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The IndianaMap legislation was officially signed into law by Governor Daniels on Wednesday, May 9^th. It, like the new seatbelt and child health laws, will go into effect on July 1^st. The legislation represents a good first step for statewide GIS: establishing a Geographic Information Officer, defining framework data, and encouraging widespread distribution and public access.

IGIC Executive Director Jill Saligoe-Simmel says, “This is an important step in moving statewide GIS forward. It took a lot of negotiation and patience, and it couldn't have been achieved without compromise by all of us and for that I am indeed grateful. Let's use this opportunity to reflect on how far we've come, what is left to be done, and how we can work aggressively together to make a geographic information infrastructure that works for all.”

Links to the full text of the new law (or just the GIS sections) can be found at www.igic.org.

Interior Department Seeks Nominations for Committee Members

Interior Deputy Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett announced May 14^th the formation of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The Interior Department is currently seeking nominations for membership on the new advisory group.

The NGAC is being created to advise the Federal government on the management of national geospatial programs and the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The Committee will provide advice and recommendations on Federal geospatial policy and management issues and provide a forum to convey views representative of partners in the geospatial community.

The NGAC will include approximately 20-25 members, who will be selected to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of the various partners involved in national geospatial activities. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint Committee members and their alternates to the Committee to serve 2-year terms.

Nominations for Committee membership should be submitted by June 28, 2007. More information is available at the USGS Newsroom.

The nation is three years away from the next decennial census but the Local Update of Census Addresses (more commonly known as LUCA) begins this July.

Census forms are sent to housing units, not to people; thus, Census 2010 data won't be accurate if the Census Bureau doesn't know about all the housing units in an area. The LUCA program allows local officials to review the addresses used by the Census Bureau and submit additions to the list where residences have been missed.

The Census Bureau has made several changes to the LUCA program since the last census. Find more details, reasons why jurisdictions should participate, tips and resources to assist Indiana communities at www.census.indiana.edu/luca/.

LUCA workshops are being held June 14th and 15th. Visit www.in.gov/igic/temp/luca.html for details and registration info.

IGIC members recently met in an open forum to develop new strategies for IGIC's committees, bringing their activities in line with the newly-enacted IndianaMap legislation. As a result, new committees have been formed, and existing groups restructured. Most will begin meeting in late June and early July.

Participating on IGIC committees gives you a chance to voice your opinion, network with other GIS professionals, and fulfill GISP requirements.

For more information, visit the IGIC Committees pages, or email us to join a committee listserv and keep abreast of the latest developments.

Conference Committee Data Sharing Committee Education & Outreach Committee Elections Committee Finance Committee IndianaMap Committee

• Data Integration Workgroup Indiana Board on Geographic Names Framework Workgroups
  • Addresses Cadastre Elevation Geodetic control Governmental boundary units Orthophotography Public land survey system Streets Water features

Membership Committee Publicity Committee Recognition Workgroup

By Laurie Wink, from the Michigan City News Dispatch LAPORTE, IN - Melissa Mischke firmly believes that maps can save the world - or, if not the world, at least LaPorte County.

Mischke is LaPorte County's first coordinator of Geographic Information Systems. GIS is an increasingly popular tool that uses computer software technology to link all kinds of data to a precise geographic location, producing full-color digital maps.

GIS takes information and creates visual images so that people can see, quite literally, the "big picture." One GIS system most people are familiar with is MapQuest, used to produce navigational maps and directions from one location to another.

In the County Assessor's Office, new GIS-generated images are replacing hand-drawn parcel maps and countless Mylar overlays that have been used to show soil types and other land features. To help calculate farm land taxes, Mischke uses a database of information, including USDA soil types, to create digital maps that show land type, a breakdown of soil types, total acreage and the percent of total soils by soil types. Parcel maps can be produced to show residential, vegetative, water and agricultural areas, each in a different color. The parcel information can also be produced in chart form.

An IGIC member recently submitted this question…

We are considering a server solution to our GIS implementation, and would like to hear the experiences of users with Citrix/Windows Terminal Server with floating ArcGIS licenses. We would also appreciate a comparison of Citrix to ArcGIS Server.

If you have experience with these issues (or would like to know the answer, too), please let IGIC staff know. If you have GIS questions, submit them to IGIC, and we will post them in future editions of the newsletter -- or try to find answers.

By Jeremy Webber, IUPUI

There is constant debate regarding the hydrologic connectivity of isolated wetlands. The extent to which these systems can be protected was further limited due to the outcome of the SWANCC decision in 2001 (Solid Waste Agency of North Cook County, IL). The Army Corp of Engineers denied an application for a Section 404 permit to develop a non-toxic solid waste facility in a location where "isolated" wetlands were present due to the threat of removing aquatic habitat from migratory birds. SWANCC took the Army Corp of Engineers to the U.S. Supreme Court and won the case. The Court argued that since the wetlands in question were not connected to navigable waterways they were no longer to be considered for protection under the Clean Water Act. This ruling narrows the scope of water and wetland areas subject to regulation.

We are using data from the 2005 Orthophotography project in an innovative way that may contribute to protecting fragile wetland ecosystems. Proving the hydrologic connectedness of these systems is essential for their future protection and is what we are trying to illustrate by applying hydrologic modeling routines in a GIS environment on the 2005 Digital Surface Elevation Model.

Stream network data derived from high resolution digital surface models are currently being investigated as a management tool to assist in understanding the links between urbanization, drainage basin dynamics, and isolated wetlands. Modeling stream networks from high resolution data may prove to be more representative of surface hydrology and could be a valuable tool for demonstrating the connectivity of "isolated" wetlands. It is not intended that these stream networks represent channels of active streams, but illustrate the connection of the surface hydrology to "isolated" wetlands and primary headwater streams.

