Data Bank Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 29,
2000, 9:30 A.M.
Department of
Agriculture (Platte) Conference Room, 4th Floor
301 Centennial Mall South,
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Those present were: (Voting Members *)
Mike Slifer* U.S. Geological
Survey
Bobbi Kriz-Wickham * Department of Agriculture
Laura
Hardesty * HHS-Regulation
& Licensure
Wayne Vanek * Natural
Resources Conservation Service, USDA
Paul Yamamoto * Department of Environmental Quality
Mark Kuzila * Conservation and Survey Division/UNL
Dan Hoffman
* Governor's Policy
Research Office
Larry Zink GIS
Steering Committee
Dayle Williamson Department of Natural Resources
Mahendra Bansal Department of Natural Resources
Gayle Starr Department
of Natural Resources
Robert Gower Department
of Natural Resources
Ken Huber Department
of Natural Resources
Gayle Follmer Department of Natural Resources
Steve Gaul Department
of Natural Resources
Josh Lear Department
of Natural Resources
Jeff Hogan Department
of Natural Resources
Kim Menke Department
of Natural Resources
Steve Rathje Department
of Natural Resources
Call to
Order
Chairperson
Mark Kuzila called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and roll call was
taken. A quorum was present.
Public
Notice
A
public notice of the meeting was published in the Lincoln Journal and Star on
November 22, 2000. A copy of the
meeting notice and agenda were also posted on the DNR Web site on November 15,
2000.
Public
Comment
There were no public comments.
Approval of
Minutes
Chairperson
Mark Kuzila asked for a motion to approve the June 5, 2000 meeting minutes, and
said that the minutes were mailed to all participants and also posted over the
web. Mike Slifer asked for correction
in the spelling of "Phil Soenksen" from USGS.
There
being no other corrections or comments, it was moved and seconded that the
minutes be approved. The motion carried.
Aye: Vanek, Hardesty, Hoffman, Wickham, Yamamoto,
Slifer, and Kuzila
Nay: None
Informational
Material
The
following items of informational material were handed out during the course of
the meeting. A copy of each is attached to the file copy of the Minutes.
Data
Bank Revised Goals and Objectives
Data Base Inventory
Information Technology Challenges
DNR Fee Schedule
SSURGO Database Production Schedule
Tagged Vector Contours Production
Schedule
Web Statistics Printout
Agency
Merger Related activities
Bansal
reported that in addition to providing PC support and network connections, the
Data Bank has created a new web site, new domain "dnr", and a new
email server for providing e-mail addresses for all staff to reflect the
current name of the agency. He discussed the need to streamline various
operating systems (Windows 2000, 98, 95 and NT) with Office Suite software
applications such as Microsoft Access 95, Access 97 and Access 2000. The
variations in operating system and Office Suite versions cause drop in system
performance, and data files do not communicate well with each other.
Network Integration and
Firewall: Rob Gower briefed the
committee about integration of NRC and DWR computer networks, and agency's
plans for installing a firewall for network security. The firewall will basically restrict the public to a specific
area on the net, called the demilitarized zone, and will not allow access to
other areas that may pose a security threat to the agency. The implementation
of firewall and network security measures may somewhat affect our technical
support to NRDs but every effort will be made to maintain a level of support.
Operating
System and PC Backups: Ken Huber briefly talked about the
implementation schedule for MS Windows 2000 and Office 2000. He stated that the IT section expects to
complete
its upgrade plan by the end of 2001. Also included in his discussion was the
topic of individual PC backup procedures. The Data Bank has determined that a
centralized backup system for individual PCs is staff intensive. The
alternative approach of an individual tape drive on each PC would allow end
user to backup the PC whenever necessary.
This approach promotes efficient utilization of available resources. The
centralized backup system (consisting of tape libraries and network backup
software) that we currently have, will continually be used to backup enterprise
servers, workstations and selected PCs on a regular basis.
Virus Protection: The DNR plans to
incorporate an enterprise-wide anti-virus protection instead of individual
PC-based programs because of ease and security to update an enterprise program
centrally. For PC protection, it is
necessary to update the anti-virus software regularly. The cost of enterprise
anti-virus solution is no higher than individual PC-based programs. Williamson
asked if laptops were protected with anti virus programs. Rathje replied that as a rule all laptops
have
anti-virus
programs. The disadvantage is that
there is no automatic way to update this software when new viruses come out.
