PNNL

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems technology provides a keystone for achieving the mission and vision of the U. S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site. The Hanford Site located in Richland, Washington, is at a critical crossroads involving environmental, political, cultural, and economic concerns. The site has been collecting spatial data for a period of 60 years and now, more than ever, the organization and structure of spatial databases at Hanford provide a critical path to providing an effective, efficient, and safe cleanup mission demonstrating the effectiveness of environmental protection and restoration activities. This paper provides a current state of spatial data collections, use, management, and challenges at the Hanford Site through the development of a spatial data infrastructure. Recommendations designed to ensure long-term data quality, usability, and sustainability now and into the future are presented.