To learn more about wetlands and their connectivity, register for the IGIC seminar

"Using GIS to Identify and Understand Wetlands" Friday, August 17th, 1:00-3:30pm

Many of you have already seen some of the photos from the Greensburg, Kansas tornado. How prepared are you to deal with a disaster like this in your area? Many of you work in public safety and have plans for dealing with disasters as it relates to your job but how prepared are your families? Don't get caught without a plan. The American Red Cross, FEMA, and Homeland Security have some great resources on preparing for disasters.

www.ready.gov

www.fema.gov

www.redcross.org

Project Management Methods for Making Credible Maps – new speakers added
Thursday, June 14^th, 1:00-3:30pm
Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis

FREE

How can you make maps that are convincing and reliable? How can you make sure that the knowledge you have is passed on accurately? What can you do if your organization's mapping guru leaves? Todd Shafer and Steve Leatherman of WTH Engineering will outline successful project management techniques; Cele Morris of the Northwest Indiana Center for Data Analysis makes a business case to illustrate the value of metadata as a geospatial data and project management resource.

Register

 

Team Navigation!™ and Treasure Hunts!
Friday, July 13^th, 1:00-3:30pm
Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis

FREE

This unique presentation will engage participants in fun, practical ways of using maps as real navigation tools. It will begin with a Treasure Hunt, using a Treasure Map and a secret puzzle to find a Treasure Chest! Participants, lead by Jeff Coates of TrueNorth and Associates, will learn about:

• · How you can easily make accurate maps using aerial photographs available on the internet


• · How to read and use a topo map


• · Fun interactive ways to introduce maps to others


• · How to use map and compass together as a navigational tool


• · More about the family sport of orienteering


• · How to have a little fun actually navigating!

Register

 

Water, Water, Everywhere: Hydrology Data and You
Friday, July 20, 2007 9:00-3:30pm
Lawrenceburg, IN

FREE

This Road Show features speakers from around the state presenting on Indiana’s hydrology and other related data, and demonstrating GIS analysis tools and techniques. Topics will include:

• · The Indiana hydrologic monitoring network


• · Web-based streamflow applications


• · Using online soils resources


• · Groundwater data in GIS-based analysis


• · Incorporating land cover, elevation and soil data into hydrogeology models


• · Water pollution tools and analysis


• · Floodmap modernization and its effect on residents

Speakers include experts from government, universities and the private sector. The event is free, and lunch will be provided.

Register

 

Indiana Conservation Tool - NEW
Wednesday, August 8th, 1:30-2:30pm
WEBINAR
IGIC Members: FREE
Non-members: $10

Have you ever struggled with how to identify areas with high conservation value? Now there is a tool that can help you do just that!

The Indiana Biodiversity Initiative has developed a computer-based planning methodology called the Indiana Conservation Tool. It is ideal for anyone interested in using science-based information to identify critical areas for plant and animal conservation.

Staff from IBI will be giving an online demonstration of the free tool, which can be used to:

• · Guide the use of federal, state and local funding for conservation and restoration;


• · Advise land use managers and planners in the coordination of conservation strategies; and


• · Provide citizens and decision-makers with information to develop strategies to conserve Indiana's biodiversity (plants, animals, and the ecological functions they perform).

Registrants will receive an email with login information and phone number one week prior to the event. Note: This is not a toll-free phone call, long distance charges may apply.

 

Using GIS to Identify and Understand Wetlands - NEW
Friday, August 17th, 1:00-3:30pm
Indiana State Library, 140 N. Senate Ave, History Reference Room, Indianapolis

IGIC Members: FREE
Nonmembers: $20

Wetlands are a crucial part of Indiana's natural environment. But how can you protect them if you don't know where they are or how they work?

James Robb of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management will walk you through using the statewide 2005 color infrared photography to identify wetlands. Bob Barr and Jeremy Webber of IUPUI have used high-resolution digital elevation models to demonstrate the connectivity of "isolated" wetlands and primary headwater streams. Their presentation illustrates an example of surface hydrology modeling applied to the Ritchey Woods Natural Area, Hamilton County, Indiana.

Register

 

Making More Visually Pleasing Maps: Applied Cartography and Visualization - NEW
Thursday, September 13th, 1:30-2:30
WEBINAR
IGIC Members: FREE
Non-members: $10

All maps are created with a specific purpose in mind; that purpose can be more clearly understood by the viewer if you use the principals of thematic cartography and geographic visualization. Jeremy Webber from the IUPUI Geography Department will share his techniques for making more visually pleasing maps. Portions of this online presentation will be demonstrated in the ArcMap Environment, though the techniques can be applied in most GIS environments.

Concepts to be covered at this online event:

• · Symbolizing data


• · Displaying data upon aerial photography and hill shaded elevation relief


• · How to use color to your benefit


• · Cartographic design and output

Registrants will receive an email with login information and phone number one week prior to the event. Note: This is not a toll-free phone call, long distance charges may apply.

Register

 

Exploring Statewide GIS Resources
Tuesday, November 13th, 1:00-3:30pm
Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis

FREE

This seminar will include a review and exploration of the considerable resources that are available to Indiana GIS users through the Indiana Geographic Information Council. These resources include opportunities for networking, education for both new and experienced GIS users, guidelines that can help users more effectively develop projects within their communities, and much more. The seminar will also provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and ideas regarding how IGIC can best support the needs of GIS across Indiana. The presenter for this seminar will be Jill Saligoe-Simmel, PhD.

Register