DMG -- [Data Management Team]{.smallcaps}

Annual Report -- FY 00

October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2000

> Mission: Improve the use and sharing of information and data
> management systems and promote cost effective data management in the
> California Deserts.

Desert Managers Group [Data Management Team]{.smallcaps}

Paul "Kip" Otis-Diehl, Chair

# Introduction

A very challenging and busy year. We began to meet independently from
the Science Team and were given our own Charter by the DMG. We increased
the "quality" (if not quantity) participation at our meetings. We
discussed our "customers." Which of course were not only the DMG, but
also the other DMG working groups and teams; the academic community; the
general public; and last, but certainly not least, our own individual
agencies.

We also discussed our individual goals for what we wanted out of this
investment in time and energy; because it was more than just a job we
were assigned to do. Professional growth, networking opportunities,
skill building, and the sense of accomplishment for meeting goals
assigned to us \-- is what kept us going.

We reviewed the "Workplan" and prioritized those issues that would be
the foundation for the myriad other issues that are very important to
the DMG. We selected goals that we thought a few people could accomplish
in the coming year:

1.  Establish "Listservers" for both team members and interested
    personnel (see appendix)

2.  Common "Data Standards" (see below)

3.  Attended various other DMG "Team" meetings and provided technical
    advice

4.  Established Subcommittees & Points of Contact for various
    initiatives (to be revised at the next DMT meeting)

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a)  Data Standards Subcommittee

b)  Decision Support System

c)  SERDP "Alternative Futures" Project

d)  SPOT satellite data acquisition

e)  Geo-community websites

# GIS DataBase Survey Results / Implications

Mr. Jeff Foisy will present a more in-depth report on the results of the
survey. But a couple of major points bear appearance here.

1.  "Data Acquisition" is a significant issue among GIS personnel - how
    to acquire data in a timely manner at lowest cost.

2.  "Data Sharing" -- with minimal red-tape (and put it on the MDEP or
    CDCN web-site)

3.  On-line forums -- discussion groups; how to encourage use

The GIS DataBase will be an ongoing effort. Your support is needed and
appreciated.

# Common "Data Standards"

Challenge: To establish common data standards\... Our goal was to
establish basic data standards for: 1) the Mojave Desert Ecosystem
Program; 2) the California Desert Clearinghouse Network; 3) any 'data
sharing' activities among DMG members; 4) any 'data acquisition or
procurement' activities sponsored by the DMG.

The following standards are preliminary recommendations. Final
recommendations will be provided to the DMG following the next DMT
meeting.

1.  Projection -- UTM, Zone 11, NAD 83 (WGS 84), Meters

2.  Spatial Data Output Formats

    a.  ESRI Arc/Info[^1] "Coverage" -- Arc Interchange Format (.e00)

    b.  Multi- & Single-band raster data sets (e.g., Satellite Imagery,
        Digital Orthophotoquads, Digital Raster Graphics, etc.) as
        appropriate -

        1.  ESRI Grid Stack format

        2.  ERDAS[^2] Imagine format

        3.  "geotiff" format

        4.  MrSid[^3] format

3.  File Transfer & Storage Compression -- "gzip" / "TAR"

4.  Data Structure(s)

5.  File Naming Conventions

6.  Minimal Metadata Requirements -- in accordance with Federal
    Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)

    a.  File name, Brief Description, Keywords

    b.  Projection, Datum, Units

    c.  Name / USGS Quadrangle Reference

    d.  Topology, Coordinates, Accuracy

    e.  Publication and/or acquisition date

    f.  Data source, Quality assessment

    g.  Dataset type and File Format

    h.  Agency, POC

7.  Contract language for data deliverables

# California Desert Clearinghouse Network (CDCN)

Preliminary discussions were held on creating a "California Desert
Clearinghouse Network" (CDCN).

1.  Integrated local and regional data sets

2.  Seamless, current, and accessible information network

3.  Operational efficiencies (equipment & personnel), "reachback"
    support

4.  Regional Resource Management & Planning assistance

5.  Public access (FOIA)

# Final Comment

This was the year of preparing the soil for planting... The new Chair
has the opportunity to sow the seeds and reap a bountiful harvest... to
help the DMG accomplish its mission and reach its goals.

I enjoyed working with the Desert Managers, my fellow Team Members in
all the disciplines, the multitudes of 'interested' people who
participated in this DoI/DoD/State of California collaboration, and of
course the coordinators, John Hamill and, especially, Clarence Everly.

# Appendix

1.  Team Members

Paul Kip Otis-Diehl

MCAGCC (FY00 Chair)

Tom Zmudka

BLM CDD (FY01 Chair)

Jeff Foisy

MDEP (FY01 Vice-Chair)

Clarence Everly, DOD/MDEP

John Hamill, DOI

Mickey Quillman, Ft. Irwin

Lorrie Agnew, MCAGCC

Matt Klein, Mojave NP

Gary Lindberg, Joshua Tree NP

Dan Pantone, Ft. Irwin

Nanette Pratini, BLM, UCR

John Vogel, USGS

Ric Williams, Edwards AFB

2.  "GIS" Listserver (Email)

everlyc@peoplepc.com

agnewlr@29palms.usmc.mil

sbenjamin@usgs.gov

jburk@fullerton.edu

mdepoy@ca.blm.gov

bdeverse@ca0252.caso.ca.blm.gov

ebertd@nevada.edu

TCE@rsgis.nr.usu.edu

jfoster@fullerton.edu

abdspri@pacbell.net

Ross@krait.fsl.orst.edu

ctlee@dhvx20.csudh.edu

jonathan_h.\_lee@nps.gov

Gary_Lindberg@nps.gov

dmouat@dri.edu

npratini@ca.blm.gov

mike_reynolds@nps.gov

clark_roberts@mail.fws.gov

rshana@parks.ca.gov

tsturm@usgs.gov

kirk_waln@fws.gov

denise_washick@mail.fws.gov

Ric.Williams@edwards.af.mil

tzmudka@ca.blm.gov

meyerssi@ucs.orst.edu

everlyc@mojavedata.gov

mcablk@dri.edu

otisdiehlpk@29palms.usmc.mil

john_hamill@nps.gov

foisyj@mojavedata.gov

dan.pantone@irwin.army.mil

matt_klein@nps.gov

linda.massimini@irwin.army.mil

jvogel@usgs.gov

34 subscribers as of 9/26/00

3.  DMG -- DMT Brochure

[^1]: Arc/Info™ is a Geographic Information System (GIS) software
    application produced by ESRI, Redlands, California. No government
    endorsement implied.

[^2]: ERDAS Image™ is a proprietary format. No government endorsement is
    implied.

[^3]: MrSid™ is a proprietary raster compression algorithm produced by
    LizardTech Inc. No government endorsement implied.