|  |  | A Publication ofThe Federal Geographic Data Committee
November 1995N E W S L E T T E RCOMPETITIVE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM WORKSHOPOn August 21-22, in Charleston, South Carolina, the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)brought together the recipients of the 1994 and the 1995 National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Competitive Cooperative Agreements Program (CCAP) Awards. The NSDI CCAP was established by the FGDC to help form partnerships with the non-Federal sector to assist in the evolution of the NSDI.  This program provides funding for cooperative agreements to State and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, and private organizations. The goal is to encourage resource-sharing projects through the use of technology, networking, andmore efficient interagency interaction.
The workshop participants represented a broad cross-section of agencies and organizations actively engaged in activities to improve the NSDI through consistent geospatial data documentation,coordinated geospatial data collection and expanded interagency coordination. FGDC Secretariat staffprovided Clearinghouse and Metadata implementation training, and 1994 CCAP project representativesdescribed their technical, operational, and business experiences. The workshop provided a forum foropen and candid discussion of "lessons learned" and provided opportunities for pooling knowledge,resources, and research capabilities for the benefit of all participants. Among the most often cited"lessons learned" are: be flexible in approach; keep tasks simple; get involved in State councils (and get State councils involved!);  encourage broad participation, even if project is small; holdpresentations about the project  in different cities and towns around the State; stay focused on thelong-term goal; and, recognize that today's technology will change and may not always offer the mosteffective or efficient solutions.
The 1994 CCAP project reports will be available soon. In the meantime, checkout the FGDC Homepage for links to CCAPparticipants' Clearinghouse nodes, and to find out about the CCAP projectsselected for 1995.
Upcoming 1996 Competitive Cooperative Agreements Program AnnouncementThe 1996 CCAP announcement is in development.  In addition to previous objectives promoting NSDIclearinghouse, and metadata activities, CCAP will address projects beneficial to the development of the NSDI framework concept.  Watch for the announcement and details in the Federal Register, TheCommerce Business Daily, various GIS magazines and the FGDC Homepage or contact the FGDC to let us know you are interested.
A Software Entrepreneur Opportunity...
Informal discussions during the August Charleston CCAP workshop centered around the need for aFGDC compliant metadata collection tool.  Participants felt that a collection tool should have output capability to a relational database management system (RDBMS), and to a hypertext markup language (HTML) or related languages for Internet browsers.  This software should also have a graphic interface, and the capability to create parseable metadata files that can be read by other packages.
Suggested software types ranged from shareware to fully integrated network products.  Thoughestimates range from $10 to $2,000 site licenses, most participants stated they would be willing to pay from $100 to $500, for a useful collection tool.
NATIONAL DIGITAL GEOSPATIAL DATA FRAMEWORK WORKSHOPPresidential Executive Order 12906 directed the FGDC to submit a plan and schedule to the OMB for completion of the initial implementation of a national digital geospatial data framework. The Executive Order identified framework data as those data "most significant to a broad variety of users within any geographic area or nationwide." The FGDC convened an intergovernmental Working Group to refine the framework concept and draft the plan and schedule. The final report proposed seven framework data themes (geodetic control, digital orthoimagery, elevation, transportation, hydrography, governmental units, and cadastral data), and the technical characteristics and institutional arrangements believed to be necessary to make the framework concept a reality.
The first in a series of  NSDI Framework Workshops being hosted by the FGDC was held August 23-25, 1995, in Charleston, South Carolina.  The workshop participants represented 22 consortia from across the nation that are engaged in "framework-like" cooperative efforts in geospatial data collection, sharing and coordination. Consortia consist of members from local, State, and Federal government, utilities and academia. In addition, commercial software developers attended and contributed their perspectives on the technological and business aspects of instituting the framework.
The NSDI framework concept as described in the April 1995, report  Development of a NationalDigital Geospatial Data Framework  was re-examined in light of the consortia-led framework pilotprojects database developments.  "How to begin" is a key issue; diverse implementation strategies will be needed to encourage broad participation.
