(6) What
is the importance of collaborative partnerships?
(7) What
are the federal activities and technologies that support the NSDI?
3. What are the benefits of the NSDI?
4. What is the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)?
a. What is the FGDC structure and membership?
b. What are the FGDC procedures?
POLICY
5. Does
this Circular apply to my agency?
6. What types of activities does this Circular apply
to?
7. What types of activities are exempt from this Circular?
AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
8. What
are the federal responsibilities?
a. What are the responsibilities and reporting requirements
for federal agencies?
b. How does my agency report on spatial
data assets within the budget and performance review process?
c. Who are the lead federal agencies
for the NSDI data themes?
d. What are the responsibilities of lead
federal agencies for the NSDI data themes?
e. What are the FGDC responsibilities?
9. How are differences among agencies settled?
10. How can I check that my agency is compliant with the
latest NSDI requirements and standards?
Appendix
A. Authorities
Appendix B. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)
Members
Appendix C. History and Background of Circular A-16
Appendix D. Informative Definitions
Appendix E. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)
Data Themes, Definitions, and Lead Agencies
BACKGROUND
1.
What is the purpose of this Circular?
This revised Circular
provides for improvements in coordination and use of spatial data. Spatial
data refers to information about places or geography, and has traditionally
been shown on maps. This Circular describes the effective and economical
use and management of spatial data assets in the digital environment for
the benefit of the government and the nation. The Circular affirms and
describes the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) as the technology,
policies, standards, human resources, and related activities necessary
to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data.
The Circular describes the management and reporting requirements of Federal
agencies in the acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and preservation
of spatial data by the Federal Government. The Circular establishes the
FGDC as the interagency coordinating body for NSDI-related activities,
chaired by the Secretary of the Interior with the Deputy Director for
Management, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as Vice-Chair.
This revised Circular
supersedes Circular No. A-l6 dated October 19, 1990, and incorporates
Executive Order 12906. It will remain in effect until replaced pursuant
to section 8.e.(j) of this Circular. A basic list of authorities is included
in Appendix A.
2.
What is the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)?
a. What is the vision for the NSDI?
The NSDI assures
that spatial data from multiple sources (federal, state, local, and tribal
governments, academia, and the private sector) are available and easily
integrated to enhance the understanding of our physical and cultural world.
The NSDI honors several key public values:
- Privacy and security
of citizens' personal data and accuracy of statistical information on
people, both in raw form and in derived information products.
- Access for all
citizens to spatial data, information, and interpretive products, in
accordance with OMB Circular A-130.
- Protection of
proprietary interests related to licensed information and data.
- Interoperability
of federal information systems to enable the drawing of resources from
multiple federal agencies and their partners.
The NSDI supports
and advances the building of a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure, consistent
with national security, national defense, national intelligence, and international
trade requirements. International compatibility is an important aspect
of the NSDI. Federal agencies will develop their international spatial
data in compliance with international voluntary consensus standards, as
defined by Circular A-119.
b. What are the components of the NSDI?
The components of
the NSDI are data themes, metadata, the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse,
standards, and partnerships.
(1)
What are data themes?
Data themes are electronic
records and coordinates for a topic or subject, such as elevation or vegetation.
This Circular requires the development, maintenance, and dissemination
of a standard core set of digital spatial information for the Nation that
will serve as a foundation for users of geographic information. This set
of data consists of themes of national significance (see Appendix E).
Themes providing the core, most commonly used set of base data are known
as framework data, specifically geodetic control, orthoimagery, elevation
and bathymetry, transportation, hydrography, cadastral, and governmental
units. Other themes of national significance are also an important part
of the NSDI, and must be available to share with others. Additional data
themes may be added with the approval of the FGDC.
NSDI data themes
developed with appropriate metadata, using FGDC standards and served through
the Clearinghouse, facilitate interoperability and information exchange
across administrative boundaries.
(2)
What are metadata?
Metadata are information
about data and/or geospatial services, such as content, source, vintage,
spatial scale, accuracy, projection, responsible party, contact phone
number, method of collection, and other descriptions. Metadata are critical
to document, preserve and protect agencies' spatial data assets. Reliable
metadata, structured in a standardized manner, are essential to ensuring
that geospatial data are used appropriately, and that any resulting analysis
is credible. Metadata also can be used to facilitate the search and access
of data sets or geospatial services within a Clearinghouse or data library.
All spatial data collected or derived directly or indirectly using federal
funds will have FGDC metadata.
(3)
What is the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse?
