Exhibit A -- FGDC Geologic Data Subcommittee
I. PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBIT
This exhibit addresses lead agency responsibilities for the coordination
of geologic data-related activities among Federal agencies and
establishes a mechanism for the coordinated development, use, sharing,
and dissemination of geologic data financed in whole or in part by
Federal funds.
II. AUTHORITY
Under the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, revised 1990,
responsibility to coordinate geologic data-related activities is assigned
to the Department of Interior. This departmental governmentwide
leadership for geologic data coordination is carried out under the policy
guidance and oversight of the Federal Geographic Data Committee
(hereafter called the FGDC).
Pertinent enabling authority also resides in the language of enabling authorities of the U.S. Geological Survey, including 43 U.S.C. 31(a), The Organic Act of 1879; 42 U.S.C. 5845(c) The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq. The National Environmental Policy Act; PL 94-579, The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; and PL 102-285, The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
III. SCOPE
As used in this exhibit, geologic data refers to
geographically-referenced data pertaining to the origin, history,
composition, and structure of the solid Earth, both onshore and offshore,
and to the processes that act on the Earth's surface and within the
Earth. The data include (1) geologic maps, which record the spatial
distribution, composition, and structure of rocks and sediments at the
Earth's surface, derivative maps that show the distribution of selected
elements from the geologic map or characteristics pertaining to those
elements, such as thickness, facies, or engineering properties, and
geologic (structure) sections; (2) geophysical maps, which describe Earth
materials in terms of their physical properties such as gravity, magnetic
susceptibility, and seismicity, and derivative maps such as mathematical
derivatives for gravity and magnetic anomaly data and travel-times for
waves propagating through earth materials; (3) geochemical maps which
describe the distribution of amounts of chemical elements in Earth
materials; and (4) textual information and digital data relating to such
map information and to ancillary fields of investigations including, but
not limited to, stratigraphy (the definition and description of rock
units), paleontology (the description, interpretation, age determination,
and geographic and stratigraphic distribution of fossils), geochronology
(the study of geologic time by the application of methods based on
radioactive decay), and isotope geologic (the description and
interpretation of radioactive and stable isotopes in Earth materials).
Also included are maps, geographically-referenced textual information,
and digital data pertaining to mineral and energy resources, natural
hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion, and
landslides) and the resulting geologic changes, and other topics
involving the acquisition, interpretation, or application of geologic
data.
IV. LEAD AGENCY
The lead agency responsible for the coordination, management, and
dissemination of geologic data is the Department of Interior, U.S.
Geological Survey. This organization will develop and implement a plan
to coordinate geologic data-related activities among Federal and
non-Federal agencies and will report on its activities to the FGDC. In
carrying out its governmentwide leadership in geologic data coordination,
the U.S. Geological Survey is directly responsible to the FGDC and
ensures compliance to the objectives and guidance provided by the
FGDC.
V. SUBCOMMITTEE
A Subcommittee on geologic data (GDSC) (hereafter called the
Subcommittee) will be established to assist the lead agency to coordinate
Federal and non-Federal interests in geologic data, including the
facilitation of exchange of information and transfer of data; the
establishment and implementation of standards for quality, content, and
transferability; and the coordination of the identification of
requirements and the collection of spatial data to minimize duplication
of effort where practicable and economical.
VI. MEMBERSHIP
The Subcommittee shall consist of representatives designated by the
Federal agencies that collect, or finance the collection of, geologic
data as part of their mission or have direct application of these data
through legislated mandate. Each member agency of the Subcommittee shall
designate its representative, an alternate if necessary, and changes
thereto, to the Subcommittee Chairperson. Other organizations may be
added with the concurrence of the Subcommittee Chairperson.
The Subcommittee shall be chaired by the member from the U.S. Geological Survey.
VII. RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibilities of the Subcommittee include the following:
- A. Facilitate the coordination of agencies' activities related to
geologic data and the exchange of geologic data, by formal and informal
means.
