FCPOS

December        Present results of final project to FCPOS

Deliverables

1.      Disk for Town of Clifton Park

2.      Disk for FCPOS

3.      New spreadsheet and mapping software

4.      Large size print outs of the 4 maps for FCPOS