Revised Goals and
Objectives: Bansal summarized the Goals
setting process for the Data Bank. Recent rapid advancements in Information
Technology have brought numerous changes to the Information Management and the
Data Bank industry. When the Nebraska Legislature created Data Bank in 1968,
there were no Personal Computers, no Internet, and no GIS technology. The purpose at that time was to acquire,
store and process (historical) base data at a centralized location and make it available
to general public upon request. Recent technological advances have necessitated
a fresh look at the goals and objectives of the Data Bank. The demands have shifted from static to
dynamic data, from historic to real time information, and from basic to geo-
application data. Currently, we are in an era of e-government, e-transactions
and e-solutions which call for on-line availability of processed, analytic and
interpretative information 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We are moving in a
direction where base (field observations) data would no longer be acquired;
rather it would be linked from data collecting agency's site when needed. In the future, modern displaying and
advanced processing tools will be needed to provide information to decision-makers
and the general public. He said that
the current GIS (geographic information system) technology is space related,
while future GIS (global information system) technology would be both space and
time dependent. At some point it will
be possible to process (satellite) data on a real time basis. With real-time data, it won't be necessary
to revise DOQs. In view of these
changes, the Data Bank has revised the goals and objectives, along with short
and long term goals. The revised goals emphasize e-government services that
should be implemented within the next two years.
Kuzila asked the members to
provide their comments on the revised Goals and Objective statement to the Data
Bank by February 1st. Zink remarked that the GIS
Steering Committee is also concerned with similar issues. Kuzila offered to take the revised Data Bank
goals and objectives to the GIS Steering Committee. Nonetheless, he suggested
that we consider this document for approval at our next meeting.
Database
Updates
Bansal
said that DNR has developed two statewide databases, the Digital Elevation
Models and the Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles, and these coverages are
interactively available on line.
Currently, staff members are working on Soil Surveys (SSURGO) database
in cooperation with C&S and NRCS, and staff exploring the development of
National Hydrographic database patterned after a pilot project on Logan Creek
watershed. Paul Yamamoto asked if a
Land Use dataset will be produced. It was reported that the COHYST Project has
compiled several databases including the landuse, and it can be accessed
through the DNR website. It is also
available through the CALMIT site.
Williamson
reported that he attended the NRCS Technical Committee meeting and they
discussed about a pesticide management plan that the Nebraska Department of
Agriculture must develop in the next two years. The pesticide management is an emerging issue, and every state
will need to develop a plan. He said that a dataset on county pesticides has
been developed by DEQ, DOA, Water Center, USGS and C&SD. The DNR will check and determine if this
information should be linked to the website along with other Data Bank
information.
SSURGO Soils: Gayle Follmer provided an update on SSURGO Soils. At this time,
49 counties have been certified, 3 other counties are in certification review,
and liaisons are working on Gage County which is an update county. Since these three completed (northeast)
counties are in a different MLRA region, they have been sent to St. Paul, Minnesota
for certification. This Center is taking an extra ordinary amount of time to
certify products. Another MLRA region
of the state for SSURGO certification will be Bismarck, North Dakota. Kuzila asked Williamson if it was possible
to have Salina Center continue to certify our SSURGO soils, as it knows our
process. The certification process somehow is not similar across the nation.
Williamson agreed to check on this with Steve Chick.
Tagged Vector Contours: Kim Menke reported that the
statewide contour database is published on DNR's web site. As this data is
further edited and cleaned, it will be updated online. Bansal mentioned that
the TVC data is a by-product of DEMs and has proven to be very useful. The
agency is using it to produce 10-meter DEMs.
Well Registration: Menke also reported that the
registered groundwater wells database has been updated through September 2000
and is available online. The Data Bank is in the process of enhancing
groundwater wells input procedures by moving to Microsoft Access 2000. Also, the Department is working with
Nebraska Online to automate well registration forms and register wells over the
Internet. Williamson commented that legislation may be required. Bansal
mentioned that this database would also need enhanced quality control measures
for verification of well location. We will ask well drillers to provide GPS
information to interface this database with DOQ coverage to verify well
location. Yamamoto mentioned that several NRDs have utilized GPS to identify
precise location of existing wells within their district and this information
should be included in the database.
Bansal said that once these wells are identified, the information would
be included.
Zink
informed the group that an interagency working group of the Water Resources
Database Advisory Committee is also working on the issues related to
groundwater data and water wells. Zink
and Paul Yamamoto noted that this group has previously worked out standards and
procedures for integrating the GPS data collected by multiple other agencies
into the DNR Registered Wells Database. According to the agreed upon process,
this data should already be referenced by the well registration number. Zink also noted that this working group is
looking at the possibility of encouraging an interagency effort to place a
physical tag on wells with a unique identification number as a way to slowly
cross-reference the multiple agency water well databases. Hardesty noted that the Water Center
Clearinghouse has already compiled and cross-referenced water well data
gathered from multiple agencies.
Groundwater Levels: Steve Rathje provided a computer demonstration of
displaying groundwater levels and other databases through the DNR interactive
map web site. Pre-development groundwater level changes were reviewed to
include Spring 98 and Spring 99 GW level changes on the interactive map.
Surface Water Rights: Rathje said that additional
search and processing routines have been added to the surface water rights
database. The agency can now print
opening and closing notices for surface water right irrigators over the web.
Bansal noted that the DNR is also digitizing irrigated field boundary maps to
develop and provide GIS coverages.
Climatic Data: Jeff Hogan reported that the rainfall, temperature
and extended weather databases were recently updated and made available online.
