Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Governor, Officials Sign Utah Digital Spatial Data Sharing and Integration Project MOU Tuesday, Gov. Olene Walker and representatives from several state and federal agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing a mechanism to cooperatively create and share impartial and credible digital spatial data. "This next-generation technology allows us to literally see our state with a new perspective and make decisions based on a different perception," Walker said. "From economic development to land use decisions, geographic information systems (GIS) technology will benefit Utah in a variety of ways, enabling us to work smarter as a state." Digital spatial data, the information that forms the foundation of GIS technology, contains the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the earth. This data allows governmental and private sector entities to build maps and other resources for use in decision making, analysis of current issues and democratic governance. Signers of the MOU recognized that federal, state and local agencies and organizations need and use similar geographic data. This agreement will help decrease the duplicated development of the same data and will generate standardized data. The governor made reference to one use of GIS technology when she spoke of the 2000 tornado that hit downtown Salt Lake City. Following the unexpected event, the technology was used to produce photos of the affected areas, enabling responding agencies and other organizations to more effectively visualize the damage and form response plans. "This MOU is just another example of the good that comes when agencies work together," Walker said. "I am confident today’s agreement will help move this technology forward, making it an even greater benefit to our communities." Other agencies listed on the MOU and providing signatories are as follows: Bureau of Land Management U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Forest Service National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Census Bureau National Geodetic Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Utah State University Extension U.S. Department of Transportation Utah Association of Conservation Districts U.S. Department of Homeland Security 8:11:26 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 David Fletcher.