I. PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBIT
This exhibit addresses lead agency responsibilities for the coordination of terrestrial vegetative data-related activities among Federal agencies and establishes a mechanism for the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of terrestrial vegetation data_1_ financed in whole or in part by Federal funds.
II. AUTHORITY
Under the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, revised 1990, responsibility to coordinate vegetative data-related activities is assigned to the Department of Agriculture. This departmental governmentwide leadership for vegetation data coordination is carried out under the policy guidance and oversight of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (hereafter called the FGDC).
Pertinent enabling authority also resides in:
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601 (Note), 1600-1614).
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 (Note), 1701, 1702, 1712, 1714-17, 1719,1732b, 1740, 1744, 1745, 1751-53, 1761, 1763-1771, 1781, 1782; 7 U.S.C. 1212a; 16 U.S.C. 478a, 1338a).
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a, 476, 500, 513-516, 518, 521b, 528 (Note), 576b, 594-2 (Note), 1600 (Note), 1601 (Note), 1600-1602, 1604, 1606, 1608-14).
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 (Note)).
Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C 1752-1753, 1901-1908; 16 U.S.C. 1333(b)).
Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742(a)-754).
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715-715d).
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711).
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667e).
Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-591).
Appropriations Act of 1879 (43 U.S.C. 31a and b, 41).
Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 1010a).
Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004).
Executive Order 11990.
III. LEAD AGENCY
The lead agency responsible for the coordination, management, and dissemination of vegetation data is the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service. This organization will develop and implement a plan to coordinate vegetation data-related activities among Federal and non-Federal agencies and will report on its activities to the FGDC. In carrying out its governmentwide leadership in vegetative data coordination, the U.S. Forest Service is directly responsible to the FGDC and ensures compliance with the objectives and guidance provided by the FGDC.
IV. SUBCOMMITTEE
A Subcommittee on Vegetation Data (FGDC-Veg--hereafter called the Subcommittee) will be established to promote standards of accuracy and currentness in vegetative data financed in whole or in part by Federal funds; to exchange information on technological improvements for collecting vegetative data; to encourage the Federal and non-Federal community to identify and adopt standards and specifications for vegetative data; and to collect and process the requirements of Federal and non-Federal organizations for vegetative data.
V. MEMBERSHIP
The Subcommittee shall consist of representatives designated by the Federal agencies that collect, or finance the collection of, vegetative data as part of their mission or have direct application of these data through legislated mandate. Each member agency of the Subcommittee shall designate its representative, an alternate if necessary, and changes thereto, by memorandum from that agency to the FGDC Executive Secretary (hereafter called the Executive Secretary). Other Federal organizations may be added with the concurrence of the Subcommittee Chairperson. Federal organizations can request membership by writing to the Executive Secretary.
The Subcommittee shall be chaired by the member from the U.S. Forest Service (hereafter called the Chair, FGDC-Veg). The Subcommittee also may invite non-Federal participation, on an ad-hoc basis, to provide information and briefings as determined by the needs of the Subcommittee.
VI. RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibilities of the Subcommittee include the following:
Facilitates the coordination of agencies' activities and the exchange of vegetation data, by formal and informal means.
Collect and compile information on Federal agencies' vegetation data activities.
Participate in the development and evaluation of data definitions and standards used by the United Nations and other international organizations, and make recommendations for their inclusion in national vegetation classification activities, as appropriate.
Determine which categories of vegetatove data are to be included in national digital data base and recommend the addition of others categories of vegetation data not currently being collected.
Promote governmentwide use of defined and published spatial data transfer standards for vegetation data.
Develop and adopt common standards of content, format, accuracy, and currentness for vegetative data for use by all Federal agencies and to encourage use by non-Federal organizations, to increase its interchangeability and enhance its potential for multiple use.
Assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture in establishing and publishing standards and specifications for the data (for example, incorporating conversion to metric units), and assisting in establishing priorities for vegetative data production.
Establish and maintain mechanisms and reports to interface with data bases of other agencies participating in the National Geographic Data System.
Facilitate the economic and efficient application of vegetative data classification through the sharing of experiences involving applications.
Support higher-order or crosscutting activities established or recognized by the FGDC.
Ensure that the disposition of vegetation data is carried out in coordination with the National Archives and Records Administration in order to provide for the permanent preservation of historically valuable data and timely disposal of data lacking historical value.
VII. PROCEDURES
Subcommittee meetings shall be held at the call of the Chair, FGDC-Veg, and shall be held at least semi-annually. Normally, notification of meetings and an agenda will be distributed to members of the Subcommittee and to the Executive Secretary 14 days in advance of the meeting.
All decisions shall be on the basis of consensus agreement. Where agreement is not reached, the issue will be promptly referred to the FGDC for resolution.
Chair, FGDC-Veg, shall consult with the Chairperson of the Coordination Group to determine the need for further coordination prior to implementing Subcommittee decisions that impact the FGDC or its other subcommittees or working groups.
The Subcommittee may establish additional rules and procedures for conducting business.
VIII. SUBGROUPS
The Subcommittee may create work groups or task groups, or further subdivisions, at the discretion of the Chair, FGDC-Veg, as appropriate to carry out its activities and meet its responsibilities. The establishment of subgroups of more than 12 months duration that are in addition to any specified in this exhibit and the abolishment of any such subgroup requires the approval of the FGDC. Participation in these groups may be drawn from its member organizations and from other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
IX. COORDINATING MECHANISMS
The Subcommittee will employ those tools that are best suited to meeting its responsibilities, such as subcommittee meetings, national user forums, annual requirements solicitations, user surveys and analyses, spatial data user workshops, research initiatives, and cooperative ventures.
Chair, FGDC-Veg, will coordinate the Subcommittee's activities with other FGDC subcommittees, working groups, and other components by participating in the FGDC's Coordination Group.
X. REPORTS
The Subcommittee shall report to the FGDC annually, by December 31, describing the requirements for, production of, and availability of terrestrial vegetative. This annual report shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary, and shall contain:
accomplishments of the past calendar year,
an operating plan for activities planned for the upcoming year,
photographs, diagrams, and other materials that may be of value for inclusion in the annual FGDC report to the Office of Management and Budget,
a brief discussion of problems encountered and other matters of interest.
The Subcommittee shall submit the operating plan for the upcoming year for FGDC review and concurrence.
Special reports and technical papers may be required by the FGDC during the reporting period describing special projects, coordination with other subcommittees, and the development of status graphics or catalogs and informational or educational brochures on the use and availability of vegetative.
Chair, FGDC-Veg, shall provide a draft report of Subcommittee meetings, including Subcommittee recommendations and action items, to all Subcommittee members for review prior to approval.
Chair, FGDC-Veg, shall provide the final report of Subcommittee meetings to all Subcommittee members, the FGDC Chairperson, the Executive Secretary, and the chairpersons of the FGDC Coordination Group, subcommittees, and working groups.
XI. TERMINATION
The Subcommittee shall remain in existence until terminated by the FGDC. At that time, a new exhibit shall be developed by the Department of Agriculture describing how the coordination for terrestrial vegetation data will be undertaken.