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DataProgram at a Glance | Plenary Sessions | Meetings | Daily Schedule | Click Track Icons for Presentation listings by track.  Idaho BLM is releasing a standard for global positioning system (GPS) software. The impetus is to ensure that field data flows smoothly into the master statewide enterprise geodatabase and to:1. Document the accuracy for each feature (no matter how bad it is). 2. Save labor with digital, standard attributes 3. Provide tools to distinguish between duplicate records.4. Reduce maintenance costs and IT troubleshooting by ensuring all 250 units are running the same version of software.5. Streamline the three days of GPS training for 100 staff at a cost of less than ,30 per student for annual curriculum, licensing, and testing of the two teaching staff.One surprising finding in the past year is that, with documented error on GPS data of 80 feet or more, the GPS data appears more accurate than the 1:24k USGS digital line graph data ( 40 feet!). The BLM National Operations Center (NOC) in Denver has a Data Management Team that has been working on National Data Standards for several years. The team has refined the BLM Data Standards process over that time period and will provide an overview of that process. The data standards efforts that are currently underway will be discussed along with the current methods for determining data priorities. This presentation is applicable to BLM employees with access to RAS. The purpose of the presentation is to show how users can build ad-hoc queries of the RAS data which can then be Presentation Downloaded to their PCs. The data can then be brought into MS Access where it is then imported into a table and then exported as a dBase III file which can be imported into ArcSDE.This presentation is for BLM GIS Staff who want to be able to obtain current Presentation Downloads of RAS data to incorporate into their range pasture and allotment data. The presentation will show how build a Brio query, filter to a state, sort on criteria, and then Presentation Download to a text file. Depending on time, the presentation will also cover how to bring the text file into MS Access and construct the dBase III export file. The RAS data can then be used to verify GIS range pastures and allotments against RAS range pastures and allotments. The Forest Service GIS Data Dictionary records the official set of Geospatial and attribute standards for commonly used themes. As the agency implements geodatabase technology and moves into a centralized data center environment, the style, format, and function of the data dictionary is evolving. This presentation will cover recent developments in the data dictionary update process, and will include a tour of the current version of the GIS Data Dictionary. The USFS Pacific Northwest Region initiated a project to convert all corporate GIS data in the region from coverage to geodatabases. As part of this effort the region has undertaken a coordinated effort to develop regionally standard data structures for data not covered by national standards. Data standards were developed by Region 6 GIS Analysts in a team effort under the management oversight of Mike Braymen and Glynis Bauer. Data conversion and cutover of users is being managed as part of the R6 GIS data migration to the Enterprise Data Center in Kansas City. The project management process being used to implement this regional change will be discussed. The Framework is a complete picture of all spatial data related to natural resource management. It is composed of three major parts: Activities, Resources, and Boundaries. The objectives of the Framework are to make data accessible, eliminate redundancies, establish data standards, create documentation, and archive data that is no longer needed. The Framework is a hierarchical organization of data that allows for inheritance of properties and is a logical organization of data that provides a home for future data. The Framework is designed to lead to data that is well defined, standardized, accurate and current. Implementation of the Framework includes creation of merged statewide corporate datasets according to standards. Over the last two years the project has moved from conceptual and logical design to implementation. This presentation will highlight the concepts involved in developing the framework and the steps that are being taken to implement the logical design. How the framework supports business processes will also be addressed. Prior to implementing GIS and associated Databases, Archaeologists in the Carlsbad Field Office reacted cautiously to all land use proposals because we relied on analog site and survey information from 179 quadrangle maps (some with 8 copies, as old as 35 years, or missing entirely). With incomplete data we were forced to err on the side of caution resulting in redundant archaeological survey, delaying the NEPA process. We conducted a “Needs Assessment” and determined the need to convert site location and survey data from paper maps into a GIS and the need to populate report data into a database. We reviewed our work flow process to identify necessary changes and how to implement those changes. Converting our analog data into GIS and Databases enabled the cultural staff to become proactive at the front end of the NEPA process. Integrating automated processes has greatly influenced the productivity and efficiencies in the Carlsbad Field Office. Incorporating Microsoft Access databases to replace analog tracking systems for the APD, NEPA and Realty workflow processes originated to provide a better method of managing the workflow, routing and reviewing projects, tracking due dates and monitoring processing times. The databases incorporate and automate several functions historically performed by a variety of specialists into one centralized location. Project reviews, tracking of accomplishments, due dates, processing times, reports and other functions are streamlined through the new workflow process. The databases are also integrated with GIS technology to further enhance and streamline the processes. The databases are continually reevaluated and updated to improve the functionality of the databases while meeting the needs of the specialists. This presentation will focus on the automation of the workflow process, database relationships, integration with GIS and special features of the databases. Our employees are our greatest asset and healthy employees make for a healthy work environment and resources as well. Managing for a holistic approach through the use of technology and the integration of all programs not only provides for sound decisions but also brings health to our organization and our customers. The Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) uses