1. State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems Council Annual Report - December 2008 Submitted in Accordance with C.G.S. 11- 4 (a)

2. About the GIS Council The State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Council is defined by §C.G.S. 4d-90 to “coordinate, within available appropriations, a uniform geo-spatial information system capacity for municipalities, regional planning agencies, the state and others.” The GIS Council was formed in January 2006 with the appointment of members from municipalities, state agencies, and higher education. The Council consists of four working groups:  Data and Inventory Assessment  Education and Training  Legal and Security  Finance Nine GIS Council meetings were held in 2008. In addition, over 35 meetings were held by the various active Working Groups of the GIS Council demonstrating the significant commitment by Connecticut's GIS practitioners in improving coordination and planning. Minutes and agendas are posted on the GIS Council website, located at www.ct.gov/gis. GIS Council Membership Representative of a municipality with population greater than 30,000 but less than 60,000 (Appointed by Governor) Representative of municipality with population greater than 60,000 (Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore) Representative from a Regional Planning Agency (Appointed by Senate Minority Leader) Representative of a municipality with population less than 30,000 (Appointed by Speaker, House of Representatives) GIS User (Appointed by Minority Leader, House of Representatives) Executive Branch Agencies Department of Information Technology (Chair) Office of Policy Management Department of Environmental Protection Department of Economic and Community Development Department of Transportation Department of Public Safety Department of Public Health Department of Public Works Department of Agriculture Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department of Social Services Connecticut Siting Council Department of Public Utility Control Military Department Higher Education Connecticut State University System University of Connecticut

3. State GIS System Receives "Special Achievement in GIS" Award In August 2008, the Geographic Emergency Management System (GEMS), developed by the Department of Information Technology in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, received a "Special Achievement in GIS" award at the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference in San Diego. It was one of 182 national and international projects selected for recognition at the conference, which drew 13,000 people from 123 countries. The GEMS system provides web-based access to GIS datasets owned by multiple agencies and enables emergency response personnel to analyze and query geographic data, including census, transportation, critical infrastructure, hydrography, topography, political boundaries and more. In a September 8, 2008 news release, Governor M. Jodi Rell commended both agencies for their work and stated "this technology is essential for a coordinated, swift and effective state and local in the event of a homeland security emergency.” Governor Rell also stated that "the recognition underscores the growing importance of GIS in government and across the public and private sectors.” To read the full text of Governor Rell's news release, select here.select here Strategic and Business Planning In 2008, the Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Council continued its work on a statewide uniform geospatial capacity, and other activities in accordance with its Strategic and Business Plan. The plan, issued and adopted in 2007, includes the following strategic and program goals: 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. Program Goals  Improve coordination and organize GIS efforts across all levels of government (federal, state, regional, and local).  Develop a core set of framework data layers that can be shared across state agencies and with local government.  Communicate the benefits of and educate decision makers on the use of geospatial technology to increase adoption and provide sustainable funding.

4. Framework GIS Datasets The Strategic Plan calls for development of a core set of framework data layers that can be shared. The following datasets were identified for Connecticut’s GIS effort:  Addressing  Administrative and Political Boundaries  Base Map Imagery (Ortho, Oblique 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 Strategic Plan calls for Framework Data layers to contain various data resolutions and scales. Labels identifying businesses, services and other points of interest would be able to be added as well as imagery of all types (orthophotos, infrared, oblique, bathymetry) to enhance the use of the data. This map could be used as a guide for the statewide data repository, and can be used to connect people to spatial data for better communication throughout the state. Properties that are available for occupation could be accessed through an economic development web site. Working Group Summary: Data Inventory and Assessment Identifying Framework Datasets The Data Inventory and Assessment Working Group is tasked with identifying framework datasets and establishing standards and policies for the maintenance and dissemination of GIS data. In 2008, the established Framework Subcommittees of the Working Group focused on development of business plans and standards for each of the framework GIS datasets for Connecticut. These Business plans and Standards Document s are considered live documents and as such will be periodically updated as necessary. Several of the Business Plans and Standards were submitted to the Council for review and approval in September while others are still being finalized. The documents can be viewed on the GIS Council website. Development of Cooperative Data Sharing Agreements The working group continues work on cooperative data sharing agreements with three bordering states to enable each State to acquire needed GIS data in the event of an emergency. Statewide Imagery The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) will be acquiring Orthophotography for its region in the Spring of 2009. The Council is currently attempting to coordinate funding to expand this to a Statewide effort.

5. Working Group Summary: Education and Training The Education and Training Working Group explores methods to train and educate GIS users in Connecticut about events, training opportunities, technology programs, and GIS trends. The GIS Strategic Plan calls for the development of elements designed to bolster communication and outreach to multiple audiences, including:  Educational Materials including standard presentations, for use in education about the use of GIS in the state;  Newsletters detailing current GIS related activity within the state; and  GIS User to User Group to foster communication and collaboration between the GIS Council and the diverse user community. The Strategic Plan also identified venues and organizations through which to conduct community outreach. This will create an atmosphere of open dialogue and bi-directional flow of information with stakeholder groups. Areas of Focus in 2008 The working group conducted the following activities in 2008: Council’s Website Enhancements were made to the GIS Council’s website to make it easier for visitors to find information about GIS, education and training events in CT, upcoming meetings, and other topics of general interest to the state’s GIS user community. Outreach and Educational Materials A quarterly newsletter, titled Connecticut Geo-Focus was initiated and published in the spring, summer, and fall of 2008. The newsletter contains information and stories about GIS use in the state, data development and Council activities. An electronic version of the newsletter is available on the Council’s website. The Working Group also developed a tri-panel brochure that describes the Council, its mission, membership and activities and developed a PowerPoint presentation that explains what GIS is and how it is being used in the state. GIS Day at Southern Connecticut State University The Working Group organized and co-hosted with Southern Connecticut State University a GIS event that was held at SCSU on November 19, 2008. GIS Day included a number of short presentations and an extensive display of poster depicting GIS applications at state agencies, RPOs, municipalities and colleges and universities. A rotating display of posters also was maintained at the Legislative Office Building throughout November. Status of GIS in Connecticut Municipalities The Working Group began development of a database on the status of GIS use in Connecticut’s municipalities. The purpose of the database is to document the extent of GIS use at the municipal level and to provide municipal GIS manager contact information.

6. GIS Day – November 19, 2008 GIS Day was celebrated in all 50 states and more than 80 nations on November 19, 2008. In Connecticut, Governor M. Jodi Rell issued a proclamation in honor of the event. The State GIS Council organized an event at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) to highlight the use of geospatial technology across Connecticut. The event was co-hosted by the GIS Council’s Education and Training Working Group and SCSU’s GI Science Club and Geography Department. There were GIS posters and maps on display to showcase the breadth and extent of GIS use across many disciplines. Presentations highlighted a broad range of technical and educational topics, including "mashups," GIS use on a Blackberry©, oblique aerial imagery, use of GIS in foreign language instruction, and student retention. Over 200 attendees were on hand for a look at some of the newer uses of this versatile technology. In addition, a selection of GIS posters were on display at the Legislative Office building for the entire month of November. The posters and presentation materials are essential to raising awareness of the breadth and extent of geospatial technology applications in Connecticut. They are available for viewing on the council website www.ct.gov/gis and will be reused in future outreach efforts. More than 30 organizations and individuals contributed posters for the event at SCSU and many were on display in the Legislative Office Building for the month of November.