Forum 1: Wednesday, March 28, 10:30 - Noon, Chestnut Ridge Ball Room

The Importance of the Proposed North American Geologic Map Data Model to West Virginia
Gayle H. "Scott" McColloch, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Morgantown, WV

In mid-March 1999 the Digital Mapping Committee of the American Association of State Geologists (AASG) assigned me to work on what would become the North American Geologic Map Data Model Steering Committee. The purpose of this committee is to develop a uniform data model to support digital data collected for inclusion into the National Geologic Map Database as required by the National Geologic Mapping Act. Canada also needs such a model for various similar cooperative activities between the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) and Canadian Provincial Surveys. There is interest from Mexico, so this has become a continent wide effort. Support of the Geological Survey of Canada has been very useful since they are relatively advanced in this area as a result of a multi-year effort that lead to the development of their "Field Log" field data entry system. The committee's efforts will lead to the development of a Federal Geographic Data Committee standard that will subsequently be required for all federally funded geologic mapping projects. This presentation will include a brief summary of geologic mapping techniques, an update on the progress of the steering committee, and benefits of direct participation to West Virginia.

Interactive Coal Bed Mapping on the Internet
Sarah Gooding and Nick Fedorko, WV Economic and Geological Survey, Morgantown, WV

The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey will be unveiling its new Interactive Coal Bed Mapping Website at the GIS Forum. This interactive internet GIS mapping application features a series of coal resource maps, imagery, and associated data for 39 minable coalbeds in 9 West Virginia counties. The website is the tangible realization of an ambitious ongoing GIS project to inventory coal resources in the state. The availability of the coal maps to the public over the internet using ArcIMS technology brings the Survey into the new era of high-tech public service. The website includes data about the geologic features, structure, thickness, and mining status of the coalbeds, and georeferenced topographic map mosaics for locational reference. Common tools for map navigation and query are available to the user, along with comprehensive help guides for the GIS coverages and map interface. To explore the exciting possibilities that internet-based mapping has to offer to the public, visit the Interactive Coal Bed Maps webpage via the WVGES home page at http://www.wvgs.wvnet.edu/

Streams and Hydrologic Units on the Monongahela National Forest
Bart Schauman, GIS Analyst, USDA Forest Service, Monongahela National Forest, Elkins, WV

There are over 3,000,000 acres of 5^th and 6^th level hydrologic units and a corresponding 10,000+ miles of streams partially or wholly within the Monongahela National Forest. During the past two years 1:24000 scale streams and hydrologic units have been developed from cartographic feature files and digital raster graphics. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Monongahela National Forest have cooperated in building these data sets. The existing routed streams layer contains a unique latitude/longitude attribute that had been targeted to link to a National tabular aquatic database. However, within the last several months the Forest Service has made a decision to move to the National Hydrography Dataset model in order to support data sharing and management at all levels of government. The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data that contains information about surface water features such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, springs and wells. Within the NHD, surface water features are combined to form "reaches," which provide the framework for linking water-related data to the NHD surface water drainage network. These linkages enable the analysis and display of these water-related data in upstream and downstream order. The Monongahela National Forest has contracted with West Virginia University to build the NHD model for surface water features on the forest. Completion of the NHD model this calendar year will provide the spatial foundation for a National Forest Service WATER module. This WATER module - an ORACLE database and user toolset application with GIS connections, is designed to implement corporate data standards and promote integrated management of aquatic resource information, including maps and related data about stream and lake systems plus water "improvements" and "rights". This information can be analyzed and presented at multiple geographic scales, both within and across administrative and jurisdictional boundaries.

Applied GIS on the Monongahela National Forest
Sam Lammie, GIS Coordinator, USDA Forest Service, Monongahela National Forest, Elkins, WV

In December 2000, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provided the Monongahela National Forest with the final baseline geographic information system (GIS) dataset. This dataset encompasses the 120,000 acre Cheat Ranger District headquartered at Parsons, West Virginia. As with the previous five Districts, GIS data layers include administrative boundaries, [timber] compartments, cultural resources, ecological land types, opportunity areas, interior tracts, railroads, recreation facilities, roads, special uses, [timber stands], streams, surface ownership, trails, utilities, waterbodies, and withdrawals. Baseline dataset completion and pending compliance with National Core GIS Data Standards for forest-wide datasets will facilitate management across the forest and enable staff to use GIS tools in their work. The role of GIS and global positioning systems (GPS) in a Forest Service decision-making environment is and will be driven by organizational needs. Several applied GIS projects for various Forest staff members will be demonstrated dealing with roads, timber stands, and ecological land types. Finally, a brief overview of the Forest Service Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) will be given. Slated for implementation over the next two years, NRIS is a relational database (built on an Oracle foundation) and set of analytical tools (including ArcGIS) for natural resource information (water, air, land, fauna, human dimensions and vegetation).

