Using Geographic Information System (GIS) in a local government--a case study of GIS implementation in Ascension Parish Government, Louisiana

The objective of this paper is to argue for a new model of Geographic Information System (GIS) implementation, Web-based GIS, for supporting decision-making in local government. In this paper, the GIS implementation in Ascension Parish Government, Louisiana is used as a case study to show how Web-based GIS implementation can improve the system use and maximize the value of GIS infrastructures for the community. The author first defines the concept of implementation and role of GIS in local government as a base for further discussion. Special attention is given to analyze the variables that influence the parish employees’ acceptance and use of the GIS in the work. A three-level evaluation framework is established to evaluate GIS implementation strategy and GIS impacts on decision-making in local government. Research findings will be used to direct future implementation strategy. The paper concludes that Web-based GIS, by combining GIS technology and Internet technology, can distribute GIS resources and geo-processing tools to a wider range of potential users. In addition, flexible user-oriented GIS applications can best be developed with intensive user participation and feedback. One of the arguments proposed is that the Web-based GIS can be used to help the local government employees to provide better service for the public and improve the performance of a specific local government agency in processing land development permit applications

Ammonia Concentrations and Emissions of Aviary Hen Houses

Ammonia (NH3) concentrations and emissions were monitored in four aviary laying-hen houses for one year. The mean indoor NH3 concentration of the four houses (mean ± SE) was 5.2 (±0.1) ppm. The NH3 concentrationswere below 25 ppm, the commonly recommended threshold, on all sampling days. Ammonia emission rate was 0.14(±0.01) g/d-hen. The NH3 concentrations and emission rateof the aviary houses were between those of manure-belt and high-rise cage houses reported in the literature