TEN REASONS AMERICA NEEDS A STRONG

SURVEYING PROFESSION

John PalatielloCLSA-NALS ConferenceSan Diego, CaliforniaApril 13, 2014

1. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)

Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/

geographic/place-based data for implementation

Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/

geographic/place-based data for implementation• HHS has no GMO/GIO

Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/

geographic/place-based data for implementation• HHS has no GMO/GIO• Could that be a factor in the law’s failed roll-out?

Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/

geographic/place-based data for implementation• HHS does not have a GMO/GIO• Could that be a factor in the law’s failed roll-out?• The expertise of the surveying profession could

benefit the American people

2. Federal Land Inventory

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000

unneeded buildings

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000

unneeded buildings• Based on a database GAO finds “unreliable and of limited

usefulness” and “not current or reliable”

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000

unneeded buildings• Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and

of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”• Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory

includes buildings only, and not land

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000

unneeded buildings• Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and

of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”• Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory

includes buildings only, and not land• Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform (FLAIR) Act

Federal Land Inventory• The Federal government does not have a current,

accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000

unneeded buildings• Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and

of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”• Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory

includes buildings only, and not land• The expertise of the surveying profession could

benefit the American people

3. National Parcel System

National Parcel System• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or

“cadastre”

National Parcel System• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or

“cadastre”• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the

parcel level

National Parcel System• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or

“cadastre”• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the

parcel level• Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”

that could have prevented, at least minimized, the mortgage foreclosure crisis

National Parcel System• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or

“cadastre”• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the

parcel level• Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”

that could have prevented, at least minimized, the mortgage foreclosure crisis

• “Dodd-Frank” law enables collection of data under Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) at parcel level, to be implemented by new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

National Parcel System• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or

“cadastre”• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the parcel

level• Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”

that could have prevented, at least minimized, the mortgage foreclosure crisis

• “Dodd-Frank” law enables collection of data under Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) at parcel level, to be implemented by new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

• The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit the American people

4. Digital Coast

Digital Coast• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million

Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020

Digital Coast• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million

Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020

• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located within coastal zones

Digital Coast• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million

Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020

• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located within coastal zones

• Balancing economic development with ecological management requires accurate data and integrated information that enable coastal communities to address many coastal and emergency management issues.

Digital Coast• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million

Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020

• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located within coastal zones

• Balancing economic development with ecological management requires accurate data and integrated information that enable coastal communities to address many coastal and emergency management issues

• Digital Coast Act

Digital Coast• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million

Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020

• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located within coastal zones

• Balancing economic development with ecological management requires accurate data and integrated information that enable coastal communities to address many coastal and emergency management issues

• Digital Coast Act• The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit

the American people

5. Highway Bill

Highway Bill• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires

September 30

Highway Bill• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires

September 30• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services

are essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and maintain highways

Highway Bill• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires

September 30• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services

are essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and maintain highways

• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle” technology allows vehicles to communicate potential risks to drivers and avoid rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes

Highway Bill• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires

September 30• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services are

essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and maintain highways

• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle” technology allows vehicles to communicate potential risks to drivers and avoid rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes

• MAP-21 reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress to leverage investments, introduce new geospatial technology, data, products and services, reduce costs, and enhance safety and efficiency in our Nation’s transportation systems

Highway Bill• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires September

30• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services are

essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and maintain highways

• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle” technology allows vehicles to communicate potential risks to drivers and avoid rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes

• MAP-21 reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress to leverage investments, introduce new geospatial technology, data, products and services, reduce costs, and enhance safety and efficiency in our Nation’s transportation systems

• The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit the American people

6. Underground Utilities

Underground Utilities• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25

times

Underground Utilities• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25

times• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit

somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds

Underground Utilities• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25

times• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit

somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds• Improved underground infrastructure location would

enhance public safety, environmental protection and the economy

Underground Utilities• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25

times• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit

somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds• Improved underground infrastructure location would

enhance public safety, environmental protection and the economy

• Federal law should be strengthened on accurate location (surveying and mapping) of such pipelines and other forms of underground utility infrastructure

Underground Utilities• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25

times• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit

somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds• Improved underground infrastructure location would

enhance public safety, environmental protection and the economy

• Federal law should be strengthened on accurate location (surveying and mapping) of such pipelines and other forms of underground utility infrastructure

• The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit the American people

7. FEMA Flood Insurance

FEMA Flood Insurance• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers

FEMA Flood Insurance• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,

then revised, repealed key provisions last month

FEMA Flood Insurance• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,

then revised, repealed key provisions last month• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of

surveying technology can improve the program

FEMA Flood Insurance• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,

then revised, repealed key provisions last month• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of

surveying technology needed to improve the program• Surveyors can help Congress with recommendations to

result in fairness, loss prevention, and equitable premiums

FEMA Flood Insurance• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,

then revised, repealed key provisions last month• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of

surveying technology needed to improve the program• Surveyors can help Congress with recommendations to

result in fairness, loss prevention, and equitable premiums• The expertise of the surveying profession could

benefit the American people

8. Geospatial Coordination

Geospatial Coordination• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area

where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal government

Geospatial Coordination• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area

where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal government

• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial expenditures

Geospatial Coordination• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area

where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal government

• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial expenditures

• FGDC process, structure is broken

Geospatial Coordination• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area

where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal government

• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial expenditures

• FGDC process, structure is broken• Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act

Geospatial Coordination• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area

where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal government

• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial expenditures

• FGDC process, structure is broken• Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act• The expertise of the surveying profession could

benefit the American people

9. Privacy/UAVs

Privacy/UAVs• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen

privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”, without defining the term

Privacy/UAVs• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen

privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”, without defining the term

• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for applications that provide enormous public benefit

Privacy/UAVs• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen

privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”, without defining the term

• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for applications that provide enormous public benefit

• The collection, storage and dissemination of imagery and geospatial data, including from UAVs, does not threaten the privacy of individual citizens

Privacy/UAVs• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen

privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”, without defining the term

• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for applications that provide enormous public benefit

• The collection, storage and dissemination of imagery and geospatial data, including from UAVs, does not threaten the privacy of individual citizens

• The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit the American people

10. Status of Surveying Profession

Status of Surveying Profession• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,

such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the Davis-Bacon Act

Status of Surveying Profession• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,

such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the Davis-Bacon Act

• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline within the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs are classified as Social Sciences

Status of Surveying Profession• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,

such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the Davis-Bacon Act

• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline within the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs are classified as Social Sciences

• Surveying population is aging, number taking licensing exam is declining

Status of Surveying Profession• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,

such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the Davis-Bacon Act

• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline within the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs are classified as Social Sciences

• Surveying population is aging, number taking licensing exam is declining

Conclusions• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by

the expertise of the surveying profession

Conclusions• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by

the expertise of the surveying profession• Surveyors need to project a professional image and

elevate the public’s understanding of the important role they play in American life

Conclusions• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by

the expertise of the surveying profession• Surveyors need to project a professional image and

elevate the public’s understanding of the important role they play in American life

• A well educated and qualified surveying workforce for tomorrow is critically needed to enhance and protect the public health, safety and welfare

THANK YOU!

John PalatielloCLSA-NALS ConferenceSan Diego, CaliforniaApril 13, 2014