Appendix E: Federal Geographic Data Committee

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) was established by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16 to promote the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geographic data. The FGDC is composed of representatives from the following federal agencies:

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Library of Congress
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Archives and Records Administration
National Science Foundation
Tennessee Valley Authority

The National States Geographic Information Council and the National Association of Counties also participate in the FGDC. Additional federal agencies participate on FGDC subcommittees and working groups. The Department of the Interior chairs the committee.

Subcommittees coordinate key data categories. Subcommittees establish and implement standards for data content, quality, and transfer; encourage the exchange of information and the transfer of data; and coordinate the collection of geographic data to reduce duplication of effort. The following are the subcommittees and their lead departments:

Base Cartographic, Department of the Interior
Bathymetric, Department of Commerce
Cadastral, Department of the Interior
Cultural and Demographic, Department of Commerce
Geodetic, Department of Commerce
Geologic, Department of the Interior
Ground Transportation, Department of Transportation
International Boundaries, Department of State
Soils, Department of Agriculture
Vegetation, Department of Agriculture
Water, Department of the Interior (co-sponsored with the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data)
Wetlands, Department of the Interior

Working groups address issues that transcend data categories. Working groups have been established for issues of data archives, clearinghouse, earth cover, facilities, framework, standards, and sample inventory and monitoring of natural resources and the environment.

A coordination group develops implementation strategies and coordinates committee- wide activities, such as gathering needs and evaluating proposals.

The FGDC can be contacted by the following means:
Mail:
Federal Geographic Data
Committee Secretariat
c/o U.S. Geological Survey
590 National Center
Reston, Virginia 20192

Telephone: (703) 648-5514
Facsimile: (703) 648-5755
Electronic mail: fgdc@fgdc.gov
World Wide Web: http://www.fgdc.gov