NOAA and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)

Executive Order 12906, April 13, 1994, requires that federal agencies participate in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is the focal point for these activities. NOAA has a strong commitment to the FGDC.

• NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator for NESDIS, Gregory Withee, is the Department of Commerce representative to the FGDC Steering Committee that is chaired by Department of Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbitt.

• NOAA Environmental Services Data Directory on the NOAAServer has over 12,000 descriptions of NOAA data in FGDC Metadata Standard format.

• The NOAA Data Directory is also available from the FGDC Clearinghouse.

• Department of Commerce chairs three FGDC subcommittees:
  • Charles Challstrom, Acting Director of the NOAA National Geodetic Survey, is Chair of the Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee.

  • Frank Maloney, NOAA Coast Survey, is Chair of the Bathymetric Subcommittee.

  • Frederick Broome, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, is chair of the Subcommittee on Cultural and Demographic Data.

• The The FY-1997 NationaL Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Implementation Plan for the Department of Commerce is a plan for 1997 FGDC activities in the Department of Commerce.

• The Department of Commerce 1997 Accomplishments: National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) documents activities carried out by the Department of Commerce.

• NOAA has contacts at the state level for geodetic, spatial, and other NOAA information. These advisors instruct local surveyors and others on how to use and preserve the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). The program provides a liaison between NOAA and the host state, usually with a jointly-funded NOAA employee residing in the state to guide and assist the state's geodetic and surveying programs.

For more information about the FGDC Metadata Standard, tools for implementing it, and examples of metadata in the FGDC format, go to ESDIM's FGDC page.

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