MO GIS Profile

MO GIS Profile

2002 Profile Index

  1. Legal Direction
  2. Statewide Coordination Groups
  3. Statewide Coordination Offices
  4. Statewide Issues & Intiatives
  5. State Agencies with GIT Activities

State Geographic Information and Related Technology (GI/GIT) Profile: Missouri

Dr. Lisa Warnecke, GeoManagement Associates
February 24, 2000
Updated: February 2002

Project Participants:
National States Geographic Information Council
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Profile Participants:
Tim Haithcoat
Tony Spicci

Missouri has utilized geographic information and related technology (GI/GIT) for over 20 years, with a coordinated statewide approach to these technologies since 1995. Most state agency activity and focus concerns GIS, but satellite data has been used in a few agencies to address specific needs. The Geographic Resources Center, which operates as a part of the University of Missouri, was the state leader in the application of remote sensing in the early 1980’s. Since that time other educational institutions (Lincoln University and Southwest Missouri State University) as well as partnerships groups such as MoRAP have evolved and are using these space-based platforms. GIS usage and application is growing rapidly across state government. The majority of the state agencies are now using GIS with the remainder at least aware of the GIT. Deployment of GIS into regional offices of agencies is taking place (Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation, and Department of Natural Resources). Initiatives to further expand the digital data holdings of the state are ongoing and expanding. Cooperation and partnering to achieve mandated activities of joint agencies is ongoing as well. Direction for GI/GIT leadership and coordination is provided by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) whose director has been very supportive of the growth in GIT. The Missouri GIS Advisory Committee was established under the OIT and is the leading coordination body for GIT in Missouri. Support for this group is provided by the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS), a state-funded center located at the University of Missouri with the purpose of providing archival and distribution services for digital GI to the many users in Missouri.

1. Legal Direction

Missouri’s geographic information and related technology (GI/GIT) activities across state government were initiated in 1988, though the University of Missouri (UM) in Columbia began to use this technology much earlier, and created its Geographic Resources Center (GRC) under the Provost’s Office in 1980. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Highway and Transportation Department started developing department-wide GIS approaches at this time.

As these and other agencies became more active with GIS, an informal Interagency GIS Cooperative was created in December, 1989 among interested state and federal agency representatives. Governor Ashcroft also recognized the need for GIS coordination at a statewide level at this time. He designated MDNR to serve as the lead agency for GIS in state government. As a result, MDNR’s representative in the Cooperative, the GIS Administrator John Finley, served as the Cooperative’s chair until the end of 1990 when that position at MDNR was vacated. Several efforts were made in 1990 to increase the awareness of agency directors about GIS potential, including a meeting of agency directors which served to heighten interest and support but no leader came forth to carry this agenda forward.

The University of Missouri (UM) in Columbia and its Geographic Resources Center then became more involved in statewide GIT coordination needs. In January, 1991 Tim Haithcoat of the GRC drafted a letter which in essence reorganized this group with the purpose of identifying GIS users, their databases, and transfer procedures, as well as to provide a forum for these users within Missouri. The group was renamed MOSAIC (Missouri Systems Access & Information Consortium). This group opened the forum and activities to both public and private users. Several meetings later this group put forward the idea that to achieve the purposes and goals of this activity, a more formal structure or entity was needed as well as a plan for its implementation.

Attention began to grow about information technology and GIT in the mid-1990s. Tim Haithcoat (GRC) drafted a “Strategic management plan for the management and coordination of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and the creation of a State Spatial Data Center” in July, 1993 which presented and advocated a statewide approach. This was then reviewed by several state and federal agencies. After revision this proposal then went forward to the Governor’s Office where it was well received. It was then forwarded as a general revenue budget item into the Missouri State Budget. However, in the final moments of a House budget hearing the source of the funds to implement this plan were altered. Due to limitations of the funding source the actual implementation could not occur during FY93. A different tact was taken in FY94 whereby the Missouri Department of Conservation committed $30,000 and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department committed $25,000 to the GRC to organize the implementation of the strategic plan and its funding base within state government. The Governor then proposed and the Legislature authorized and funded $158,000 in the FY95 Missouri Budget Bill to direct the GRC to “develop a clearinghouse for information on use of GIS systems and on those public data bases available . . to improve the quality and efficiency of state governmental services and decision making through wider application of improved GI.” Funding was organized through a line item within the University of Missouri – Columbia’s FY95 budget, specifically ear-marked for the creation of a State Spatial Data Center within the GRC. The GRC created the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS), and has provided related GI/GIT services for the state since then. Governor Carnahan then sent a letter to directors of state agencies on March 22, 1995 inviting them to “join in launching the Missouri GIS Initiative.” The focus of discussion at the April meeting was the strategic plan submitted by Tim Haithcoat of the GRC. A more formal organization arose from that meeting and those that followed. From these meetings, the core and foundation of the existing Missouri GIS initiative was refined and re-formed.

