Highlights for March 12, 1998
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Provides GPS Training to DOI Bureaus: On May 4-7, Karl Brown (CBI) will provide two Global Positioning System (GPS)/PLGR training courses to DOI GPS users in the Pacific Northwest. PLGR users can obtain 4- to 8-meter accuracies without assistance or other augmentation. Two 2-day classes have been organized by Ken Bays of the Oregon state office of the BLM. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)

• USGS Helps Launch Colorado Federal GIS Coordination Committee: On March 11, Ralph Root (CBI) and Barbara White (MESC) attended the initial meeting of the newly established Federal GIS Coordination Committee for Colorado. The committee, chaired by Ingrid Landgraff (NMD), consists of representatives from 12 Federal agencies and the State of Colorado. Its purpose is to provide a forum for information sharing, promote the availability and exchange of geographic information, and foster partnerships or cooperative programs. Root outlined the geospatial technology capabilities and services available at CBI. One of the committee's goals is to develop a home page for information sharing. Monthly meetings have been scheduled. (Ralph Root, Denver, 303-202-4232)

III. Notable Congressional Activity:

• USGS Participates in Multi-Agency Congressional Staffer Symposium: On March 11-12, 54 Federal agencies participated in a Congressional Staffer Briefing Symposium (set up by the FDA) at the Denver Federal Center. Invitees included Senators, Representatives, and their staffers from Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Central Region Chief Geologist Tom Fouch represented the USGS on a panel with the other DOI Bureaus. Terry D'Erchia (CBI) and Pat Schassburger (CRO) represented BRD at the USGS exhibit booth. (Terry D'Erchia, Denver, 303-202-4264)