Issue Brief: Imagery for the Nation and NAIP

NSGIC has published an issue brief (PDF) on the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) as a component of Imagery for the Nation (IFTN). The brief, one of a series of issue briefs focused on the organization's 2008 - 2009 Advocacy Agenda (PDF), presents an overview of imagery and why it is important, sets a vision for the future, and suggests actions to achieve that vision.

The issue brief notes that orthorectified imagery, from aerial photography and from satellite imagery, provides a basis for most GIS applications and explains that uncoordinated imagery acquisition is increasing the cost to the public for this imagery.

By establishing basic standards and using large area contracts, the quality of imagery for all applications can be significantly improved while its cost is considerably lowered. Establishing an effective national program will resolve these issues and result in a program that works for all levels of government and provides benefits to the public and private sector.

The vision for the future includes "a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies and is in the public domain."

The achieve that vision, the NSGIC issue brief suggests that congress:

• Establish the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) as a “line item” in the budget,
• Direct USDA to spend all NAIP funds on the acquisition of imagery and reasonable costs to administer the program, and
• Provide approximately $42 million per year for a fully functional program.
  

The issue brief provides more detail and additional information. it is part of a series that also looks at Transportation for the Nation, Nationwide Parcel Mapping, the NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP) Grants, and improved Technology for the 21st Century.