Maine environmental and pollution data - bringing it back to Google Earth

 I complained to DEP data folk that the state has migrated many of our environmental and pollution data types away from Google Earth, where it can easily be combined with mapped aquifers, drainages, landfills and more. Now much seems only in ArcGIS Online, and far less on google earth. What gives? Scroll down to his explanation . Broken into into short paragraphs

Happily shortly thereafter came an interesting and informative response from John P. Lynam. GIS Manager for all of Maine DEP where I learned this shift is not by choice but due to DEP budgeteers understaffing this GIS office Scroll down to his explanation . Broken into into short paragraphs for ease of reading

He asks we check out the backstory below and follow his directions (described below that) This will let us download the kml files that google earth recognizes, from the ARCGIS mapping enviro data files that DEP is moving into by seeming necessity and load them into any google earth program to seem them on that virtual mapping platform. Or so it seems to me

RESPONSE John P. Lynam wrote:

>Unfortunately the removal of the Google Earth projects (layers) from the DEP web page was forced on us by changes in State of Maine IT security policies over the last 3 to 4 years.

>The Google Earth projects had been originally developed more than a decade ago using multiple pieces of older software that together, queried DEP datasets, combined the GIS features with separate DEP business data, built the KML/KMZ’s, and transferred the files to our web servers.

>This all ran automatically without the need for daily GIS staff support.

>The IT security changes and the associated restrictions over the last few years made the once automated process a mostly manual one.

>I was able to get around most of these restrictions and could manually update some the layers until this past spring, when the IT policies blocked my work arounds.

>Limited staff resources (I’m a unit of one) led me to transition the Google Earth projects over to the ArcGIS Online web environment (this is not the complicated ArcGIS Pro software), which is also highly regulated by the state IT division (not under DEP control), but is approved under the state IT policy.

>This technology is the approved enterprise solution under State of Maine IT Security policy for the foreseeable future.

>The process to update the data in this environment is totally automatic and does create Google Earth KML files that can be downloaded when the data is shared with Open Data and the Maine GeoLibrary Data Catalog.

>When you see the GIS link symbol on the DEP web page next to a layer, clicking on it will take you to the open data page for the layer where you’ll find the data download link for a KML.

After considering your comments regarding the language used on the DEP web page, I will modify it so that it’s less blunt and will also add text next to the GIS links to indicate that Google Earth KML’s can be downloaded by following these links.

You also referenced several layers in your email not being available in Google Earth format any longer. The Closed Landfills is available via the link on the DEP web site. The Sand & Gravel Aquifers is a Maine Geologic Survey dataset and can be accessed via the Maine GeoLibrary Data Catalog web site.

Here are the links:
Closed Landfills - https://maine.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/00da4c7c200a42deaf20695f843efc3e/explore

Aquifers - https://maine.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/b973847bdf0f4522914598c8677a5ec2/explore

Maine GeoLibrary Data Catalog - https://www.maine.gov/geolib/catalog.html

The HOSS layer will be added to Open Data in the next few weeks. I’ll follow-up when it’s available.

John P. Lynam
GIS Manager
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
www.maine.gov\dep

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Thanks, John!