The FGDC recently released the “Modernization Roadmap for the Geospatial Platform”. They are accepting comments on this document through the Ideascale application that was used for feedback on data.gov and via email to geoplatformcomments@fgdc.gov.
NSGIC has submitted recommendations on Ideascale and additional comments to the FGDC directly. We have a long commitment to building a spatial data infrastructure for the nation. Our comments on the Platform reflect our concern that after many years, progress on such an infrastructure has been disappointing. In fact, we are not alone in this assessment. We think there are some significant systemic issues that still need to be addressed including funding, authority, and technical capacity. We also think the Geospatial Platform needs strategic and business plans (using the guidelines developed for the Fifty States Initiative), and lacks a governance process for a truly national (not just a federal) platform.
There are several examples among federal programs of successful local-state-federal collaboration and data sharing. These present great opportunities for building incrementally toward the objectives of the Platform. Our comments list some of these programs. These examples show that states have been successful in building required data and developing the necessary infrastructure with support and guidance from the federal government. The Platform should recognize this and support burgeoning or mature state infrastructures. NSGIC, of course, considers that a primary goal as an organization is to support them.
Please go to Ideascale and read our comments; vote for the ideas that you agree with and consider adding your comments. The Geospatial Platform is an important effort. States should work to ensure that it contributes to a functional National Spatial Data Infrastructure that meets their business requirements. All comments are due by the end of the year. You can also read our more extensive comments here.
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