The National Spatial
Data Clearinghouse is an electronic service providing access to documented
spatial data and metadata from distributed data sources. These sources
include a network of data producers, managers, and users, linked through
the Internet and other communications means, and accessible through a
common interface. All spatial data collected by federal agencies or their
agents, as described in section 5, will be made available through the
Clearinghouse. Spatial data users will have access to the NSDI through
the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse.
(4)
What are standards?
Standards are common
and repeated rules, conditions, guidelines or characteristics for data,
and related processes, technology and organization. To broaden the global
use of federal data and services, international standards and protocols
must be used. NSDI is made possible by the universal use of standards
and protocols for data development, documentation, exchange, and geospatial
services.
(5)
How are NSDI standards developed?
NSDI standards are
developed and promulgated by the FGDC in accordance with OMB Circular
A-119 using an established process determined by the FGDC with input from
a broad range of data users and providers. Specifically, the FGDC adopts
national and international standards in lieu of federal standards whenever
possible and will restrict its standards development activities to areas
of spatial data standardization not covered by other voluntary standards
consensus bodies, as defined by OMB Circular A-119. Through active participation
in voluntary consensus standards bodies, the FGDC works to link its standardization
activities to the work of those standards bodies and thereby create an
integrated suite of standards for the NSDI. No federal funds will be used
directly or indirectly for the development of spatial data not complying
with NSDI standards, as specified by FGDC.
(6)
What is the importance of collaborative partnerships?
Building an effective
NSDI will require a well-coordinated effort among federal, tribal, state,
local government, and academic institutions, as well as a broad array
of private sector geographic, statistical, demographic, and other business
information providers and users. Involving these stakeholders in the development
of the NSDI will aid in meeting the needs of end-users.
Federal agencies
will promote and fully utilize partnerships that promote cost-effective
data collection, documentation, maintenance, distribution, and preservation
strategies, and that leverage federal and other resources. New collaborative
efforts and partnerships are encouraged.
(7)
What are the federal activities and technology that support the NSDI?
Federal agencies
and the FGDC carry out the activities required to implement their responsibilities
as described in section 8 of this Circular. Agencies will provide or develop
the required technology and services required to enable and provide access
to NSDI data and information. The OMB will work with affected budget offices
to provide appropriate resources in support of these activities.
3.
What are the benefits of the NSDI?
Spatial data is a
national capital asset. The NSDI facilitates efficient collection, sharing,
and dissemination of spatial data among all levels of government institutions,
as well as the public and private sectors, to address issues affecting
the Nation's physical, economic, and social well-being. A coordinated
approach for developing spatial data standards that apply to collecting,
maintaining, distributing, using, and preservation of data will improve
the quality of federal spatial data and reduce the cost of derivative
products created by federal and non-federal users. Applications using
spatial data that adhere to FGDC standards enable cost effective public
and private policy development, management, and operations.
Implementation of
this Circular is essential to help federal agencies eliminate duplication,
avoid redundant expenditures, reduce resources spent on unfunded mandates,
accelerate the development of electronic government to meet the needs
and expectations of citizens and agency programmatic mandates, and improve
the efficiency and effectiveness of public management.
Many applications
are dependent upon accurate spatial data. The benefits of the NSDI for
these applications include creating a more secure Nation. Some examples
include the analysis and management of utility infrastructures, transportation,
energy, emergency management and response, natural resource management,
weather and climate analysis, disaster recovery, homeland defense, law
enforcement, protection planning, public health and other civilian or
military strategic issues. The seamless spatial information needed for
these applications can range from highly detailed local data, such as
the nature of specific hazardous material stored in a particular room
of a single building, to the various data needed for real-time projection
of the probable effects of natural disasters.
4. What is the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)?
The FGDC is an interagency
committee responsible for facilitating Circular A-l6 related activities
and implementation of the NSDI.
a. What is the FGDC structure and membership?
The FGDC is chaired
by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, with the Deputy Director
for Management, OMB, serving as Vice-Chair. Chair and Vice-Chair may designate
an individual to act in their stead. All agencies responsible for spatial
data themes are required to be members of the FGDC. Departments or agencies
that are members of the FGDC as of the date of this revision will continue
as members and are listed in Appendix B. Departments or agencies that
are not members of the FGDC and that have activities in geographic information
or spatial data collection or use will become members by requesting membership
in writing to the Chair of the FGDC.
b. What are the FGDC procedures?
The FGDC will establish
procedures and committee structures as are necessary and sufficient to
carry out interagency coordination and the implementation of the NSDI,
in accordance with existing law, statute, and policy. Departments may
elect or be assigned the lead responsibility for certain subcommittees,
working groups or other committees, consistent with each Department's
or agency's existing authority as described in its mission (e.g., statutory
authority or Public Law), or implied as part of its program responsibilities.