Difficult technical issues were discussed including the feature-based data model, permanentfeature-identification codes, vertical theme integration and contiguous dataset edgematching.  Current technology is limited in providing efficient solutions for easy implementation of these data characteristics.
Key to the institutional discussion of framework is the role of area integrators, who may maintain data, coordinate data creation, and implement certification policies and technical standards. The area integrator role needs to be more closely examined.  The issues of who certifies data and the criteria used must be further addressed.
A phased implementation of framework was suggested to facilitate the geospatial data community'sunderstanding of the framework concept, and to allow time to establish the necessary institutional and business arrangements. The evolution of common terminology and software applications supportive of framework data will be a continuous process. Workshop participants agreed that education andoutreach to promote the framework concept are crucial for correcting misperceptions, as well as forpromoting the benefits of framework. Framework implementation must be a process that allows forflexible adaptation over time while achieving the basic goals for nationwide availability of the best basic data.
If your organization is building what you think are framework datasets and/or functions as an areaintegrator and you wish to participate in a framework pilot project,  please send a brief (one-page)summary to the FGDC Secretariat. The summary should include: project description, data themescollected or coordinated, geographic area of interest, current funding, project time frames and a point of contact.
Framework Cadastral PartnershipsThe Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with the State ofMissouri, the Arizona State Lands Department, and the Oneida County Wisconsin Surveyor, haveinitiated partnerships and pilot activities for implementing the NSDI framework cadastral data theme.These pilot activities will prototype digital data sharing, maintenance, and technical collectionissues, and will pursue evolving cooperative multi-agency relationships.
Land ownership and boundary data will be utilized to model and to test the framework concept, and toestablish procedures for the cadastral data theme framework implementation.  Data content will consist of boundary lines and points, survey corners and survey lines, special surveys and reservation features. The U.S. Forest Service will contribute data where available.
Pilot project objectives include consistent feature representation of multi-resolution data, improved data quality, and multi-source data integration.  These projects will be an opportunity to show how the framework concept can be applied by data users and producers, and to work towards a common portrayal of data at all levels of government.
Any questions regarding this project may be directed to the project managers, Debra Dinville, BLMLiaison to USGS at (303) 202-4127 or Carol Giffin, USGS Liaison to BLM at (303) 236-0537.
National States Geographic Information Council SurveyThe National States Geographic Information Council's Standards Committee recently released theresults of a survey conducted in 1994 to identify the current status of geographic information and GIS standards development and their adoption at the State level. The survey was sent to representatives of State geographic information coordinating councils in each of the fifty States. Thirty-four State representatives responded. A ranking of survey responses indicates the following top five most needed standards in order of importance:
1.  Cataloging and documenting data
2.  Producing consistent and geometrically accurate base data
3.  Developing standards for data that are critical for permitting policy decisions
4.  Standardizing on consistent methodologies          for the physical exchange of data
5.  Dealing with policy issues related to public access.
The survey is available for $10.00 (postage paid) from :National States Geographic Information Council
45 Lyme Road Suite 304
Hanover, New Hampshire
03755-1223

Voice: (603) 643-1600, Fax: (603) 643-1444
E-mail: [email protected]
FGDC/State Council PartnershipsThe Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) was established by the Office of Management andBudget (OMB) in 1990 to "promote the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination ofsurveying, mapping, and related spatial data." At about the same time (and even earlier in some cases), GIS "champions" in State agencies, in universities, and in local governments across the country formed local and regional Geographic Information System (GIS) user groups and information councils. Many of those informal groups have evolved over time into organizations with responsibilities for statewide geographic data coordination. The FGDC and those State councils share a common interest in, and commitment to, the wise stewardship of the national geographic information resource.
To establish a more formal mechanism for interaction with State councils, the FGDC has initiated apartnership program. All State councils, and other "cooperating groups" willing to promote the use ofFGDC-endorsed standards, to participate in the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, to coordinategeographic data collection and dissemination, and to encourage participation among all sectors ofsociety in those efforts are invited to participate. For a more detailed description of the respective roles and responsibilities of FGDC and cooperating groups, request a copy of the Guidelines to Encourage Cooperation in Development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure from the FGDC Secretariat.
