-------- Original Message --------
Subject: USGS Press Release about Geospatial Programs
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 11:14:19 -0500
From: Zellmer, Linda R <[log in to unmask]>


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Hello All,

        I thought that some people out there might be interested in this
USGS Press release from Tuesday. Linda Zellmer


USGS establishes National Geospatial Programs Office

In a strategic move to strengthen geographic research and to consolidate
geospatial data programs, Director Chip Groat announced today the
creation of a National Geospatial Programs Office. The move to transfer
The National Map from the Geography Discipline to the Geospatial
Information Office (GIO) will allow existing expertise in the field of
geography at the USGS to focus attention on geographic research and
enhance USGS leadership in both geospatial programs and geographic
research.

The reorganization will consolidate USGS geospatial programs under the
new National Geospatial Programs Office located within the Geospatial
Information Office (GIO). The National Geospatial Programs Office will
oversee the portfolio of national geospatial programs for which the USGS
has responsibility, including the Federal Geographic Data Committee, the
Geospatial One Stop project, the Department of the Interior Enterprise
Geospatial Information Management activity and The National Map.

The decision to reorganize is in direct response to discussions with
constituent groups about how best to meet their geospatial data needs
and recommendations from a report by the National Research Council of
the National Academies. The report recommended the USGS should give
higher priority to fundamental geographic research directed toward:
* improving citizen involvement in decision making for issues related to
natural sciences by creating citizen-friendly geographic interfaces with
all the Survey's primary spatial datasets;
* expanding the utility and application of place-based science by
conducting integrative place-specific research in addition to topical
research in individual disciplines; and
* enhancing the effectiveness of decision-support systems with increased
geographic input and more effective map-like products as output.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information
to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property
from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral
resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linda Zellmer
Head, Geology Library
Geology Building, Room 601
1001 E. 10th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-1405
Phone: (812) 855-2275 Fax: (812) 855-6614
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