Trihydro has assisted the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division with developing, maintaining, expanding, and managing its internal AML inventory since 2001. Our developers, GIS and database specialists, and reclamation professionals advanced the AML’s inventory management program, which contains information on more than 3,500 AML sites, from hard copies and spreadsheets to a state-of-the-art, web-based program management application.
The AML Division undertook an effort to modernize its internal inventory of abandoned mine sites throughout Wyoming, culminating in the development of database and GIS information management applications. The AML Division contracted with Trihydro to help develop, maintain, and update the applications. Trihydro's support ranged from creating an AML/GIS Quick Reference Guide, to registering and loading historic mine maps, to updating background layers (e.g. aerial, topographic and geologic mapping). Maintenance also involved assisting AML with data cleanup for specific sites.
Trihydro also assisted with GIS and database application upgrades to increase usability and allow for management of feature-specific, rather than site-specific, information. To meet WDEQ’s objectives, Trihydro restructured the existing AML Microsoft Access® database and converted the database to a SQL Server platform, developing both a custom Access® front-end (for the AML Database Administrator) and a web portal to allow the AML inventory to be served to remote offices or consultants. Trihydro also restructured the GIS application to allow for detailed site and feature querying and user-friendly map generation/plotting.
Additionally, Trihydro completed application upgrades to increase user access, allow users to upload and download data remotely, and improve program management capabilities. Users are able to query and view inventory data spatially through the GIS, including site features, mine maps, feature photos, and background mapping layers, and in report form. A query wizard allows users to build, view, save, and export custom data queries. Database administrators have the ability to manage user roles, host one-off projects, and edit inventory data. The applications are currently served through a secure web portal administered by the WDEQ, with ongoing application and user support provided by Trihydro.