The current FGDC governing structure and bylaws are carried forward and
remain in force under this Circular, and may be modified according to
existing procedures. The Department of the Interior will provide administrative
support to the FGDC.
POLICY
5.
Does this Circular apply to my agency?
This Circular applies
to your agency if it collects, produces, acquires, maintains, distributes,
uses, or preserves analog (e.g., paper maps) or digital spatial data to
fulfill your mission, either directly or through a relationship with other
organizations. Such organizations include, but are not limited to, State
and local governments, tribes, academia, federal government business partners
and contractors, and citizens.
6.
What types of data activities does the Circular apply to?
a. All spatial data and geographic information systems activities - financed
directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by federal funds.
b. As examples, this Circular applies to, but is not limited to: The National
Mapping Program, the National Spatial Reference System, the National Geologic
Mapping Program, the National Wetlands Inventory, the National Cooperative
Soil Survey Program, the National Public Land Survey System, Geographic
Coordinate Database, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) nautical charting and nautical data collection and information
programs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) inland waterway charting
program, the Offshore Minerals Program, the NASA's Earth Science Enterprise,
FEMA's Flood Plain Mapping program and other federal activities that involve
national surveying, mapping, remote sensing, spatially referenced statistical
data, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Additional spatial data programs
may be added to this list at any time.
c. Any activities that result in the geospatial representation
of international boundaries other than those of the United States with
Canada or Mexico, which are governed by international boundary commissions.
d. Any future federal spatial data programs or activities
that may be established, except as noted in section 7 below.
7.
What types of data activities are exempt from this Circular?
The following spatial
data activities may be exempt from provisions within this Circular, as
determined by the appropriate official(s) noted below:
(1) Spatial data
activities of tribal governments not paid for by federal funds, as specifically
determined by the tribal governments.
(2) Classified national
security-related spatial data activities of the Department of Defense,
unless declassified by Executive Order 12951, as specifically determined
by the Secretary of Defense; also those activities of the Department of
Energy, as specifically determined by the Secretary of Energy.
(3) Intelligence
spatial data activities, as specifically determined by the Director of
the Central Intelligence Agency.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AND
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
8.
What are the federal responsibilities?
a. What are the general federal agency responsibilities?
In order to use federal
resources wisely, and to build the NSDI, all agencies that collect, use,
or disseminate geographic information and/or carry out related spatial
data activities will, both internally and through their activities involving
partners, grants, and contracts:
(1)
Prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic
information and related spatial data activities appropriate to their mission,
in support of the NSDI Strategy. Annually report to OMB on your achievements
relative to you strategies, and include spatial data assets within Exhibit
300 submissions (see OMB Circular A-11, sec. 300).
(2)
Collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve spatial information such
that the resulting data, information, or products can be readily shared
with other federal agencies and non-federal users, and promote data integration
between all sources. Ensure that data information products and other records
created in spatial data activities are included on agency record schedules
that have been approved by the National Archives and Records Administration.
These activities will adhere to appropriate standards and be conducted
in accordance with existing regulations.
(3)
Allocate agency resources to fulfill the responsibilities of effective
spatial data collection, production, and stewardship.
(4)
Use FGDC data standards, FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial
Metadata, and other appropriate standards, documenting spatial data with
the relevant metadata, and making metadata available online through a
registered NSDI-compatible Clearinghouse node.
(5)
Coordinate and work in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local
government agencies, academia and the private sector to efficiently and
cost-effectively collect, integrate, maintain, disseminate, and preserve
spatial data, building upon local data wherever possible.
(6)
Use spatial information to enhance electronic government initiatives,
to make federal spatial information and services more useful to citizens,
to enhance operations, to support decisionmaking, and to enhance reporting
to the public and to the Congress.
(7)
Protect personal privacy and maintain confidentiality fully consistent
with federal policy and law.
(8)
Support emergency response activities requiring spatial data in accordance
with provisions of the Stafford Act and other governing legislation.
(9)
Participate in determining, when applicable, whether data declassified
pursuant to Executive Order 12951 can contribute to and become a part
of the NSDI.
(10)
Search all sources, including the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse,
to determine if existing federal, state, local or private data meets agency
needs before expending funds for data collection.
(11)
Appoint a contact to coordinate with lead agencies for collection, acquisition,
maintenance, or dissemination of the spatial data themes used by their
organization.
b. How does my agency report spatial data assets within the budget and
performance review process?
