Archives
14/02
This year's keynote is not a traditional presentation. Instead, join us for a discussion about a shared vision of Indiana GIS, and the challenges we face in building it. The discussion will be led by Jim Sparks, Indiana's new Geographic Information Officer. Come prepared to join in!
Read more at http://www.in.gov/igic/conference/keynote.html.
14/02
How to play!
* Pick up your puzzle piece at the entrance the reception. Rather just visit the sponsors or watch? That’s okay, just don’t pick up a puzzle piece.
* The back of the puzzle piece will be marked with an ID. Find the table inside the reception that is marked with the same ID.
* Meet you fellow puzzle team members and put together your puzzle.
* Once you have your puzzle completed, bring it to the photo map. The puzzle master will collect your puzzle and hand out game cards. Be sure to fill out the card to enter drawings for individual and team prizes.
*This isn’t a timed event, so you don’t have to rush. But don’t dawdle too long and leave your team hanging…Thanks for playing!
Indiana GIS Conference - February 19 -20, 2008 Indianapolis, Indiana - Sponsored by IGIC
Our thanks to IndyGIS for supplying the photos; Cub Scout Pack 3149 and Girl Scout Troop 269 from Bluffton, IN for the puzzle pieces.
14/02
NEWS
As part of the Indiana GIS Atlas, the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) has created a new interactive map to facilitate the identification and retrieval of historical aerial photographs. Named the “Indiana Historical Aerial Photo Index” (IHAPI) map, the interactive map allows users to easily locate a site of interest and determine unique identification numbers for more than 113,000 individual photos. Copies of high-resolution photos can then be ordered from various archival collections, including the IGS archive which contains about 40,000 photos. Explanatory materials and a narrated video tutorial have been created to assist users with this new Web site.
LINKS
The IHAPI Map can be accessed through the following URL:
http://129.79.145.7/arcims/IHAPI/viewer.htm
Before attempting to use the IHAPI Map, we strongly recommend that users read the instructions or watch the narrated video tutorial. Links to the instructions and the tutorial can be accessed from the Home Page of the Web site:
http://igs.indiana.edu/IHAPI
RELATED EVENTS
A presentation regarding the new IHAPI map will be made at the 2008 Indiana GIS Conference, Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis. The presentation will be on Tuesday, February 19, 3:30 PM, Regency E, Room Number 3.
Also, a Webinar, sponsored by the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC), will be conducted on Thursday, April 17, 1:30-2:30 PM (http://www.in.gov/igic/class/index.html#hist).
14/02
August 12, 2007
path 22, row 32
path 22, row 33
path 22, row 34
The are all in one image strip.
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Larry Biehl
Purdue University
Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP)
Mann Hall
203 Martin Jischke Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971
14/02
The new FGDC Newsletter for Winter 2007-2008 is now available online at
http://www.fgdc.gov/library/newsletters/2007/FGDC2007WinterNewsletter.pdf.
http://www.fgdc.gov/library/newsletters/2007/FGDC2007WinterNewsletter.pdf.
Topics
Carol Brandt Receives NSGIC Dedicated Service Award
Framework Web Services Online
10th Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI-10)
Fifty States Steps Forward
Geospatial One-Stop Update
Virginia’s Metadata Buzz
FEMA Disaster Grant and FGDC Metadata Training Success Story with Bishop Paiute Tribe, CA
Coeur d’Alene Tribe Works with County Governments on the Idaho Collaborative Roads Project
Carol Brandt Receives NSGIC Dedicated Service Award
Framework Web Services Online
10th Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI-10)
Fifty States Steps Forward
Geospatial One-Stop Update
Virginia’s Metadata Buzz
FEMA Disaster Grant and FGDC Metadata Training Success Story with Bishop Paiute Tribe, CA
Coeur d’Alene Tribe Works with County Governments on the Idaho Collaborative Roads Project
14/02
from the City of Westfield GIS Quarterly Legend
In 2004, the Westfield Public Works Department incorporated into the UTILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1111162413893.htm
All Projects must adhere to the digital As-Built review process and acquire an acceptance statement before the performance bond may be flipped to a maintenance bond. The GIS division staff processes the data into the
departmental GIS. This data becomes integrated into the GIS which some of the uses are to accurately locate, identify, tracking of asset management, produce maps of the utility infrastructure as well as other uses that are managed by Westfield Public Works.
