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Alaska Geographic Data Committee (AGDC) Introductions Rich McMahon, AKDNR, welcomed the meeting attendees and introduced Greg Nowacki, USFS, Juneau. Kerry Kirkpatrick, AKDOT/PF, participated via teleconference from Juneau. Alaska Interagency Ecoregions Mapping Project Greg Nowacki, USFS, Juneau, gave a presentation on the new Unified Ecoregions of Alaska, Version 5.1 map. A variety of people representing Federal and State agencies and conservation organizations were involved in this mapping effort. The map is envisioned to replace previous ecoregional maps produced by the U.S. Forest Service and USGS/EPA.> Ecoregions were delineated by assessing a suite of environmental factors including climate, physiography, vegetation, geology, and past glaciation. Ecoregions encapsulate broad areas that possess similar ecological patterns and processes. The ecoregion map will aid land managers in broad-level planning, for example, ecological monitoring and inventory, biodiversity assessments and will facilitate interagency communication. Nowacki is seeking an endorsement from the AGDC for this effort. Descriptions of the
ecoregions depicted on the new map can be viewed in html or in Microsoft .rtf. The Version 5.1 Unified Ecoregions of Alaska map can be viewed as a large .jpg. (1.72MB), or a smaller .jpg. (110KB). A draft hierarchy of these ecoregions can be
viewed in Microsoft .html or .rtf. Comments, especially for the descriptions, are welcome and can be sent
to Greg Nowacki, USFS, or Page Spencer, NPS.
DOI High-Priority Digital Base Data Program Status Report A.C. Brown, USGS, gave an update on the status of the programs for FY 2000 and FY 2001. The Alaska Office received 51 1:63,360-scale revised hydrology DLGs the first week of April. Approximately 150 additional revised hydro DLGs are expected by October 1. This will complete the revised hydrography data layer for the state, a coordinated effort that began in 1993. In addition, 20 catalog units (CU) for the National Hydrology Dataset (NHD) for Alaska are in production. A total of 54 CU's are expected to be delivered by October 1 under the FY 2000 program. Alaska received $600K in funds under the DOI High-Priority program for FY 2001. The remaining NHD CU's (79) are expected to be completed and delivered by October 1, 2001. The remainder of the funds will be used to continue with the development of the statewide digital orthoquad (DOQ) program initiated under the DOI program in FY 1998. These DOQs will be produced using archived materials for areas of the state that have been identified as high-priority targets by the AGDC Steering Committee. Subcommittee and Working Group Reports Earth Cover/Vegetation No report. Hydrography Please refer back to the DOI High-Priority Digital Base Data Program status report above. Transportation Michele Gorham, AKDNR, announced that progress was being made on the Statewide Centerline Project. The team collecting the centerline data will be working on the Kenai Peninsula. Most of southeast Alaska has been completed. Work continues on processing and cleaning up data acquired over the past several years. PLSS/Cadastral Rich McMahon, AKDNR, reported that there was a productive cadastral session held during the Alaska Surveying and Mapping Conference last February. A recent Western Governor's Association meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, defined one of the important cadastral issues as agreeing on a unified view of land status. A new cadastral website is available through the AGDC Clearinghouse at http://www.asgdc.state.ak.us/cadastral/. Progress is being made on the posting of state plats and survey to the Internet, go to http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/landrecords. Clearinghouse A.C. Brown reported that the Clearinghouse is continuing to be populated with data. New links have been added and current links, if needed, have been modified and/or updated. Brown noted that new data will now be delivered on CD instead of streamer tape. Dorothy Mortenson, Clearinghouse Co-Chair, provided an update on recent Clearinghouse activities. Graphic Revision Greg Durocher, USGS, announced that the 1:63,360-scale topographic maps that are being revised in the Anchorage to Fairbanks corridor will use a "cracked glass" pattern to indicate braided hydrologic features. Revisions in the Fairbanks area have slowed due to problems with the contractor. The tasking order to revise 1:63,360 maps in the Valdez area has been re-authorized. Bathymetry The former Chair of the Bathymetry Subcommittee, Bob Pawlowski, has retired. LT Doug Baird, NOS, Navigation Advisor for Alaska, has agreed to become the new Chair. A.C. Brown will assist Baird in revitalizing the subcommittee. Baird will provide updates on new NOS mapping projects and initiatives in the future. A summary of the total length of the Alaska shoreline was requested. Visit NOAA's Office of Coast Survey homepage at http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov. Wetlands Jon Hall, USFWS, announced that the digital coverage of National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) mapping of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests in now available on CD-ROM. The CD also includes a NWI Demo in ArcView, a glossary of wetland terms, a legend for NWI maps, and a Pocket Wetland Guide with printable images of common wetland types. For more information, contact Terry Brock, USFS, (907) 586-7863. Alaska Digital Orthoimagery Initiative Presentation/Discussion Gust Panos, BLM, and AGDC DOQ Subcomittee Chair, gave a presentation on the Initiative. The Alaska Digital Orthoimagery Initiative is a proposal to acquire high resolution digital imagery of Alaska. The Initiative is being developed by the Alaska Geographic Data Committee. The AGDC recognizes the need and value of digital statewide imagery for Alaska. The AGDC currently has 39 members representing Departments within the State of Alaska, Federal agencies, Municipalities, Boroughs, Native organizations, private enterprise, and the University of Alaska. The membership has always been on the forefront of incorporating the latest technology in its business practices. The AGDC believes reliable, current statewide base geographic information is essential for continued development, liveability, and public safety. Orthoimagery is considered the foundation for the framework of base geographic data. Alaska does not have a digital orthoimagery database layer. The AGDC is recommending that the USGS EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD, serve as the primary repository for the initial data products. In Alaska, the AGDC is recommending that the Supercomputer Facility at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, serve as the in-state Internet Clearinghouse node to provide real-time access and long-term management of the data collection. A draft proposal of the Initiative was handed out at the meeting. FGDC Grants Program The deadline for submitting grant proposals is Tuesday, April 25, 2000. New Mapping Initiatives None to report. Other Business Bob Schweitzer, AeroMap US, announced that there will be radar mapping (IFSAR and LIDAR) workshops held at UAA on April 18, and at UAF on April 19-20. Next Meeting The next general membership meeting of the AGDC will be held sometime in mid-late September. An announcement will be posted on the Clearinghouse in late August or early September, followed by an email via the AGDC mail server. |
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