MAPPING TRIBAL LAND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS WITH ArcGIS FOR HOULTON BAND OF MALISEET INDIANS OF MAINE

Environmental constraints are limits to development of lands. For example, because soils are crucial for determining land use suitability, environmental constraints may include poorly-drained and/or highly erodible soils that may serve as “red flag” certain areas where development for crops and forestry should be severely restricted. Other environmental constraints may include large slope gradient, flood zones, and wetlands. Obviously, restrictions on development and preservation of open spaces and lands can avoid adverse impacts such as soil erosion, destruction of woodlands, water pollution, loss of wildlife habitats, etc.

GIS is a powerful tool used to map environmental constrains. In this community collaborative project, ArcGIS was used to have created environmental constraints datasets and maps for Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Natural Resources Department. The Houlton Band of Maliseet tribal lands are located in Houlton and Littleton of Maine with 850 acres of fields, forests, and wetlands. Land activities include leasing for agricultural purposes, economic development, and planning for future residential lots while sustaining and managing the natural resources for the continuing benefit of Maliseet people, its cultural and ecosystem health. Firstly, raw and original datasets were obtained from Maine Office of GIS. Several new data layers such as poorly drained soils, highly erodible soils, and shallow soils were derived with ArcGIS selection and spatial analyst tools. A new dataset of highly drained soil that may be not suitable for conventional septic systems in terms of housing development was also generated. Lands with slope gradient greater than 15% were derived from DEM data. Those lands with higher slope gradient are not recommended for agricultural, building, and other construction. Flood zone data layer was included in the database as well. Other infrastructure features such as buildings and roads were also incorporated to the database. The project assists the Native American community well with the badly needed environmental constraints GIS datasets for its land planning, development, and conservation.