On October 19, 2007, Eric Becker and Leane Welsh presented to over 50 people from around the state at the Indiana Geographic Information Council “GIS for Engineers” special presentation. This presentation was given to explain how our GIS department reviews and processes As-Built submittals. A copy of the presentation may be viewed by clicking here:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1201639662_205718.pdf
In 2004, the Westfield Public Works Department incorporated into the UTILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1111162413893.htm
All Projects must adhere to the digital As-Built review process and acquire an acceptance statement before the performance bond may be flipped to a maintenance bond. The GIS division staff processes the data into the
departmental GIS. This data becomes integrated into the GIS which some of the uses are to accurately locate, identify, tracking of asset management, produce maps of the utility infrastructure as well as other uses that are managed by Westfield Public Works.
On October 19, 2007, Eric Becker and Leane Welsh presented to over 50 people from around the state at the Indiana Geographic Information Council “GIS for Engineers” special presentation. This presentation was given to explain how our GIS department reviews and processes As-Built submittals. A copy of the presentation may be viewed by clicking here:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1201639662_205718.pdf
14/02
The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) is a Federal Advisory Committee sponsored by the Department of the Interior under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The NGAC reports to the Chair of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (Secretary of the Interior or designee).
The scope and objectives of the NGAC are described in the NGAC Charter: “The Committee will provide advice and recommendations related to management of Federal and national geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the implementation of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16 and Executive Order 12906. The Committee will review and comment upon geospatial policy and management issues and will provide a forum to convey views representative of non-federal stakeholders in the geospatial community.”
See the NGAC web site for more details.
The scope and objectives of the NGAC are described in the NGAC Charter: “The Committee will provide advice and recommendations related to management of Federal and national geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the implementation of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16 and Executive Order 12906. The Committee will review and comment upon geospatial policy and management issues and will provide a forum to convey views representative of non-federal stakeholders in the geospatial community.”
See the NGAC web site for more details.
14/02
By Jeff Simley, USGS (January 2008)
The official repository for geographic names in the United States is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Only names stored in this database and meeting Board standards can be used on official federal government publications including The National Map and its hydrography component, the NHD. In the NHD, each nameable feature contains fields for GNIS Name and GNIS ID, and can only be populated with names coming from the GNIS. The GNIS geographical context for named features is identified by using the endpoint pair for streams, and a single point for area names and point features. Now that the NHD is available nationwide, the opportunity exists to advance the geographical context of the GNIS to take advantage of NHD geometry. In the NHD, hydrography features are represented very discretely with vertex spacing available at the sub-meter level. This means that the geographical context of a name can be applied with considerably more precision than the existing GNIS endpoint or point method. An initiative is now underway to develop the geographic context of GNIS using The National Map vector databases such as the NHD. This could mean that the GNIS architecture would be designed to interface with the NHD to effectively integrate the GNIS and NHD into a common dataset. There would still be a GNIS, but behind the scenes, the GNIS would actually reference the NHD for names representations.
For this and more hydrography information, please visit USGS National Hydrography Dataset Newsletter
The official repository for geographic names in the United States is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Only names stored in this database and meeting Board standards can be used on official federal government publications including The National Map and its hydrography component, the NHD. In the NHD, each nameable feature contains fields for GNIS Name and GNIS ID, and can only be populated with names coming from the GNIS. The GNIS geographical context for named features is identified by using the endpoint pair for streams, and a single point for area names and point features. Now that the NHD is available nationwide, the opportunity exists to advance the geographical context of the GNIS to take advantage of NHD geometry. In the NHD, hydrography features are represented very discretely with vertex spacing available at the sub-meter level. This means that the geographical context of a name can be applied with considerably more precision than the existing GNIS endpoint or point method. An initiative is now underway to develop the geographic context of GNIS using The National Map vector databases such as the NHD. This could mean that the GNIS architecture would be designed to interface with the NHD to effectively integrate the GNIS and NHD into a common dataset. There would still be a GNIS, but behind the scenes, the GNIS would actually reference the NHD for names representations.
For this and more hydrography information, please visit USGS National Hydrography Dataset Newsletter
14/02
Assistant Director, Regulatory Affairs, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
It is no secret that solid land-use planning lays the foundation for effective economic and residential development. Planning also creates a more harmonious community.
