Mapping Data Collection & Integration Subactivity Geospatial Data Types, Products, and Applications Digital Ortho-Imagery Computer-generated images of aerial photographs (or other remotely sensed data) that combine the image characteristics of a photograph with the geometric qualities of a map. Applications: Rectangular sections of digital ortho-imagery are called digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQs). They serve a variety of purposes, from interim maps to field references for earth science investigations and analyses. For example, firefighters, farmers, and environmental scientists can use DOQS to assess vegetation conditions. The digital orthophoto can serve as a data layer in a geographic information system (GIS) and as a tool for revision of digital line graphs and topographic maps. DOQS are featured on the Microsoft TerraServer (see ESIMD Subactivity for more information). Elevation Data Information about the elevation of the Earth's surface relative to sea level. Applications: A standard format for elevation data is the digital elevation model (DEM). DEMs may be combined with other types of digital data to create a three-dimensional effect. Elevation data are vital for hydrologic applications, environmental management, engineering studies, and flood zone mapping. Local governments use elevation data for public works projects and zoning considerations. Digital Raster Graphic A computer-readable image of a topographic map. Applications: DRGs are frequently used as a backdrop for thematic data in a GIS setting. At USGS, digital raster graphics (DRGs) are used in revising topographic maps. DRGs or other forms of scanned USGS topographic maps are used by the private sector in the production of regional maps on CD-ROM of national parks and recreation areas. Mapping Data Collection & Integration Subactivity Vector Data Digital files of basic linear data, such as transportation networks, Applications: Users, such as state highway departments, land managers, and utility companies, can rapidly calculate related attributes of the data; for example, the number of miles of unpaved roads in neighboring counties and the proximity of certain roads to powerlines. Graphics Printed topographic maps depicting base cartographic data, such as transportation networks, streams and other water data, boundaries, constructed features, elevation contours, and surface information, such as vegetation, surface mining, and coastal land forms. Applications: Printed maps are still much in demand. Hikers, fishermen, Scouts, engineers, realtors, geologists, and surveyors use printed maps in the field, in the office, and at home. Land Cover Characterization Classifications of the Earth's surface by the type of features found there, such as grasslands, forests, barren lands, or urban areas. Applications: These data are useful to foresters, environmental specialists, and public officials who investigate such topics as the effects of drought on vegetation, indications of climate change, and the growth of urban areas. Remotely Sensed Imagery High-altitude photographs and satellite images of the Earth's surface. Applications: These data are fundamental to many other geospatial data and cartographic products. Satellite images provide a unique perspective of the Earth over time and are used in many earth science applications, such as identifying human-induced environmental changes. 55-301 99-3 Mapping Data Collection & Integration Subactivity USGS activities minimize duplication of efforts and costs for multipurpose data and improve the Nation's information base for resolving complex issues related to resource management, hazards mitigation, and improving the environment. The USGS (1) coordinates and oversees the fulfilling of broad national needs for base geospatial data and cartographic products, (2) provides leadership and support for the development and maintenance of geospatial data standards, (3) manages private sector contracts for the production of those data and products, and (4) reviews and evaluates map data produced by many organizations across the Nation. The USGS minimizes its mapping costs through cooperative arrangements with Federal, State, and local governments and private firms. Private Sector Services - The USGS Mapping Data Collection and Integration Subactivity generates business opportunities for private sector firms in two ways. First, within the USGS, the production of base geospatial data is accomplished largely through the services of private sector firms. Second, the availability of consistent base geospatial data on a national scale encourages a wide range of commercial enterprises that utilize these data in varying degrees. The USGS has used private sector services for many years, having begun to emphasize the use of contracting in the early 1980's as a valuable option for achieving program objectives. In 1992, the USGS formally endorsed this business practice with a written policy to use private sector services in all cases where appropriate. For the past few years, the USGS has been working with Congress, particularly the Appropriations Committees of both the Senate and the House, to ensure that map and digital data production activities conform with Congressional expectations for the use of private sector services by Federal agencies. Both Congress and industry advocacy groups have expressed appreciation of USGS efforts in this arena. In FY 1999, the USGS will spend over $32 million for private-sector firms to acquire geospatial data. Data Collection (Production) — The data collection component ensures the development and maintenance of permanent, long-term, national databases of base geospatial data. Contributing to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), these databases form a common foundation for computer-aided spatial analysis across the Nation. This program component also generates and revises topographic maps and special-purpose maps. When it is operational, the