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Great Lakes
Regional Data Exchange

July 8th Data Exchange Conference Summary

Great Lakes Regional Geospatial Data Exchange Conference

Tuesday, July 8, 2003
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Conference Site:
Great Lakes Commission
Eisenhower Corporate Park
2805 S. Industrial Hwy, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791 [map]
(734) 971-9135

Webcast facilities courtesy of:
US Fish and Wildlife Service
National Conservation Training Center

Attendees List

Conference Summary
The conference summary consists of an updated agenda with hyperlinks to powerpoint presentations, an edited chatroom log from the webcast, and meeting notes taken from the wrap-up and "key questions" period (thanks to Chris Stewart for recording these).

Presentation
Welcome
(M. Donahue, GLC)

Introduction
(R. Gauthier, GLC)

Rules of Order/Technical Notes
(S. Eddy, GLC)

Presentation
LOSLRS Framework Data Project
(J. Ehman, Pangaea)

Presentation
Web Mapping Demonstration/Discussions
(K. Yam, GLC / M. Robertson, OMNR / A. Plante, EC-QU)

Presentation
IJC Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Study: Lessons Learned
(I. Gillespie, EC-ON / A. Plante, EC-QU)

Presentation
Regional Data Exchange Considerations
(R. Gauthier, GLC/USACE)

Discussion/Comments
Jeff Herter: (responding to a comment about multi-jurisdictional data sharing agreements:)The NY State GIS Data Sharing Cooperative is multijurisdictional, including VT, PA, NJ and a number of federal agencies.
Roger Barlow: Is the LOSLR LIDAR distributable yet? From mapserver.glc.org?

[Lunch]

Presentation
Lake Huron Initiative
(M. Mackay, MDNR)

Discussion
Wisconsin ERSC: How many external drives are needed for the Lake Huron data? How much money is involved?
Mark Mackay: We've been recommending 120 GB units so people end up with some extra space. The data itself is something over 40 GB. 120 GB external drives run about $250.
NRRI GIS Group: Who is eligible for the Huron GIS data?
Mark Mackay: Eligibility depends on the data sharing agreement. So far, sharing has been okay for those who've asked.

Presentation
USGS Initiatives / Lake Erie Aquatic GAP
(C. Hickman / D. Myers, USGS; presented by D. Myers)

Discussion
Tom Hollenhorst: Where did the substrate classification come from?
[Answer?]
Wisconsin ERSC: Regarding the National Map: "continuous revision" is a scary term for those of us who study change over time. Is there an effort to archive snapshots for future historical comparison?
Donna Myers: Archives are one of the USGS's mandates. Dated versions of each product will remain available.
Brian Huberty: For the WI ERSC question, it all depends on how USGS structures its database. Using NWI for example, we will be versioning our data starting this year using Oracle and an Arc MGB structure.
[Question]: What does 'MGB' stand for?
Brian Huberty: Arc MGB = Master Geodata Base
Irvin Goldblatt: Are there plans to incorporate the Aquatic GAP with the existing GAP projects in states?
[Answer?]
Irvin Goldblatt: Do you also consider private lands that are set aside for preservation?
[Answer?]
Jeff_Herter : What if any work/data has been done for the New York portion of Lake Erie...substrate data ? opportunities for additional partners ? I'm interested in the Eastern Lake Ontario pilot.

Presentation
Lake Michigan On-Line Atlas
(S. Eddy, GLC)

Discussion
Wisconsin ERSC: Is most of the data land data or water data? If land, maybe a better name.
Stuart Eddy: It's mostly land data, so good point - maybe the funders could be talked into 'Lake Michigan Basin Online Atlas'.

Presentation
Lake Superior Decision Support Project
(G. Host, UM-D)

Discussion
Tom McAuley: Approx. 17,000 km of coast in both countries.

Presentation
Open discussion on development of regional exchange agreements

Notes
1. Is a regional data exchange agreement necessary?

