Google Goes to Washington

The Washington Post this morning pays a visit to the newest corporate offices set up to work with the federal government -- the Reston, Virginia, offices of Google.

In Google Goes to Washington, Gearing Up to Put Its Stamp on Government the Post looks at Google's efforts to get federal and other governments to use Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Docs and other tools.

Among the examples cited are some of the Google-related applications that NSGIC's own Barney Krucoff has been involved with for the Government of the District of Columbia.

Tell the EPA What Data You Need

The Environmental Protection Agency is looking for our opinions:

We want to know what kind of environmental information you need, and how you want to get it.

To that end, the EPA has launched a "national dialogue," including a "partner blog" that is open though June 13 for anyone to leave comments.

According to EPA CIO Molly O'Neill, the idea is to gather input for a "multi-year EPA strategy on environmental information access."

As our partner in environmental protection, you share an interest in enhancing access to high quality environmental information to support our joint mission. We need your insights to understand the possibilities both now and for the future.

The strategy is to be completed later this year.

The Roster for the NGAC Has Been Officially Released

A number of NSGIC members, and many NSGIC Friends, are among 28 individuals named today to serve on the new National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The NGAC membership was announced (PDF) by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today.

Fourteen members represent the private sector, nonprofits, or Academia:

• Sean Ahearn, Hunter College, City University of New York;
• Allen Carroll, National Geographic Society;
• David Cowen, University of South Carolina;
• Jack Dangermond, Environmental Systems Research Institute;
• Kass Green, The Alta Vista Company;
• David Maune, Dewberry;
• Anne Hale Miglarese, Fugro EarthData, Inc.;
• Charles Mondello, Pictometry International;
• Kim Nelson, Microsoft Corporation;
• Matthew O’Connell, GeoEye;
• John Palatiello; Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors;
• G. Michael Ritchie, Photo Science;
• David Schell, Open Geospatial Consortium; and
• Christopher Tucker, IONIC Enterprise

Another 14 members represent government agencies:

• Rizwan Ahmed, State of Louisiana;
• Timothy M. Bennett, NativeView;
• Michael Byrne, State of California;
• Donald Dittmar, Waukesha County, WI;
• Dennis Goreham, State of Utah;
• Randall L. Johnson, Metropolitan Council, St. Paul, MN;
• Randy Johnson, Hennepin County, MN;
• Jerry Johnston, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
• Barney Krucoff, District of Columbia;
• Timothy Loewenstein, Buffalo County, NE;
• Zsolt Nagy, State of North Carolina;
• Jay Parrish; State of Pennsylvania;
• Gene Schiller, Southwest Florida Water Management District; and
• Steven Wallach, U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

According to Secretary Kempthorne, the committee "will help provide advice and perspectives from a broad range of our partner organizations as we continue to develop new ways to utilize geospatial information for the benefit of the public."

The NGAC is an advisory committee, formed under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and is charged with "providing recommendations on effective management of Federal geospatial programs." In particular, development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

NSGIC took a closer look at the NGAC in the Summer/Fall 2007 issue of NSGIC News (PDF).

Job Posting: Idaho GIO

The State of Idaho has posted a Job Announcement for a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) in the Office of the CIO:

The State of Idaho’s Office of the CIO is seeking a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) to lead state government GIS efforts as well as serve as a collaborative leader for statewide GIS initiatives. This position will provide GIS direction and staff support to the state’s Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC).

The job posting is open through July 23.

A Useful Update on USGS From Directions Magazine

Directions Magazine's Adenda Schutzberg provides a useful overview of what our friends at USGS are up to in 2007.

She looks into major issues and initiatives such as the increase is USGS Liaisons, the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, the Geospatial Line of Business,GOS, the National Map and other programs.

The last few years have been a time of change at USGS. It looks like that change, and one hopes growth, will continue.

Registration Now Open for NSGIC 2007 Mid-Year Conference

It is time to register on-line for the NSGIC 2007 Midyear Conference.

The 2007 Mid-Year Conference will run from Sunday, March 25, through Thursday, March 29, at the Doubletree Hotel Annapolis, in Annapolis, Maryland.

The theme for this conference is "Guiding Lights." The draft agenda (XLS) includes meetings of the NSGIC State Caucus and meetings with a variety of federal agencies involved in the use and sharing of geospatial data. Major topics will include strategic and business planning, state and federal cooperation and coordination, providing nationwide aerial photography and transportation data, and a variety of other NSGIC initiatives.

Registration for the conference is $250 for NSGIC members registering by March 2, $300 when registering by March 23, and $350 after March 23. Registration for non-members is $400 before March 2, $450 after March 2, and $500 after March 23.

It probably would make sense, therefore, to join NSGIC before registering.

Leaders in the geospatial industry are represented as sponsors at NSGIC conferences. They know that, since NSGIC attracts the top geographic information executives in state government, and works closely with those in county and municipal government as well as the federal government, becoming a NSGIC Sponsor is a great way to reach top decision-makers.

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.

Interior Department to Get New Acting CIO

Federal Computer Week reports today that Michael Howell, now the CIO for the Fish and Wildlife Service, will become acting CIO for the whole Department starting on January 4.

This may be very parochial of me, but here's the part that caught my eye:

Howell, who has extensive experience with geographic information systems, began his federal career with the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho and Washington.

And, yes, the emphasis is mine.