Integrated computer-based tools to facilitate environmental monitoring, assessment, and restoration

The vast amounts of scientific and technical data gathered during the process of environmental monitoring, assessment, and restoration make the effective application of computer-based tools essential. This paper describes how an integrated set of automated resources is being applied at the Hanford Site to effectively manage the data gathered during site characterization and monitoring and to provide an environment that facilitate analysis and assessment. The Hanford Environmental Information System (HEIS) has upgraded our previous monitoring and characterization capabilities and represents significant advances in our ability to manage, retrieve, and display data. An integrated data base, a geographic information system (that allows data to be displayed on a map), and support graphics allow the user to generate spatially related visualizations and perform data extractions. This allows the user to gain insight quickly and easily by obtaining a complete picture of the data of interest. HEIS also provides the capability to share the information with other software environments for further analysis and assessment. 3 figs.