Water Quality: Shannon B. Stewart, Nicole J. Casper

Note: These projects could be combined, if the candidate feels they could complete both in the given period. The PIC Dashboard project would be prioritized first.

1. GIS Dashboard for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program. This project will require a Master’s candidate who has background in GIS and wants to utilize and enhance their skills to develop a Dashboard for the Swinomish Tribe PIC Program. The PIC Program was established within the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2024. The PIC Program aims to identify, address, and reduce fecal coliform bacteria pollution draining into Swinomish shellfish beds. Identification of problematic septic systems and outreach to homeowners are important steps toward addressing bacteria pollution. A GIS Dashboard can function as a one-stop information clearinghouse and would be a helpful tool for connecting bacteria “hot spots”, areas where monitoring shows regular fecal contamination, with information about nearby septic systems that may be contributing to the issue. The Dashboard would include bacteria results that are collected by DEP staff and septic system records (permits, as-builts, operations and maintenance, and repairs). Some of the data that will contribute to the Dashboard will be collected in other GIS software (Field Maps or Survey123), but most data will be pulled from external websites and linked to the GIS Dashboard. It is anticipated that this project will require little or no fieldwork. This project will collaborate with the Water Quality Analyst (PIC Coordinator) and Water Quality Specialist II (PIC Lead Investigator). There may be some GIS support from other Swinomish staff, but this is not guaranteed. We hope to complete this project in 2025.  
2. Stormwater infrastructure mapping. This project will require a Master’s candidate who has background in GIS and wants to utilize and enhance their skills to improve stormwater infrastructure mapping on the Swinomish Reservation. Existing basic understanding of stormwater infrastructure would considerably benefit this project. Most of the time spent on this project will be spent working in GIS to further develop the existing Swinomish Tribe stormwater drainage map. Certain parts of the Reservation have, at this time, been mapped in more detail than others. This project will work to verify existing mapping and develop new mapping of stormwater infrastructure. As-builts may be available for digitization through the Swinomish Planning and Community Development Department. There will likely be prioritized areas to ensure that these are completed in the project period. Ultimately, the goal is to have a complete map of stormwater infrastructure on the Reservation. It is anticipated that this project will require about one day per week of on-the-ground field mapping. Fieldwork will occur on the Swinomish Reservation located in La Conner, Washington (approximately three hours from Olympia). This project will collaborate with the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), primarily with the Water Quality Analyst. There may be some GIS support from other Swinomish staff, but this is not guaranteed. This project may be completed in 2025 or extended into 2026, as fits the student’s graduation date.  

Students can contact us at dep@swinomish.nsn.us or to Shannon Stewart at sbuckham@swinomish.nsn.us if they have any questions or are interested in the projects.