The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) evaluates web-based tools to enhance stakeholder engagement. Tools that are new or unique to DOE and result in positive evaluations are presented to the DOE Web Managers Council (Web Council). Such a tool was found in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Story Maps and examples of their use were presented this past September. The examples included story maps designed to effectively and succinctly communicate site history and data associated with LM long-term surveillance and maintenance, the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s research into understanding seismicity in Oklahoma (http://netl-doe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=a04cfc36e6d74c769241bcbcb034071b), and the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s research into the effects of sea-level rise and storm surges on energy assets for select major metropolitan areas
(http://energy-oe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=244e96e24b5a47d28414b3c960198625). These story maps show complex information in user-friendly, interactive, and intuitive ways.

Sharing complex information can be simplified by using the ESRI tools. Computer programming skills or special software are not required. Anyone who sets up a user account can create a story map using the free, online tools and tutorials. ESRI has numerous templates that allow designers to pair text with illustrations showing changes in time and magnitude of data, photos, videos, or links to other webpages.

LM’s story map brings together various site information sources. Currently, site history and general information are available from the LM Sites webpage (/lm/sites/lm-sites). Maps and environmental data are viewable at the Geospatial and Environmental Mapping System webpage (http://gems.lm.doe.gov/). In addition to bringing data from both webpages together, the story map included new animations comparing changes in land use and uranium concentrations. The resulting story map provides an engaging platform to share information with stakeholders while being simple to develop and maintain. LM’s story map release to the public is pending.

Coupling stories with maps in an online format is an exciting avenue for LM to explore. With 91 LM sites and more to be transferred in the future, story maps will help current and future stakeholder interactions. Whether the stories are complex, like those presented to the DOE Web Council or simple like those presented here, story mapping may prove to be a valuable tool.