Feature Agency Bureau of Land Management Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency Federal Emergency Management Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Geological Survey Table 1: Federal geospatial innovations EPA also uses EME to ensure high-quality data inside the agency. EME creates metadata that adheres to the FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. Providing GIS Toolkits and Suites of Services Many federal agencies provide value to their users by developing toolkits or suites of services. With these suites, users can access many geospatial tools easily. DOJ’s MAPS, for example, provides law enforcement professionals and researchers with a complete desktop-based geospatial crime analysis kit. It contains two complete desktop geospatial systems, two profiling utilities, a crime analysis extension, a tactical crime analysis tool, linked charting programs, statistics programs, and a complete office program suite. In addition, NIJ provides Web-based crime tracking and prevention tools to augment the desktop software. FEMA also provides a variety of geospatial services to its users, including professional services such as geospatial project management, technical training, and systems engineering. GIS Application National Integrated Land System (NILS) GeoCommunicator Geocoding Service Center (GSC) Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (MAPS) EPA Metadata Editor (EME) MyEnvironment Enterprise Geospatial Services (EGS) nowCOAST Common Land Unit (CLU) Dataset Tool for Environmental Resource Results Assessments (TERRA) Geospatial Management Information System Web Site www.geocommunicator.gov www.huduser.org/datasets/usps/ USPS_Data_Dictionary.pdf www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/ www.epa.gov/geospatial/eme.html www.epa.gov/myenvironment/ www.gismaps.fema.gov nowcoast.noaa.gov/ www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/apfoapp? area=home&subject=prod&topic=clu www.fsa.usda.gov www.usgs.gov/science_strategy/ Including Stakeholder Outreach and Input Many organizations recognize the crucial role that stakeholders have in creating and implementing a successful geospatial program or project. Numerous agencies reported utilizing stakeholders throughout the requirements gathering, application design, and development phases of application development. Several agencies continue to work actively with stakeholders to improve these geospatial applications. For example, while creating the CLU database, designers consulted FSA staff from offices around the country, key decision makers, and even farmers to create a tool that would assist in capturing CLU data and performing the functions FSA needed. NOAA, EPA, and U.S. Geological Survey have included stakeholders throughout collaborative design and implementation. Conclusion and Next Steps As these examples show, geospatial technology has become a core component of federal government mission operations. Expanding GIS technology in a way that realizes the best value for the government and the public is critical for creating a sustainable, geoenabled future. The Geospatial LoB will continue working with partners to identify existing and new areas where geospatial technology may be expanded, reused, consolidated, and leveraged. For more information on the Geospatial LoB and its structure, visit the FGDC.gov Web site and read the Geospatial Line of Business fact sheet (www.fgdc.gov/geospatiallob/factsheets). To become involved or learn more about the Geospatial LoB, contact Lew Sanford at lsanford@usgs.gov. About the Authors Sarah Hammer is a consultant at Grant Thornton LLP and supports the geospatial line of business. She has a master’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University. Jessica Zichichi is a senior geospatial consultant at Innovate!, Inc., and supports the Geospatial LoB. She has been working in the field of GIS for more than 10 years and holds a master’s degree in computer science and bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental studies. www.esri.com ArcUser Spring 2010 25