Good morning all,

 

In the last few weeks I have been asked several times about what the value of geospatial data was to the people of Maine. Being the shy retiring type I had ready answers. However, it also impressed upon me the need to have a short brief sheet that relates specific examples of how the states data is used. One of the questions came from a Senator on one of the legislature’s joint standing committees. Essentially the question was how my constituents benefit from LiDAR data. Another way of looking at the question would be to ask, ‘why should, the state be involved in purchasing this data’.

 

My position lends to a certain amount of self-interest to acquire “MORE DATA” so my opinion is suspect. Through the data catalog and web services the GeoLibrary, MEGIS and other state agencies serve up 100’s of data layers. I have just a limited understanding of all the ways this data is used. Therefore, I am asking all of you, what is the value of the state’s data layers to your business or community? Please take a few minutes of your time to provide me with a few sentences or paragraphs describing examples of how the state’s data has benefited you or helped you provide a service more efficiently or less expensively than if the data wasn’t available. Below are some examples of what I am looking for. Pictures or illustrations are always helpful.

 

Agriculture

XXXXX farm or coop extension agent uses LiDAR data to map soils on the farm. This helps determine nutrient needed and GPS systems in the tractor help me deliver the appropriate fertilizers in the right areas. It also helps me analyze depth to ground water and avoid sensitive wetlands.

 

Forestry

XXX landowner uses LiDAR and multiple sources of ortho imagery to analyze forest biometrics, monitor forest health, avoid wetlands and steep slopes. It makes my forester operations far more efficient and productive.

 

Community

 

XXX uses The GeoLibrary orthoimagery program to reduce its cost of imagery acquisition. We use this data in our GIS systems to provide data to developers interested in our community showing where land or buildings are available meeting their requirements. For example with just a minimum amount of effort we can identify how many parcels of land with 4 to 10 acres zoned appropriately and have sewer, water, electricity and gas service.

 

Engineer/Consultant

 

XXX working for XXX used the states geospatial data layers XXXX . This data was used to evaluate XXXX and provide estimates of site viability to use for the intended purpose. Without this information the to the client for this analysis would have cost XXX more to acquire through on site field visits.

 

Education/research

 

XXXX used these data layers to analyze XXX this provides Maine with a much better understanding of how to address the problem of XXXX.

 

Examples from State or county government are welcome also.

 

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give me with this.

 

Joseph Young

Executive Director

Maine GeoLibrary

SHS 145

51 Commerce Drive

Augusta, Maine 04333- 145

VP 207-624-2664

FAX 207-287-1131

Subscribe to our List Serve learn more about the GeoLibrary

http://lists.maine.edu/cgi/wa?A0=geolibrary-l