 |
|
|
|||||
| ASC Home / About Us / Science / Highlights / Maps, Products & Publications / Contact Us / Search |
 |
|
Alaska Geographic Data Committee (AGDC) Introductions Mark Shasby, Chair, AGDC welcomed the meeting attendees who introduced themselves and the agency which they represent. Kathryn Lizik, AKDOL, and Kerry Kirkpatrick, AKDOT/PF were participating via teleconference from Juneau. Future Strategies for Data Availability and Access Shasby introduced Kathryn Clement, Senior Program Advisor for Data Production and Integration, USGS, Reston, VA. Clement distributed two handouts entitled Data Access and Delivery Strategies, and Future Strategies for Data Availability and Access. She stressed that traditional mapping activities are rapidly changing and becoming activities primarily due to the Internet. Interoperability is becoming the focus of GIS integration. Data is being developed everywhere and that there is a need to take full advantage of this opportunity. She also emphasized that long-term maintenance of data, data and information management, will be a major focus of the USGS in the future. If anyone would like additional copies of the two handouts presented by Ms. Clement, please contact A.C. Brown at (907) 786-7002 or email <acbrown2@usgs.gov>. DOI High-Priority Digital Base Data Program Status Lee Aggers, Rocky Mountain Mapping Center, USGS, Denver, CO gave a status report on the DOI program. With regards to the USGS/BLM/NPS/USFWS Revised Hydrography project, 666 quads have been revised to date. These have been placed in the AGDC Clearinghouse. Out of the approximately 1,000 quads that were slated to be revised under the FY96 DOI Program, 422 of these have been completed. The AGDC had identified 908 DEMs to be revised under the FY96 program. The AGDC requested that the remaining hydro DLG's be completed under the FY97 DOI Program and identified 190 quads for transportation revision, in addition to completing the DEM coverage of the State. There are 170 DEM's remaining and these are also nearing completion. The hydrologic DLG coverage for the State will be completed in the 2000-2001 time frame. Aggers also briefed the meeting participants on the innovative partnership (IP) being developed in concert with British Petroleum. This partnership with BP involves strictly data exchange. Jeff Simley, USGS, Denver, discussed the status of the work being done on the National Hydrologic Dataset (NHD). The AGDC Hydrologic Subcommittee has been working closely with staff from Denver and Reston in terms of the NHD in Alaska. AGDC Subcommittee Reports Cadastral Rich McMahon, AKDNR, discussed the continuing work to standardize protractions and develop software through the 1996 CCAP grant. McMahon believes that this project can be demonstrated and distributed this December. He also talked about the 1997 Framework grant that was received which is a multi-agency grant to implement the national cadastral standard and apply it to large blocks of the State. McMahon noted that this model will be invaluable for platting purposes. Hydrography Dennis Tol, BLM, reaffirmed that the water body is the standard hydrologic feature in Alaska and that the ID would be the latitude/longitude along with the northernmost point of the hydrologic feature. The test model is currently being developed and is aiming for a December completion. Clearinghouse Emily Binnian, USGS, noted that the Clearinghouse node has a new address. The new url is; <http://agdc.usgs.gov>. She indicated that new Clearinghouse nodes are being developed at the State and at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This would enhance data sharing through Internet links. Binnian stated that there are approximately 3,000 records in the Clearinghouse at present which represents 15GB of data available for download. Binnian welcomed Shari George, ADVAL, University of Alaska Fairbanks as the new Co-Chair of the Clearinghouse subcommittee. The next Clearinghouse subcommittee meeting will take the form of a video teleconference on October 15 at the BLM. Earth Cover John Payne, BLM, discussed the activities of the subcommittee and noted that work is progressing toward developing a Land Cover Clearinghouse by the spring of 1998. Several land cover projects have been completed including the Yukon-Charley; 40-Mile; Black River; and Steese areas. Wildfires interrupted work on the Innoko project. The Alaska Fire Service was involved in the Innoko project. The Air Force is involved with earth cover classifications over military operation areas. Sara Wesser, NPS, stated that a vegetation classification system has been submitted for review and will likely be adopted. Soils Joe White, NRCS, stated that NRCS has undergone a reorganization within their soils activities. Two soil surveys for the North Star Borough and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are forthcoming. White said that the aerial photography acquisitions over the Kenai Peninsula have been completed while the Fairbanks area is approximately 38% complete. This photography will be used to develop DOQ's over these areas. Coastline Bob Pawlowski, NOAA, distributed a letter to the AGDC soliciting interest in convening a Bathymetry subcommittee under the auspices of the AGDC. Pawlowski noted that Alaska has significant data shortcomings in its coastal data sets. He said that there is no need for a geodetic subcommittee as the GPS committee with the Alaska Surveying and Mapping Conference fills this void. There will be a workshop on shoreline standards in Charleston, SC. Rich McMahon, AKDNR, has been extended an invitation to participate. Wetlands Jon Hall, USFWS, noted that a standard for wetlands classification has been adopted. He distributed a letter dated August 4, 1997 and signed by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, that formally adopted the Cowardin system as the Federal standard for wetlands classification, mapping, and data reporting activities. Hall also said that there is increasing interest for wetlands information in digital format. He said that there are several hundred quads available via the NWI Home Page. The url for this site is; <http://www.nwi.fws.gov/>. Hall stated that the NWI data will be reconfigured for the Chugach and Tongass National Forests. Geology Gordon Nelson, USGS, introduced Robert Chaney, Alaska Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF). Chaney explained the activities of the ASTF saying that the foundation receives a state agency endowment from the Alaska Permanent Fund. This funding is used to develop new products to assist in diversifying Alaska's economy. The ASTF is working on projects that can benefit a wide range of Alaskan activities. Chaney is willing to develop a workshop if there is sufficient interest. Shasby noted that there is presently no official Geology subcommittee of the AGDC. Digital Orthophotoquads Shasby briefed the attendees on the DOQ standard for Alaska that was approved by the AGDC. This standard is pending approval through the National Digital Ortho Program (NDOP) board. Shasby cautioned the meeting participants not to confuse the Civil Applications Committee (CAC) proposed Digital Orthophotos with the AGDC proposed Digital Orthophotoquads. Announcements Shasby informed everyone present that the first Forest Health Monitoring Clearinghouse meeting was planned for September 22 at the USGS. Major topic of discussion will be the spruce bark beetle infestation in south central Alaska. Other Business No new business issues were raised by the meeting attendees. Next Meeting The next general meeting of the AGDC is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 1997. A meeting location and time is to be determined. |
|
AGDC Home | Information | Datasets | Tools | Links | Contacts
| AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices | |
  |
|