Michele Jacobi1, Rob Braswell2, Amy Merten1, Nancy Kinner2, Kurt Schwehr2, 
1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Response
  and Restoration, 7600 Sandpoint Way, NE, Seattle, WA, USA
2 University of New Hampshire, 35 Colovos Road, Durham, NH, USA

Title: Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA) -
Web-based GIS data display and management system for oil spill
planning and environmental response.

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) in a partnership with
the University of New Hampshire Coastal Response Research Center
(CRRC), is leading an effort to develop an Open Source GIS system that
is accessible to both the command post and to assets in the field
during a response.  The ERMA (Environmental Response Management
Application) system is an integrated data management platform that
uses MapServer and Open Layers software to combine real-time and
static regional geospatial data sets.  Data available include: weather
and forecasts, ESI maps, IOOS buoys, modeled spill trajectories,
real-time tracks of vessels, response plans, navigational charts,
bathymetry, restoration projects, water quality and sediment chemistry
data, protected and economically important areas, and other natural
resource information.  The application is able to upload, manipulate,
analyze and display spatially referenced data for solving complex
resource issues. The web-based nature of ERMA is critical as it allows
for the integration and synthesis of various types of information,
provides a common operational picture for all individuals involved in
an incident, improves communication and coordination among responders
and stakeholders, and provides resource managers with the information
necessary to make faster and better informed decisions.  In terms of
pre-planning and preparedness for oil spill response, this system is
nearly as important as any oil spill detection or response technique.
The pilot site was developed for Portsmouth NH and now NOAA is
partnering with other entities to develop an ERMA system for locations
such as the Caribbean and Arctic.

Michele Jacobi is an environmental scientist for the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and
Restoration (OR&R) in Seattle, WA. As part of the Assessment and
Restoration Division she has experience regarding eco-risk assessment
reviews, chemical data analysis, field sampling design, and the
development of GIS mapping projects. Michele is currently working with
the Coastal Response Research Center and is applying the concept of a
watershed database and mapping project towards emergency planning and
response for the Portsmouth Harbor Area. Prior to coming to OR&R she
worked with the state of California to conduct extensive fieldwork and
evaluations regarding contamination in the state's bays and estuaries.
Michele received a B.S. in Biology and Marine Science from the
University of San Diego and a M.S. in Marine Science from California
State University-Moss Landing Marine Labs.