The Alaska Geographic Data CommitteeThe Alaska Geographic Data Committee (AGDC) provides a forum for the coordinationof spatial data development, the development of coordinated methodologies forimplementing standards and policies, and for building geospatial data partnershipsbetween Federal, State and local agencies. The AGDC also provides leadership inthe coordination of surveying, mapping, and related spatial data activities. TwentyFederal agencies and five Departments within the State of Alaska are active membersof the AGDC. The committee facilitates data transfer and information exchange,and the coordination of data collection to reduce duplication of effort. The AGDCworks with the non-Federal community through organizations such as the Councilon Northern Resource Information Management (CONRIM), and the Alaska Surveyingand Mapping Conference. Current cooperative shared resource activities includethose for the joint USGS/BLM/FWS/NPS digital hydrography revision project, andthe State of Alaska Census/Transportation project, and the Alaska Geospatial DataProgram.  For additional information contact Paul Brooks, AGDC Chair, at(907) 786-7000.
One Year on the Internet: The NWI ExperienceThe National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) recently announced the results of its initialexperience serving the wetlands data as part of the NSDI.  During the first yearof serving digital data on the Internet, users downloaded 93,882 quads, savingthe public $863,714 in paperwork and processing effort. By offering this service,NWI met the April 1995 deadline for providing public access to geospatial datasets in the NSDI Executive Order (#12906).
Analysis of the first year's Internet use shows that about one-third of the NWIwetland files downloaded went to government agencies.  Other users included commercialenterprises, environmental organizations, universities, the military and usersfrom 25 countries.
Data are available in a compressed digital line graph (DLG) format. Also availableand popular is the NWI conversion and file decompression software. Three-quartersof all data downloaded from the NWI Homepage are digital geospatial data. Sincethe network site began operating, offline media orders on magnetic tape havedecreased significantly, reducing costs and customer delay. Visit theNWI Homepage.
URISA 96The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) and the FGDC willjointly cosponsor a NSDI Partnership Forum as a part of the upcoming 1996 URISAConference scheduled for July 27-August 1 in Salt Lake City. Watch this spacefor more details.
FGDC/NSDI HomepageSeveral links have been added to the Federal Geographic Data Committee NSDI server.This list can be accessed by World Wide Web browsers such as Mosaic or Netscapeand with such text-based browsers as Lynx. The URL of the NSDI Homepage is/www.fgdc.gov>.
The FGDC Thematic page now links to information on the activities of the FGDCsubcommittees for the cultural and demographic data theme coordinated by the Bureauof the Census, the ground transportation data theme coordinated by the Departmentof Transportation and the geodetic control data theme coordinated by the NationalGeodetic Survey.
Spotlight on FGDC SubcommitteesEach subcommittee of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is responsiblefor coordinating the activities related to a specific theme of geospatial data.These activities include establishing and implementing standards for data contentand data exchange, encouraging data sharing, and organizing data collection tominimize duplication. The subcommittees are composed primarily of Federal agencyrepresentatives. The following are highlights of current subcommittee activities.
Base Cartographic SubcommitteePoint of Contact (POC)Mark DeMulderInterior - USGS(703) 648-4514
The Subcommittee for Base Cartographic Data (SBCD) is sponsoring the developmentof several national standards. These include standards for digital orthoimagery,standards for digital elevation data, and a replacement for National Map AccuracyStandard.
The objectives of the standards for digital orthoimagery and digital elevationdata are to provide flexible and inclusive standards for data users and producersacross local, State and Federal agencies under the auspices of the FGDC. Thesestandards will aid in accomplishing the goals of Executive Order 12906, "CoordinatingGeographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure"(U.S. Executive Office of the President, 1994), which calls for the implementationof a national digital geospatial data framework. The FGDC will seek wide involvementfrom the spatial data community at large in the review and development of thesestandards in order to produce truly national standards that are valuable to allsegments of the community. The SBCD expects to submit the digital orthoimageryand elevation standards to the Coordination Group in late 1995 to start the publicreview and comment period.
