How do we make decisions on these critical issues? Business of Government Reducing crime Reducing crime Enhancing public safety Enhancing public safety Containing costs Containing costs Managing growth Managing growth Improving accountability Improving accountability Protecting the environment Protecting the environment

Performing the Business of Government Improving Decision Making Improving Decision Making Providing Better Services Providing Better Services Communicating with Citizens Communicating with Citizens

Issues Affecting Citizens - Emergency Response Wild Fire Management Happen in Places

Population Growth Washington, DC - Baltimore

To make informed decisions, we have to gather the right information. …using the best data available.

What if there was a tool that could integrate data from diverse sources — and visually analyze data to support decision making — many times faster than any other tool?

A tool that could: Expand the information base Enhance the analysis of available options Streamline the decision-making process Dramatically improve your ability to select the best course of action Expand the information base Enhance the analysis of available options Streamline the decision-making process Dramatically improve your ability to select the best course of action

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Giving decision-makers the power to make better decisions.

The power to understand complex relationships. Forsyth County, North Carolina: Water Supplies & Water Delivery System

The power to plan for tomorrow, based on an accurate picture of today.

The power to present data in a clear, compelling way.

The power to effectively communicate with citizens The power to effectively communicate with citizens

What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)? A computer-based data collection, storage and analysis tool that combines previously unrelated information into a comprehensive picture.

Methamphetamine Threat: A National Epidemic Reaches Illinois Eastward Movement

Without GIS: n Minimal knowledge of where methamphetamine incidents were occurring n Unable to track or predict the movement of methamphetamine n Inability to integrate information for tactical enforcement strategies n Inability to quantify the severity of the problem Methamphetamine Threat: A National Epidemic Reaches Illinois

With GIS: n Able to track all methamphetamine encounters, lab seizures, and sale locations of starting materials n County level cluster analyses of locations of methamphetamine encounters n Integration of demographic and geographic information for Risk-Model Methamphetamine Threat: A National Epidemic Reaches Illinois

Results: n Developed a statewide Risk-Model identifying methamphetamine “hot spots” n Obtained federal funds for training, equipment, and lab remediation n Passed new laws increasing penalties for possession of precursor chemicals and actual product Methamphetamine Threat: A National Epidemic Reaches Illinois n Governor Ryan, Chair of Midwestern Governors Association, hosted Methamphetamine Summit in Fall, 2000

N.C. Department of Public Instruction wanted to manage school buses more efficiently.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Hit-or-miss route mapping in 107 school districts Huge inefficiencies Inability to contain costs efficiently Hit-or-miss route mapping in 107 school districts Huge inefficiencies Inability to contain costs efficiently Without GIS:

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction With GIS: Developed pilot program more than 15 years ago Mandated use of GIS by all districts statewide in 1992 State funding incentives reward efficiency: fewer buses, better routes With GIS: Developed pilot program more than 15 years ago Mandated use of GIS by all districts statewide in 1992 State funding incentives reward efficiency: fewer buses, better routes

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Results: In the school year: - more than 500 fewer buses were needed statewide than originally estimated - 15,000,000 fewer miles were driven than originally estimated Between 1990 & 1996: - the state saved over 2,000,000 gallons of fuel Results: In the school year: - more than 500 fewer buses were needed statewide than originally estimated - 15,000,000 fewer miles were driven than originally estimated Between 1990 & 1996: - the state saved over 2,000,000 gallons of fuel

Wildfires Montana Inconsistent and often out-of- date base maps Inconsistent and often out-of- date base maps Very difficult to integrate various databases Very difficult to integrate various databases Inability to quickly create special maps Inability to quickly create special maps Impossible to get a composite overview of different and widespread incidents Impossible to get a composite overview of different and widespread incidents Decision making often based on incomplete or dated information Decision making often based on incomplete or dated information Inconsistent and often out-of- date base maps Inconsistent and often out-of- date base maps Very difficult to integrate various databases Very difficult to integrate various databases Inability to quickly create special maps Inability to quickly create special maps Impossible to get a composite overview of different and widespread incidents Impossible to get a composite overview of different and widespread incidents Decision making often based on incomplete or dated information Decision making often based on incomplete or dated information Without GIS:

Wildfires Montana With GIS: Integration of databases--base maps, satellite images, fire perimeters, power lines, communication sites, vegetation, terrain data, population, potential fire paths, etc. Integration of databases--base maps, satellite images, fire perimeters, power lines, communication sites, vegetation, terrain data, population, potential fire paths, etc. Daily Internet updates with situation maps depicting current information Daily Internet updates with situation maps depicting current information Improved strategic overview of multiple incidents Improved strategic overview of multiple incidents Ability to share consistent maps and data among different agencies Ability to share consistent maps and data among different agencies With GIS: Integration of databases--base maps, satellite images, fire perimeters, power lines, communication sites, vegetation, terrain data, population, potential fire paths, etc. Integration of databases--base maps, satellite images, fire perimeters, power lines, communication sites, vegetation, terrain data, population, potential fire paths, etc. Daily Internet updates with situation maps depicting current information Daily Internet updates with situation maps depicting current information Improved strategic overview of multiple incidents Improved strategic overview of multiple incidents Ability to share consistent maps and data among different agencies Ability to share consistent maps and data among different agencies