Before the obligation
of funds, ensure that all expenditures for spatial data and related systems
activities financed directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by federal
funds are compliant with the standards and provisions of the FGDC. All
Information Technology systems which process spatial data should identify
planned investments for spatial data and compliance with FGDC standards
within the Exhibit 300 capital asset and business plan submission (see
OMB Circular A-11, sec. 300).
c. What are the lead federal agencies for the NSDI data
themes?
Certain federal agencies
have lead responsibilities for coordinating the national coverage and
stewardship of specific spatial data themes. The data themes in the NSDI,
their description, and the responsible lead for each theme are listed
in Appendix E. Lead agency responsibilities and new data themes may be
added or altered by recommendation of the FGDC and concurrence by the
OMB.
d. What are the responsibilities of lead federal agencies
for the NSDI data themes?
(1) Provide leadership
and facilitate the development and implementation of needed FGDC standards,
especially a data content standard for each data theme. Agencies will
assess existing standards, identify anticipated or needed data standards,
and develop a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant
community and international practices in accordance with OMB Circular
A-119, consistent with or included in the plan described in section 8.d.(2)
below.
(2) Provide leadership
and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for nationwide
population of each data theme. Plans will include the development of partnership
programs with States, Tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal
agencies, and localities that meet the needs of users, address human and
financial resource needs, identify needs for standards, metadata, and
the Clearinghouse, and advance a timetable for the development of NSDI
data themes.
(3) Under section
8.a of this Circular, will prepare goals that support the NSDI strategy
and, as needed, collect and analyze information from users about their
needs for spatial data, including these in strategies related to their
theme responsibilities.
(4) Administratively:
(a) Designate a point of contact within the lead agency who will be responsible
for development, maintenance, coordination, and dissemination of data
using the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse;
(b) Provide a performance report, at least annually, that documents data
theme activities and implementation status, including progress toward
goals identified in 8.d.(1), 8.d.(2) and 8.d.(3) above.
(c) Publish maps or comparable graphics online showing the current extent
and status of the spatial data themes for which they have the lead, and
encourage all other sources of data for those same themes to provide access
to their data through the Clearinghouse. Leads will coordinate with those
in charge of the Clearinghouse and always use FGDC specified Web mapping
conventions; and
(d) Identify and publish proven practices for the use and application
of agency data sets.
e. What are the FGDC responsibilities and reporting requirements?
The FGDC leads and
supports the NSDI strategy, spatial data policy development, management,
and operational decision making. The FGDC also aids geographic information
system use, directs and facilitates national implementation of the system
of Framework Data and other themes in the NSDI, implements the NSDI Clearinghouse,
and advises federal and other spatial data users on their NSDI implementation
responsibilities.
The FGDC will:
(a) Prepare and
maintain a strategic plan for the development and implementation of the
NSDI.
(b) Serve as the
lead federal executive body charged with the leadership, development,
implementation, and review of spatial data standards, the NSDI Clearinghouse
network, and a plan for federal agencies responsible for the NSDI Framework
and other data themes to collect and provide broad access to spatial data
assets.
(c) Communicate
with and foster communication among federal agencies and others concerning
spatial data technology development, transfer, and exchange.
(d) Promote and
guide cooperation and coordination among federal, state, tribal and local
government agencies, academia and the private sector in the collection,
production, sharing and use of spatial information, the implementation
of the NSDI, and the identification of proven practices.
(e) Coordinate
with international organizations having an interest in the National or
Global Spatial Data Infrastructures.
(f) Provide and
update at least annually:
(i) An online status summary for each data theme authored by the lead
agencies, the FGDC, or other subcommittees, working groups, and advisory
committees.
(ii) An online collection of periodic technical publications, management
articles and reports related to the NSDI.
(iii) An online FGDC membership directory, including current subcommittee
and working group memberships.
(g) Ensure consistency
of the NSDI with national security, national defense, and emergency preparedness
program policies regarding data accessibility.
(h) Support the
development of electronic government with spatial data.
(i) Support and
promote the infrastructure of networks, systems, services, and standards
that provide a digital representation of the Earth to users for many applications.
(j) Through the
Chair and Vice Chair, take actions where required to recommend appropriate
additions, revisions, or deletions to this Circular.
9. How are differences
settled among agencies?
Any major differences
among agencies with respect to coordination or conduct of activities covered
by this Circular that cannot be resolved by the FGDC leadership will be
referred in writing by the head of any agency concerned to the Director
of the OMB. Copies of such referrals will be provided to the Chair and
Vice Chair of the FGDC and to the heads of those agencies directly involved
or affected by the outcome of the decision.