Forum 2: Wednesday, March 28, 1:30 -3:00 PM, Chestnut Ridge Ball Room

GIS at CEGAS
Jamie Wolfe, Marshall University, CEGAS, Huntington, WV

Marshall University's Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences (CEGAS) has been involved with GIS work since 1995. This presentation will cover two main topics. First, an overview of past and present GIS work within CEGAS. Second, a summary of the Nick J. Rahall II Appalachian Transportation Institute (ATI).

"Mpowr" Web Resource
Joseph R. Seppi, Project Manager, Michael Baker Jr., Inc., Charleston, WV

A web-based tool called "Mpowr" Multi-Project Organizing Web Resource has been developed. It consists of a relational database and a series of command files, structured so that it can be copied to form a new project management web sites in minutes. After deployment of a project web site, a couple of hours may be needed for a project-level staff member (rather than IT staff) to create user accounts and customized content areas for the particular project. The project web site streamlines project data flow and communication on large interdisciplinary engineering projects with geographically dispersed teams. Managing the hundreds, possibly thousands of CADD files, GIS themes, spreadsheets, word processing, digital photographs, and databases is made much simpler with web based project management tools. When a project web site is used from the beginning of a project, any related title can be quickly retrieved and affectively used in design or decision-making. The project web site increases data integrity by storing an audit trail for all data. The potential to improve schedule and cost performance by eliminating rework is enormous. The project web site allows engineers and scientists to share geospatial information in new ways that have proven to be highly effective.

Developing Impervious Surface Maps for the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Coastal Bay Watersheds
John M. Morgan, III, Center for Geographic Information Sciences, Towson University, Baltimore, MD

Under a NASA contract initiated in February 2000, Raytheon Systems Company is working with several universities and state and local governments to explore non-research uses for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) data. As a Raytheon "university partner," the Center for Geographic Information Sciences (CGIS) at Towson University used Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery to develop impervious surface maps for each jurisdiction in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Coastal Bays watersheds. This presentation will: 1) describe the maximum likelihood classification-based approach used to extract pervious and impervious land cover features (including the use of ancillary data to improve the classification); and 2) discuss the procedure used to assess the accuracy of the pervious and impervious land cover features. The use of the impervious surface maps to identify water quality and quantity impacts at the sub-watershed level in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, as well as the launch of the Chesapeake Bay from Space web site to serve as an "Infomart" for the Landsat 7 data, impervious surface maps, and related data, will also be discussed.

Forum 3: Wednesday, March 28, 3:30 - 5 PM, Chestnut Ridge Ballroom

Role of NSDI Framework in State / Local Government GIS
Chetan Desai, Pro-Logic, Inc., Fairmont, WV

The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Framework is often viewed as a Federal government concept that facilitates creation and maintenance of Federal geospatial datasets. However, the concepts of data integration, data sharing, institutional relationships, and good business practices articulated by framework are crucial to the state and local government. The framework provides state / local organizations guidance in issues such as geographic data integration and standardization. Geographic data built with consideration for sound practices are valuable to multiple organizations. This presentation describes the practices to enable state / local government organizations develop, share, and access the best geospatial information. An illustration of geospatial data integration and sharing is discussed in the context of an on-going NSDI Framework Demonstration Project.

See the Forest AND the Trees: Multi-Source Imagery Solutions for Large Land Areas
Greg Tilley, President, VARGIS LLC, Herndon, VA

Many States, Federal agencies and commercial companies who manage large land territories have an identified need for current image products with high resolution and accuracy. These organizations have traditionally chosen a uniform product solution (such as 1 meter DOQs, or 10 meter SPOT) because it is easier and more manageable than multi-source solutions. However, a uniform product specification covering a large area is almost always a compromise, providing too much information for some areas, and too little for others. With more technical and commercial options to choose from, it is now possible to consider products of varying resolution, accuracy and source covering a large jurisdiction or territory. The products can be matched to geographic variations and requirements within the jurisdiction. In fact, a multi-source solution is likely to be more cost effective, as well as better suited to meet user requirements. The challenge with multi-source product purchases is to create a unified end product, with consistent format, projection, media, naming conventions and purchase terms. Managing these projects requires a different kind of expertise than traditional imagery acquisition. This paper discusses a case study for a multi-source imagery approach used on a large commercial landbase project.