In the months since the Indiana Land Resources Council finalized recommendations for model agricultural zoning ordinances, several local governments have implemented these concepts as they developed land use plans. Rush, Porter and Marshall counties have all passed model ordinance concepts. Wells County has an ordinance that is currently pending. These tools have enabled local government leaders to adapt the recommendations to their community’s needs.
Rush County has been especially progressive and incorporated both a site scoring system and multi-tiered agriculture zones. The site scoring system takes a science-based approach to land use by awarding points based on factors including odor abatement, traffic impact, section density, aesthetics, utility service and whether the land is tillable or suitable for housing. These regulations complement existing state and federal environmental regulation. Wells County is also considering a site scoring system.
The multi-tiered agriculture zones identify rural land for specific purposes, such as residential development, light agriculture and agribusiness. This approach addresses the land-use needs of agriculture, while also accommodating rural residential development. Rush County now has zones for rural residence, agribusiness and regulated livestock.
Both Porter and Marshall counties have incorporated an agricultural clause ordinance. This means that individuals who choose to move into an agricultural zone must sign a document indicating they are aware that they may experience noise, dust and odor associated with general farm practices. This agreement is used as a condition to residential development in an agriculture zone.
In addition to the work described in the counties above, ISDA has produced a document called Local Officials and Regulating Livestock Production, which outlines the legal responsibilities of state and local government. This document has been used to help local officials assess the legality of their proposed regulations. ISDA staff is available to provide this assistance to any county upon request.
As Rush, Porter, Marshall and Wells counties have demonstrated, developing effective land use that recognizes the multiple needs of a healthy community promotes not only good neighbor relationships, but also economic development. In this environment, rural Indiana will thrive. Communities can learn more about the model ordinances and find a complete description on the ISDA website at www.in.gov/isda.
06/02
33rd Annual Meeting of the Social Science History Association (SSHA)
Miami, FL, 23-26 October 2008
The SSHA Meeting is an international conference that attracts academics who share an interest in interdisciplinary and systematic approaches to historical research. Conference sessions typically include presenters from different disciplines (history, geography, sociology, economics, etc.).
In recent years, the conference has become the main event for the presentation of papers and the discussion of research projects related to historical GIS projects in Europe and North America.
Please consider presenting a paper if you have an interest in these topics. For more information, please contact the SSHA Historical Geography Network Representatives: Alberto Giordano, ag22@txstate.edu or Ian Gregory, i.gregory@lancaster.ac.uk.
Conference title: “It's About Time: Temporality and Interdisciplinary Research”
Deadline for abstracts submission: February 15, 2008.
Conference website: http://www.ssha.org/
Miami, FL, 23-26 October 2008
The SSHA Meeting is an international conference that attracts academics who share an interest in interdisciplinary and systematic approaches to historical research. Conference sessions typically include presenters from different disciplines (history, geography, sociology, economics, etc.).
In recent years, the conference has become the main event for the presentation of papers and the discussion of research projects related to historical GIS projects in Europe and North America.
Please consider presenting a paper if you have an interest in these topics. For more information, please contact the SSHA Historical Geography Network Representatives: Alberto Giordano, ag22@txstate.edu or Ian Gregory, i.gregory@lancaster.ac.uk.
Conference title: “It's About Time: Temporality and Interdisciplinary Research”
Deadline for abstracts submission: February 15, 2008.
Conference website: http://www.ssha.org/
06/02
View Final Report
The Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform was charged by Governor Daniels to provide recommendations for a leaner local government structure. Operating under the leadership of its chairs, former Governor Joseph E. Kernan and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, and with the assistance of the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, the Commission has completed its work.
The Commission released its report on Tuesday, December 11, 2007.
http://indianalocalgovreform.iu.edu/
The Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform was charged by Governor Daniels to provide recommendations for a leaner local government structure. Operating under the leadership of its chairs, former Governor Joseph E. Kernan and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, and with the assistance of the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, the Commission has completed its work.
The Commission released its report on Tuesday, December 11, 2007.
http://indianalocalgovreform.iu.edu/
06/02
The following article is from http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/dailynews/2008/jan/22/news6.html .
