February 28, 2007

Congressman Seventh District 2211 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515

Attention: Robin Goracke, Legislative Director

SUBJECT: RED RIVER BASIN MAPPING INITIATIVE

Dear Representative Peterson:

On February 6, 2007, Mr. Chuck Fritz, Director of the International Water Institute, together with a delegation from and , visited your office with a proposal to collect high-resolution elevation data for the U.S. portion of the Red River Basin. The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information respectfully requests your support of the Red River Basin Mapping Initiative.

High-resolution elevation data has enormous value in preparing for and responding to floods, especially within the Red River Basin, which has a relatively flat topography. Some areas within the Red River Basin already have good elevation data, in no small part because of your support. The proposed International Water Institute project will complement existing data. Mr. Fritz has agreed to involve members of the Council’s Digital Elevation Committee on his Steering Committee, where they will help evaluate other data that may meet or exceed project specifications and minimize duplication.

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information coordinates geographic information system activities among all levels of government in Minnesota. Its 23 members represent state agencies, federal and local governments, higher education and the private sector. The Council’s Digital Elevation Committee works to improve the availability of digital elevation data in Minnesota by providing technical information, assistance and coordination. Elevation data is needed for floodplain mapping, but also has value for a variety of other applications, ranging from precision agriculture to resource protection. I have attached a copy of the Council’s 2006 Annual Report.

On behalf of the citizens of Minnesota, the Council wants to thank you for supporting the collection of elevation data for Norman and Mahnomen counties. Led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the project involves several state and local agencies, watershed districts and tribal governments. It is an excellent example of leveraging resources to meet a critical need and demonstrates our strong commitment to collaboration. The Council is equally committed to the goals of the Red River Basin Mapping Initiative.

Room 300, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155 • TEL: 651-201-2491 • FAX: 651-296-3698 • WEB: www.gis.state.mn.us Red River Basin Mapping Initiative Page 2 of 2

I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the Council or the importance of the Red River Basin Mapping Initiative.

Regards,

Rick Gelbmann Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information

Enclosure

Cc: Senator Senator Representative Representative Representative Representative Betty McCollum Representative James Oberstar Representative Representative Timothy Walz

ƒ Participated in the 2005 state GIS/LIS conference Minnesota relies on geographic information systems NHD Enables Impaired Waters Mapping with two panel sessions and six papers. to address such critical issues as protecting the

environment and responding to emergencies. The ƒ Sponsored a training session on NHD updates. Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information promotes the effective use of GIS by Coordinating GIS across Agencies and Sectors coordinating investments; developing standards, ƒ Received a $50,000 grant from the Federal policies, and guidelines; promoting stewardship of Geographic Data Committee to address geographic data; and minimizing duplication of organizational and operational issues of state effort and public expenditure. geospatial strategy. ƒ Initiated discussions about geospatial technology issues with the state’s chief information officer and ACCOMPLISHMENTS, FY 2006 the Office of Enterprise Technology (OET). ƒ Developed a survey to identify prospects for shared In 2005-2006, the council addressed its mission by statewide geospatial technology services. ƒ Helping people get the data they need ƒ Maintained relationships with national programs ƒ Communicating with Minnesota’s Geographic that support the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. Information System (GIS) stakeholders ƒ Gained a seat for one of our members on the board ƒ Coordinating federal, state, regional, and local of directors of the National States Geographic activities Information Council. NSGIC is the national organization of state GIS councils. ƒ Developing standards and guidelines that support data sharing ƒ Merged state and MetroGIS Emergency Prepared- The National Hydrography Dataset (shown in blue) ness Committees to avoid duplication of effort. is used to reference and display rivers and lakes ƒ Assisted in planning to create a Minnesota County Helping People Get the Data They Need designated by the Minnesota Pollution Control ƒ Expressed the state’s need for current air photos by Agency as impaired waters (shown in red). GIS Association. joining a national coalition of states to encourage For more information about impaired waters, see ƒ Drafted agreements with the U.S. Geological Survey federal agencies to improve their photography www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html to establish the state’s stewardship role for main- programs. taining and updating Minnesota hydrographic data. ƒ Continued to work with federal officials to accept Minnesota’s watershed delineation process with ƒ Continued to provide videoconferencing access to Developing Standards that Support Data Sharing minor modification. Thirty-five hydrographic units council meetings, when technically feasible. ƒ Re-established a formal GIS standards review have been processed and delivered for review and ƒ Published 14 articles in Minnesota GIS/LIS News, process in response to the state’s new IT governance another 24 are near completion. plus one each in Minnesota Surveyor and MNCITLA structure. ƒ Successfully demonstrated a system to cross- News. ƒ Gained approval from OET for two hydrography reference older hydrography data and the National ƒ Presented strategic planning efforts at the 24th standards: Lake Basin IDs and Watercourse IDs. Hydrography Dataset (NHD). annual Minnesota Government IT Symposium. ƒ Developed and approved a new standard, Watershed ƒ Recommended a Governor’s Commendation for IDs, and forwarded it to OET. Communicating with Minnesota Stakeholders Minnesota MapServer, the world’s leading open ƒ Intervened in federal efforts to create a new ƒ Updated the council’s Web site to make information source Web-mapping service. Geographic Names Information System, providing more easily accessible to a wider range of viewers. ƒ Prepared a one-page summary, Minnesota’s critical comments that led to a better standard. ƒ Presented the benefits of using GIS technology in Strategic Plan for GIS, to alert people about the council’s plans for organization, technology, and emergency preparedness planning, response, and MINNESOTA GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL mitigation at the Association of Minnesota data. ON GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Emergency Managers conference and in meetings ƒ Developed The Case for a Minnesota State GIS 658 Cedar Street, Room 300 with state, county, and city officials. Enterprise, a common-sense argument for adopting St. Paul, MN 55155 e-mail: [email protected] ƒ Held a well-attended meeting in Grand Rapids to an enterprise approach to sharing and integrating www.gis.state.mn.us learn about local GIS activities and needs. state GIS resources. PLANNED ACTIVITIES, FY 2007 ƒ Develop a Web-based guide to key information FY 2006 resources to help local governments create and ANNUAL REPORT In 2006-2007, the council will continue to support more maintain parcel data. cost-effective, higher-performing GIS services within Minnesota through the following activities: Standards Initiatives