  Yes No
Ann Arbor
15
3
Webcast
13
1
Total
28
4

Stated reasons for a 'No' vote:
- To get an all-encompassing agreement may not work — too many data types.
- People will share data anyway if important — why formalize?
- Issues with Canadian Government policies — data not as free, figuratively and literally; cost recovery.
- What does does Regional data exchange mean? How is it defined? What would it cover?
- "Necessary"-NO, "Useful"-YES

Discussion
Wisconsin ERSC: No and Yes. "Necessary?" for whom?
NRRI GIS Group: Yes, when necessary — otherwise adding additional bureaucratic layers...
Jeff Herter: I disagree with the implication that agreements are limited....should be a data sharing cooperative that is open ended and can add organizations and their data as they become aware of the effort.
Brian Huberty: One opinion: the real purpose for agreements is to leverage funding and support for partners
Brian Huberty: Cost recovery with copyrights does not work according to Manitoba GIS'ers
Jeff Herter: NY is running into data restriction issues due to Homeland Security issues...we are constantly working to get data released from the clutches of Security type folks
Wisconsin ERSC: Agreements can provide targets for standards and metadata, but not enforcement
Jeff Herter: See http://www.nysgis.state.ny.us/datacoop.htm
Wisconsin ERSC: We took issue with the term "necessary." Useful, yes.
Ulf Gafvert: At best, data should reside with stewards, but needs to be available to others more freely than currrently

Notes
2. Would you participate in its governance?

  Yes No
Ann Arbor
8
3
Webcast
9
3
Total
17
6

Discussion
Wisconsin_ERSC: Too vague to really answer. Are we talking about a particular clearinghouse or individual nodes or what?
Ulf Gafvert: No to data sharing costs, except in limited instances
Wisconsin ERSC: For some of us "Yes" for others "No" — It depends on which datasets are at issue.

Notes
3. Would you support ISO metadata standards?

  Yes No
Ann Arbor
12
2
Webcast
13
1
Total
25
3

Comments:
- Why ISO and not FGDC? Answer: They are close, but the region includes the United States and Canada, so emphasis on international seemed appropriate.
- No, New York State has its own standard. Certain elements of FGDC did not fit, so revisions were made to suit New York State's needs.
- Bilingual requirements? Would there be any given Canadian regulations?

Discussion
NRRI GIS Group: Would ISO require bilingual standards?

Notes
4. Would data access fees be necessary?

  Yes No
Ann Arbor
1
12
Webcast
2
14
Total
3
26

Comments:
- No to data sharing costs
- US federal agencies can charge duplication fees but cannot charge cost recovery
- Mike Robertson: LIO data exchange created - charge a membership fee to distribution/subscription if not charging for data.
- Sensitive data are restricted

Discussion
Wisconsin ERSC: Too vague to really answer. Are we talking about a particular clearinghouse or individual nodes or what?
Ulf Gafvert: No to data sharing costs, except in limited instances
Wisconsin ERSC: For some of us "yes", for others "no". It depends on which datasets are at issue.

Notes
5. Would you support distributed web mapping applications?

  Yes No
Ann Arbor
15
0
Webcast
15
0
Total
30
0

Comments:
- National Park Service is interested in partnering with Great Lakes Network on web mapping applications.

Discussion
Byron Williams: I would like to hear the argument in support of charging for data created with federal funds.
Jeff Herter: A comment : In NY when the data sharing cooperative was formed, it resulted in creation of a unit or branch nested within each existing state agency that is dedicated almost entirely to serving the coop and it's members
Brian Huberty: Comment: Western Great Lakes Region for ASPRS may be cohosting a GIS conf with MN GIS/LIS in Oct 2004. Is this of interest?
Jeff Herter: Comment : NY has its Annual Statewide GIS Conference every October as well.
Rich Greenwood: Brian, hope it isn't scheduled the same week as the next SOLEC


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