Geospatial Data Standards Development
Why Geospatial Data Standards?
Geospatial technology are evolving beyond the traditional user and becoming ubiquitous within the BLM. Geospatial data standards will help facilitate data sharing and increase interoperability among geospatial technologies. Furthermore, geospatial data standards contribute to making a geospatial technology specialist’s life simpler and increase the reliability and effectiveness of the GIS products that are produced.
Why the Need for Geospatial Standards in Today's World?
With Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in the hands of field user throughout the Bureau, there has been an explosion of interest in and utilization of geographic information systems. Use in natural resource management could soon range from hand held GPS receivers to automated location-based mobile systems in automobiles and emergency vehicles; to tracking our complex transportation, wildlife, communications, and utilities networks; to mapping, modeling, and simulating a debris flow. At the same time, there has been an exponential increase in the number of public and private decisions involving some form of geographic information. It is estimated that 80% of all data has a “real world” location component. Linking this data together through relevant geospatial data standards is considered a national priority within the Bureau.
Several Office of Management and the Budget (OMB) Circulars set policy for Federal use of standards. These are OMB Circulars A-16 and A-119.
- Circular No. A-16 (Revised) regarding the Coordination of Geographic Information and Related Spatial Data Activities
- Circular No. A-119 regarding Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities
More information regarding geospatial standards can be found at the FGDC website.
How can NSTC help with Geospatial Data Standards?
Several members of the geospatial staff have created standards. NSTC is willing to help facilitate and document your geospatial data standards needs.
The intent of our site is to provide you with geospatial information and acquaint you with our services. Thanks for visiting ---- we look forward to spatially serving you!