Map of Superfund Sites

[SpiroKorizis]

I am trying to create a map of all Superfund sites in the U.S., and of course it isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I think I have downloaded all the necessary information, but can't figure put how to create this map. I have a basemap, I downloaded the shapefiles from the EPA, but now I am stuck. When I unzip the shapefiles, I have a bunch of excel tables, some of which do contain latitude, longitude information. I just need to do some preliminary mapping for a future project and I have a grand total of three months of GIS experience, so try and give a detailed explanation as to what I should do. Thanks.

[ElliottRobinson · Accepted solution]

Here's what I did:

1. Download geodatabase from www.epa.gov/enviro/geo_data.html

     - the files will typically end up in your Temp folder

     - extract the files into a folder in Windows Explorer, call it epa

2. Open a new blank map in ArcMap.

3. Click on the Catalog window icon to open it

4. Click on the Connect to Folder icon

     - browse to your epa folder and select it

5. The epa folder is now in the Catalog window

      - click on the + sign to expand the epa folder in the Catalog window

6. Right click on the FRS_INTERESTS.gdb icon

     - select Make Default Geodatabase

     - the default geodatabase is where all your geographic data is stored for this project

7. Click on the Add Data icon

     - select the Facilities layer

8. Right click Facilities

     - select Open Attribute Table to select the facilities you are interested in, or to manipulate the data

[SpiroKorizis]

Thanks for this. I followed your steps and was able to do what I wanted.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

stackexchange has some responses to your question

[VinceAngelo]

If you really want a response from GeoNet, you should post questions "In a place", instead of in your own private discussion space.  You can correct this by clicking on the question title and using the "Move" action on the right-side "Action" menu list.

You should also always include keyword tags, so that those who have set up custom streams might find your post.

- V

[SpiroKorizis]

Thanks. I will keep that in mind for any future inquiries.