New York State Office of Cyber Security
Geographic Information Systems Clearinghouse
Statewide GIS Initiative
Update - December 4, 1997
MEMORANDUM
TO: Executive Deputy Commissioners
FROM: Camaron J. Thomas
DATE: December 4, 1997
SUBJECT: The Statewide GIS Program Update
The purpose of this memorandum is to bring you up-to-date on the progress that has been made on the statewide GIS Program.
A little over a year has past since the program was initiated through the issuance of Technology Policy 96-18. That policy established a framework for the development of a statewide GIS Program and created a GIS Coordinating Body, which acts as a permanent standing subcommittee of the Office for Technology. This Coordinating Body was charged with developing a data sharing policy to share GIS data easily with little or no cost between State and Local Governments. Last summer Technology Policy 97-6 was issued in order to establish such a mechanism. This policy requires that all State Agencies sign the GIS Data Sharing Cooperative agreement (forwarded to all agencies on September 11th). Through this one agreement, agencies will be able to share GIS data at virtually no cost with other members of the Cooperative. We believe that this will be an increasing benefit for agencies as the use of GIS technology becomes more widespread.
In addition to the implementation of this policy and the creation of the data sharing cooperative concept, many other significant items have been accomplished by the program:
- Widespread Participation - There is widespread participation in this initiative by Local Government, the Private Sector and State Agencies. To date more than 100 individuals have volunteered their time, efforts, and knowledge to this initiative.
- GIS Clearinghouse - The Clearinghouse includes a metadata repository, information on the statewide program, educational opportunities, GIS User Groups, GIS maps, and GIS list serves which enable users to easily obtain expertise to answer difficult questions.
- Legislation - Draft legislation has been developed to address Local Government concerns over licensing and fees relating to GIS.
- GIS Executive Briefing Paper - The briefing paper outlines the opportunities agencies should consider developing GIS capabilities.
- GIS Data Inventory - This inventory has started with State Agencies and will be expanded to Local Governments wishing to join the Cooperative.
- Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Grant - A grant was received to assist in the development of metadata for the Clearinghouse. This grant includes funds for the training of State and Local Government staff on the creation of metadata.
- Metadata Training - This fall two sites in New York State hosted a Metadata Televideo Training Conference developed by the University of Wisconsin via satellite downlink.
- Joint Internet Project - The Office of Real Property Service and the Department of Transportation, working together, completed a pilot project which provides a mechanism to make their GIS data available to Data Sharing Cooperative members via the Internet.
- Formal Recognition - The Federal Geographic Data Committee has formally recognized the NYS Coordinating Body and the Statewide GIS Program.
At present, we are busy implementing data sharing between the State Agencies. This includes the signing of the Data Sharing Agreements, completing the data inventory, having agencies populate the Metadata Repository, and assisting agencies in making their data available. We are also researching success stories to further demonstrate the value of GIS and answer the question of why it is important for governments to invest in GIS.
In the future, we will be moving to Local Governments and encouraging them to join the Data Sharing Cooperative. We will also be asking your cooperation in populating the Metadata Repository and assisting us in completing a National Spatial Data Survey sponsored by the FGDC. Finally, we will be encouraging you to actively implement data sharing and to take advantage of the data sets available to you from State Agencies and Local Governments joining the Cooperative.
Should you have any suggestions or ideas that you would like to share with us, please feel free to contact us at (518) 473-5622 or contact us at the GIS Clearinghouse.
cc: J. Natoli