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
State House Station 174
264 Civic Center
Drive
(207) 215-5530
69o 47' 49.5"W 44o 20'
54.5"N
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