Landsat 7 satellite will routinely acquire high-quality observations of virtually all of the land masses of the Earth. The USGS on behalf of NOAA operates the ground data system to collect scientifically relevant data and will continue to systematically archive Landsat information in order to preserve an objective record of the Earth for use in the future. Mapping Data Collection & Integration Subactivity Mapping Data Collection and Integration Subactivity - Selected Output Summary ⚫ The 1:24,000-scale DEMs are on an accelerated schedule to achieve national coverage by the end of FY1999. National coverage of 1:24,000-scale DRGs completed, September 1998. This product line is in maintenance mode for FY 1999 and following. DOI High-Priority Digital Data Base Program-A major element of the data collection component is the USGS responsibility for satisfying the highest priority geospatial data needs of Department of the Interior bureaus. The USGS provides this service through the DOI High-Priority Digital Base Data Program. Working together, the DOI bureaus annually assess the geospatial data needs that will satisfy the highest priority program activities of the Department. Although the funding for this program directly supports data collection for the Department, the DOI data needs often coincide with the needs of other users, and the data are incorporated into the long-term, national, geospatial databases available to all users. Thus Federal data collection redundancies are greatly reduced. One measure of success for the DOI High-Priority program is the increased coordination among the DOI bureaus in responding to the program's annual solicitation of data product needs. For the FY 1999 program, the percentage of requests that simultaneously serve multiple purposes for multiple bureaus was 14 times greater than that for FY 1994. Another measure of the program's success is the steady increase in the average number of customers satisfied for each product generated. In FY 1994, the first year of the program, the data needs of two bureaus were met for every data product generated. In FY 1999, an average of six bureaus' requirements were met for every data product generated, fulfilling 82,400 individual user requests with 14,100 products. Had these individual requests been satisfied independently, $72.3 million would likely have been spent. Actual production costs for these data was $11.0 million—a cost avoidance of over $61 million for FY 1999 DOl data production. National Spatial Data Infrastructure -- To implement the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) has initiated a national geospatial data framework to be completed by the year 2000 and maintained in the decades beyond. The framework consists of those geospatial data that are significant to a broad variety of users within any geographic area and nationwide. To institute the framework, the USGS, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of the Census, and the Bureau of Land Mapping Data Collection & Integration Subactivity Management (BLM) have entered into partnership agreements critical to resolving major national issues, such as implementing the Clean Water Act, conducting Census 2000, and supporting BLM's Natural Resource Management and Range Management Programs. Because the continual upgrade and maintenance of the national geospatial data framework is most efficiently conducted at the local level with aggregation to higher levels, additional partnerships are being established with other data producers and maintainers to support longterm data sharing and maintenance goals of the NSDI, with the USGS providing leadership and support. Data Coordination and Standards - Through this component, the USGS provides (1) policy, guidance, and support for the development of partnerships with Federal, State, local, and private organizations for data sharing and maintenance and (2) leadership for the development, maintenance, and promulgation of national standards for the consistent collection and description of all types of base geospatial data. Coordination of Partnerships-The national demand for base geospatial data is enormous and increasing. To help meet the demand, the USGS leverages its resources by forming strategic alliances with other organizations that produce or utilize geospatial data to support their own mapping needs. This partnership-based approach affords not only a greater return on the USGS investment, but also minimizes duplication of effort, advances the NSDI, and reduces taxpayer costs in securing these crucial national databases. One of the primary activities under the Mapping Data Collection and Integration Subactivity, therefore, is to encourage the development of long-term, flexible partnerships that can be easily adapted to meet changing customer requirements over time. National Hydrography Data Set The USGS is assisting the Environmental The USGS actively engages both public and private sector partners in the effort to build and maintain national geospatial databases. To foster relationships with partners, the USGS sponsors 27 National Mapping Program (NMP) partner liaisons. Presently, 13 of the 27 liaisons are based in offices local to their area of responsibility (e.g. Alaska, Florida, Minnesota, Texas). The USGS intends to shift another ten liaisons to local offices over the next 3 to 4 years. A more regionally distributed NMP presence will enable greater interaction and better communication with partners, and increase discovery of new partnering opportunities. The USGS encourages Federal, State, and local efforts to establish consortia of geospatial data users, producers, and providers. Through these consortia, common geospatial data requirements and natural partnering opportunities are identified. The Interior Geographic Data Committee, which works to advance the DOI High-Priority Digital Base Data Program, is a successful example at the Federal level of one such consortium. The USGS is transferring the |