Federal Geographic Data Committee
Charter for Subcommittee on Marine and Coastal Spatial Data
I. Purpose of the Charter
This exhibit addresses the lead agency responsibilities for the coordination
of publicly available marine and coastal spatial data and related activities
among Federal agencies. This exhibit establishes a mechanism to coordinate
the acquisition, development, use, sharing, and dissemination of marine
and coastal spatial 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 marine and coastal spatial data activities
is assigned to the Department of Commerce (DOC). This departmental government-wide
leadership for marine and coastal spatial 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 the DOC
and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) enabling
authorities, regulations, Memoranda of Understanding, and other relevant
national and international responsibilities.
This authority is contained within the following statute: 33 U.S.C. 883a,
et seq - "To conduct bathymetric surveys, to process and publish
nautical data and information."
III. Lead Agency
The lead agency responsible for the coordination, management, and dissemination
of marine and coastal spatial data is the DOC/NOAA. This organization
will develop and implement a plan to coordinate marine and coastal spatial
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 marine and coastal spatial data coordination, the DOC/NOAA
is directly responsible to the FGDC and ensures compliance to the objectives
and guidance provided by the FGDC.
Within the DOC, the agency with this responsibility is NOAA, National
Ocean Service, Coastal Services Center.
IV. Subcommittee
A Subcommittee on Marine and Coastal Spatial Data (hereafter called the
Subcommittee) will be established to promote standards of accuracy and
currentness in marine and coastal spatial data financed in whole or in
part by Federal funds; to exchange information on technological improvements
for collecting marine and coastal spatial data; to encourage the Federal
and non-Federal community to identify and adopt standards and specifications
for marine and coastal spatial data; and to collect and process the requirements
for Federal and non-Federal organizations for marine and coastal spatial
data.
V. Membership
The Subcommittee shall consist of representatives designated by the Federal
agencies that collect, or finance the collection of marine and coastal
spatial data as part of their mission or have direct application of these
data through legislated mandates. Each member agency of the Subcommittee
shall designate its representative, an alternate if necessary, and changes
thereto, by memorandum from that agency to the FGDC Executive Secretary
(hereafter called the Executive Secretary). Other Federal organizations
may be added with the concurrence of the Subcommittee Chairperson. Federal
organizations can request membership by writing to the Executive Secretary.
The Subcommittee shall be chaired by the member from the DOC/NOAA. Within
the NOAA the responsible office will be: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Office of Coast Survey.
The Subcommittee may also invite non-Federal participation, on an ad
hoc basis, to provide information and briefings as determined by the needs
of the Subcommittee.
VI. Responsibility
Responsibilities of the Subcommittee include the following:
A. Facilitate the coordination of agencies' activities and the exchange
of marine and coastal spatial data, by formal and informal means.
B. Collect and compile information on Federal agencies' marine and coastal
spatial data activities.
C. Participate in the development and evaluation of data definitions
and standards used by United Nations' and other international organizations
and make recommendations for their inclusion in marine and coastal spatial
data activities as appropriate.
D. Determine which categories of marine and coastal spatial data are
to be included in the National Digital marine and coastal spatial data
Base and recommend the addition of other categories of marine and coastal
spatial data not currently being collected.
E. Assist the DOC/NOAA in establishing and publishing standards and specifications
for marine and coastal spatial data, and assist in establishing priorities
for marine and coastal spatial data collection, processing, and dissemination.
F. Develop and adopt standards of content, format, accuracy, and currentness
for use by all Federal agencies and to encourage use by non-Federal organizations.
G. Promote governmentwide use of defined and published spatial data transfer
standards for marine and coastal spatial data.
H. Establish and maintain mechanisms and reports to interface with data
bases of other agencies participating in the National Geographic Data
System.
I. Facilitate the economic and efficient application of marine and coastal
spatial data through the sharing of experiences involving applications.
J. Support higher-order or cross-cutting activities established or recognized
by the FGDC.
K. Ensure that the disposition of marine and coastal spatial data is
carried out in coordination with National Geophysical Data Center and
the National Archives and Records Administration in order to provide for
the preservation of historically valuable data.
The following data are currently under the purview of the subcommittee:
hydrographic data, including all nautical charting and bathymetric data;
shoreline data; marine cadastral data; coastal remote sensing data; and
benthic (ocean floor data). The following data will not be the responsibility
of the subcommittee: data outside of the landward limit coastal zone,
as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. The above list
is considered to be flexible--other data can be added as seen fit.
VII. Procedures
Subcommittee meetings shall be held at the call of the Subcommittee Chairperson,
and shall be held at least semi-annually. Normally, notification of meetings
will be distributed to members of the Subcommittee and to the Executive
Secretary 30 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 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.
VIII. 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 sub-group requires
the approval of the FGDC. Participation in these groups may be drawn from
its member organizations and from other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
IX. Coordinating Mechanisms
The Subcommittee will employ those tools that are best suited to meeting
its responsibilities, such as 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 Coordination Group.
X. Reports
The Subcommittee shall report to the FGDC annually, by December 31, describing
the requirements for the collection, processing, and availability of marine
and coastal spatial data. This annual status report shall be submitted
to the Executive Secretary, and shall contain:
accomplishments for 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 the annual FGDC report to the Office of Management and Budget,
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 information or educational brochures on the use and availability of
marine and coastal spatial 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 Chairperson, the Executive
Secretary, and the chairperson of the FGDC Coordination Group, subcommittees,
and working groups.
XI. Termination
The Subcommittee shall remain in existence until terminated by the FGDC.
At that time, a new exhibit shall be developed by the DOC/NOAA describing
how the coordination for marine and coastal spatial data will be undertaken.
(Revised August 25, 2000)
Definition of marine and coastal spatial data -- For the purposes
of the Subcommittee, the definition will be broken into data that exists
within our nations' coastal zone, and data that exist within our the nations'
marine environment. Coastal spatial data are data that exist within the
coastal waters and the adjacent shorelands, strongly influenced by each
other and in proximity to the shorelines of the several coastal states,
and includes transitional and intertidal areas, salt marshes, wetlands,
and beaches. The zone extends, in Great Lakes waters, to the international
boundary between the United States and Canada and, in other areas, seaward
to the outer limit of the United States territorial sea. The zone extends
inland form the shorelines only to the extent necessary to control shorelands,
the uses of which have a direct and significant impact on the coastal waters.
Excluded from the coastal zone are lands the use of which is by law subject
solely to the discretion of or which is held in trust by the Federal government,
its officers, or agents. Marine spatial data are data that exist seaward
to the outer limit of the United States territorial sea.