10. How can I
check that my agency is compliant with the latest NSDI requirements and
standards?
The FGDC website
(www.fgdc.gov) will serve as an up to date resource for reviewing the
latest data standards, the source for spatial data that is already collected,
boilerplate procurement language, laws and regulations regarding spatial
data and information on the latest geospatial technologies.
Mitchell E. Daniels,
Jr.
Director
Appendix
A: Authorities
This Circular provides
requirements and guidance for the management of data and federal information
assets that relate to geographic locations. The revised OMB Circular A-16
incorporates Executive Order 12906. A basic list of authorities is listed
below:
- The Paperwork
Reduction Act
- The Government
Paperwork Elimination Act of 1999
- The Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
- The Federal Records
Act
- OMB Circular A-130
(on Management of Federal Information Resources)
- OMB Circular A-119
(Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus
Standards and In Conformity Assessment Activities)
- The Freedom of
Information Act and the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments
of 1996
- The Privacy Act
- The Clinger-Cohen
Act of 1996
- The Stafford Act
- Federal Acquisition
Regulations
- The National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
- Executive Order
12906 (Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National
Spatial Data Infrastructure)
- Executive Order
12951 (Release of Imagery Acquired by Space-Based National Intelligence
Reconnaissance Systems)
- Rehabilitation
Act, Sec. 508, Electronic and Information Technology, and
- Other relevant
statutes
The OMB may amend
this list as new authorities are approved.
Appendix B: FGDC
Member Agencies
FGDC Members (August
2002)
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
General Services Administration
Library of Congress
National Archives and Records Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Science Foundation
Tennessee Valley Authority
Appendix C: History
and Background of Circular A-16
This Circular was
originally issued in 1953, revised in 1967, and revised again in 1990.
The Bureau of the Budget (now the OMB) issued Circular No. A-16 on January
16, 1953. Appended to this Circular were Exhibits, occasionally revised,
that dealt with procedures for programming and coordinating of federal
Topographic Mapping Activities, National Atlas, Geodetic Control Surveys
and International Boundaries.
The purpose of the
1953 Circular was "to insure (sic) that surveying and mapping activities
may be directed toward meeting the needs of federal and state agencies
and the general public, and will be performed expeditiously, without duplication
of effort." The original Circular references Executive Order No.
9094, dated March 10, 1942. This Executive Order directs the Director
of the Bureau of the Budget to coordinate and promote the improvement
of surveying and mapping activities of the Government. Furthermore, it
passes on functions carried out by the Federal Board of Surveys and Maps,
established by Executive Order No. 3206, dated December 30, 1919. Thus,
the OMB is directed to make recommendations to agencies and to the President
regarding the coordination of all governmental map making and surveying.
Executive Order No. 3206 superseded an Executive Order, dated August 10,
1906, that granted advisory power to the United States Geographic Board
to review mapping projects to avoid duplication and to facilitate standardized
mapping.
A revised Circular
A-16 was issued on May 6, 1967. The most significant change in this revision
is the addition of a new section on Responsibility for Coordination. This
section outlines the responsibilities of three federal departments (Department
of the Interior (DOI), Department of Commerce (DOC) and Department of
State (DOS)). Both the original and the 1967 revision of the Circular
focus on providing a guide for the development of annual programs of the
individual agencies and, through the Exhibits, established extensive reporting
requirements.
A second revised
Circular A-16 was issued on October 19, 1990. This revision expanded the
Circular to include not only surveying and mapping, but also the related
spatial data activities. Specifically, it included geographically referenced
computer-readable (digital) data. In addition, the Exhibits are no longer
referenced and a short reporting requirements section is added.
The 2002 updated
Circular calls for continued improvements in spatial data coordination
and the use of geographical data. Objectives for this revision are to
reflect the changes that have taken place in geographic information management
and technology, and to clearly define agency and FGDC responsibilities.
The proposed revision displays an integrated infrastructure system approach
to support multiple government services and electronic government.
Appendix D: Informative
Definitions
Analog: Of,
relating to, or being a device in which data are represented by variable
measurable physical quantities. In this Circular, refers to "paper"
maps.
Preserve:
The process of saving and storing data or records. May also refer
to the place where data or information is kept.
Clearinghouse:
A distributed network of data producers, managers, and users linked
electronically, such as over the Internet. Through the Clearinghouse,
users can use a single interface to search and access metadata and/or
data for the themes they seek. The Clearinghouse includes the sites across
the country where the metadata and data are stored, usually at the site
of the producer or intermediary.
