The IWG - OCM Frequently Asked Questions

• What is IWG-OCM?
  IWG-OCM is the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping. It is one of five working groups established by the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST). (http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_iwgs.html)
  
  
• On what authority is IWG-OCM making an inventory?
  The inventory answers the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and OMB Circular A-16.
  
  
• What will the inventory do?
  The inventory will increase the efficiency of the nation's ocean and coastal mapping activities. It will offer a clearinghouse for data and interpretive information and a registry of completed and projected mapping activities that will reduce duplication of efforts and enable cooperative activities. The inventory portal will increase the value of data and information resources, initially by facilitating access to appropriate data and later by facilitating integration of data and map products. Ultimately the inventory should serve as the platform for the development of new tools for data integration and application.
  
  
• How is the inventory related to similar activities?
  The inventory will be consistent with Geospatial One-Stop, interagency efforts underway to develop an Integrated Ocean Observing System, and best practices derived from a review of existing data inventory tools. It will leverage and provide interoperability among agency-specific and special-purpose inventories.
  
  
• What will the inventory include?
  • Timing: The inventory will provide up-to-date information about planned and completed mapping activities in an activity registry.
    
    
  • Mapping activities: The activity registry will include federally funded activities that fund/collect/provide data within the scope of the inventory, and federally funded activities that use/need such data.
    
    
  • Data types: The inventory will include all types of geospatial data, and also nongeospatial data that describe the morphology, texture, or composition of the solid earth (for example, aerial photographs and seismic profiles).
    
    
  • Geographical boundaries: The IWG-OCM Inventory will include the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ), extended continental shelf areas claimed under the Law of the Sea, and the Great Lakes. On land, it will include regions that fall within the U.S. coastal zone.
    
    
• What are initial priorities?
  • High-priority services: The inventory's first task will be the construction of the activity registry and a searchable inventory (using both geospatial display and advanced query options) of available data with information on how to get the data.
    
    
  • High-priority data types: The inventory will initially focus on elevation data (bathymetry/hydrography/topography, shorelines), surface characterization (sea floor mapping, land cover), and seismic data. Data and products with national scope or temporal changes such as elevation, shoreline, and surface characterization will be a major focus.
    
    
• What will be included in the future?
  Future efforts will focus on inclusion of real-time data and interactive models, information and data that are not federally funded, and tools for data integration, visualization, and analysis.
  
  
• What is the next step?
  In September 2007, an interagency workshop will be held to recommend a design for the inventory and set timelines for implementation.
  
  
• Who is going to pay for the inventory?
  The inventory is being developed through coordination of agency activities that are already funded.
  
  
• Who should I contact for more information?
  Contact a member of the IWG-OCM Technical Working Group
  
  Steve Kopach, Stephen.Kopach@mms.gov
  Robby Wilson, Robert.Wilson@noaa.gov
  Jim Fulmer, James.Fulmer@mms.gov
  Fran Lightsom, flightsom@usgs.gov
  Eddie Wiggins, charles.e.wiggins@us.army.mil
  
  
• Where can I find inventory examples?
  
  Geospatial One-Stop
  http://www.geodata.gov
  
  RAMONA GIS Inventory
  http://gisinventory.net
  
  NOAA Data Explorer
  http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/dataexplorer
  
  National Digital Elevation Program (NDEP)
  http://www.ndep.gov
  
  Priority Habitat Information System (PHINS)
  http://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/habid_public

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