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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