Data: Factual
information, especially information organized for analysis or used to
reason or make decisions. In Computer Science, numerical or other information
represented in a form suitable for processing by computer.
Data Theme: Electronic
records and coordinates for a topic or subject, such as elevation, vegetation,
or hydrography. In this Circular, data theme refers to a Geographic Information
System (GIS), or location-based data theme.
Framework Data:
Seven themes of geospatial data that are used by most GIS applications
(geodetic control, orthoimagery, elevation and bathymetry, transportation,
hydrography, cadastral and governmental units). These data include an
encoding of the geographic extent of the features and a minimal number
of attributes needed to identify and describe the features.
Framework:
The NSDI framework is an initiative to develop a readily available set
of basic geographic data. It includes the information, operational environment,
and technology to provide access to these data, and the institutional
setting to sustain its development.
Geographic Information:
Coordinate and attribute data for location-based features, usually in
the categories of point (e.g., a well), line (e.g., a road), polygon (e.g.,
a forest), cell (e.g., a raster-based "rectangle"), or coordinates
(e.g., the latitude-longitude of a point on the ground).
Geographic Information
System: A computer system for the input, editing, storage, retrieval,
analysis, synthesis, and output of location-based information. GIS may
refer to hardware and software, or include data.
Georeference:
A set of datums by which the location of each point can be uniquely
identified.
Geospatial Data:
Information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics
of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the Earth. This information
may be derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and
surveying technologies. Statistical data may be included in this definition
at the discretion of the collecting agency.
Geospatial Services:
A collection of operations, accessible through an interface that allows
a user to evoke a behavior of value to the user.
Global Positioning
System: A satellite-based system deployed to determine locations on
the Earth's surface. It is commonly used for surveying, mapping, and navigation
on land and water.
Metadata:
Information about data, such as content, source, vintage, accuracy, condition,
projection, responsible party, contact phone number, method of collection,
and other characteristics or descriptions.
National Spatial
Data Infrastructure: The technology, policies, standards, human resources,
and related activities necessary to acquire, process, distribute, use,
maintain, and preserve spatial data (e.g., information and process discovery,
publishing data, publishing symbol libraries, query filtering, data fusing,
Earth imaging, photogrammetry, location processing, and spatial analysis).
Proven Practices:
Methods and activities that are "tried and true" including,
but not limited to "best practice."
Spatial Data:
Information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics
of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the Earth. This information
may be derived from remote sensing, mapping, charting, surveying technologies,
GPS, or statistical data, among other sources.
Spatial Data Standards:
Descriptions of objects, features, or other geographically located items
that are collected, automated, or affected by activities or functions
of agencies, and may be structured in a model.
Standards: Documented
agreements containing technical specifications or other precise criteria
to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics
to ensure that materials, products, processes, or services are fit for
their purposes.
Technology:
The scientific method and material used to achieve a commercial or industrial
objective. Jargon for "software," "hardware," "protocol,"
or something technical in nature.
Appendix E: NSDI
Data Themes, Definitions, and Lead Agencies
The lead federal
agencies with responsibilities for NSDI spatial data themes are as follows:
Baseline (Maritime):
Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA and DOI, Minerals Management Service (MMS)
Baseline represents
the line from which maritime zones and limits are measured. Examples of
these limits include the territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive
economic zone. The spatial extent of the baseline is defined as "ordinary
low water," interpreted as mean lower low water, as depicted on National
Ocean Service nautical charts and/or appropriate supplemental information.
Biological Resources:
DOI, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
This dataset includes
data pertaining to or descriptive of (nonhuman) biological resources and
their distributions and habitats, including data at the suborganismal
(genetics, physiology, anatomy, etc.), organismal (subspecies, species,
systematics), and ecological (populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes,
etc.) levels.
*Cadastral: DOI, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Cadastral data describe
the geographic extent of past, current, and future right, title, and interest
in real property, and the framework to support the description of that
geographic extent. The geographic extent includes survey and description
frameworks such as the Public Land Survey System, as well as parcel-by-parcel
surveys and descriptions.
*Cadastral (Offshore):
DOI, MMS
Offshore Cadastre
is the land management system used on the Outer Continental Shelf. It
extends from the baseline to the extent of United States jurisdiction.
Existing coverage is currently limited to the conterminous United States
and portions of Alaska. Maximum extent of United States jurisdiction is
not yet mathematically calculated.
Climate: Co-leaders,
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) and DOC, NOAA
Climate data describe
the spatial and temporal characteristics of the Earth's atmosphere/hydrosphere/land
surface system. These data represent both model-generated and observed
(either in situ or remotely sensed) environmental information, which can
be summarized to describe surface, near surface and atmospheric conditions
over a range of scales.