digital annotation files for map production purposes throughout the Region. Historically, the Geospatial Service and Technology Center (GSTC) supplied annotation to Region 6 as E00 or TXT files (quad-based annotation); however, these annotation files were awkward to use and did not cover the entire Region. Out of a total of 1,366 1:24,000-scale quads, 1,279 had quad-based annotation. In addition, Region 6 wanted the annotation as a seamless ArcGIS annotation feature class geodatabase, rather than individual quad-based files. Tetra Tech produced an ArcGIS 9 seamless annotation feature class geodatabase for the annotation features from all of Region 6’s 1:24,000-scale quad maps. This presentation will describe the 2-year long effort that involved positioning, aligning and sizing of feature labels for 98 annotation classes in correlation with the USDA Forest Service cartographic and symbol standards. Presentation and discussion of the current state of Shared Reference Tables and Themes (SRT&T). The Standard Data Management (SDM) project is a cross-deputy effort to create guidance and provide tools to the field to facilitate the inventory, monitoring, and assessment workflow and implement policies in FSM 1940. The objectives of FSM 1940 are to provide high quality inventory, monitoring, and assessment information; support the adaptive land management process; and increase order, consistency, and efficiency for IM&A across the agency. The SDM project aims to tackle these objectives through integration of planning, budgeting, data collection, and reporting tools identified in IM&A workflows. The project team seeks to build bridges and increase communication among existing programs and projects, and build only a minimum of new tools not otherwise available. Specifically, the project addresses the following seven IM&A topic areas:
Internal office constraints on information have compounded the problem of successfully implementing spatial applications within Carlsbad Field Office (CFO). It is believed that business requirements for spatial information need to be understood and documented in order for business applications to become fully functional within the organization. Utilizing defined methods and incorporating BLM objectives, a Needs Assessment process has been developed to begin identifying field level interactions between resource personnel, workflow, data, and decision makers. The collection of this baseline data will allow for the integration of technology to improve business efficiencies and the ability to make sound decisions. BLM’s Data Quality Tool provides BLM with the opportunity to use state of the art software and practices for improving data quality. The Data Quality Tool enables you to discover what your database structure looks like, discovers data quality, relationship issues and can help reduce redundancies and incomplete data. The tool has a mechanism to validate name and addresses, document and applies business rules to your data. The Data Quality Tool performs profiling, cleansing and monitors your data to create consistent, reliable information. BLM’s Data Quality Tool can assist in merging geospatial data, locates and displays different land format descriptions (meridian, township, range and section) counties and other jurisdictions. The tool analyzes attributes across data sets and inspects the common land representation. The Program Management Office (PMO) offers customer services with database access and connectivity, profiling and analysis, data analysis reports and Data Quality Tool training. The development of a comprehensive framework to address geospatial data is critical to the success of any project, particularly when working with multiple partners at a landscape scale (O’Donnell, Assal and Anderson, in review). One component of this framework that is likely to be of interest to both managers and scientists alike is the concept of data drivers. Base data sets that are expected to be used by many different people associated with a project that will drive analysis and the creation of additional data products are referred to as data drivers. Identifying and prioritizing data drivers is a critical first step because resources are often required to collect, develop, and assure quality of the data. Such efforts will result in reliable data sets that will meet the needs of project partners, provide a valuable product, and serve as powerful inputs to models and further analysis and additional products. O’Donnell, M.S., T.J. Assal, and P.J. Anderson. In Review. Geospatial Considerations for a Multi-Agency/Landscape Scale Project: A Case Study of the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI): U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Open File report. Part of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) effort in developing national data standards is to provide guidance to end-users for physical implementation of those standards. This effort helps facilitate uniform implementation of the data standards throughout the organization. During the data standards development process, attribute definitions and other vital metadata are established. This metadata is incorporated into the development of a geodatabase schema which will be used by those implementing the established data standard. Because the majority of metadata is captured during the data standards development process, end-users can easily populate the geodatabase with the remaining FGDC-required metadata, as well as information specific to their data. The front-end effort of data standards development substantially reduces the amount of time end-users need to spend on manual entry of metadata for any specific database instance. All staff should have access to data to help each program reach our vision, mission, office and individual program goals. Incorporating the vegetation monitoring database into GIS allows all Carlsbad Field Office (CFO) staff to have access to information for site specific environmental documents and also for planning at a much larger watershed or programmatic level. GIS has proven to be an invaluable tool in several initiatives that the Carlsbad Field Office has implemented in recent years. These are the Restore New Mexico and the Healthy Lands Initiatives. In recent years, the BLM along with various partners have completed rangeland restoration projects that include brush control and oilfield well pad and road reclamation. Without GIS keeping track of all of the areas that have been mapped for treatment, as well as the acreages of each mapped unit, it would be nearly impossible for the CFO to respond to additional funding for these projects in such a short timeframe.
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