ƒ Finalize standard for Hydrographic Features/ Monitor Data Needs and Make Data Available Attributes. ƒ Complete a second generation strategic plan for the ƒ Begin detailed logical design work on major Minnesota Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI). geospatial architectural components. ƒ Complete documenting uses and benefits of digital ƒ Recommend revisions to the Minnesota Geographic parcel data in Minnesota county governments. Metadata Guidelines in response to emerging ƒ Identify local sources of data critical to the international metadata standards. emergency preparedness community. ƒ Inventory and review existing and proposed federal ƒ Develop implementation plans for use and or state standards/best practices for GIS-based maintenance of the state’s hydrographic data. emergency preparedness data. ƒ Begin new focus on updating wetland data. ƒ Continue monitoring federal data standards.

Enhance Communication with Stakeholders FY 2007 Council members represent a broad • Participate in the 2006 conference of the cross-section of organizations that benefit from Association of Minnesota Counties. coordination of geospatial technology and data. • Continue to connect with the emergency management community via presentations at their Appointed Members conferences and surveys to determine their GIS David Berrisford, MN Dept. of Public Safety awareness and needs. Jeff Bloomquist, Farm Service Agency, USDA • Organize a forum to discuss emergency Gordon Chinander, Metropolitan Emergency preparedness and public safety data access and Services Board security issues. Will Craig, University of Minnesota • Expand efforts to educate GIS professionals about Mike Dolbow, MN Dept. of Agriculture the emergency management community’s needs. Rick Gelbmann, Chair, Metropolitan Council • Continue to expand communication with the state Jeff Grussing, United Services Group and local IT communities. Charlie Kost, Southwest Minnesota State University • Develop a new council brochure. Jonette Kreideweis, MN Dept. of Transportation • Continue to improve the council’s Web site. Stuart Lien, Clearwater County Robert Maki, MN Dept. of Natural Resources Coordinate across Agencies and Sectors Tim Ogg, MN Board of Water and Soil Resources Mark Olsen, MN Pollution Control Agency ƒ Work with OET to integrate geospatial technology Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County with the state’s enterprise technology environment. Ken Saffert, City of Mankato ƒ Recommend functions, organization, and funding Mark Sloan, Clay County for a state geospatial authority. Bill Swing, Wright County ƒ Implement a shared services survey across agencies Sally Wakefield, 1000 Friends of Minnesota and sectors. ƒ Prepare a proposal to the U.S. Department of Ex-Officio Members Homeland Security to develop a common operating David Arbeit, Land Management Information Center procedure for emergency planning response and Chad Martini, MN GIS/LIS Consortium mitigation in Minnesota using GIS data maintained Lee Meilleur, Legislative Coordinating Commission by local, regional, state, and federal agencies. Mike Ryan, MN Office of Enterprise Technology Ron Wencl, U.S. Geological Survey