The replacement for the National Map Accuracy Standard (NMAS), known as the NationalSpatial Data Accuracy Standard (NSDAS), has been under development for severalyears, its genesis having been an American Society for Photogrammetry and RemoteSensing proposal for an NMAS replacement.  The NSDAS defines positional accuracyof spatial data, in both digital and graphic form, derived from sources such asaerial photographs, satellite images, or existing maps. The draft NSDAS has nowbeen harmonized with the draft Standards for Geospatial Positioning, which definepositional accuracy standards for geodetic control networks, being developed bythe Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee.  Both of these standards are expectedto be submitted to the FGDC Coordination Group for endorsement and release forpublic review and comment during early 1996.
Bathymetric SubcommitteeMillington Lockwood, POCCommerce - NOAA(301) 713-2777
The Bathymetric Subcommittee is planning to focus its 1996 efforts on the areas of clearinghouse, datastandards and outreach.
As part of the NSDI Clearinghouse activities, the Bathymetric Subcommittee isdeveloping a "Homepage" site on the World Wide Web.  This site -- scheduled tobe operational in January 1996 -- will be associated with the NOAA Office of theCoast Survey (formerly the Coast and Geodetic Survey) and will contain linkagesto a wide range of bathymetric, hydrographic, and marine information sourcesavailable over the WWW. In addition, the site will include notice of meetings,minutes of previous meetings, data standards under development, proposals forframework data collection efforts, and a referral to data experts.
In cooperation with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the BathymetricSubcommittee is drafting an accuracy and data quality standard for bathymetricdata. This standard is a revision of the procedures designated by the IHO as "S-44"and allows consideration of data of various horizontal and vertical (water depth)accuracies to be included.  Previous standards were of a "pass-fail" nature anddid not account for data collected by agencies that were not associated withthe production of nautical chart products. It is hoped that this expansion of theold S-44 standard will facilitate the expanded collection and use of bathymetricdata by the entire community.
One of the main efforts of the Bathymetric Subcommittee is to try to reach thelarge community of data producers and users who are not associated with Federalgovernment programs. In order to accomplish this goal, the subcommittee attemptsto hold each year at least one "open forum" outside the Washington, D.C., area.In 1995, the subcommittee held a half-day workshop in conjunction with the CoastalZone-95 meeting in Tampa, Florida, in July.  Approximately 50 individuals attendedthis meeting, including representatives of State and local governments, academicinstitutions, and the private sector. A second meeting will be held in late Octoberin conjunction with the Federal Waterways R&D meeting in Washington, D.C. Thesubcommittee plans to continue this type of community interaction during 1996.Individuals or organizations who are aware of a national meeting at which theBathymetric Subcommittee could hold a forum are urged to contact the Subcommittee'sExecutive Secretary, Millington Lockwood, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1315 East-WestHighway, Sta. 6222, Silver Spring, MD 20910; fax x4019, or E-Mail: [email protected].
Cadastral SubcommitteeBob Ader, POCInterior - Bureau of Land Management(303) 236-3587
Based on the public review of the Content Standard for Cadastral Data, the subcommitteehas divided the original standard into several parts.  This will result in threeseparate standards that will be more focused and more easily understood.
The three standards are:
-  Cadastral Data Content Standard      Federal Domain of Values for the Content Standard     Cadastral Metadata Clearinghouse Domain of Values.
The Data Content Standard describes the elements contained in a cadastral datatheme, the definitions of those elements, their attributes, and relationships.The subcommittee will complete a final draft of the Data Content Standard andbegin standard validation in November, and will deliver the standard to the FGDCStandards Working Group in January 1996, with expected approval of the standardin the Spring.
The Federal Domain of Values describes the values for attributes in the CadastralData Content Standards for Federal applications.  The subcommittee will be workingwith the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and the National Instituteof Standards and Technology (NIST) to complete this task.
The Clearinghouse Domain of Values will provide guidance for adding cadastraldata to a clearinghouse function.  This is based on the FGDC Content Standardfor Geospatial Metadata.
