I
concur with Mr. Copeland, this is not a chat a blog or even a
tweet it is a list serve intended to further the interest of GIS and
related
fields within the State of Maine.
Ken
Murchison,
Maine
GeoLibrary Board Member
Although
Mr. Higginbottom may bring up points that are valid for
many, his post, in my opinion, is inappropriate on the Geolibrary
listserv. Mr. Higginbottom makes a good point that money spent
overseas
could be used here instead, but, it is my opinion that he has used this
forum
to promote a view that does nothing to further GIS in the State of
Maine.
This is an non-moderated list serve for the purposes of advancing GIS,
not
making political statements against the war. Mr. Higginbottom, please
refrain from misusing this list serve and limit your posts to at least
mostly
GIS related topics.
Gregory
J. Copeland, PLS
Member,
Maine Library of Geographic Information.
Yet another reason to support www.BringOurWarDollarsHome.org
.
People have to finally get it through their heads -- and take action on
-- the
fact that the outrageous level of war spending that takes $340 million
out of
Mainers' pockets each year results in reductions in other economic
functions --
including government services. School funding, transportation funding,
business expansion, technology advancement. Start banging on our
Congress
to shut off the drain of funds for war and bring the $$ home. Our
current
path is bankrupting our economy, and funding for mapping/GIS technology
is just
one small piece of a huge problem.
Do something about a major underlying source of the problem!!!
Reps Pingree and Michaud will vote on the next war funding bill within
two
months.
Give them your opinion now --
Rep. Chellie Pingree
57 Exchange Street, Suite 302
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 774-5019
http://www.pingree.house.gov/
Rep. Mike Michaud
6 State Street, Suite 101
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: 207-942-6935
http://www.michaud.house.gov/
Gary Higginbottom
Portland
Smith, Michael wrote:
I
wanted to make everyone aware of a proposed budget change for USGS in
FY11. USGS is proposing to eliminate all of the "Partnership"
funding which is used to match state and local dollars for acquisition
of GIS
data, such as aerial photos and lidar. This elimination is $3.5M and
is
outlined in the budget 'greenbook' at http://www.usgs.gov/budget/2011/2011index.asp (pages
F-11 and I-29).
Maine
has used this funding in the past to match several state or municipal
projects
including:
2003-2004
GeoLibrary-funded 1ft and 2ft orthophotos $1.6M
2006
central coastal towns (mostly Cumberland, Saco to Bath) 6" orthophotos
$21,600
2007
York county 6" orthophotos $35,000
2009
Androscoggin County lidar $92,000
In
all cases USGS provided a portion of the funding, but not all, anywhere
from
20-50% of the cost, leveraging local and state dollars in return for
inexpensive
data.
If
passed, this budget change may impact your town or county's geospatial
plans,
reducing the ability to find federal matching dollars for collection of
new
aerial photos or lidar.
The
budget is not finalized and must be approved by Congress. Maine's
senator
Susan Collins sits on the Appropriations subcommittee that will have
the first
look at this budget and make modifications probably next week. If you
feel this may impact your geospatial plans, you might consider
discussing the
issue with her staff by phone or by letter.
*****************
Michael
Smith
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Board Member, Maine GIS Users Group
State
Rep,
National States Geographic Information Council