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The Federal Geographic Data Committee
GUIDELINES
October 1, 1996
Version 4.0
GUIDELINES TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATION IN DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE
Purpose: To establish policies and criteria for the Federal
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and Cooperating Groups to cooperatively interact
in activities and initiatives that further develop the National Spatial Data Infrastructure
(NSDI).
Goal: To further the implementation of the National Spatial Data
Infrastructure.
Position: The Federal Geographic Data Committee supports cooperation
among all parties with a stake in the development and use of geospatial data.
Cooperating groups, formed on the basis of policies and procedures that enable
all parties to participate in and contribute to the NSDI in those areas of their
strength and expertise, are considered to be effective and cost efficient mechanisms
for the establishment of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure. In recognition
of the broad scope and extent of geospatial data, in most cases no one group will
cover all interests within a geographic area. Therefore, any number of cooperating
groups may be recognized within a geographic area as long as each meet the criteria.
The FGDC will notify new Cooperating Groups within a geographic area of the existence
of previously identified groups. Cooperation among Federal, State, local, private,
and academic sectors should be based on shared responsibilities, shared commitment,
shared benefits and shared control aimed at improving the geospatial data delivery
system. Contributions of value include: establishing forums for communication,
facilitating access to data, building framework and thematic data sets, developing
educational and training programs, and fostering partnerships for data production
and sharing.
To build a network of communication and support that facilitates the implementation
of the NSDI the Cooperating Group will:
- Promote the use of FGDC-endorsed standards for geospatial data transfer,
content, collection, and quality control among Cooperating Group members.
- Participate in the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.
- Coordinate data collection and sharing within the geographic area and
for data categories of interest to the Group.
- Participate in the development of a National Geospatial Data Framework.
- Encourage participation among all levels of government, the private sector,
academia and the not-for-profit sector.
- Actively participate in standards development, review and implementation.
- Represent the FGDC at meetings as appropriate and mutually beneficial.
- Participate in FGDC meetings and activities as appropriate, including an annual
meeting with the FGDC Steering Committee.
To build a network of communication and support that facilitates the implementation of
the NSDI the FGDC will:
- Provide "train-the-trainer" technical workshops to explain the origins, purpose,
and strategies for implementation of FGDC-endorsed standards.
- Help the Cooperating Group use the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse to
locate sources of data, training and expertise.
- Link the Cooperating Group World Wide Web Home pages to the FGDC NSDI
Internet World Wide Web Homepage.
- Offer qualified Cooperating Group members the opportunity to participate on
Working Groups and Subcommittees, as appropriate.
- Regularly inform Cooperating Group members of FGDC-sponsored activities and
initiatives.
Procedures for Requesting Recognition: Any group wishing recognition
by the FGDC as a Cooperating Group for coordination in support of the NSDI should
submit a request in writing to the FGDC Secretariat. The request should:
- (a) provide a statement of purpose for the requesting group
- (b) list the members of the group, the agencies they represent, and their
titles.
- (c) indicate the categories of data and area of geographic coverage of
interest to the group; and
- (d) explain the position and activities of the group relative to these
guidelines.
FGDC Secretariat will review the request and evaluate the request for compliance
with the Guidelines. The Cooperating Group will be informed of FGDC recognition
as soon as possible after receipt of the request. The recognition will be acknowledged
publicly by an announcement in the FGDC Newsletter, on the NSDI World Wide Web
home page, and in other publications, as appropriate. The FGDC Secretariat will
maintain a reference file and listing of each Cooperating Group.
Termination of Agreement: The Cooperating Group Agreement may
be terminated at any time by either party by notifying the other party in writing.
Exclusion: This policy for cooperative participation in support
of the NSDI will not include activities by the FGDC or its members that are conducted
under contractual arrangements.
For More Information Contact:
Milo Robinson
590 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Voice: (703) 648-5162
E-mail: mrobinson@usgs.gov
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