A report recently issued by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies sharpens the research focus of The National Map. The report, A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science at the United States Geological Survey, advocates the integration of highly diverse data from state and local agencies into a consistent, national framework as a unique feature of The National Map that distinguishes it from other online geospatial data sources.
The National Map is being developed by the USGS as a trusted, nationally consistent geospatial framework to serve a broad range of uses by scientists, communities, government officials, and the public.
"Comprehensive and authoritative baseline geospatial data are crucial to the Nation and to the USGS mission of integrated, multi-disciplinary natural science," said USGS Director Mark Myers. "The USGS is strongly committed to the vision that this NRC report lays out. These research directions will enhance The National Map, and with it, the National Spatial Data Infrastructure."
The USGS commissioned the NRC Mapping Sciences Committee to assess current and future needs for USGS geographic information science (GIScience) capabilities. The committee was also asked to make recommendations concerning research and collaboration at the Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) established by the USGS in 2006.
One element of The National Map - the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) - serves as an example of a nationally standardized dataset that is not available from any other online geospatial data source. The NHD was built, and is beginning to be maintained, in partnership with its users who understand the local hydrography and who also require precise, current data to meet their business needs. These contributing partner stewards manage data maintenance activities in their geographies while the USGS facilitates the overall process, providing national coordination, standards, training, quality assurance, archival, and data distribution. Downstream flow data in NHD, one of its many information capabilities, is used extensively in pollution control analysis by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study the relationship between impaired waters and drinking water use.
To accelerate the incorporation of partner data into national databases, the NRC study calls for further research to advance automated integration, fusion, and generalization of data at widely varying scales, resolutions and qualities. The report also calls for new high priority research in user-centered design of Web map interfaces, re-invention of topographic maps in electronic form, and robust data characterization that conveys geographic context.
Looking ahead, the NRC study recommends additional research to transform The National Map database into a geographic knowledgebase. This long term effort would enable knowledge discovery and analysis to, in the words of the report, go "far beyond the typical mapping portal" to "deliver enormous power to The National Map application and lead to its clear differentiation from other web-based products."
The report is available online for free download at www.nap.edu/catalog/12004.html.
A report recently issued by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies sharpens the research focus of The National Map. The report, A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science at the United States Geological Survey, advocates the integration of highly diverse data from state and local agencies into a consistent, national framework as a unique feature of The National Map that distinguishes it from other online geospatial data sources.
The National Map is being developed by the USGS as a trusted, nationally consistent geospatial framework to serve a broad range of uses by scientists, communities, government officials, and the public.
"Comprehensive and authoritative baseline geospatial data are crucial to the Nation and to the USGS mission of integrated, multi-disciplinary natural science," said USGS Director Mark Myers. "The USGS is strongly committed to the vision that this NRC report lays out. These research directions will enhance The National Map, and with it, the National Spatial Data Infrastructure."
The USGS commissioned the NRC Mapping Sciences Committee to assess current and future needs for USGS geographic information science (GIScience) capabilities. The committee was also asked to make recommendations concerning research and collaboration at the Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) established by the USGS in 2006.
One element of The National Map - the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) - serves as an example of a nationally standardized dataset that is not available from any other online geospatial data source. The NHD was built, and is beginning to be maintained, in partnership with its users who understand the local hydrography and who also require precise, current data to meet their business needs. These contributing partner stewards manage data maintenance activities in their geographies while the USGS facilitates the overall process, providing national coordination, standards, training, quality assurance, archival, and data distribution. Downstream flow data in NHD, one of its many information capabilities, is used extensively in pollution control analysis by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study the relationship between impaired waters and drinking water use.
To accelerate the incorporation of partner data into national databases, the NRC study calls for further research to advance automated integration, fusion, and generalization of data at widely varying scales, resolutions and qualities. The report also calls for new high priority research in user-centered design of Web map interfaces, re-invention of topographic maps in electronic form, and robust data characterization that conveys geographic context.
Looking ahead, the NRC study recommends additional research to transform The National Map database into a geographic knowledgebase. This long term effort would enable knowledge discovery and analysis to, in the words of the report, go "far beyond the typical mapping portal" to "deliver enormous power to The National Map application and lead to its clear differentiation from other web-based products."
The report is available online for free download at www.nap.edu/catalog/12004.html.