Court Rules Against MAPPS in QBS Lawsuit

The geo-related web is somewhat abuzz this week-end with the news that the judge in the MAPPS v. USA lawsuit has ruled against MAPPS in a summary judgement that "plaintiffs lack the requisite standing to maintain this action."

All Points Blog had the news as it broke, and offered some analysis after reading the judge's decision (PDF).

The news is posted on the web sites of several GIS-related organizations, such as the Association of American Geographers and the GIS Certification Institute. Both had opposed MAPPS in the lawsuit.

There is a statement from several professional organizations that had opposed MAPPS in the lawsuit (AAG, GISCI, GITA, UCGIS, and URISA) applauding the decision, saying "ruled against special interest groups seeking to strictly limit government contracting for mapping and GIS activities."

MAPPS itself has issued a statement indicating that it intends to continue to pursue the matter:

By ruling on process, the Court did not address the legal merits and policy issues of the case as presented by MAPPS and its co-plaintiffs, which means the question of QBS applicability to mapping is unresolved and leaves the door open to further litigation.

Because the decision was announced on a Friday afternoon, reaction may continue to surface over the next few days and into the next week.

Flood Mapping Reform Discussed on Capitol Hill

Representatives from several groups interested in FEMA's map modernization efforts were in Washington this week to testify at the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Hearing on The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1682).

A key part of the discussion was the effort to modernize FEMA flood maps.

Witnesses included representatives from:

• The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
• The Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS)
• The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM)
• The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
• The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America
• The National Association of Realtors

According to a MAPPS news update, the Mapps representative "called for FEMA to collect accurate ground elevation data using the latest state-of-the-art commercial geospatial technologies." MAPPS also called for a move to fully embrace digital products "with the goal of eliminating paper products by 2010."

The representative of the floodplain managers supported greater use of digital data and GIS data and tools, but suggested that, given limited resources, engineering studies of flood risk based on existing data are more important in the short term than expanded acquisition of new, higher-resolution digital elevation data.

There was support for re-establishing the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC), but concern that it be given broad representation and sufficient authority to be effective.

The MAPPS testimony also included a suggestion that FEMA be given access to the Census Bureau's Master Address File (MAF). This could be a contentious idea; Census has a tradition, and a legislative mandate, to guard that file closely because of privacy concerns.

The listing of hearing witnesses includes links to the written testimony submitted by each witness. It will eventually also include a hearing transcript.

MAPPS PAC Makes News

While this is not necessarily a path that NSGIC is likely to follow, it is interesting to note an article on GeoPlace.Com about the success of the Political Action Committee of The Management Association for Private Photogrammetry Surveyors (MAPPS).

According to the article, MAPPS backed 41 candidates in the most recent election. Of that number, 31 won their races.