Cultural and Demographic
Statistics: DOC, U.S. Census Bureau (USCB)
These geospatially
referenced data describe the characteristics of people, the nature of
the structures in which they live and work, the economic and other activities
they pursue, the facilities they use to support their health, recreational
and other needs, the environmental consequences of their presence, and
the boundaries, names and numeric codes of geographic entities used to
report the information collected.
Cultural Resources:
DOI, National Park Service
The cultural resources
theme includes historic places such as districts, sites, buildings, and
structures of significance in history, architecture, engineering, or culture.
Cultural resources also encompass prehistoric features as well as historic
landscapes.
*Digital Ortho Imagery: DOI, USGS
This dataset contains
georeferenced images of the Earth's surface, collected by a sensor in
which image object displacement has been removed for sensor distortions
and orientation, and terrain relief. For very large surface areas, an
Earth curvature correction may be applied. Digital orthoimages encode
the optical electromagnetic spectrum as discrete values modeled in an
array of georeferenced pixels. Digital orthoimages have the geometric
characteristics of a map, and image qualities of a photograph.
Earth Cover: DOI,
USGS
The Earth Cover theme
uses a hierarchical classification system based on observable form and
structure, as opposed to function or use. This system transitions from
generalized to more specific and detailed class divisions, and provides
a framework within which multiple land cover and land use classification
systems can be cross-referenced. This system is applicable everywhere
on the surface of the Earth. This theme differs from the Vegetation and
Wetlands themes, which provide additional detail.
*Elevation Bathymetric:
Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA (U.S. waters outside channels) and US Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) (inland waterways)
The bathymetric data
for Inland and Intercoastal waterways is highly accurate bathymetric sounding
information collected to ensure that federal navigation channels are maintained
to their authorized depths. Bathymetric survey activities support the
Nation's critical nautical charting program. This data is also used to
create Electronic Navigational Charts. The bathymetric sounding data supports
the elevation layer of the geospatial data framework.
*Elevation Terrestrial:
DOI, USGS
This data contains
georeferenced digital representations of terrestrial surfaces, natural
or manmade, which describe vertical position above or below a datum surface.
Data may be encapsulated in an evenly spaced grid (raster form) or randomly
spaced (triangular irregular network, hypsography, single points). The
elevation points can have varying horizontal and vertical resolution and
accuracy.
Buildings and
Facilities: General Services Administration
The facility theme
includes federal sites or entities with a geospatial location deliberately
established for designated activities; a facility database might describe
a factory, military base, college, hospital, power plant, fishery, national
park, office building, space command center, or prison. Facility data
is submitted from several agencies, since there is no one party responsible
for all the facilities in the Nation, and facilities encompass a broad
spectrum of activities. The FGDC promotes standardizing on database structures
and schemas to the extent practical.
Federal Land Ownership
Status: DOI, BLM
Federal land ownership
status includes the establishment and maintenance of a system for the
storage and dissemination of information describing all title, estate
or interest of the federal government in a parcel of real and mineral
property. The ownership status system is the portrayal of title for all
such federal estates or interests in land.
Flood Hazards:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Flood Insurance
Program has prepared flood hazard data for approximately 18,000 communities.
The primary information prepared for these communities is for the 1 percent
annual chance (100-year) flood, and includes documentation of the boundaries
and elevations of that flood.
*Geodetic Control:
DOC, NOAA
Geodetic control
provides a common reference system for establishing coordinates for all
geographic data. All NSDI framework data and users' applications data
require geodetic control to accurately register spatial data. The National
Spatial Reference System is the fundamental geodetic control for the United
States.
Geographic Names:
DOI, USGS
This dataset contains
data or information on geographic place names deemed official for federal
use by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as pursuant to Public Law 80-242.
Geographic Names information includes both the official place name (current,
historical, and aliases) and locative direct (i.e., geographic coordinates)
and indirect (i.e., State and County where place is located) geospatial
identifiers and categorized as populated places, schools, reservoirs,
parks, streams, valleys, and ridges.
Geologic: DOI,
USGS
The geologic spatial
data theme includes all geologic mapping information and related geoscience
spatial data (including associated geophysical, geochemical, geochronologic,
and paleontologic data) that can contribute to the National Geologic Map
Database as pursuant to Public Law 106-148.
*Governmental
Units: DOC, USCB
These data describe,
by a consistent set of rules and semantic definitions, the official boundary
of federal, state, local, and tribal governments as reported/certified
to the U.S. Census Bureau by responsible officials of each government
for purposes of reporting the Nation's official statistics.