A new Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Information Technology Planning Board (ITPB) were established in 1995. These developments provided a home for the GI/GIT activities taking place within the state. Statewide GI/GIT coordination activities continued in 1996. The new CIO, Mike Benzen was approached to garner his support for this group. Tim Haithcoat prepared a new “Strategic Management Plan for GIS Technology and the Maintenance of MSDIS” that was submitted in March, 1996 in coordination with OIT. Following review of this plan, a new Missouri GIS Advisory Committee (MGISAC) was organized later that year. While not established by Gubernatorial or Legislative actions, the group was established as a standing committee under the Office of Information Technology. The Advisory Committee was established to report to the Chief Information Office, as well as make an annual report to the Information Technology Planning Board. The MGISAC’s first chair was Ryan Burson, the State Demographer, located in the Division of Budget and Planning of the Office of Administration. The current chair is Tony Spicci, GIS Manager for the Missouri Department of Conservation. The MSDIS budget item is now part of the base budget for the University of Missouri and has been increased to $173,000 from its inception. Currently, an additional budget item to provide for Internet mapping capabilities for state agencies through the MSDIS is under consideration within the Legislature.

2. Statewide Coordination Groups

Missouri has one leading statewide GI/GIT coordination group, known as the Missouri GIS Advisory Committee (MGISAC), though it is supported by additional coordination and users groups in the state. The committee was officially established by the Chief Information Officer, Mike Benzen, in 1996. The MGISAC operates under and reports to the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and its Information Technology Planning Board, though it has no dedicated budget for its activities. The committee has grown from 7 members to 13 members, with representatives of state agencies including Conservation, Mental Health, MSDIS/GRC, Natural Resources, State Emergency Management Agency, Revenue, State Library, Highway Patrol, Economic Development, Information Technology, and Health as well as other sectors including academia (Lincoln University, University of Missouri), county government (Boone County), and federal (USGS, NRCS). The Department of Conservation serves as chair, and the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS) provides staff support. (see Section 3). (http://www.mgisac.org)

Chair Staff
Tony Spicci Timothy Haithcoat
GIS Coordinator Program Director
Department of Conservation Missouri Spatial Data Information Service
PO Box 180 18 Stewart Hall
Jefferson City, MO 65102 Columbia, MO 65211
573-751-4115 (ph) 573-882-2324 (ph)
573-526-4495 (fax) 573-884-4239 (fax)
spicca@mail.conservation.state.mo.us haithcoatt@missouri.edu

The purpose of MGISAC is to foster cooperation among state agencies, local governments, private industry, educational institutions, and others regarding GI/GIT. Other goals and objectives include:

  • To advise and assist the Office of Information Technology in the coordination and advancement of GI technology in Missouri State Government.
  • To develop and recommend GIT management procedures and goals for state government as outlined in a Missouri GIS Strategic Management Plan.
  • To assure the highest quality of information and to reduce unnecessary duplication in the application of GIS technology.
  • To provide a forum for interaction among state government agencies and others with regard to policies on the development and uses of GIS.
  • To enhance the recognition of GIS at the local, state and federal levels through the sharing of GIS products and research findings.

