--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 14:23:15 -0500
From: Barbara Poore <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Federal Geographic Data Committee Announces Plans for 1999
National GeoData Forum
----
Please excuse cross postings of this announcement of interest to the geospatial
data community
January 26, 1999
Federal Geographic Data Committee Announces Plans for 1999 National GeoData
Forum
Washington, DC * Mark Schaefer, Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Water and Science announced plans to hold a public Forum on the
future of geospatial data. Geospatial data means information that identifies
the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features
and boundaries on the earth. Geospatial data are used in a wide variety of
applications to help governments and the private sector make better decisions,
analyze trends and provide information to the public. The Forum will be held
on June 7-9, 1999 at the Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.
The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), chaired by Secretary of the
Interior Bruce Babbitt, is an interagency committee composed of representatives
from 16 Cabinet-level and independent Federal Agencies. The FGDC¯in
collaboration with public and private sector organizations¯coordinates the
development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
The National Spatial Data Infrastructure or NSDI is a national initiative
launched by Executive Order in 1994 to advance the nation's capacity to develop,
use, share and disseminate geospatial data. The NSDI is the term used to
describe the array of technologies, digital data, public policies, people and
institutions needed to put current and accurate geographic data into the hands
of citizens and decision-makers. The 1999 National GeoData Forum is the third
in a series, following forums in 1993 and 1995.
The 1999 Forum will focus on the actions needed to attract private sector
investment to the initiative. Public and private financing options, distributed
leadership models, and emerging technologies are key topics. The FGDC sees the
time as ripe for state, county, city and tribal governments and businesses to
come together in the 1999 GeoData Forum to discuss and endorse a new set of
Public, Private, Academic, Non-Profit and multi-organizational financing
options and distributed leadership models. Emerging and converging technologies
are making it easier than ever for geospatial data users to pool and share their
data.
"This initiative is poised to take off because we can now provide decision-makers
with concrete examples of how geographic information technologies are being used
everyday to solve real world problems," said Schaefer. "This will be an exciting
and timely meeting. We invite citizens and leaders in the public and private
sectors to participate."
These organizations are represented on the Steering Committee the FGDC formed to
plan the Forum: International City/County Manager's Association, National League
of Cities, Urban Logic Inc., National Geographic Society, Geographic Data
Technology, Inc, Interoperability Advisory Group, University Consortium for
Geographic Information Sciences, National States Geographic Information Council,
Mapping Sciences Committee, National Association of Counties, Lucerne
International, Open GIS Consortium, Western Governor's Association, and the
National Association of Regional Councils.
"Using common solutions and sharing data will dramatically improve the way we
make decisions, " states U.S. Representative Paul Kanjorski, a member of the
Steering Committee. "This is a great opportunity to get involved in setting
the direction for this important national initiative."
For more information visit the 1999 National GeoData Forum website at
www.fgdc.gov/99Forum or contact Kathy Covert, FGDC Staff, (703) 648-4144.
U.S. Geological Survey
590 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
703-648-5514
703-648-5755 (f)
[log in to unmask]
--- End Forwarded Message ---
|
