Highlights for September 26, 1997
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• SDTS Workshop Builds Partnerships: On September 15-18, Tom Owens of the CBI and Carol Lowenberg of the EMTC represented the BRD at the SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) Workshop held in Rolla, Missouri. The purpose of the Workshop was to bring together the organizations concerned with sharing spatial data so that they can move forward in developing the Standard. BRD's involvement in the Workshop resulted in increased knowledge and participation in this project. (Tom Owens, Denver, 303/202-4259)
  
  
• USGS Provides Input to Nationwide Differential GPS Report: On September 15-16, Karl Brown (CBI) attended the U.S. Coast Guard Civil Global Positioning System (GPS) Service Interface Committee and GPS Interagency Advisory Council meetings in Kansas City. The meetings were held in concert with the Institute of Navigation Annual GPS conference. Brown and Larry Hothem of NMD represented DOI GPS users. Through their efforts, the Nationwide Differential GPS Report was expanded to reflect the benefits to highway users of a nationwide differential service. Such a service could provide real-time positions at l-3 meters. The report previously had shown agriculture and natural resources as the major beneficiaries of this technology, with no mention of highway benefits. The Federal Railway Administration is expected to fund ($47 million) this expansion of the Coast Guard Differential GPS system because of the expected benefits in train control. (Karl Brown, CBI-Denver 303-202-4240)
  
  
• USGS Scientist Assists USFWS With Investigations of Insect Smuggling: On September 16, Dr. Paul Opler (CBI), at the request of USFWS law enforcement officials, assisted with an investigation in New York of the possible illegal importation and sale of birdwing butterflies and large tropical beetles. Violations of CITES and the Lacey Act could be involved. The investigation is ongoing. (Paul Opler, Fort Collins, CO, 970/226-9409)
  
  
• Prairie Dog Roundup at Denver Federal Center: On September 26, Terry D'Erchia (OBIO), Sharon Shin, and Susan Stitt (both CBI) participated in a volunteer effort to live-capture prairie dogs at the Denver Federal Center. The project began early in September and will be completed at the end of October. All animals will be transported to refuge lands at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado. Participants included volunteers from several Federal agencies located at the Federal Center. A BLM staff member spearheaded the effort, undertaken because of overpopulation of prairie dogs on the Federal Center campus. (Terry D'Erchia, Denver, 303/202-4264)
  
  
• USGS Presents Vegetation Classification Class: On September 29-October 2, Tom Owens (CBI) will instruct a course on the National Vegetation Classification Standard at the USFWS National Conservation Training Center in Leetown, WV. Participants will include USFWS and other DOI agency representatives. (Tom Owens, Denver, 303/202-4259)
  

• OBIO-NWHC Discuss NBII: On September 30, Center Director Mark Fornwall, Harvey Fleet (both CBI), and Anne Frondorf, NBII Program Coordinator (OBIO), will visit the NWHC in Madison, Wisconsin. Discussions will focus on the NWHC's continuing contribution to the National Biological Information Infrastructure and how that contribution can be strengthened. (Harvey Fleet, Denver, 302/202-4224)
  

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.