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Back up these files regularly.

Districts

Select a USACE district to review its public notices.

Data are available as CSV download in the following schemas

For server maintenance, you may prefer to download the data in leveldb format, which is the format that is used internally in the web server.

About the site

We use Scott2 to organize data on permits related to earthmoving on wetlands. It programmatically collects data from various sources and assists people in their interactions with the data.

We support the following styles of interaction with Scott2.

Screen
People fill out various structured data fields based on the primary data that are programmatically collected, and flag permit applications that should be reviewed.
Review
Professionals thoroughly read public notices about permit applications; they determine whether to submit a comment on the each application and to begin other processes related to scrutinizing this application.
Tracking
After one submits something like a comment or freedom of information request, one must wait several weeks for a response. The software helps people keep track of when responses are due or when they otherwise need to take further actions.
High-level analysis
People can download data for further analysis with statistical software, geographic information systems, &c. The permit application data on their own can show trends in permitting. To study how wetlands development relates to other outcomes, (for example, public health, environmental quality, economic development) people can combine the data from Scott2 with other data sources.

Scott2 has very good support for managing data for Louisiana and rough support for the rest of the United States. While it is already usable for other regions, we need to work with appropriate experts from the other regions who better understand what data are available and how they are reported.

Through substantial usability research and through cataloging of the various primary data sources, we have developed a streamlined system for processing data related to wetland permit applications. The data collection tools are the core of Scott2; I (Tom) think that a tool like Scott2 could be used internally at USACE to make their own processes more efficient and to create their own rich, open data in the first place, so that we don't have to rely on unofficial data from groups like the Gulf Restoration Network.

Wetlands professionals can use the present site to streamline the process by which they identify unwise developments and advocate against them.

If you would like support in adding it to your workflow or have any thoughts on what you like or dislike about the site, please email Tom and Scott. This site was originally designed primarily for Scott Eustis's use in reviewing New Orleans District public notices. We're happy to adapt the software to support your organization in reviewing notices from other USACE districts.

How to use this site

Scott Eustis, Thomas Levine, and Gulf Restoration Network interns are the main persons who enter data into the site. Everyone can view this entire site and see how the process works, but you need to be logged in to enter data.

If you need an account, email Thomas Levine.

Automatic data import

With this website, you can annotate notices of permit application, but you cannot add new notices; a computer does that automatically, and it also takes an initial guess at the contents of the public notice.