**Federal Geographic Data Committee**

July 25, 2005

**Wetlands Data**

I.  **Purpose of the Exhibit**

This exhibit addresses lead agency and subcommittee responsibilities for
the coordination of spatial wetlands data related activities among
Federal agencies. It establishes a mechanism for the coordinated
development, use, sharing, and dissemination of spatial wetlands data
financed in whole or in part by Federal funds.

II. **Authority**

Under the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, revised August
19, 2002, responsibility to coordinate wetlands data related activities
is assigned to the Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. This Federal government-wide leadership for spatial wetlands
data coordination is carried out under the auspices of the Federal
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

III. **Scope**

Wetland spatial data describes lands transitional between terrestrial
and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the
surface, or the land is covered by shallow water part of the year. The
wetlands layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure also contains
adjacent deepwater and riparian habitats.

IV. **Lead Agency**

The lead agency responsible for the coordination, management and
dissemination of spatial wetlands data is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service). Pertinent enabling authority resides in the Emergency
Wetlands Resources Act of 1986. The Service has designated its National
Wetlands Inventory Project (NWI) to undertake the responsibilities to
satisfy the requirements of Circular A-16. In carrying out Federal
government-wide leadership in spatial wetland data coordination, the
Service is directly responsible to the FGDC, and the NWI ensures
compliance with the objectives and guidance provided by the FGDC.

V.  **Subcommittee**

The FGDC Wetlands Subcommittee was established to promote standards of
accuracy and consistency in spatial wetlands data financed in whole or
in part by Federal funds; to exchange information on technological
improvements for collecting spatial wetlands data; to encourage the
Federal and non-Federal community to identify and adopt standards and
specifications for spatial wetlands data; and to collect and process the
requirements of Federal and non-Federal organizations for spatial
wetlands data.

VI. **Membership**

The Subcommittee shall consist of representatives designated by the
Federal agencies that collect or finance the collection of spatial
wetlands data as part of their mission or have direct application of
these data through legislated mandate. Each member agency of the
Subcommittee shall designate its representative, and an alternate, if
necessary, and changes thereto, \[by memorandum from that agency\] to
the Subcommittee Chairperson.

Other organizations may be added with the concurrence of the Chairperson
of the Subcommittee. Federal organizations can request membership by
writing to the Subcommittee Chairperson. The Subcommittee may also
invite non-Federal participants, on an ad hoc basis, to provide
information and briefings, as determined by needs of the Subcommittee.

The Subcommittee shall be chaired by a NWI representative of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. Members may invite other Federal employees to
provide assistance at meetings, however, only the member or designated
alternate may represent the agency.

# Responsibilities

The spectrum of responsibilities of the Subcommittee includes the
following:

A.  Facilitate the coordination of agency activities and the exchange of
    spatial wetlands data, by formal and informal means.

B.  Collect, compile, and report information on Federal agencies spatial
    wetlands data activities.

C.  Determine the level of detail of spatial wetlands and related
    habitat data that are to be included in a coordinated wetlands layer
    of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and recommend the
    addition of other levels of detail of spatial wetlands data not
    currently being collected.

D.  Establish integrated priorities for the production of spatial
    wetlands data, and facilitate and coordinate partnerships for
    producing the data.

E.  Promote government-wide use of defined and published spatial data
    transfer standards for spatial wetlands data.

F.  Develop and adopt common standards of content, format and accuracy
    for spatial wetlands and related habitat data for use by all Federal
    agencies, in order to encourage use by non-Federal organizations, to
    increase interchangeability, and to enhance potential for multiple
    uses.

G.  Establish and maintain mechanisms and reports to interface with
    databases of other agencies participating in building the wetlands
    layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

H.  Facilitate the economic and efficient application of spatial
    wetlands data through the sharing of experiences and analyses
    involving applications.

I.  Support higher-order or crosscutting activities established or
    recognized by the FGDC.

J.  Encourage agencies to ensure that the disposition of spatial
    wetlands data is carried out in coordination with the National
    Archives and Records Administration in order to provide for the
    permanent preservation of historically valuable data.

K.  Participate in the development and evaluation of international data
    definitions and standards used by the United Nations and other
    international agencies and make recommendations for their inclusions
    in the spatial wetlands data as appropriate.

L.  Foster technology development to address wetland mapping needs or
    gaps in information.

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VII. **Procedures**

Subcommittee meetings shall be held at the call of the Subcommittee
Chairperson and shall be held at least quarterly. Notification of
meetings and an agenda will be normally distributed to members of the
Subcommittee and to the Executive Secretary 10 Federal workdays in
advance of the meeting.

All decisions shall be on the basis of consensus agreement. Where
agreement is not reached, the issue will be promptly referred to the
FGDC Executive Secretary to be scheduled for resolution.

The Subcommittee Chairperson shall consult with the Chair of the
Coordination Group to determine prior to implementing any Subcommittee
decisions that may impact the FGDC or its other subcommittee or working
groups.

The Subcommittee Chair is responsible for the development and
implementation of the subcommittee's annual work plans to coordinate
spatial wetlands data related activities among Federal and non-Federal
agencies and the reporting annually of such activities to the FGDC.

The Subcommittee may establish additional rules and procedures for
conducting business.

VIII. **Subgroups**

The Wetlands Subcommittee may create work groups, task groups, or
further subdivisions, at the discretion of the Subcommittee Chairperson,
as appropriate to carry out its activities and meet its
responsibilities. The establishment of subgroups for more than 12 months
duration that are in addition to any specified in this exhibit and the
abolishment of any such subgroup requires the approval of the FGDC.
Participants in any group may be drawn from its member organizations and
from other organizations, as appropriate.

# Coordinating Mechanisms

The Subcommittee will employ those tools that are best suited to meeting
its responsibilities, such as subcommittee meetings, national user
forum, annual requirements solicitations, user surveys and analyses,
spatial data user workshops, research initiatives, and cooperative
ventures.

The Subcommittee Chairperson will coordinate the Subcommittee's
activities with other FGDC subcommittees, working groups, and other
components by participating in the FGDC's Coordination Group.

IX. **Reports**

The Subcommittee shall report to the FGDC annually, by December 31,
describing the requirements for, production of, and availability of
spatial wetlands data. This annual status report shall be submitted to
the Executive Secretary, and shall contain at least accomplishments of
the past calendar year, an operating plan for activities planned for the
next year, photographs, diagrams, and other materials that may be of
value for inclusion in the annual FGDC report to the Office of
Management and Budget, and a brief discussion of problems encountered
and other matters of interest.

The Subcommittee shall submit the operating plan for the upcoming year
for FGDC review and concurrence. Special reports and technical papers
also may be required by the FGDC during the reporting period describing
special projects, coordination with other subcommittees, and the
development of status graphics or catalogs and informational and
educational brochures on the use and availability of spatial wetlands
data.

The Subcommittee Chairperson shall provide a draft report of
Subcommittee meetings, including Subcommittee recommendations and action
items, to all Subcommittee members for review prior to approval.

The Subcommittee Chairperson shall provide the final report of the
Subcommittee meetings to all Subcommittee members, the FGDC Executive
Secretary, and the Standards Working Group Chairperson.

X.  **Termination**

The Subcommittee shall remain in existence until terminated by the FGDC.