Advanced Tools
At OEC, we use the latest tools to provide you with the most useful and reliable information about your property.
GIS – Geographic Information System
GIS is a mapping system that we use to provide a range of valuable information for our clients. We use publicly available data from a variety of sources and combine it with site-specific data that we collect from you, your sources—such as your surveyor or engineer— or from data we gather for you in the field using GPS.
GPS – Global Positioning System
We use GPS technology to collect geographic data on location to offer you a more informed picture of your property. We use it in conjunction with our GIS system to create site-specific maps that can be used in the permitting process or for planning purposes. Although we are not surveyors, we can recommend many qualified professionals in this specialty if your project requires it.
False-Color Infrared Aerial Photography
False-color infrared imagery provides unique profiles of vegetation from the air. This data can often be obtained from state and federal agencies, and we use it as a base map on which to overlay other geographic information. This allows us to more precisely determine how soil, topographic and other habitat data sets relate to one another. In addition, we can often use this imagery to provide information about sea grasses, which is important for dock permitting.
Historical Aerial Photography
We use historical aerial photography to learn how a piece of property has changed over time. Historic aerial photography often provides the most detailed and accurate land-based information available. Sources include various state and federal agencies. We usually have to process this imagery using our GIS system to enhance its usability. Depending on the location, imagery may be available back to the 1920s.
Water-Level Monitoring
Water-level monitoring is sometimes required by environmental permits to establish surface and groundwater elevations. Traditionally done by a field technician using a tape measure, we’ve found that this method produces inconsistent data. At OEC, we advocate the use of electronic methods for collecting this data because it is more cost-effective, reliable and accurate.