Highlights for April 30, 1998
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• Federal Geospatial Technology User Meeting: On April 30-May 1, James Getter (OBIO-CBI) and Frank D'Erchia (CRO) will represent BRD at the 1998 Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Federal User Meeting, at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. This invited meeting is being held by ESRI to explore new ways to work together in order to create a vision for geospatial technology within the federal user community. (James Getter, Greenbelt, MD, 301/286-8635)

• OBIO Staff Provide Briefings to Geospatial Technology Coordinators: On April 29-30, Karl Brown (CBI) gave the DOI status of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology use and toolkit items to the BRD Geospatial Technology Coordinators during their meeting in Denver. He also demonstrated the PLGR follow-on replacement military receiver, the "SOLGR" (Special Operations GPS Receiver), and discussed current GPS modernization and spectrum protection issues, including the second and third civil frequencies planned for 2005-2010. John Mosesso (OBIO) provided an update on the Five-State Southwest Gap Analysis Program Initiative, Tom Owens (CBI) presented the group with an overview of CBI's geospatial technology activities, and Susan Stitt, Sharon Shin (both CBI), and Jennifer Gaines (OBIO) provided information on the National Biological Information Infrastructure, including metadata policy, MetaMaker training, and the status of the Clearinghouse. Terry D'Erchia (CBI) discussed BIT Notes (Biological Information & Technology Notes) <http://biology.usgs.gov/news/bitnotes.htm>, and Harvey Fleet (OBIO) gave a presentation on decision support systems development. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)

• USGS Scientists Attend USFWS Vegetation Workshop: On April 28-29, Maury Nyquist and Tom Owens (both of CBI) were invited participants in a USFWS Vegetation Workshop held in Denver. Approximately 25 representatives from USFWS regions, refuges, and other USFWS program offices attended. Participants focused on taking a more proactive approach to using the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) National Vegetation Classification Standard in developing vegetation data for planning and management purposes. Nyquist, Owens, and Mike Story (NPS) presented information about the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program and its use of the FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard. Following other presentations and extensive deliberations, there was consensus among the USFWS representatives to emulate the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program and to work toward collaboration whenever feasible. CBI will continue to provide technical support to USFWS vegetation activities, will review the plans, educational policy, and protocols derived from the workshop, and will establish pilot projects for collaborative work with the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The CBI administers and directs the scientific activities of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303/202-4217)

• USGS Provides DOI/USDA With GPS Training: On May 4-7, Karl Brown (CBI) will conduct two 2-day training courses at BLM offices in Salem, OR. Participants will include 18-24 DOI and USDA agency representatives from the Western states, including USGS attendees from GD and BRD. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)

• IGDC Budget Initiatives Discussed: On April 28, James Getter (OBIO-CBI) attended the Interior Geospatial Data Committee (IGDC), representing Gladys Cotter, chair of the Geological Survey Geospatial Data Committee. IGDC representatives from DOI bureaus discussed National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) FY 1997 accomplishments, proposed FY 1998 plans, and FY 2000 NSDI budget initiatives. The group also reviewed a presentation on the Hopi Land Information System. (James Getter, Greenbelt, MD, 301/286-8635)

• USGS and NASA Scientists Discuss NAWMP: On April 27, NASA scientists from the Terrestrial Physics Laboratory, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, met with Fred Johnson of the Migratory Waterfowl Program (PWRC) to discuss North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) activities under way at PWRC. Discussions centered on possible roles for NASA scientists related to advanced remote sensing technologies (hardware, software, data management) that could be used in the NAWMP. Follow-on discussions were scheduled for late May, when additional technical personnel return from the field. (James Getter, Greenbelt, MD, 301/286-8635)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.