CTL came from the Department of the Interior, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, universities, and the private sector. International mapping agency representatives from more than 10 countries also visited the CTL. Another feature of the CTL is the "Demonstration of the Week," at which different products and projects are displayed and demonstrated. These short, informal demonstrations are open to all USGS employees. The most popular demonstrations in 1993 were the Softcopy stereo workstation, the digital line graphenhanced production system, the Orange County, Calif., fly-through, and the revision and product generation system. Paul M. Young is a cartographer who has been with the USGS since 1986 developing new computer systems and production techniques used in the collection of digital cartographic data Forest Service and the USGS Join Efforts to Produce a Single-Edition Map A new map of the Mt. Defiance area of Oregon and Washington is the first of an agreed-upon series of 1:24,000-scale maps that, in addition to portraying the usual information shown on USGS maps, highlights areas containing national forest lands. This singleedition map was produced under the provisions of an interagency agreement between the USGS and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The 1:24,000-scale (1 inch=2,000 feet) Mt. Defiance map shows areas straddling the Columbia River, including the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the north and the Mt. Hood National Forest to the south. The Mt. Defiance map portrays traditional USGS map features such as roads and trails, streams and lakes, cultural features, contours, boundaries, This map is an excerpt from the first primary-series topographic quadrangle map to be produced under an interagency agreement between the USGS and the USFS that results in a single-edition map meeting the needs of both agencies. The USFS and the USGS are cooperating in the revision of full-color primaryseries topographic maps that use common product standards for format, accuracy, content, and symbolization. The USGS is responsible for producing topographic maps and digital data throughout the United States. In the 48 contiguous States and Hawaii, the USGS produces primary-series 7.5-minute 1:24,000-scale topographic maps and associated digital line graph data. In Alaska, the primary series maps are produced in the 15-minute format at 1:63,360 scale. For more information about the USGS- Telephone (303) 236-5825 symbols for selected features such as trailheads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. This jointly produced map series reduces duplication of efforts between the agencies. In addition, traditional users of USGS maps should find the additional features useful for recreational purposes. The road classification system will allow people to decide, for example, whether to take a passenger car into remote areas. The detailed road numbering will aid in location with respect to the map. Shaded inholdings indicate potential access restrictions on assumed public lands. International symbols highlight recreational facilities or other points of interest. Traditional customers of USFS versions of the maps will find the multicolored lithographed maps to be more useful than typical black-and-white reproductions. In addition, the maps will be available from USGS map sales outlets, including the network of official USGS map dealers located near most of the national forests. theories and techniques to manage spatial data includes investigating new methods for modeling, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data in GIS's and in automated cartography, image processing, and land characterization. The USGS coordinates the National Mapping Program at the Federal and State levels, including remote-sensing activities and development and promulgation of cartographic and earth-science data standards that enable multipurpose use and exchange of digital cartographic data. Governmentwide leadership in ensuring coordinated planning and execution of Federal mapping efforts is carried out through the Federal Geographic Data Committee, chaired by the USGS. [Editor's note: In FY 1994, the Secretary of the Interior assumed chairmanship of the committee.] Building the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and Fostering Partnerships eographic data sets can be used to Ge help rebuild the Nation's infrastructure. Working cooperatively, more than 95 Federal agencies use geographic data in applications such as managing land ownership and use, locating sites from which to provide services, routing vehicles, maintaining public works, and marketing resources and products. The Office of Management and Budget has called for "development of a national digital spatial information resource, with the involvement of Federal, State, and local governments, and the private sector." This information resource has become known as the national spatial data infrastructure or NSDI. The Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-16 provides a framework for Federal leadership in developing the NSDI. The circular also establishes the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) to promote the coordinated development and dissemination of geographic data. The FGDC is working in four areas: linking communities, developing common procedures, creating partnerships, and developing a long-term strategic plan. Different Federal agencies lead coordination activities for 10 specific categories of data. For example, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for vegetation data, and the USGS is responsible for base cartographic and geologic data. As this plan develops, standards are needed to improve the effectiveness with which geographic data users communicate and share data. The FGDC is working on standards in three areas: metadata (information for documenting data), transfer (the Spatial Data Transfer Standard) (see p. 7), and data content. Several partnership programs are underway within the National Mapping