RSM Tool: Ecological Data Synthesis Fact Sheet

<div>The Ecological Data Synthesis Tools is a spatially-explicit visualization tool that combines ecological resource layers into a single layer representing relative environmental sensitivity of dredging impacts to provide decision support. The tool incorporates multiple geospatial ecological data layers such as oyster reef habitat and submerged aquatic vegetation, and utilizes existing studies and data to scale the relative risk of each ecological resource to dredging and/or placement activities. The integrated impacts are then weighted across all layers providing an indication of the relative risk of negative project impacts on the environment. The tool was developed as a planning tool to assist Dredged Material Management Plans (DMMP) and  preliminary Assessments (PA) project development teams to prioritize efforts and resources in areas of high environmental concern.</div>