Please visit HERE to view the HTML and PDF versions of the report.
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December 1, 2011
Dear FGDC Steering Committee and NGAC members:
I'm very pleased to announce the release of the FGDC 2011 Annual Report. Developed as required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16, this report includes the activities and accomplishments of the FGDC partner agencies over the past year. I would like to thank the partner agencies that provided the articles, success stories, and data theme status maps and reports that are highlighted in the report. Thanks are also due to the FGDC Secretariat's staff for the compilation and production. I encourage everyone to peruse the report and read about our collective accomplishments.
This year's cover story is highlights the tremendous success of the National Broadband Map initiative, the culmination of two years of committed partnerships and collaboration among State governments, non-profit organizations, Federal agencies, broadband providers, and many other stakeholders. The effort exemplifies the goals of OMB Circular A-16, which established a coordinated approach to developing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and emphasized the development of national data and collaborative partnerships.
Another very significant accomplishment is the tremendous progress FGDC made in conceptualizing and implementing the Geospatial Platform initiative, which provides a foundation to support the Administration's efforts in data sharing, transparency, good government, and collaboration. The FGDC developed a conceptual roadmap for the Platform and received very helpful feedback from the National Geospatial Advisory Committee and through a public outreach process. The FGDC also initiated the first operational phase of the Platform, which is live and available at: www.geoplatform.gov.
The FGDC also provided support for key White House initiatives, including working with OMB to develop the Supplemental Guidance to Circular A-16, "Coordination of Geographic Information and Related Spatial Data Activities." The new guidance outlines a process to use portfolio management approaches to more effectively manage Federal geospatial assets and investments.
Fiscal year 2012 will focus on continued collaboration to better
enable public-private partnerships and investments, and continued
progress on the development of the Geospatial Platform, as well as
other tools and data to provide benefits for federal agencies,
partners, and the public we serve. We look forward to a
productive year.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to and supported the efforts
of the FGDC during the year. Without your hard work, we would not
be able to report these accomplishments.
The FGDC 2011 Annual Report is available online at: http://www.fgdc.gov/library/whitepapers-reports/annual%20reports/2011
Limited hard copies of the report are available from Ivan DeLoatch (ideloatch@usgs.gov). We
encourage you to view the report online to reduce costs.
Best,
Anne
Anne J. Castle
Assistant Secretary for Water and Science
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240