- B. Facilitate collection and compilation of information for geologic
data activities.
- C. Participate in the development and evaluation of data definitions
and standards used by United Nations and other international
organizations and make recommendation for their inclusion in geologic
data as appropriate.
- D. Identify ways in which geologic data from any sources may be
included in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
- E. Recommend any changes in the definition of geologic data to more
accurately describe its scope.
- F. Assist the U.S. Geological Survey in establishing and publishing
standards and specifications for the data (for example, incorporating
conversion to metric units), and assist in establishing priorities for
geologic data production.
- G. Assist in the development and adoption of common standards of
content, format, and accuracy for geologic data for use by all Federal
agencies and to encourage use by non-Federal organizations, to increase
its interchangeability and enhance its potential for multiple use.
- H. Promote governmentwide use of defined and published spatial data
transfer standards for geologic data.
- I. Facilitate the economic and efficient application of geologic data
through the sharing of experiences involving applications.
- J. Support higher-order or crosscutting activities established or
recognized by the FGDC.
- K. Encourage agencies to schedule the disposition of geologic data in
coordination with the National Archives and Records Administration in
order to provide for the permanent preservation of historically valuable
data.
VIII. PROCEDURES
Subcommittee meetings shall be held at the call of the Subcommittee
Chairperson, and shall be held at least quarterly. Normally,
notification of meetings and an agenda will be distributed to members of
the Subcommittee and to the FGDC Executive Secretary 10 Federal working
days in advance of the meeting.
All decisions shall be on the basis of consensus agreement. Where agreement is not reached, the issue will be promptly referred to the FGDC Executive Secretary to be scheduled for resolution.
The Subcommittee Chairperson shall consult with the Chairperson of the Coordination Group to determine the need for further coordination prior to implementing Subcommittee decisions that impact the FGDC or its other subcommittees or working groups.
The Subcommittee may establish additional rules and procedures for conducting business.
IX. SUBGROUPS
The Subcommittee may create work groups or task groups, or further
subdivisions, at the discretion of the Subcommittee Chairperson, as
appropriate to carry out its activities and meet its responsibilities.
The establishment of subgroups of more than 12 months duration that are
in addition to any specified in this exhibit and the abolishment of any
such subgroup requires the approval of the FGDC. Participation in these
groups may be drawn from its member organizations and from other
organizations, as appropriate.
X. COORDINATING MECHANISMS
The Subcommittee will employ those tools that are best suited to meeting
its responsibilities, such as subcommittee meetings, national user
forums, annual requirements solicitations, user surveys and analyses,
spatial data user workshops, research initiatives, and cooperative
ventures.
The Subcommittee Chairperson will coordinate the Subcommittee's activities with other FGDC subcommittees, working groups, and other components by participating in the FGDC's Coordination Group.
XI. REPORTS
The Subcommittee shall report to the FGDC annually, by December 31,
describing the requirements for, production of, and availability of
geologic data. This annual status report shall be submitted to the
Executive Secretary, and shall contain
- accomplishments of the past calendar year,
- an operating plan for activities planned for the upcoming year,
- photographs, diagrams, and other materials that may be of value for inclusion in FGDC reports,
- a brief discussion of problems encountered and other matters of interest.
The Subcommittee shall submit the operating plan for the upcoming year for FGDC review and concurrence.
Special reports and technical papers also may be requested by the FGDC during the reporting period describing special projects, coordination with other subcommittees, and the development of status graphics or catalogs and informational or educational brochures on the use and availability of geologic data.
The Subcommittee Chairperson shall provide a draft report of Subcommittee meetings, including Subcommittee recommendations and action items, to all Subcommittee members for review prior to approval.
The Subcommittee Chairperson shall provide the final report of Subcommittee meetings to all Subcommittee members, the FGDC Executive Secretary, and the Standards Working Group Chairperson.
XII. TERMINATION
The Subcommittee shall remain in existence until terminated by the
FGDC.