Cultural and Demographic SubcommitteeFred Broome, ChairCommerce - Bureau of the Census(301) 457-1056
The Subcommittee on Cultural and Demographic Data (SCDD) has linked to the NSDIwith an informative home page that provides a status report of the SCDD's standardsactivities, an opportunity to review the draft Content Standards for Culturaland Demographic Data Metadata, and the minutes of subcommittee meetings. In addition,the homepage provides links to member agency sites that have interesting culturaland demographic data. The SCDD Homepage URL is 
/www.census.gov/ftp/pub/geo/www/standards/scdd>.The SCDD reconvened after a summer recess to an ambitious schedule focused oncompleting work items already begun rather than embarking on new projects. Toppingthe list are efforts to identify key cultural and demographic thematic data setsthat meet national planning and management needs and to identify classificationschemes for cultural and demographic data. The process of gathering informationon data sets is integral to understanding the still elusive terms "cultural" and"demographic" and to help member agencies determine commonality among their datainterests. Identifying common interests also is key to improving data access andbeginning work on cultural and demographic content and data exchange standards.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to be the first memberagency to participate in the process by hosting a data search and define sessionopen to all interested subcommittee members. The information gathering processwill evolve as each member agency participates in and adds to a cultural anddemographic data matrix.
The SCDD's Content Standards for Cultural and Demographic Data Metadata standard is currentlyunder review by the Standards Working Group.
Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee
John Spencer, POC
Commerce - NOAA
(301) 713-3169
The Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) charter was revised recentlyto include oversight for the activities of the Global Positioning System InteragencyAdvisory Council (GIAC) as a working group of the subcommittee. In order to makethe GIAC more representative of the Federal civilian community, efforts will bemade in the coming year to expand membership, particularly among Federal law andsafety enforcement agencies. An inventory of Federal GPS applications will becompiled by early 1996, with input from GIAC member agencies. In addition toworking specific technical issues, the GIAC plans to hold an open forum during1996.
The subcommittee and its working groups will continue to make information availableon the Internet through the FGCS homepage. This information includes the FGCScharter, minutes of meetings, action items, reports, and instrument evaluationtest schedules. The subcommittee notes that having the information posted substantiallyincreases the availability of access to FGCS activities, while reducing the numberof formal inquiries received, including those made under the Freedom of InformationAct.
See the  FGCS homepagefor additional information.
Ground Transportation SubcommitteeBruce Spear, Chair, Department of Transportation - Bureau of Transportation Statistics (202) 366-8870
The Ground Transportation Subcommittee is continuing its work on developing standardsto facilitate the exchange of geospatial data bases depicting transportation networks.Two major subcommittee activities for the coming year include the developmentof a data dictionary for transportation spatial features, and a workshop to discusshow to represent complex transportation features such as routes in spatial databasesand transfer them under the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS).
A draft data dictionary is being compiled at the Volpe National TransportationSystems Center based on glossaries of transportation terms collected from subcommitteemembers. The glossaries have been scanned for terms that identify spatial features,which will then be grouped into broader categories that can be represented asspecific spatial objects.  The resulting categories will be published in a draftreport that will be circulated for review throughout the transportation community.A working draft is expected early in 1996.
The workshop, titled "Linear Referencing and the Spatial Data Transfer Standard,"will be held January 6-7, 1996, in Washington, DC.  It builds upon the resultsof the first Location Data Modeling Workshop held August 5-6, 1994, in Milwaukee,Wisconsin, but will focus on the practical implementation issues of transferringsuch features as transit routes and linear referencing systems as part of a spatialdatabase. The results of this workshop will be incorporated into the SDTSTransportation Network profile (TNP).
Ongoing activities of the Ground Transportation Subcommittee can now be followedby accessing the subcommittees's homepage on the Wide World Web at: /www.bts.gov/gis/fgdc>.This site includes minutes of subcommittee meetings; subcommittee charter, membership,and annual work plans; and technical documents related to the subcommittee's standardsdevelopment efforts, including the latest version of the Transportation NetworkProfile.