These databases are currently processed on the SQL Server that can handle
larger databases. Bansal said that DNR
would eventually be using ArcSDE spatial data base management system to
integrate both tabular and GIS databases.
Revision of
DEMS and DOQs
Bansal
reported that at its last meeting the committee recommended revision of
DEM/DOQs statewide for 1999 NAPP Photography based on the Lancaster County pilot
project study. The DNR had entered into an agreement with USGS to complete this
project in two years. It may take three years as USGS has recently revised its
work schedule. Slifer indicated that
the USGS mapping division budget had a shortfall and this could definitely be
the cause of the delay.
The
DNR will generate 10-meter DEMS, and produce DOQs in two coordinate systems,
UTM and the State Plane. Hogan demonstrated the difference between 1993 DOQs
produced using 30-meter DEMs and the 1999 DOQs produced using 10-meter
DEMs. The 1999 DOQs had a better
resolution. The real difference is
noticeable where there is greater land relief.
SQL Server
and ArcSDE DBMS
Bansal
reported that the Data Bank plans to use SQL server and ArcSDE data base
management systems to process GIS databases for interactive applications. The ArcSDE is new software that the DNR has
recently acquired from ESRI.
Internet
Map Server Applications
Rathje
demonstrated interactive map server application using well registration data. He said that this application is developed
using Visual Basic programming and IMS application software acquired from
ESRI. Bansal noted that an updated
version of ArcIMS is also out, and the Data Bank staff is trying to set it up.
Integration
of Canal Diversion database with USGS Stream records
Bansal
briefed that two sets of stream flow records are processed in the Data Bank,
one for the USGS station records and the other for the DNR field
observations. Some station records were
dropped by USGS, and later resumed by DNR. To keep continuity of records, the
Data Bank is planning to integrate the two databases. To accomplish this, a
common station numbering system or a classification system for the DNR
diversion points and stations similar to the USGS will be necessary.
Well
Registration over the Internet
Bansal
reported that the DNR, in cooperation with Nebraska Online, would soon be
registering groundwater wells over the Internet. The NOL is developing the
e-forms and the Data Bank will provide the associated databases. The data
organization procedures are almost completed and the registration of wells may
start as soon as February 2001. The well driller's information will be provided
by the HHS, and the collection of well GPS data remains to be resolved.
Development
of NHD Database
Bansal
said that a pilot project to develop high resolution Hydrographic database for
the Logan Creek Watershed is in progress. It is expected to complete by June
2001. The project will establish standards, methodologies and procedures for
statewide development of a NHD database.
Josh Lear reported that almost half of watershed was completed. The
updating of DLGs from DOQs is the most time consuming taking almost about 8
hours per quadrangle. The Database
Advisory group of the GIS Steering Committee is addressing the issue of limited
updates. The USGS costs for limited updates are $2400 per quadrangle against
$600 for no updates. Zink said that the
NHD is a high priority database, and the Database Committee is working on both
the technical and coordination aspects of the project. There seems to be a
considerable amount of support for this project among several agencies and
funding is available. However, what is
really needed is an institutional home out of which we can base this
multi-year project. One proposal
currently under consideration is an approach that would require one to one and
a half FTE from the home agency to provide overall coordination and technical
support and then use other agencies' funds to contract out the development of
revised digital linework. It is thought
that we could hire students or other temporary help to undertake the
development of this revised stream linework. The pilot project was scheduled for
completion by September 2000 but a number of factors caused delays.
Web Access Statistics
Jeff
Hogan reported on the web statistics system, called "Webtrends"
currently in use by DNR. Web statistics
are generated online by various groups and categories, including the number of
hits by database. The October 2000 statistics indicated that the hits for
registered wells were the maximum followed by groundwater levels and DOQ
databases. Rathje indicated that this statistics was specific to a server. Some databases could reside on a different
server. Kuzila asked if soils database
was listed in the statistics. That database is listed.
2001
Nebraska GIS Symposium
Bansal
mentioned that the DNR would be actively participating in the 2001 Nebraska GIS
Symposium by putting workshops, displaying posters, computer demonstration, and
break out sessions. This Symposium will
be held on May 7-10 at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Other
Business
Bansal
stated that DNR is the lead agency for Nebraska for the U. S. Census Bureau's
Federal State Cooperative Program of Population Estimates. As part of the
program, the Data Bank is participating in the count review of 2000
Census. Selected members of the Data
Bank staff go to Washington D.C. to work with the Bureau of the Census in
reviewing 2000 Census population counts. The initial review is completed and
the final review will take place in January 2001.
The
Data Bank will be assisting NRDs in the sub-districting process using 2000
Census population counts. The staff will prepare voting district maps for each
NRD in coordination with the Legislative Office.
Next
Meeting Date
Members
will be notified by e-mail for the next meeting date. The meeting is usually
held every six months. There being no other discussion, the meeting adjourned
at 12:05 P.M.