Second Generation DOQ Production Options
Steve Hamilton, Production Director, Pixxures, Inc., Arvada, CO

As digital orthophoto archives become outdated, there is an increasing demand for a timely and cost effective update solution. A new methodology for accurately updating image databases has been developed and is in use in several different applications, ranging from USGS DOQQ update in the States of Arkansas and South Carolina to transportation and infrastructure management in coastal Alaska. This presentation will focus on the methodology, accuracy and cost implications for updating existing digital orthophoto landbases with the State of Arkansas experience as the basis of our discussion.

Usage of GIS for the Underground Facility Protection in West Virginia
Mary K. McGuire, One Call Systems, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

Owners of underground facilities such as oil and gas pipelines, communication lines, electrical cable, water and sewer lines work with Miss Utility of West Virginia, Inc. (MUWV) to receive notification of proposed excavation, drilling or underground disturbance in the vicinity of their facility. MUWV relays this information to member owners/operators of underground facilities so that they can identify the location of their facilities. Damage to underground facilities is thus prevented and the safety of the public is maintained. The information on the location of all these underground facilities is kept in a geographic based database for MUWV. GIS tools based on Mapinfo have been designed by One Call Systems, Inc. (OCS) to enable facility owners to enter and update the location of their facilities for Miss Utility of West Virginia. Excavators can use a GIS tool to identitfy the dig site location and upload this information to the call center via modem. The call center uses a GIS program to locate the dig site.This presentation will illustrate these desktop GIS tools as well as internet mapping solutions.

Forum 4: Thursday, March 29, 8:30 - 10 AM, Chestnut Ridge Ballroom

State of GIS Activity in Ohio's Local Government
Stuart R. Davis, Executive Director, Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, Columbus, OH

This presentation will focus on the local level GIS activity in Ohio. There are eighty-eight counties in Ohio and over seventy are in some stage of implementing GIS. This presentation will identify factors associated with this increase in GIS activity and discuss its potential impact on government as a whole.

Cadastral Mapping for Local Governments "Building a Strong Foundation"
Jeff Lovin, Woolpert LLP, Dayton, OH

The key to building a successful GIS system is starting with a strong foundation. The first component of that foundation is the basemap. The second and more integral part of that foundation which is often overlooked, is the cadastral layer. It is the cadastral layer that everything else is built upon. Almost every function that a local government entity performs with a GIS system is directly linked to the cadastral layer. From tax billing, to pavement analysis, to E-911 all of these functions operate from data stored in the cadastral database. This presentation will outline the process, warn of the pitfalls, and explain many of the complexities involved in converting hardcopy cadastral maps into a strong foundation for building a successful GIS system.

An Equal Access, Competitive Services Approach to Public Data Access Policy
Ed Wells, GeoDecisions, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

The diverse experiences of GIS projects in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Beaver County, Pennsylvania, reinforce four lessons about GIS data:GIS are hard to create and harder to maintain; Data use is the measure of project success; Geographic data have enduring value; and Local government GIS data comprise a uniquely valuable public investment and resource. Imminent advances in the provision of geospatial data services especially mobile services and data transmission promise to increase the need for GIS files that accurately and precisely locate individual addresses, buildings, and parcels. In the U.S., only local governments can maintain such data, and they cannot make it available in any effective way without public data access policies. Data access policies should serve two basic goals: Putting the data to maximum use, and Minimizing the public cost of doing so. Adoption of data access policies within the framework of U.S. law is complicated by a complex set of technical, economic, legal, and policy questions. These questions have been widely debated, but must be resolved by each local government individually. The two basic policy goals can be achieved by policies based on equal access and competitive services, in which local government provides basic, standard data products to all members of the public equally, while encouraging private-sector firms to provide custom services and value-added products to private individuals and firms. This approach lets government focus on what it does best (public administration) and private business focus on what it does best (marketing and customer service). It achieves the practical goals of maximizing data use while minimizing administrative overhead for the local government, and offers a flexible framework within which to resolve specific legal and policy issues at the local level.

Licensing of Satellite Data in the Information Age
Colleen Cochran Ditmars, Account Manager, SPOT Image Corporation, Reston, VA

For the past year, SPOT image corporation has evaluated and developed a response to the product and product licensing needs of state governments. SPOT's response is embodied in the 2000 USA Select product launch which addresses licensing needs for joint projects, data sharing, and internet accessibility of satellite imagery. The remote sensing industry has come a long way in recognizing what state/county/and municipal governments need in data licensing, and SPOT is committed to continuing this process with it's next generation satellite, SPOT 5, and beyond.