International Boundaries & Sovereignty SubcommitteeBradford Thomas, Chair,State - Office of the Geographer(202) 647-2250
In 1996, the Subcommittee on International Boundaries and Sovereignty plans tocontinue its development of a digital international boundaries database basedon the Defense Mapping Agency's World Vector Shoreline Plus product. Issues tobe addressed include enhancement of the textual layer of the product with briefsummary information on land boundaries, and development of a work plan forcollection and input of enriched international boundary data.
The subcommittee will address several standards issues during 1996. The simplefeature standard being developed for the digital international boundaries databaseis a modification of the World Vector Shoreline product standard, which is basedon DIGEST. The subcommittee will attempt to coordinate this standard with thosebeing developed in other FGDC theme subcommittees concerned with internationalboundaries, maritime limits, or shorelines. The subcommittee will also cooperatewith the FGDC Standards Working Group on the broader issue of harmonizing DIGESTdata transfer and metadata standards with the standards developed by the FGDC.
Spotlight on FGDC Working GroupsThe Federal Geographic Data Committee Working Groups promote consistent solutionsto issues common and crosscutting all data categories.
Standards Working GroupDenise Perreca, POCFGDC SecretariatVoice: 703-648-4573  FAX:703-648-5755
The role of the Standards Working Group (SWG) is to develop and provide guidanceon FGDC standards policy and procedures to the FGDC subcommittees and to facilitatecoordination between subcommittees that have overlapping standards activitiesor interests. The SWG will review proposals for standards and draft standardsfor compliance with FGDC guidelines and will make recommendations of endorsementto the FGDC Coordination Group. The newly revised charter, reflecting changesin the role of the SWG, has been submitted to the Coordination Group for approval.
The Standards Working Group sponsored a coordination activity in September forthe purpose of identifying the overlaps and gaps in FGDC subcommittee standards.Using the help of contracted facilitators, each subcommittee was interviewed abouttheir current and proposed standards activities. A report of the results willbe completed at the end of October.  The results will help the SWG and otherworking groups and subcommittees coordinate the development of standards in areasof mutual interest.
FGDC Standards Reference ModelA subgroup of the SWG drafted a document, entitled the "FGDC Standards ReferenceModel," that will provide guidance on standards development for the FGDC subcommitteesand working groups. It defines the expectations of FGDC standards, describes thedifferent types of geospatial standards, and documents the FGDC standards process,including the new role of the SWG.  A draft has been made available to the SWGand Coordination Group members for comment.
Status of FGDC StandardsThe subcommittees and working groups of the FGDC are developing standards thatwill aid in the sharing of geospatial data as mandated by OMB Circular No. A-16and Executive Order 12906. The following is a list of the standards that areunder development by the FGDC, with the responsible FGDC subcommittee inparenthesis.
Currently in development:
-   National Spatial Data Accuracy Standard (Base Cartographic)          Standards for Digital Orthoimagery (Base Cartographic)         Draft Standards for Digital Elevation Data (Base Cartographic)       
-   Hydrographic and Bathymetric Accuracy Standard (Bathymetric)          Standards for Geodetic Control Networks (Geodetic)         Transportation Network Profile for Spatial Data Transfer Standard       
 (including a standard linear referencing scheme) (Ground Transportation)
-   Transportation-related Spatial Feature Dictionary (Ground Transportation)          Soils Data Transfer Standard (Soils)         Vegetation Classification Standards (Vegetation)       
-   River Reach Standards and Spatial Feature Dictionary (Water)          Facility ID Code (Facilities Working Group)         Content Standard for Cultural and Demographic Data Metadata  (Cultural and Demographic)
NOTE: The National Spatial Data Accuracy Standard, noted above, will be submittedfor a second public review due to revisions to the standard.
Completed public review:
-   Cadastral Content Standard (Cadastral)          Federal Domain of Values for Data Content Standard (Cadastral)         Cadastral Collection Standard (Cadastral)        
-  Clearinghouse Metadata Profile (Cadastral)          Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Wetlands)These standards are close to being ready for a formal public review. Anyone interestedin participating in the review of a particular standard during the review periodshould contact the FGDC Secretariat and have your name added to a mailing listfor that standard.
In November, look for a new SWG homepage containing information on all SWG activitiesand updates on the status of specific FGDC standards under development.