A strategic management plan for GIS was drafted in the summer of 1993 by the University of Missouri, followed by a later plan (1996) for maintenance of a statewide approach. The plans presented a statewide perspective on management and coordination of GIS technology and digital databases in Missouri. The plan emphasized the need to coordinate the ongoing development of GIS technology within the various state agencies as well as the coordination and sharing of digital data bases created therein, and formed the basis for creation of Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS), located at the University of Missouri as described in Section 3. This ability to share GI easily and quickly between and among organizations is one of the most important benefits of this approach to GIT.

MGISAC has several roles, including providing direction and oversight to the MSDIS, standards development, representation at national meetings (ie NSGIC), State Mapping Advisory Committee, host of annual statewide GIS conference, database development coordination and issues forum for the state’s GI community. MGISAC has their by-laws and work plans posted on the MSDIS web site. The work plans address the following four activity areas and goals:

  • Maintain and expand the spatial data archive.
  • Set database and computer standards for the GIS user community.
  • Expand the use of GIS and related technology in Missouri State Government.
  • Plan MSDIS activities and report regularly on progress.

3. Statewide Coordination Offices

State GIT coordination activities are conducted by several related entities in Missouri as well as several separate groups. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) was created in 1995 to be responsible for all information policy and technology in the state, and serves as the recognized official entity within state government for GI/GIT as well, though other entities support OIT in this role as described below. (http://www.oit.state.mo.us/) OIT evolved to serve in this role by adopting the Missouri GIS Advisory Committee (MGISAC), and providing oversight to that group and an agency home. (see Section 1) OIT also receives support from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS) as discussed below. A state GI coordinator position is now being formulated for FY02 to provide staff support to the MGISAC and other coordination and support services for the rapidly growing state agency implementations of GIT.

Gerry Wethington
Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
Jefferson Building, Room 1315
Jefferson City MO 65102
573-526-7746 (ph)
573-526-7747 (fax)
wethig@mail.oa.state.mo.us

The Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS) was established at the University of Missouri’s Geographic Resources Center in 1995 following initial funding provided by the Legislature. (see Section 1) The Budget Bill provided $158,000 to the GRC at this time to establish a clearinghouse and provide services to state agencies and others in this regard. MSDIS has continued to operate and grow since then, including the acquisition of additional state funds and federal sources. Data have been collected from state, federal and other sources to serve in this role, including satellite data. MSDIS staff have maintained an active role in this regard and beyond in reporting to and providing assistance to OIT. (http://msdisweb.missouri.edu)

MSDIS has the following goals:

  • To allocate MSDIS resources where they will most benefit the Missouri GIS community.
  • To establish and make available to the GIS community in state government and beyond a core data base of geographic information to be held and maintained in common as a continuing asset within an archive.
  • To encourage development, maintenance, and dissemination of thematic databases built on the core data base foundation.
  • To advise and assist the Office of Information Technology in setting GIS standards in Missouri.
  • To encourage use of GIS technology and geographic data resources in state government by providing practical support to users
  • To inform and educate supervisors, managers and other professionals in the state about GIS technology, its current capabilities and future potential.

The MSDIS provides staff support to the MGISAC and other services as well as providing GI access and distribution services for the state. The MSDIS is a registered NSDI Clearinghouse node and is searchable via those mechanisms. The MSDIS has 2.5 staff dedicated to serve in this role.

Timothy Haithcoat, Program Director
Missouri Spatial Data Information Service
18 Stewart Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-2324 (ph)
573-884-4239 (fax)
haithcoatt@missouri.edu

The Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP) is a cooperative involving state and federal government agencies that is also operated at the University of Missouri. MORAP develops and disseminates natural resource information at the lowest possible cost so partner agencies can efficiently accomplish natural resource management. The driving forces behind agency participation are the need for digital data and the need to develop data in a cost-effective way, driven by advances in GIS, Remote Sensing, and the Internet. Partnerships have been established with the GI/GIT entities described above, and includes many state and federal agencies. (http://www.ecrc.usgs.gov/MoRAP)

