FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE PHONE: 703-648-5514

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 590 NATIONAL CENTER FAX: 703-648-5755

RESTON, VIRGINIA 20192 HTTP://WWW.FGDC.GOV EMAIL: GDC@USGS.GOV

July 1997

National Digital Geospatial Data Framework

Applications of digital geospatial data vary greatly, but

users have a recurring need for a few common themes

of data. These themes include transportation,

hydrography (rivers and lakes), geodetic control, digital

imagery, government boundaries, elevation and

bathymetry, and land ownership (or cadastral)

information. A lack of investment, common standards,

and coordination have created many situations in which

these needs are not being met. As a result, important

information is not available for many areas, and

multiple organizations support duplicate data for other

areas. A means to maintain and manage the common

information being collected by the public and private

sector does not exist. This results in increased costs and

reduced efficiency for individual organizations, as well

as for the Nation.

A framework to organize and enhance the activities of

the geospatial data community to meet these needs is

being developed. The concept was developed by

representatives of county, regional, State, Federal, and

other organizations under the auspices of the Federal

Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

The framework will provide a current base on which to

collect, register, or integrate information accurately. To

be successful, the framework data must be a

dependable source of data, be of known quality, and be

easy to access and use. Demands placed on data

contributors must be minimized. The geographic

features in the framework should include only the

minimum information needed to classify, name, and

uniquely identify a feature.

Both data contributors and users will enjoy benefits

from the framework. These benefits include reduced

expenditures for data, increased ease of obtaining

and using data collected by others, accelerated

development of mission-critical applications,

increased number of customers for data products

that are linked to the framework, and improved

recognition of programs.

The framework has technical, operational, and

institutional contexts. The technical context

considers the needs to provide data at different

resolutions and time periods, to ease the burden of

using the framework, and to maintain the integrity of

data contributed to the framework. The following

technical aspects are proposed for the framework: a

feature-based data model; permanent, unique feature

identification codes; reference to modern horizontal

and vertical geodetic datums; methods to integrate

data for geographic areas that are adjacent or

overlap; and the provision of metadata. The

proposed operational context requires the ability to

process changes to framework data using
transactions, access past version of framework data,

and locate framework data using

the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. Several of

the proposed techniques in the technical and

operational contexts are not well understood, and may

be demanding to implement. To make certain that

framework data are used widely, an institutional

context is advocated that minimizes financial,

organizational, and technical barriers to accessing and

using the framework.

Innovative institutional arrangements ensure a robust

and well-maintained framework. Ideally, the framework

data for a geographic area will be developed,

maintained, and integrated by organizations that

produce and make use of data for that area. In addition,

there is a need to ensure that the geographically-based

units of framework data can be integrated to support

applications for different or larger geographic areas.

Organizations undertaking framework efforts have

found that the following functions are critical to

successful framework efforts:

! executive guidance C provide vision and

direction for framework development.

! data development, maintenance, and

integration C create, integrate, and

update framework data.

! coordination C ensure that the

contributions of organizations work

together, and encourage productive

relationships among participants.

! data management C ensure the

continued viability of framework data

through standards, data security, and

disaster recovery.

! data access C enable users to obtain

framework data.

! resource management C estimate

income and expenses, obtain resources,

and provide logistical support.

! monitor and response C measure users=

satisfaction and provide market analysis.

These functions could be done by many different

organizations. An organization may perform one

or more functions. The functions an organization takes

on may change over time. Organizations may take

on different functions for different data themes.

The framework sets ambitious goals for the

development of creative institutional arrangements

and technical capabilities needed for the full

implementation. A phased implementation strategy is

proposed to allow these to be developed, tested,

implemented, and improved.

Identifying potential participants is an important step

in developing the framework. The National States

Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) and the

FGDC are developing an initial Asnapshot@ of data

available from state, regional, and local governments

throughout the United States. Other projects are

helping organizations document their data using the

FGDC metadata standard, and make these metadata

available on the Internet through the National

Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.

Many consortia are moving beyond inventory efforts

to implement framework-like projects. They are

experimenting with institutional arrangements,

developing basic specifications and procedures,

conducting pilot projects to test these arrangements

and specifications, and investigating advanced

capabilities required to implement the full suite of

framework capabilities.

The framework is a means by which government

agencies, the private sector, and others can work

together to develop data needed for successful GIS

implementation. This cooperation will yield benefits

by increasing the availability of more current and

accurate data, and by sharing costs with others.

The FGDC supports demonstration projects, hosts

discussions of issues, and provides guidance for

framework development. To provide comments

about the framework, or to participate in framework

development activities, please contact the FGDC, or

visit the FGDC Web site at www.fgdc.gov.