NSDI Implementation Milo Robinson FGDC

U. S. Policy – OMB Circular A-16From Global – GSDITo Local – Canadian/ U.S. Projects

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)

A US Federal Interagency committee responsible for facilitating geospatial related activities and implementation of the NSDI across the Federal government 19 Federal agencies are members

Cooperate and coordinate with organizations from state, local and tribal governments, the academic community, and the private sector.

Source Year Description

EO T.R.  1906  Created U. S. Geographic Board.

EO3206Wilson

 1919

Created a new Board of Surveys and Maps that took over the responsibilities of U.S. Geographic Board.

EO9094FDR

 1942

Abolished Board of Surveys and Maps and authorizes Director of OMB to perform the functions of the Board.

OMB(BOB) A-16

 1953

Describes responsibilities of Federal agencies with regard to the coordination of surveying and mapping activities.

U.S. Geospatial Policy Roots

 Exhibits A,B,C, & D

 1953 to1964

Attachments to A-16 that outline prog.and oper. for Topographic, Atlas, Geodetic, Int. Boundaries. Some Exhibits were revised.

 A-16 Revised

 1967

Better describes responsibilities of Federal Agencies (leadership and coordination).

OMB M 83-12

 1983

Establishes coordination of Federal digital cartographic data programs.

 A-16 Revised

 1990

Establishes Federal Geographic Data Committee and links more programs.

EO 12906  1994 Establishes the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

A-16 Revised

 2002

Strengthens coordination responsibilities of Federal agencies and incorporates NSDI

Primary U.S. Policy based on: OMB Circular A-16

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

The Vision of the NSDI: to assure that spatial data from multiple sources (Federal, State, and local governments, academia, and the private sector) are widely available and easily integrated to enhance knowledge and understanding of our physical and cultural world.

How is the A-16 structured?

• National Spatial Data Infrastructure• Federal Geographic Data Committee• Scope-Federal Agencies & Activities• Federal Responsibilities • Appendices

What are the Significant Changes in A-16?

Incorporation of NSDI Assignment of Roles and Responsibilities

including Agency responsibility for a spatial data theme in appendix E

OMB is Vice Chair of FGDC More Compelling Language Q/A Format Link to Budget See www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/

Is A-16 New policy?

Avoid duplication of work and improve the standardization of maps (1906)

Invite the ”map using public” to meetings for ”conference and advice” (1919)

A central information office that was to furnish all map and survey data information within the government as well as from other sources (1919)

Is it Improved Policy?

Interoperability of Federal information systems Enhance E-government Support Global Spatial Data Infrastructure

Global Spatial Data Infrastructure

GSDI 1 Bonn Germany Sept 1996 GSDI 2 Chapel Hill NC October 1997 GSDI 3 Canberra Australia November 1998 GSDI 4 Capetown South Africa March 2000 GSDI 5 Cartagena Colombia May 2001 GSDI 6 Budapest Hungary September 2002

Over 250 attendees

Over 50 Nations represented

GSDI 7 Bangalore India February 2004 GSDI 8 Cairo (with FIG) April 2005

GSDI Evolution

Steering Committee formed at GSDI 3 in 1998 together a number of Working Groups

Technical Working Group produced first edition of SDI Cookbook for GSDI 4 in 2000

FGDC in secretarial role after GSDI 4 Proposal to create a GSDI Association agreed at

GSDI 5 in 2001 GSDI Association operational in 2004 for GSDI 7

Create a Global Spatial Data Create a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) ………Infrastructure (GSDI) ……… Create a Global Spatial Data Create a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) ………Infrastructure (GSDI) ………

To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques

….. and accessible via the web

To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques

….. and accessible via the web

Why did FGDC get involved?

GSDI is consistent with mission of FGDC FGDC involved from the beginning

Rationale: Truly transnational issues Exchange of issues -- successes/problems Lessons to be learned Serious interest in global interoperability It just makes good business sense

GSDI – An idea at the cusp

Foster SDI development locally to globally

• Access data at a variety of scales and from multiple sources

• Common standards an interoperable systems and techniques

• Heavy reliance on partners world-wide• Support sustainable development• Poverty and famine reduction• Advancing health, safety, & social well being

of all nations

Joint US-CanadaSpatial Data Infrastructure Projects

Access, Metadata/Clearinghouse Standards Partnerships Framework

Objectives of the joint demonstration projects

Refine US/ Canadian spatial data infrastructure (SDI) Have an interoperable SDI for North America &

beyond… Stimulate cross border cooperation between Canada

and the US for common objectives Obtain down to earth user perspective at the application

level or local level Receive practical recommendations on technical and

policy issues to advance SDI Encourage private sector participation Visibility, communications and outreach on SDI initiatives

Funding

•Funded through GeoConnections and FGDC

•Based on cost sharing - project participants must leverage funds by matching through cash or in-kind contributions

Project Requirements

Project participation - minimum of 4 organizations (2 from Can. & US - including private sector )

Projects cover a common geographic area of mutual concern that crosses the international boundary

Demonstration of collaborative approaches in solving regional/community issues using framework data

The project has to find tangible solutions to a specific issue

The Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y)

Roughly defined Roughly defined by the Rocky by the Rocky Mountains from Mountains from central Wyoming central Wyoming to the Yukon to the Yukon TerritoryTerritory

Red River Basin

Data Challenges

Non-Uniform Standards and Formats Mismatch at the Border Restricted Data Sets Uncertain Spatial Data Quality

No understanding of how data was derived What data would you trust?

Some Data sets are Missing Merging data across jurisdictional boundaries Management agency State/Provincial National

Lack of consistent data models Source scales vary

Inconsistent positional accuracy Attribute systems vary

Challenge to ‘cross walk’ the attributes Edge matching is difficult Vertical integration is difficult

Challenging Hydrology Example

Hydrology across a portion of the U.S./Canada border

Different densities Different scales

Challenging Connectivity Example at the Border

• features at border

Provided by JOR Engineering

What have we learned?

Never assume that they know everything that they should some training may be required remember the learning curve

In this new High Tech. Environment, face to face meetings are still one of the best ways to understand each others!

Be patient and be flexible when they ask for something, be ready to guide them, provide contacts, avenues--leadership

Pathfinder:

Milo Robinson, Federal Geographic Data Committee mrobinson@fgdc.gov (703) 648-5162 www.fgdc.gov www.gsdi.org www.geoconnections.ca