Program to expand the resource base for cartographic data. One critical aspect of NSDI will be a first-ever, comprehensive data base of Federal land ownership. A major cooperative effort is underway among Federal and State agencies to provide a nationwide data base of Federal land ownership information for quick analyses and emergency preparedness. The data are being compiled at 1:2,000,000 scale (1 inch=32 miles). Many Federal and State agencies are contributing information to update and expand the information in the existing 1:2,000,000-scale digital line graph (DLG) series. Transportation information is being supplied by State departments of transportation, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Planning Network Database, and the Federal Railroad Administration. Hydrologic information is being provided by the USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All Federal agencies are contributing information in a variety of formats (data bases, maps, plats, annotated charts) to delineate their land holdings or administrative responsibilities. The USGS will compile this information and plans to complete the 1:2,000,000-scale Federal lands data base by the end of FY 1994. Another area of rapidly expanding cooperation within the Federal Government-and with State and local agencies-has been the relatively new national digital orthophotography program. Four Federal agencies-the USGS, the Soil Conservation Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the USFS-have formed a partnership to assemble a nationwide data base of digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ). One interesting development of the new program is the extent of user ACTION: In partnership with State and local governments and private companies, we will create a National Spatial Data Infrastructure. Dozens of agencies collect spatial data-for example, geophysical, environmental, land use, and transportation data. They spend $1 billion to $3 billion a year on these efforts. The Administration will develop a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) to integrate all of these data sources into a single digital resource accessible to anyone who has a personal computer. This resource will help land developers and conservationists, transportation planners and those concerned with mineral resources, and farmers and city water departments. Because of the value of the data, it will be possible to attract private-sector funding for their collection, processing, and distribution. The Federal Geographic Data Committee, which operates under the auspices of the Office of Management and Budget, plans to raise enough non-Federal funding to pay for at least 50 percent of the project's costs. It will set the standards for data collection and processing by all agencies to ensure that the NSDI can be developed as economically as possible. - From Red Tape to Results: Creating A Government That Works Better & Costs Less: Report of the National Performance Review By Vice President Al Gore interest that has blossomed among State agencies. Initially proposed by the USGS to Federal land management agencies, the program immediately attracted the interest of similar State agencies and has grown from $350,000 in FY 1990 to current estimates of $5 million in cooperative funding during FY 1994. In addition to providing funding support, many States have independently produced DOQ's for their own needs and are seeking to contribute those products to the USGS National Mapping Program. The Federal partnership aspect of the DOQ program was developed by using the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) as a guide. A steering committee made up of members from the Departments of Agriculture and Interior and the Tennessee Valley Authority guides the program overall. The USGS administers the NAPP under the joint committee's direction. In addition to the Federal partnership, many State contributions to the NAPP over the years have increased the number of photographs collected each year. The USGS expects similar results from the DOQ program, in which State contributions are expected to Digital line graph (DLG): A selected category of base cartographic data in a topologically structured vector format; includes transportation networks, elevation contours, boundaries, and cultural features. Digital elevation model (DEM): An array of elevations, usually at regularly spaced intervals, for a number of ground positions; shows threedimensional differences in elevations of the Earth's surface. Digital orthophoto quadrangle (DOQ): A rasterscanned aerial photograph, orthographically rectified to remove distortions caused by camera height and angle and by terrain; has the same geometric fidelity as a map. For more information on the NSDI, contact: Telephone (703) 648-4635 more than double the volume of DOQ production that would have been produced solely through Federal appropriations in FY 1994. State contributions are expected to more than double the volume of DOQ production... Innovative partnerships are another mechanism receiving considerable attention. Such partnerships are opportunities for the USGS to acquire digital cartographic data for the public domain from entities such as public utilities and land management organizations, which are collecting data independently for their own purposes. Through these partnerships, the USGS could supplement other organizations' data collection activities and thereby bring those data into conformance with national standards. If data have already been collected, the USGS may acquire data that can be modified to meet national standards. USGS Program Announcement #7885 (released December 18, 1992) solicited technical and cost proposals for cooperative DLG production from non-Federal agencies and private firms that collect base-category data from USGS primary-scale maps to meet their own needs. After comprehensive technical evaluations and program negotiations, three organizations have entered into partnerships totaling nearly $500,000 of support. An expanded