Development of the Cook Inlet Information Management/Monitoring System (Ciimms)

Abstract

The Cook Inlet Information Management/Monitoring System (CIIMMS) provides an interactive website that links to a geographically distributed system of information providers. Through the CIIMMS website, users are able to identify and access (e.g., download and print) information ranging from primary data (geospatial and tabular) to reports, project descriptions, and other documents across a variety of themes, such as habitat, land use, resource management, pollution, and water-quality information. CIIMMS will also provide (on-line) tools to make it easy to contribute information to the CIIMMS network. In the long term, CIIMMS will use integrated information resources and tools to create a virtual community center for Cook Inlet learning, resource management, and related activities.CIIMMS not only comprises the hardware, software, and information contact components of the Cook Inlet information management system; it also establishes a framework for managing information resources more efficiently. Two important components of CIIMMS development are (1) establish an advisory group made up of data providers and users to oversee implementation and (2) publish guidelines on how to implement various aspects of the framework (e.g., compile metadata). By providing the tools and the framework that enable a unified approach to information management throughout the watershed, CIIMMS will help agencies and organizations use existing resources more effectively.