Forum 5: Thursday, March 29, 10:30 - Noon, Chestnut Ridge Ballroom

Internet Mapping Using (Free) Open Source Software Tools
Mike Shank, GIS Programmer Analyst, WV Division of Environmental Protection, Technical Applications and GIS Unit, Nitro, WV

Potential Applications of Rotary Wing-Based Airborne Imaging
Larry Evans. GIS Manager, WV Division of Environmental Protection, Technical Applications and GIS Unit, Nitro, WV

City of Charleston GIS Pilot Project: Strategic Planning and Application Delivery
Jim Knudson, GeoDecisions, Camp Hill, PA; Jerry Workman, Mountain CAD Corp., Charleston, WV

The City of Charleston East End GIS Pilot Project was started in May 2000 and ended in March 2001. The Pilot Project was needed to demonstrate how important GIS technology is to the City and how it can improve the productivity and levels of service of all City agencies. A team of consultants successfully applied GIS technology to City business functions in the areas of Engineering, Planning, Buildings, and Administration. The project started with a Pilot Project Strategic Planning Session and ended with an Implementation Strategic Plan. These meetings and reports were critical to the overall success of the project. Five year old CAD and digital orthophoto data in tiled format were converted to seamless, attributed GIS layers. In addition, a sophisticated GPS field data collection effort was undertaken to collect location, address, and multimedia data for use in the GIS applications. Five full-function applications were developed for the purpose of marketing the technology and demonstrating how different levels of users can interact with spatial data in city government. An ArcView application was customized for Zoning Hearing Notification and a generic Thematic Mapping and Data Query tool with all of the multimedia and full map query and plotting tools was also created using ArcView. In addition, a set of ArcExplorer projects were generated on CD-ROM for distribution to the Mayor's office and City Manager's office and others for less sophisticated data browsing. Two ArcIMS applications were developed for Parcel Viewing and Thematic Mapping to demonstrate the ability to share data with multiple City departments and the public using web-based technologies.

Affordable GIS Web Sites for Small Jurisdictions
Dave Segars, John McNair & Associates, Waynesboro, VA; Steve Portnoy, Egret Solutions, Yorktown, VA

A web-based GIS is within reach of most jurisdictions! Using the data and resources available to them at the time, Hampshire County West Virginia was able to develop a comprehensive, web-based GIS for their property information over a period of about 18-months. It is the first GIS site developed for a county in West Virginia, and has achieved both local and national acclaim. To view the site, go to http://www.co.hampshire.wv.us. Developing an economical GIS requires that you maximize use of "off-the-shelf" solutions as well as the latest public domain data. Don't be tempted to bite off more than you can chew, however! Getting legal and political concurrence before going live is crucial. One successful approach is to make a pilot site available for viewing with limited data for demonstration purposes. Partnerships with experienced solutions providers as well as other jurisdictions are critical elements for the successful implementation of a web-based GIS. Costs can be minimized through regional hosting. For an example see http://www.regis.state.va.us.

Special Session: Thursday, March 29, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Chestnut Ridge Ballroom

National Hydrologic Dataset (NHD) Development in the Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia.
Sam Lammie, USDAFS MNF; Craig Neidig, WV GIS Coordinator; et al.; open to all.

POSTERS: Governor Ballrooms Lobby

Poster: Suppression Strategy for Unexploded Ordinance: Dolly Sods Vicinity
Bart Schauman, Roland Merson, Sam Lammie, USDA FS, Monongahela National Forest, Elkins, WV

A draft fire suppression strategy has been written for the 10,215 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness Area and 6,168 acre Dolly Sods North area. This fire suppression strategy addresses the unexploded ordinance that lies in the vicinity from military maneuvers during World War II. Both tracts comprised part of a 2,181,000 acre West Virginia Maneuver Area during World War II. The area was used to train soldiers to fire artillery and mortars. Even though the area was searched and had been cleared by military explosive ordinance teams after the war, at least 21 pieces of ordinance have been found in both areas in recent years. One individual has been severely wounded and several near misses have occurred. In August 1999, a ten-acre wildfire on private land within Dolly Sods North and next to the wilderness area prompted a re-evaluation of Forest Service management of the area. As a direct consequence of this fire and a 1997 Environmental Assessment calling for ordinance removal and subsequent ordinance removal (in 1997 and 1998), a draft fire suppression strategy was written and is awaiting final approval. This fire suppression strategy has been formulated based on global positioning system (GPS) data collection and ordinance removals conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has been entered into the Forest Service geographic information system (GIS).

Poster: West Virgina Trail Mapping Project for the Upcoming State Trail Plan
Peggy Pings, National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program, WV Field Office, Morgantown, WV

Poster: Mineral Parcel Mapping Project Coal Analysis
Dale Vanderlaan, GIS Analyst, GIS Development Unit, WV Property Tax Division, Charleston, WV

last update: April 4, 2001