Highlights for June 16, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Provides NTM Assistance to Colorado Wildfire Mapping. Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics is providing technical assistance to the Bobcat Gulch Incident (Fire) Management Team in Colorado with National Technical Means Imagery Derived Products (IDP). Each evening, a file of IDP origin is transmitted from the National Imagery Management Agency and is combined with digital raster graphics to produce a series of dynamic fire maps of the spread and hot spots of the Colorado wildfires. Concurrently, Susan Goodman (BLM) is producing a like product for the Hi Meadow incident west of Denver. Incorporation of the usual infrared imagery with the IDP information is a first use of this technology by the Colorado fire suppression organization. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)

• USGS-FWS Cooperate in Refuge Vegetation Classification. The USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) and Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have entered into Interagency Agreements to classify, describe, and create spatial databases of vegetation communities for Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Utah and Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota. Both projects will use the protocols and data standards developed by CBI for the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program-marking the first time the Fish and Wildlife Service will use these protocols and data standards in the Western United States. Vegetation will be classified according to the National Vegetation Classification Standard. CBI will provide managerial and scientific oversight for the projects. (Tom Owens, Denver, 303-202-4259)

• Library Consortium Moves Forward. At the recent USGS Librarians' Meeting held in Denver, participants agreed to proceed with the formation of a consortium. In follow-up, the Consortium Structure Team has distributed a set of foundation documents to USGS librarians, including a consortium framework, bylaws, and membership agreement. Librarians are being surveyed regarding these documents and their willingness to participate in the consortium; the response deadline is June 30. Survey results, along with recommendations on how to proceed, will subsequently be released to the library community. Consortium Structure Team members include Nancy Blair, Head Librarian; Susan Fayad, Center for Biological Informatics; Susan Lowell, NMD Reference Collection; Phil Stoffer, Menlo Park Library; and Ann Zimmerman, Great Lakes Science Center Library. (Susan Fayad, Denver, 303-202-4224)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• USGS Provides Metadata Seminar at NOAA Facility. NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center invited Sharon Shin of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics to present a metadata seminar on June 9 at their Boulder, Colorado facility. The National Biological Information Infrastructure seminar, which drew 18 participants, will be followed by a three-day workshop June 26-28. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.