State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems Council Annual Report - December 2009 Submitted in Accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. §11- 4 (a)

About the GIS Council The State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Council was established by Conn. Gen. Stat § 4d-90 to “coordinate, within available appropriations, a uniform geo-spatial information system capacity for municipalities, regional planning agencies, the state and others.” This report summarizes 2009 Council activities and is submitted in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. §11- 4 (a). The GIS Council was formed in January It is chaired by the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information Technology, and includes appointed members from municipalities, state agencies, and institutions of higher education. GIS Council Strategic Goals  Organize GIS efforts across state and local government agencies.  Develop a core set of data layers that are kept up-to-date and made broadly accessible in a state-managed data repository.  Communicate and educate potential users and decision makers about the benefits and capabilities achieved by GIS investments. The Council's strategic plan, and additional information on Council activities and GIS issues can be viewed on the Council's website, GIS Council Members Executive Branch Diane S. Wallace (Chair)Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology (Michael Varney, Designee) Howard Sternberg Department of Environmental Protection Stuart Fitzgerald Department of Economic and Community Development Peter Boynton Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Melanie Kerr, Designee) LTC Gerald Lukowski Military Department (Beth Stewart-Kelly, Designee) Robbin Cabelus Department of Transportation (James Spencer, Designee) Tyler Kleykamp Office of Policy and Management Scott Szalkiewicz Department of Public Health Daniel Czaja Department of Public Safety Bill PalombaDepartment of Public Utility Control (Robert Mundy, Designee) Raymond PhilbrickDepartment of Public Works Dennis Barry Department of Social Services S. Derek Phelps Connecticut Siting Council (Christina Walsh, Designee) Municipal Richard Gallacher Town of Manchester Patrick Ladd Town of Meriden Erik Snowden CT Regional Council of Governments Stephen Lowrey Town of Tolland Scott RobertsTown of South Windsor Higher Education Anthony Andosca Connecticut State University System Emily Wilson University of Connecticut (Cary Chadwick, Designee)

Summary of Major Activities, 2009 In 2009, the Council continued to conduct outreach and education on the use of geospatial technology and support coordination of GIS efforts and initiatives. Resource constraints continue to limit Council progress towards a statewide geospatial data repository, and necessitated greater emphasis on no-cost outreach and coordination. The GIS Council held seven full Council meetings in 2009, providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among the diverse GIS user community and stakeholders. The Finance Subcommittee was retired in Work continued among the three remaining working groups - Data Inventory and Assessment, Education and Outreach, and Legal and Security. The Council published and distributed four issues of Geo-Focus, the Council's quarterly newsletter. The newsletter promoted knowledge and awareness of GIS uses, data development, and Council activities. The Council organized a month-long educational display in the concourse connecting the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building in Hartford, displaying posters from 50 organizations and individuals depicting GIS applications in use around the state. Council organized and hosted a full day of GIS Day events at the State Capitol November 18, More than 250 attended, including students, educators, GIS professionals and practitioners. GIS Day events included seven presentations, table displays and live demonstrations of GIS technology, and a full meeting of the GIS Council during which an award was presented to the winner of the State Geography Bee. The Council continued to enhance to offer access to GIS education, training, and data resources. Resources currently available include:  An online repository of training, GIS certificate and degree programs offered at state colleges, universities, and other institutions.  Instructional podcasts on GIS issues and technology, and local and national GIS discussion lists and blogs.  Links to GIS organizations, including the Geographic Alliance and the GIS User-to-User Network, GIS presentations, reports and papers, and links to emergency response sites and tools.

Summary of Major Activities, 2009 cont. Geo-Focus, the GIS Council newsletter, profiled many GIS uses in 2009 to illustrate the scope of GIS applications across government, including how it is being used in the delivery of transportation, public health and human services, environmental conservation, and more. In 2009, Geo-Desk Profiles Included How …  The Department of Transportation is using GIS to determine the impact of road construction projects.  The Connecticut Siting Council is using GIS to evaluate proposed location of new wireless towers and equipment.  The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is using GIS to track the H1N1 Flu Outbreak.  The Department of Public Health grantee Ledge Light Local Health District is using GIS to combat childhood obesity by promoting knowledge of local farm produce and recreation areas.  The Department of Children and Families is using GIS to improve child placement, and other services through better understanding a child’s geography of needs.  The Department of Environmental Protection is using GIS to help conserve and protect natural resources by enhancing tracking of important indicator species and mapping the floor of Long Island Sound.  The University of Connecticut is using GIS to develop predictive models of freshwater mussels.  The Connecticut Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board, established by Governor M. Jodi Rell, is using GIS to provide an interactive map to enables the public to track federal stimulus projects in the state.

Summary of Major Activities, 2009 cont. During 2009, testing took place between several major state agencies on a common IT solution for a Statewide Data Repository. In 2009 the Council Data Inventory and Assessment Working Group focused on the development of new data standards for Parcel Mapping. The Data Inventory and Assessment Working Group also contributed to state broadband mapping initiatives, the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) project, Road Network Development efforts at the Department of Transportation, the New England Detection and Ranging and Imagery proposals, the Capital Region Council of Government's 2009 Spring Ortho Flight. The following framework datasets have been identified for a state geospatial data repository.  Addressing  Administrative and Political Boundaries  Base Map Imagery (Ortho, Oblique, Satellite, and Scanned Imagery)  Cadastral Information  Census and Demographics  Critical Infrastructure  Elevation and Bathymetry  Geodetic Control  Geographic Names and Places  Hydrography  Land Use and Land Cover  Transportation List Standards The full Connecticut Geographic Framework Data report can be downloaded from