At the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center, a decision-support tool is generally defined as a methodology or software that helps users compare data or scenarios for the purpose of gaining new information and insights.
The following represent some of the decision-support tools offered by the Center. Visit the website, www.csc.noaa.gov, to download these and other tools.
Hazard Assessment Tool
Put your local data into this template so citizens can download information about the various hazards that might impact a specific location.
www.csc.noaa.gov/hat/
Hurricane Evacuation Zones Map Tool
Use this template to develop a mapping application website that citizens can use to find hurricane evacuation zones.
www.csc.noaa.gov/hez_tool/
Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool
Assess and prioritize the precautionary measures your community can take to become more resilient to hazards.
www.csc.noaa.gov/rvat/
Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool
Create various scenarios that estimate water quality impacts from nonpoint source pollution and erosion. This complex yet user-friendly tool takes information about land cover and topography into account.
www.csc.noaa.gov/nspect/
CanVis
Use this visualization tool to add docks, buildings, and other structures to the background picture of your choosing to “see” the potential impacts from proposed development. A library of coastal objects (docks, piers, etc.) is available. Also use CanVis to visualize sea level rise.
www.csc.noaa.gov/canvis/
Habitat Priority Planner
Use this software to develop maps of an area and add components that are deemed important (fishing areas, places of historical significance, etc.). Components can be changed very quickly and easily, making this a helpful tool for group decision making.
www.csc.noaa.gov/hpp/
Legislative Atlas
Pinpoint a place of interest and use this program to download information about the applicable ocean-related laws, policies, and jurisdictions.
www.csc.noaa.gov/legislativeatlas/
Historical Hurricane Tracks
Input a zip code and access past tropical cyclone tracks and information.
http://maps.csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/
