This message is from Brent Allison.---------Johnnie
 
 
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>Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 10:24:46 -0600
>From: Brent Allison <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: [Fwd: NAPA Study Released]
 
 
This should be of interest to the map librarians on the list.
 
Brent
 
--
Brent Allison
Head, John R. Borchert Map Library
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis MN 55455
 
(612) 624-0306 (voice)
(612) 626-9353 (fax)
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www-map.lib.umn.edu
 
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>Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 10:06:08 +0000
>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: Tom Palmerlee <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: NAPA Study Released
 
 
NAPA Study Announce
January 14, 1998
 
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)  yesterday released
its study of federal mapping functions.  The Panel's finding and
recommendations are (in view graph form).
        Build the NSDI - Infrastructure and content
        National versus federal focus
        Federal base as critical mass
        Open, low cost access
        Evolve roles and responsibilities
        Expand partnerships
 
This report has great potential significance for UCGIS.  At the FGDC
Steering Committee meeting yesterday, Secretary Babbitt asked the various
constitutencies to take 30-60 days to analyze the report and then have the
leadership of the various groups, including academia and the private
sector, to convene a meeting to chart a consensus future course.  Analysis
should be an immediate task for Harlan Onsrud's Policy and Legislation
Committee.
 
A summary can be found at the NAPA web site, www.napawash.org. Jerry
Dobson's GIS World column also provides an overview.  The full report can
be ordered from NAPA.
Geographic Information for the 21st Century: Building a Strategy for the
Nation, (358 pp), Order # 98-01, is published by the National Academy of
Public Administration. Copies may be purchased for $30.00 plus shipping by
calling NAPA Publications at 301-617-7801. The media may obtain
complimentary copies by contacting the Academy's Office of Communications.
 
" The report's most significant recommendation is that Congress create a
new private, nonprofit organization, the National Spatial Data Council
(NSDC), as a forum for all organizations engaged in developing and
maintaining the NSDI. The NSDC's charter and activities would complement
those of the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC), but would better
provide for "full participation by all the major parties and interests."
The panel recommended that the FGDC, a multiagency committee established by
the Office of Management and Budget, concentrate on coordinating GI
functions within the federal government. As outlined in the report, the
goals of the NSDC would include the following:
 
oprovide a national forum for developing and maintaining the NSDIomaintain
state-of-the-art knowledge about advances in GI and related
technologiesohelp ensure that goals set for the NSDI are actually carried
out by serving as a catalyst for implementation obuild a comprehensive and
user friendly clearinghouse for GIoprovide a forum for discussion by all
parties on national standards and possibly, over time, assume these
responsibilities from the FGDCoprovide training and education on the
utility of and techniques for fostering the NSDI" (web summary)
 
 
Thomas M. Palmerlee
319 C Street SE
Washington, DC 20003-2002
202-544-1419, FAX 202-544-1348
[log in to unmask]
 
 
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