The initial proposal for establishment of MoRAP was presented to the Missouri Biodiversity Council in June, 1994. The Missouri Biodiversity Council is a consortium of 14 state and federal agencies plus The Nature Conservancy that was formed by the Governor to address issues surrounding conservation and development in the state. The initial proposal identified more than a dozen digital data development needs and drafted time lines and budgets for their production. The proposal was unanimously endorsed by the Missouri Biodiversity Council.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (DOC) took the lead in organizing a MoRAP Steering Committee of interested agency representatives. By August of 1994, the Steering Committee had developed a document entitled, “A Platform for Implementation of MoRAP.” By February 1995, Articles of Participation had been drafted and a Memorandum of Agreement for the Establishment and Operation of MoRAP at the University of Missouri was in place. By the end of June, 1995, these documents, plus an agreement for location and space, had been signed by representatives of all agencies that are now MoRAP partners. Thus, in the span of one year MoRAP had been conceived and the mechanics for its function were in place. Initial start-up funding was in place by late summer of 1995, thanks to the leadership of DOC, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the National Resource Conservation Service, and the National Biological Service (now Biological Resources Division of USGS) via the national Gap Analysis Program. The partnership includes DOC, Department of Transportation, National Guard, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service – Mark Twain National Forest, U.S. Geological Survey (Environmental and Contaminants Research Center, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Mid-Continent Mapping Center), Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the University of Missouri. MoRAP is coordinating or participating in several resource management activities. These include Gap Analysis, stream and wetland mapping, historic vegetation, human dimensions, and aquatic natural resources inventory. They used LANDSAT TM imagery to help develop land cover and other information for the state.

Dr. David Diamond
MoRAP Director
4200 New Haven Road
Columbia, MO 65201
573-876-1862 (ph)
david_diamond@usgs.gov

Also within state government, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has the unique position of State Land Surveyor, which works with surveyors in local governments and elsewhere to develop and provide information required for the accurate and economical location of property boundaries in Missouri. The program includes: Corner Master Index, Corner Re-monumentation and Preservation, Documentation Preservation, Geodetic Surveys, Land Records Repository, Land Survey Index and Standards. The Land Records Repository is a central repository for all land survey documents, and began operating in the early 1970’s. The repository now contains approximately two million documents in microfilm form. Land Survey documents play an extremely important part in the determination of land boundaries. Private land surveyors, title insurers, recorders, attorneys, real estate professionals, and landowners must rely on these documents. Land survey documents from the repository are provided to the public in ever increasing numbers. They strive to fill all requests for information within three days. It operates under STATUTE: Chapter 60.510-620 RSMo 1994. (http://www.dnr.state.mo.us/dgls).

J. Michael Flowers
Administration and Standards Section
State Land Surveyor
573-368-2302 (ph)
nrflowm@mail.dnr.state.mo.us

4. Statewide Issues & Intiatives

Missouri has several issues and initiatives:

Merit System GIS Position Proposal:

A task was developed to address issues brought up by the professional GIS personnel in several agencies. The issues are twofold: 1) a collective sense of parity within the system, and 2) the lack of recognition of GIS skills and experience by the Office of Administration in matters of raises and promotions. The Missouri Geographic Information Systems Advisory Committee (MGISAC) has conducted research regarding professional GIS positions in Missouri state agencies that do not utilize the merit/UCP system as well those used in other states. It has also investigated GIS education and certification programs in the United States, and has contacted agencies in Missouri that use the merit/UCP system to gauge their current and potential use of geographic information systems. This research helps illustrate the need for a modest series of positions for GIS professionals whose duties and qualifications are unique from existing Missouri merit system classifications. The MGISAC has also worked to develop position descriptions that take into consideration the education and experience requirements that will enable Missouri’s merit/UCP system agencies to attract and retain the GIS professionals needed to incorporate geographic information systems and geospatial technology into state government’s information technology, electronic government, and homeland security initiatives.

The current proposal is for the development of a series of professional GIS positions to be included in the Missouri merit system. In comparison to the Missouri non-merit agencies that have taken an organized approach to GIS in state government, and to the GIS positions in other states that utilize them, we believe that this is a modest but functional proposal. We must emphasize the need for considering the proposed positions in terms of their potential use in the near future (e.g., in support of electronic government and homeland security activities) in addition to the traditional means of evaluating classification proposals in terms of reclassification of existing staff.

