Ten Geospatial Organizations Endorse IFTN

The leadership of ten geospatial organizations have agreed to support a simple resolution in support of a national digital imagery program:

Be it resolved that the undersigned geospatial organizations support the funding and establishment of an operational program consistent with Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) within the US government with the responsibility for acquisition of high resolution digital imagery over the United States.

The leadership of these organizations met in a conference call on July 22 to discuss the resolution and voted via e-mail over the following day in order to have a position in place for the July 23 Congressional oversight hearing on Federal Geospatial Data Management.

The following organizations agreed to support the resolution:

• American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM)
• American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
• Association of American Geographers (AAG)
• Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CAGIS)
• Geospatial Information Technology Association (GITA)
• GIS Certification Institute (GISCI)
• International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO)
• National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC)
• University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS)
• Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)

Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) is a NSGIC initiative to support the development of a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies.

Guam Joins the Ranks of GIS-Enabled Governments

The US Interior Department has given a grant to the government of Guam to develop GIS tools for use by the territorial government. (Thanks to All Points Blog for the heads-up).

According to the announcement on the GovGuam web portal, the Island's Governor, Felix Camacho, looks forward to taking advantage of geospatial data to improve government services.

“This funding will improve the ability of our government to analyze and disseminate information using the latest technology,” said Governor Camacho. “The areas of education, health, public safety and infrastructure, as well as all other service areas in our government, will greatly benefit from this technology.”

Guam is not the only US territory to take advantage of GIS and geospatial data. The US Virgin Islands has for several years now been an active member of NSGIC. We hope staff from Guam may be able to join us as well.

Cason Presented With Distinguished Service Award

NSGIC President Learon Dalby, of Arkansas, presented the 2009 NSGIC Distinguished Service Award to James E. Cason, formerly of the U.S. Department of the Interior, on Wednesday, February 25. The presentation took place at the NSGIC Technology Showcase at the Rayburn House Office Building.

Mr. Cason, who had served as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget (PMB) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Department, was given the award both for his work as a strong and effective champion for Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) and for his leadership as Chair of the Steering Committee for Federal Geographic Data Committee.

In this role, he quickly realized that the committee needed strong leadership and a sense of purpose which he provided. In addition, he became the “Champion” for Imagery for the Nation which is still NSGIC’s #1 advocacy issue. He created an Executive Committee to shepherd development of IFTN and gave them a mandate to complete their planning process by the end of 2008. Based on the work of the Executive Committee, Mr. Cason forwarded a stimulus request to fund the program.

Many members of NSGIC were saddened to see Mr. Cason tender his resignation, as protocol dictates, with the recent change in administration. His leadership will be missed, but will serve as an inspiration to help carry forward the work of providing dependable geospatial data for the nation.

The Distinguished Service Award is one of several awards presented by NSGIC. It is usually given "to an individual or organization that is in a leadership position, advanced the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, promoted NSGIC’s goal of efficient and effective government through prudent implementation of geospatial technologies, and is likely to continue in their current or a more challenging position." It is NSGIC’s highest service award recognition.

NSGIC Continues to Support NSDI Improvements

The NSGIC Board has formally endorsed the latest proposal for managing economic stimulus efforts at least in part through good geospatial data and tools.

“A Proposal for Reinvigorating the American Economy Through Investment in the US National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)” was put out by Autodesk, Google, Intergraph, Microsoft and Oracle.

The NSGIC Board's endorsement of this proposal is in addition to the endorsement by the Board last week of a similar proposal by ESRI and Booz Allen Hamilton -- "A Proposal for National Economic Recovery An Investment in Geospatial Information Infrastructure Building a National GIS."

Both proposals have a great deal in common, though they differ on their approaches to data management and to management of NSDI activities within the Federal government.

"NSGIC also has some concerns in these areas, but we believe that we need to send a positive and consistent message regarding these activities to help them succeed," said NSGIC President Learon Dalby, of Arkansas. "We remain focused on NSGIC’s advocacy agenda and I am providing input to these initiatives as appropriate and with approval of the Board of Directors."

Here's an Interesting Idea

Robert Kosara, at Eager Eyes, suggests that there might be a role for a "National Data Agency" to enable the government openness that is now being discussed.

This agency would be tasked with collecting data that all other agencies collect and produce, and making it available in a central place and in electronic, machine-readable form. There could and should be a reasonable data presentation on its website, perhaps even a National Data Dashboard (showing data of interest like debt, spending, jobless rate, etc.). But the bulk of data analysis would be left to third parties: analysts, journalists, citizens (and also aliens like me). Easily available data would make for more insightful reporting, more informed decisions, and endless business opportunities.

This suggestion will undoubtedly spark concerns about growing government, creating more bureaucracies, etc. But what I find most interesting about it are the possible outcomes it envisions and the culture of open data sharing that it describes.

NSGIC Leadership in Support of "Building a National GIS" Proposal

NSGIC President Learon Dalby, writing on behalf of the NSGIC Board and leadership, has sent letters to Congressional leaders in support of the "Building a National GIS" proposal suggested by several of the larger geospatial companies in recent days.

In his letter (PDF), Mr. Dalby notes NSGIC's support for the development and maintenance of the data and systems that would make up a National Spatial Data Infrastructure. he adds:

We support full funding for this proposal to be managed by the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, for activities to design, field, and support the National Geospatial Information System. The Secretary of Interior should distribute those funds accordingly to the appropriate Federal agencies.

The letter was sent on January 19, 2009, to:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
• Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
• Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
• Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI)

COGO Advocates Congressional Oversight of Geospatial Efforts

The leadership of the Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) has sent a letter to Congressional leaders suggesting that House and Senate subcommittees be given some level of jurisdiction over geospatial activities at the federal level.

The letter (PDF) is from COGO Chair (and past NSGIC President) Cy Smith to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). It outlines some of the history of geospatial coordination, stresses the value of geospatial data and coordination in the public and private sectors, and points to the problem with the current state of congressional oversight:

Despite this extraordinary growth and the near-ubiquitous presence of geospatial data in government and the private sector, Congress does not have a committee or subcommittee with primary jurisdiction over geospatial activities. Rather, responsibility for oversight and authorization of federal geospatial activities is spread among more than 30 House and Senate committee and subcommittees.

It is important to note that the letter does not ask for a new committee or subcommittee. Rather, it suggests "including geospatial in the name and mission of an existing House and Senate subcommittee."

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.