Highlights for March 28, 1997
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• DOI GPS Receiver Orders Processed: On March 24–27, Karl Brown (CBI) worked with GPS Coordinators from the FWS, USGS WRD and GD, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Reclamation to process PLGR+96 Global Positioning System receiver orders. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/4240)

• USGS–NPS Vegetation Mapping Program in Acadia National Park: On March 25–26, Frank D'Erchia and Gary Waggoner (CBI) conducted an organizational meeting at Acadia National Park in Maine to initiate the USGS–NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. Attendees included representatives from the USGS, the NPS, The Nature Conservancy, and the Maine Natural Heritage Program. Park officials anticipate using the vegetation maps developed through the Program in a variety of resource management applications, including fire management and easement acquisition. (Frank D'Erchia, Denver, 303/202-4259)

• GPS Technology Workshop at USGS GIS Conference: On March 31–April 3, Karl Brown (CBI), along with Marti Ikehara (WRD), will facilitate a discussion of GPS technology at the USGS GIS Conference in Denver. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)

• USGS Representatives at DOI LANAG Meeting: On April 1–3, John Clark and Mike Mulligan (CBI) will attend the DOI Local Area Network Administrators Group (LANAG) meeting in Washington, D.C. The main agenda topic is "Messaging Future Trends in DOI." Mulligan will provide a briefing to the LANAG regarding the WindowsNT Standards and Guidelines Subgroup's progress and direction to date. (Mike Mulligan, Denver, 303/202-4242)

• GPS PPS Coordinators Briefings and Tours: On April 7–10, Karl Brown (CBI) will facilitate the annual Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise Positioning Service Coordinators Meeting for all civil agencies. Briefings from the Pentagon, Space Command, and National Security Agency and a review of use doctrine are on the agenda. A classified briefing (SECRET) will be held at the Rocky Mountain Mapping Center Special Applications Facility in Denver. At the conclusion of the conference, a tour of Falcon Air Force Base in Colorado Springs will be available to view the main GPS control station. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)