It is important to point out that the proposed position descriptions have not been drafted with the idea that all state employees who currently use GIS will be reclassified. The position descriptions have instead been written to provide merit system agencies with a means for recruiting and retaining GIS professionals that is similar to those that some non-merit agencies currently employ. It is widely recognized by GIS practitioners that most users of geographic information systems are not necessarily GIS professionals. In the course of the past few years, the software packages that allow users to view spatial data have become less expensive and more popular, thus widening the audience for GIS. The most common examples can be found at web sites where users are presented with maps they can interact with, zooming in and out, moving across the map area, and in many cases identifying map features to view more detailed information about them. There are also many users of the technology who perform advanced analyses in the course of their work in a particular specialty such as planning transportation routes or assessing soil erosion potential in a given watershed. While these users may employ GIS tools in their work, it would not be prudent to reclassify them into GIS positions since their primary focus is not on the GIS but on the subject which is it used to analyze. As both types of audience grow in numbers, the need for creating, managing, and maintaining systems capable of supporting them becomes more critical. This can not and should not be done by staff lacking education and experience in the creation and use of spatial data and spatial technologies.

Another reason why these positions are important to agencies who utilize the merit/UCP system is that in many cases, staff who are currently creating and maintaining GIS data and employing GIS techniques have grown into their current roles over a number of years. If, however, an agency had to replace them with candidates from the merit system registers using only existing classifications, they would have extreme difficulty replacing these staff with candidates with similar skills.

Class concepts:

The proposed positions have been designed to account for the several levels of expertise required for the various duties and responsibilities associated with the development, analysis, and management of geographic information systems and data. The series begins with primary responsibilities for data collection and manipulation, and then transitions to duties related to complex data analysis and decision-support functions. Then it accounts for specialization by more seasoned technical experts and project managers, and finally outlines the administrative roles associated with the management of intra and inter-agency GIS initiatives. Complete position descriptions are provided in Appendix D.

It is the majority opinion of the MGISAC that the potential for filling the proposed GIS Technician registers with qualified applicants is slim based on the graduation rates of trained GIS professionals as well as the competition with the private sector and others for these individuals. The original proposal from the MGISAC included a trainee-level position in response to this known issue, but faced with the efforts at the Office of Administration to limit the number of positions in the merit system, that position has been removed from this proposal. It is believed that the inadequate number of graduates with a focus in GIS and the widespread competition for them will continue to impact the marketplace for some time. In the event that the GIS Technician register fails to produce an adequate number of candidates in the years to come, the MGISAC will work with the Office of Administration to develop a business case to document and justify the addition of this type of entry-level position. As GIS continues to permeate state agency operations and the proposed GIS positions are utilized, the need for additional modifications to the class series may become apparent. Again, it is the intent of the MGISAC to assist and to work with the Office of Administration regarding these issues.

Standards:

Metadata: The Metadata Committee (Jo Ann Shaw, Liz Cook, Tim Haithcoat, Ron Beck) was formed to establish a minimum standard for spatial metadata. The first draft of the Metadata Standard was distributed to the subcommittee on Jan 11, 2000. The revised draft was then sent to the MGISAC in the February 8, 2000 meeting for review and an open comment period, and the standard has been implemented.

Addressing: The Addressing Standard Committee (Renee Holder, Tim Haithcoat, Mark Duewell, Jim Davis, and John Blodgett) is working on the first draft of the addressing standard. In parallel, the group is organizing an effort for the creation of a statewide geocoding data structure. This is to include presentation materials that identifies the uses of such a data base as well as emphasizing the fact that the processing managers can keep what they have and use what we can provide them for enhanced tabulations and report generation. Uses identified included the capability to group services, monies, or clients served into aggregated groups by county, school district, legislative district, service area, or other geographies. Existing database structures for agency addressing holdings and lists are being assembled. Utilizing TIGER as a base was offered and GTD and ETAK were also mentioned. These will form the basis of the system for this standards area. The underlying thought is that whatever we do it will be more accurate and more accessible than what is available. Other members invited to participate include: SEMA, Social Services, Highway Patrol, Secretary of State’s Office, Revenue, and Elementary and Secondary Education.

