Feature Along with a location map, the search results are displayed in Layout View, which also functions as a screening form for adding other project review information. The Find Wetland tool returns a list of jurisdictional wetlands that contain element occurrences for the selected species. The display pans to a wetland selected from the search results list. Custom buffer tools can be used to create graphics around the wetland at user-defined distances. search tools use the obtain element occurrence (EO) polygons for each Listed Species from the NYNHP biodiversity database. Impact Zones are derived from the EO polygons using criteria specific to each species. Each search tool searches the user-defined location, zooms the map to the extent of the selected location, and expands the form window to display site-specific data. If a search returns one or more hits, the window expands further to show each individual hit as well as the associated attribute information necessary for the screening process. Selecting a hit displays management comments recorded for the specific EO and location. The entire procedure is done behind the scenes and eliminates the need for the user to conduct an on-screen analysis of the data layers to determine hits associated with a proposed project site. Along with a location map, the EO and project site information retrieved by the search tool are displayed in the template's Layout View. The Print Results tool opens a dialog box that can be used to enter additional project information or alter the scale of the location map. The print command in the dialog box can be used to send the layout page to the printer or save the document as a PDF file. Added Support for Users To assist with the preliminary assessment of the potential for project-related impacts from certain actions, the user can select items from the search results list that opens up a dichotomous impact key. This key contains a series of species-specific Yes/No questions that guide the user through the assessment process. Each branch of a key ends with a Recommended Action section that indicates the next step in the review process. This section also provides links to survey protocols, potential mitigation measures, and additional resources. From this screen, the species' population distribution can also be added to the map as a separate layer. The Population Tools toolbar contains customizations that are helpful when screening projects involving species that typically exhibit a metapopulation structure [i.e., populations of the same species that are spatially separated but interact in some way] and/or species that are particularly vulnerable to fragmentation, or where clustering of individuals may be important. For each species, these tools display a message box indicating the number of known populations within a given search distance from either the location clicked on the map or from user-supplied x,y coordinates. The tool adds the search results to the map as a temporary selection layer. The Threats to Species button provides a quick reference to the major threats and statewide or local conservation and management efforts associated with each species. The Find Wetland tool returns a list of New York State jurisdictional wetlands that contain EOs for the selected species and location. Selecting a wetland ID number in the search results list of either tool zooms the display to the extent of the wetland. Clicking on the wetland polygon with one of the custom buffer tools creates graphics around the selected wetland at user-defined distances. Conclusion The Endangered Species Screening application was developed to more efficiently process environmental reviews by allowing regulatory staff to navigate through the screening process, access all essential data, and make informed decisions about the potential for project-related impacts. In an area of New York State experiencing drastic landscape changes, GIS technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in helping accomplish the conservation objectives of NYSDEC. For more information, contact Steve Joule, Endangered Species Biologist New York State Department of Environmental Conservation E-mail: sjjoule@gw.dec.state.ny.us Tel.: 845-256-3089 ArcUser Fall 2009 13 www.esri.com