Greetings, colleagues!   

Today the Core Science Systems Mission Area and National Geospatial Program reached a 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) milestone with the publication of "The 3DEP Program Initiative - A Call for Action." The Call for Action details the framework the program will follow to achieve the 3DEP initiative's goals and objectives. I encourage everyone to review the Circular to improve their awareness of this important CSS/NGP initiative. Thanks to the authors and 3DEP Team for all their hard work in getting us to this important milestone. 

Link to the Circular: http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1399/

The Nation is Calling for 3D Data: The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is a national initiative to accelerate the collection of 3-dimensional elevation data, to manage the authoritative lidar and ifsar datasets, and to provide elevation products and services to everyone for applications ranging from flood risk management to agricultural production. The “3DEP Program Initiative - A Call for Action” details the objectives for the collaborative 3DEP plan to help partner organizations better understand 3DEP priorities and become part of the domestic strategy to refresh all of the 3D elevation data over the next eight years.  When data from 3DEP are made available as a free public service, they could generate more than $690 million per year in new benefits. The plan guides and leverages numerous partner investments and private sector technologies for 3DEP visibility and advancement. By applying 3D elevation data to their business practices, it is anticipated that the government and private users will realize benefits and increase support for 3DEP.