Housing: Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's database maintains
geographic data on homeownership rates, including many attributes such
as HUD revitalization zones, location of various forms of housing assistance,
first-time homebuyers, underserved areas, and race. Data standards have
not yet been formalized.
*Hydrography:
DOI, USGS
This data theme includes
surface water features such as lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, canals,
oceans, and coastlines. Each hydrography feature is assigned a permanent
feature identification code (Environmental Protection Agency Reach Code)
and may also be identified by a feature name. Spatial positions of features
are encoded as centerlines and polygons. Also encoded is network connectivity
and direction of flow.
International
Boundaries: Department of State
International boundary
data include both textual information to describe, and GIS digital cartographic
data to depict, both land and maritime international boundaries, other
lines of separation, limits, zones, enclaves/exclaves and special areas
between States and dependencies.
Law Enforcement
Statistics: Department of Justice
Law enforcement statistics
describe the occurrence of events (including incidences, offenses and
arrests) geospatially located, related to ordinance and statutory violations
and the individuals involved in those occurrences. Also included are data
related to deployment of law enforcement resources and performance measures.
Marine Boundaries:
Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA and DOI, MMS
Marine boundaries
depict offshore waters and seabeds over which the United States has sovereignty
and jurisdiction.
Offshore Minerals:
DOI, MMS
Offshore minerals
include minerals occurring in submerged lands. Examples of marine minerals
include oil, gas, sulfur, gold, sand and gravel, and manganese.
Outer Continental
Shelf Submerged Lands: DOI, MMS
This data includes
lands covered by water at any stage of the tide, as distinguished from
tidelands, which are attached to the mainland or an island and cover and
uncover with the tide. Tidelands presuppose a high-water line as the upper
boundary; whereas submerged lands do not.
Public Health:
Department of Health and Human Services
Public health themes
relate to the protection, improvement and promotion of the health and
safety of all people. For example, public health databases include spatial
data on mortality and natality events, infectious and notifiable diseases,
incident cancer cases, behavioral risk factor and tuberculosis surveillance,
hazardous substance releases and health effects, hospital statistics and
other similar data.
Public Land Conveyance
(patent) Records: DOI, BLM
Public land conveyance
data are the records that describe all past, current, and future, right,
title, and interest in real property. This is a system of storage, retrieval
and dissemination of documents describing the right, title, and interest
of a parcel.
Shoreline:
DOC, NOAA
Shorelines represent
the intersection of the land with the water surface. The shoreline shown
on NOAA Charts represents the line of contact between the land and a selected
water elevation. In areas affected by tidal fluctuations, this line of
contact is the mean high water line.
Soils: USDA,
NRCS
Soil data consist
of georeferenced digital map data and associated tabular attribute data.
The map data describe the spatial distribution of the various soils that
cover the Earth's surface. The attribute data describe the proportionate
extent of the various soils as well as the physical and chemical characteristics
of those soils. The physical and chemical properties are based on observed
and measured values, as well as model-generated values. Also included
are model-generated assessments of the suitability or limitations of the
soils to various land uses.
*Transportation:
Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Transportation data
are used to model the geographic locations, interconnectedness, and characteristics
of the transportation system within the United States. The transportation
system includes both physical and non-physical components representing
all modes of travel that allow the movement of goods and people between
locations.
Transportation
(Marine): USACE
The Navigation Channel
Framework consists of highly accurate dimensions (geographic coordinates
for channel sides, centerlines, wideners, turning basins, and River Mile
Markers) for every federal navigation channel maintained by USACE. The
Navigation Framework will provide the basis for the marine transportation
theme of the geospatial data framework.
Vegetation:
USDA, U.S. Forest Service
Vegetation data describe
a collection of plants or plant communities with distinguishable characteristics
that occupy an area of interest. Existing vegetation covers or is visible
at or above the land or water surface and does not include abiotic factors
that tend to describe potential vegetation.
Watershed Boundaries:
Co-leaders: DOI, USGS and USDA, NRCS
This data theme encodes
hydrologic, watershed boundaries into topographically defined sets of
drainage areas, organized in a nested hierarchy by size, and based on
a standard hydrologic unit coding system.
Wetlands:
DOI, Fish and Wildlife Service
The wetlands data
layer provides the classification, location, and extent of wetlands and
deepwater habitats. There is no attempt to define the proprietary limits
or jurisdictional wetland boundaries of any federal, state, or local agencies.
Lead Agency responsibilities
and new data themes may be added or altered by recommendation of the FGDC
and concurrence by the OMB.
* Indicates
framework theme