Wildfires Montana Results: More efficient decision making about resource allocation and response priority setting More efficient decision making about resource allocation and response priority setting Improved firefighter protection Improved firefighter protection Better population and property protection Better population and property protection Improved interagency cooperation through data sharing Improved interagency cooperation through data sharing Improved daily communication with the public by using custom maps of fire incidents Improved daily communication with the public by using custom maps of fire incidents Results: More efficient decision making about resource allocation and response priority setting More efficient decision making about resource allocation and response priority setting Improved firefighter protection Improved firefighter protection Better population and property protection Better population and property protection Improved interagency cooperation through data sharing Improved interagency cooperation through data sharing Improved daily communication with the public by using custom maps of fire incidents Improved daily communication with the public by using custom maps of fire incidents

New Jersey Growth Management No quantifiable method for assessing change Can not assess the statewide effectiveness of land use policies Can not set land management priorities without integrated information No quantifiable method for assessing change Can not assess the statewide effectiveness of land use policies Can not set land management priorities without integrated information Without GIS:

n Prepared a comprehensive map of open to guide the Governor’s one million acre preservation initiative n Prepared a comprehensive map of open space to guide the Governor’s one million acre preservation initiative n Prepared State Development- Redevelopment Plan statewide n Quantified statewide land use changes from New Jersey Growth Management With GIS:

New Jersey Growth Management n n Assessed relationship of development to water quality in all 21 watersheds n n Can project build-out scenarios for all 566 municipalities n n Integrated water, sewer and other environmental permits with State Development/Redevelopment Plan n n Assessed relationship of development to water quality in all 21 watersheds n n Can project build-out scenarios for all 566 municipalities n n Integrated water, sewer and other environmental permits with State Development/Redevelopment Plan n Provided land use maps to every local mayor n Quantified acres of forests, farms, and wetlands lost over 10 years Results:Results:

Federal Lands Management in Utah Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument Bureau of Land Management instructed to develop a permanent management plan (the first National Monument the BLM would administer)

National Monument Planning n Assuring public involvement becomes a difficult task. More chance of resource/use conflicts after implementation. More chance of resource/use conflicts after implementation. Difficult to visualize and communicate results of planning process. Difficult to visualize and communicate results of planning process. Without GIS:

National Monument Planning With GIS: Provided a common data base for all interested parties Provided a common data base for all interested parties Data was made public through BLM web site facilitating public involvement at any time Data was made public through BLM web site facilitating public involvement at any time “What if” questions were asked and analyzed (both for BLM and for public) “What if” questions were asked and analyzed (both for BLM and for public) GIS itself became a tool for GIS itself became a tool for public comment, planning involvement, and scenario suggestion

National Monument Planning Final management recommendations passed without major conflicts or legal appeals. GIS provided the necessary common language, and venue for community involvement. Final management recommendations passed without major conflicts or legal appeals. GIS provided the necessary common language, and venue for community involvement. Results:

Land Exchange in Utah State owns scattered parcels throughout Utah. Many in Parks, Monuments, and Indian Reservations. State owns scattered parcels throughout Utah. Many in Parks, Monuments, and Indian Reservations. School revenue is difficult to generate in many of these protected or inaccessible areas. School revenue is difficult to generate in many of these protected or inaccessible areas. Exchange state school sections for BLM parcels where revenue can be generated for School Trust.

Without GIS: Long time period for assessment of tradeoffs between state and federal parcels. Long time period for assessment of tradeoffs between state and federal parcels. Valuable time spent determining what resources exist on candidate parcels, their extent, and coming to agreement on their value. Valuable time spent determining what resources exist on candidate parcels, their extent, and coming to agreement on their value. Reports generated by hand for parcel level ownership and value. Reports generated by hand for parcel level ownership and value. Land Exchange in Utah

With GIS: Decisions made based on statewide data that is available to anyone (public, private, government). Parcel value and identification open to scrutiny by all interested parties. Decisions made based on statewide data that is available to anyone (public, private, government). Parcel value and identification open to scrutiny by all interested parties. Ability to analyze, compare, and visualize tradeoff options and resolve conflicts. Ability to analyze, compare, and visualize tradeoff options and resolve conflicts. GIS provides the tools for analyzing the effects of land exchanges on adjacent areas (wilderness, development, sensitive species, etc.). GIS provides the tools for analyzing the effects of land exchanges on adjacent areas (wilderness, development, sensitive species, etc.). Land Exchange in Utah

Utah and Interior Department close one of largest land exchanges in history of US. The state receives revenue generating parcels, while the BLM consolidates it holdings in reserved areas. Utah and Interior Department close one of largest land exchanges in history of US. The state receives revenue generating parcels, while the BLM consolidates it holdings in reserved areas. 400,000 acres are 400,000 acres are exchanged, plus an additional$200,000,000. “Without good tools and data this deal would not have happened” - Brad Barber, State Planning Coordinator Land Exchange in Utah Results:

A vision for the present... Bringing it all together to support decision making

Aerial Imagery Elevation Geodetic Control Boundaries Surface Waters Transportation Land Ownership Other Thematic Data Framework Data Relationships Among Data Build Once, Use Many Times Soils Sewer Lines Water Lines Landcover Demographics Flood Zones

Relationships Among Data Build Once, Use Many Times n Government information is a valuable national resource - OMB A-130 n Geographic information is intertwined with the broad field of Information Technology n Geography serves as the common thread to weave together diverse data bases n 80% of government data has spatial component n Can’t effectively do E-Gov without G-Gov

Geographic Data Partnerships Standards Information Technology GIS NSDI Public Access A foundation exists for a national approach to develop, maintain, and share geographic data Data Maintenance High Speed Networks

Tap into the Power of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Leadership Leadership –Be a champion - align your organization with the NSDI and determine how it contributes –Foster collaborative efforts Commitment Commitment –Incorporate geographic components into your organization’s data and daily business –Dedicate resources to ensure long term success Engagement Engagement –Stay aware of evolving geographic technology –Get involved with national/statewide organizations