program announcement (#8039) for FY 1994 entertains proposals for cooperative production of digital elevation model (DEM) and DOQ data in addition to DLG's and makes provision for the USGS to evaluate existing digital elevation data and DOQ's for possible inclusion in the NSDI. Since its inception, the USGS has had cooperative agreements with other organizations, including States and local governments. Traditionally, these agreements have been cost-sharing arrangements in which the other agency contributed 50 percent of the cost and the USGS performed the work. State contributions declined during the late 1980's, partly as a reflection of the approaching completion of once-over coverage of the Nation by primary-scale maps. However, contributions have been steadily rising since 1990, owing largely to increasing State interest in digital data production. In FY 1993, agreements with 30 States produced nearly $3 million in cooperative funding. The USGS expects to expand its partnerships and innovative relationships in the development of the NSDI. Sharing data and the resources to convert those data into maps and digital products is crucial to supporting the escalating demand for spatial data products. Partnerships offer the best chance for maintaining quality standards, responding to user needs, and expanding the base cartographic data in the NSDI. Tinformation Processing Standard he tenth update to the Federal (FIPS) 55 file was completed during the fall of 1993. The file, entitled "Codes for Named Populated Places, Primary County Divisions and Other Locational Entities of the United States, Its Posessions, and Associated Areas," provides a unique seven-digit code for approximately 195,800 populated places, townships, American Indian-Alaska Native areas, census county divisions, census-designated areas, and other locational entities of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas. This code consists of a two-digit numeric FIPS State code (as specified in FIPS 5) and a five-digit numeric FIPS place code. Some of the data included for each entity in the file (in addition to its name and FIPS State and place codes) are the State postal abbreviation, the name and FIPS 6 code for each county in which the entity is located, a class code that identifies the type of entity, the ZIP code, and a cross reference to the code issued by the U.S. General Services Administration. The "part of code” and “other name code" fields provide identification of relationships among entities. Additional data are included for each entity that represents a county, primary county division, incorporated place, census-designated place, or American Indian-Alaska Native area. For these entities, the congressional district in which each is located is identified; the area is shown for any entity located in a metropolitan statistical area or primary statistical area. The code assigned by the U.S. Bureau of the Census is listed for incorporated places, census-designated places, and American Indian-Alaska Native area. The data are used in a variety of applications, including public and private accounting and procurement systems, and are available for a fee in hard copy or on magnetic tape as FIPS Publication 55–3 from the National Technical Information Service. Key to Sharing Digital Data A n essential component of data sharing is a mechanism by which data can be transferred from one computer system to another without distortion or loss. The Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS), being coordinated and promoted by the USGS at the direction of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), provides just such a mechanism. The standard consists of specifications for the organization and structure of digital data transfer, definitions of spatial features and attributes, and encoding instructions for data transfer. The SDTS was approved in July 1992 as FIPS 173. Effective February 15, 1993, the SDTS became mandatory for Federal agencies 1 year from that date. The SDTS is also available for use by State and local governments and the private sector. Efforts are now underway to approve FIPS 173 as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. The USGS is actively promoting the use of the SDTS by conducting workshops and training, as well as by developing practical user guides and software, a spatial feature and attribute dictionary, and a spatial data transfer processor. Effective February 15, 1993, the SDTS became mandatory for Federal agencies 1 year from that date. As with all FIPS, the SDTS now enters a required 5-year maintenance cycle. During this cycle, the USGS will provide the capability for the spatial data community to review the contents of the SDTS in order to suggest changes to the standard. The SDTS has a modular design that allows modifications and enhancements to be made with relative ease. The SDTS is implemented through the use of profiles, or subsets, of the SDTS designed to handle a specific type of data. Defining a profile allows the elimination of numerous options and thus simplifies the encoding and decoding process. The first of these profiles is the Topological Vector Profile (TVP), which will standardize the distribution of topologically structural vector data, one of the more common types of spatial data currently created by Federal agencies. Two prominent data sets covered by this profile are the U.S. Bureau of the Census TIGER data and USGS digital line graphs (DLG). The TVP was finalized in 1992 and forwarded to NIST for approval as a new part of FIPS 173 in February 1993. A second SDTS subset, the Raster Profile, is currently in a test and demonstration period to allow the user community to evaluate and comment on its contents. This profile was forwarded to NIST for approval as another part of FIPS 173 by the end of 1993. Additional profiles being considered for development include one for network data structures, one for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) graphics, and one for data that replace or modify an existing data. |