Facilities Working GroupM.K. Miles, Chair, Department of Defense - Corps of Engineers (202) 761-8885
The Facilities Working Group was created in January 1995 and has met monthly toaddress data issues that will enhance facility management.  A facility is an entitywith location, deliberately established as a site for designated activities; afacility database might describe a factory, military base, college, hospital,power plant, fishery, national park, office building, space command center, orprison. The Facilities Working Group is participating in several standards efforts.
1. The Tri-Service CADD/GIS Spatial Data Standards (TSSDS), developed by theDefense Tri-Service CADD/GIS Technology Center, standardizes content and symbologyfor large scale/high resolution data typically found in a facility database. TheCenter is working with FGDC subcommittees and other entities to incorporate smallscale features into the TSSDS, to ensure harmonization of the varying granularitiesof data.
2. The working group is pursuing the development of a Facility ID Code Standard. Unique, non-intelligent identifiers would coexist with agencies' internal codes and would initially be applied toFederal buildings.
3. The working group is considering revising the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facility MappingAccuracy Standard to meet the needs of a broader facilities community.
4. The Tri-Service CADD/GIS Technology Center has begun work on an SDTS/FIPS 173 CADDProfile; the working group will be part of the review and planning team.
To make available information about the activities of the working group, minutesof meetings will be linked to the FGDC Homepage by the end of 1995.
FGDC SECRETARIAT STAFF CHANGES...Nancy TostaMs. Tosta  has assumed responsibilities as special assistant to the Secretaryof the Interior, Chairman of the FGDC.
John MoellerMr. Moeller comes to the FGDC Secretariat from the Bureau of Land Management,is taking on the responsibilities as Staff Director of the FGDC Secretariat.
Doug NebertDoug has been  selected to join the secretariat staff from USGS-Water ResourcesDivision, will assume responsibilities for further development of the NationalGeospatial Data Clearinghouse.
FGDC Contact Information
The FGDC Newsletter describes activities of the geospatial data community andthe National Spatial Data Infrastructure.  Subscriptions are free of charge.Correspondence or contributions may be directed to the FGDC Secretariat as indicatedbelow:
FGDC Secretariat
  590 National Center
  Reston, VA  22092
  Voice (703) 648-5514
  Fax    (703) 648-5755
  E-mail: [email protected]
FGDC Information and Documents
  FTP via Internet 
  Address: www.fgdc.gov
  User name: anonymous (or) ftp
  Password: "your E-mail address"
  After connecting: cd pub
  README.DOC file has current information on the files in each subdirectory.
FGDC Publications
To subscribe to the newsletter or request the FGDC's publication list, pleasecomplete the information below and return it to the FGDC Secretariat by facsimileor mail. Be sure to provide the information requested below in your message.
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Upcoming Conferences 1995Nov 8-11  18th Annual Applied Geography Conference          Arlington, VA
Nov 12-16 GIS/LIS Annual Conference                    Nashville, TN
Nov 27-28 Annual GIS Forum                        Austin, TX
Nov 28-29 GIS Texas: Expanding Frontiers               Austin, TX
  1996Feb 7-9   North Carolina GIS Conference           Winston-Salem, NC
Feb 20-22 1996 Nebraska GIS Symposium             Linclon, NE
Mar 24-27 AM/FM International Conference               Seattle, WA
April 1-3 Montana GIS Conference                  Missoula, MT
April 10-12    GIS Research UK, 4th Nat'l Conference        Canterbury, UK
April 11  LIS For Local Gov'ts Satellite Conference         Madison, WI
April 22-25    ASPRS/ACSM Annual Convention            Baltimore, MD
Apr 29-May 1   MidAmerica GIS Symposium                Kansas City, MO
May 19-24 USGS 8th Nat'l Computer Technology Meeting   Rancho Mirage, CA
June 4-7  Towson State University GIS Conference       Baltimore, MD
Jul 27-Aug 1   URISA  96                          Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 6-8   Int'l City/County Management Assoc.               Washington, DC
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
590 National Center
Reston, VA  22092 |
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