SCERP Nodes on a Network – Starting Point for “La Red Integrada de los Bancos de Datos” Dr. Christopher Brown New Mexico State University Department of Geography 2006 SCERP/USGS GIS Summit UTEP – 10 April 2006

Some Background United States - Mexico Border Governors invitation to SCERP in 2003 to explore binational GIS capability –Recognition of the experience SCERP had in the area –Potential to capitalize on the existing network of SCERP institutions Development of early proposal to tap experience of SCERP researchers More recent efforts that lead to USGS/SCERP Binational GIS Summit

Background to the Summit NMSU, SDSU, UTEP, and ASU submitted linked GIS projects to SCERP NMSU, SDSU, ASU, and UTEP funded for specific projects and to advance overall effort –We have seen pieces of these projects at Summit. –Each asks specific questions in area of interest. –Each generates specific regional data Goal of the overall SCERP funding is to link a set of projects to advance a border-wide GIS effort NMSU was funded to develop a “work plan” to advance a sustained and coordinated effort

Research Plan Development of Advisory Committee to drive project and our “happy accident” with USGS –Recent efforts by USGS and others to develop geo-spatial datasets along the border –Supporting efforts for USGS/SCERP MOU Project partners and Advisory Committee collaborated on Binational GIS Summit User Needs Assessment of major GIS users along the border will inventory efforts to date Binational GIS Summit will broaden discussion beyond USGS and SCERP

Major focii of this Summit Review of successful past projects, with special interest in compiling lessons learned Identification of major research questions concerning binational water resource management and data needed to advance Supporting development of a workplan by which comprehensive GIS capability can be advanced Working towards a commitment by attendees to help advance coordinated effort

Details of Entities Involved USGS, SCERP and other universities will be coordinating efforts Important role of state and federal agencies in the US and Mexico Regional planning & research agencies in border are key (IMIP, IMPLAN, SANDAG, TWDB, etc) Work being done in urban areas provides important urban input (PdNMAPA) Important to bring NGO/ONG players into the mix (Pacific Institute, Environmental Defense, PDNWTF, and PDNWC are examples)

Concept of SCERP/USGS Nodes Extensive work of SCERP institutions provides useful framework –Specific projects yield applied research and detailed data sets at local/regional scale –Also yields technically capable network on which to build Collaboration with USGS broadens range of participation greatly SCERP/USGS sponsoring of the Summit and MOU advance a broader discussion

Draft Outline of Border-wide GIS Network USGS Environmental Health Work LRG Physical Assessment

SCERP/USGS Commitments to Date SCERP and USGS co-hosting the Summit and signing MOU on further cooperation SCERP universities have agreed to build the prototype network with existing projects/data –ASU land use/cover assessment –NMSU and SDSU water resource vulnerability work –ITESM & UACJ contributing regional project data –UTEP working in Paso del Norte urban area

Prototype NMSU SCERP Data Node

Anticipated Outcomes User Needs Assessment will provide outline on needs, assets, and gaps Structure of a border-wide network to emerge from the Summit Web-presence will share results with larger audience and provide portal for future work Final project report will be work plan for future project development

Closing Comments Much work in border region provides strong foundation for our work Wide range of GIS-xperts are assisting in ongoing and future project work Goal is to harness all the disconnected pieces and link them into the outline for a wider integrated effort Next steps will explore funding for future project development – afternoon session Project outcomes will drive much of SCERP Border Institute on Transboundary Watershed Management held at Rio Rica, AZ in May