Database Development Activities:

GRC (UMC) – Census 2000 data update (with MOA and MSCDC), voting precincts and voting records (with MOA and Secretary of State), school districts (with DESE), vertebrate distributions and biodiversity modeling (with GAP and MoRAP), General Land Office records (with State Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities), statewide DEM, coordinate transformations (State Plane and UTM), census tabular dataset linkages (with MCDC), Block Boundary Suggestion Project (with MOA), Railroad Crossing database (with MDED);

MoRAP – 1:100K stream network (with EPA), 1:24K national hydrography dataset (USGS), aquatic GAP (with GAP), stewardship (with GAP), land cover (with GAP), ecological classification system (with MDC), wetland delineation (with MDNR), 14-digit hydrologic unit delineation (with NRCS, MDC, and MDNR);

CARES (UMC) – soils (with NRCS and MDNR), public drinking water program (with MDNR), Watershed inventory and assessment (with MDNR), Hypsography DLG project (with MDNR and USGS), wellhead protection (with MDNR), source water inventory (with MDNR), Public Drinking Water Vulnerability (with MDNR), Internet Mapping applications, and decision support systems

Data Clearinghouse Activities:

As described above, the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS), located at the University of Missouri, serves as the official clearinghouse for GI in Missouri. (http://msdisweb.missouri.edu/) The MSDIS web site has been open and distributing core data since January 1996. A CCAP grant was awarded for MSDIS to become an NSDI Clearinghouse node for Missouri with keyword and geographic search capabilities. This facility currently distributes over 6,000 spatial data files plus over 5,000 tabular data sets with established links to these geographic files from its web site. The geospatial data is in ArcInfo export format. The tabular data is in Info or DBF file format. Access to these data is free. Use is being made of these data by the private sector as well as state, local, and federal interests. Activity on the site has topped 83,000 successful requests per month. Metadata has been completed for 98% of these files and is available on-line for browsing.

An Internet Mapping Initiative seeking to graphically present public geospatial information on the Web for use by agency personnel and the citizens of Missouri was entered into the FY01 budget cycle. Through this initiative state agencies will have the ability to utilize this standardized resource for geographically rendering their information on their web sites. This would allow citizens to examine various demographics, protect them from environmental or public safety hazards (flood), and support progressive economic development for their cities or counties. The benefits to Missouri agencies and citizens include increased efficiency, time savings, generate revenue, provide decision support, improve the quality and accuracy of decisions, management of resources, automate manual tasks, and save money and fiscal resources. The project scope was to essentially add features to currently installed GIS infrastructure. This would allow agencies to request geographically rendered depictions of their data for use on web sites and ongoing operations and planning functions. The estimated cost of the initiative was $1.3 million.

Partnerships with Other Organizations: An affiliation has been established with the Missouri Census Data Center program for census data distribution. Individual agencies are being identified to develop demonstration packages for use in their adoption and use of these data sets and technologies. (http://oseda.missouri.edu/mcdc/)

Missouri also actively participates with the Mid-America Geographic Information System Consortium (MAGIC) which is a regional group comprised of state representatives from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. They hold biennial meetings within the region that draws over 500 participants from this region. (http://magicweb.kgs.ukans.edu/)

The bylaws, workplan, meeting minutes, etc. are available through the MSDIS web site. A state GIS conference also occurs annually, most recently in March 2001 in Columbia, Missouri. The 2002 conference will be held in conjunction with the MAGIC meeting April 14-18, 2002 in Kansas City, Mo.

5. State Agencies with GIT Activities

Many quasi- and state agencies use GIS and/or satellite imagery in Missouri. These include state data centers, agency partnership groups, and the individual agencies themselves. The universities also have many activities ongoing with GIT within the state. The activities and application of GIT within Missouri are described below.

Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP):
Dr. David Diamond, Director
4200 New Haven Road
Columbia, MO 65201
573-876-1862
573-876-1896
david_diamond@nbs.gov

MoRAP is an interagency initiative including state and federal agencies and other entities. It was formed to bring together the expertise and resources of multiple entities to develop and provide information and technical assistance needed for comprehensive state-level resource assessment, scientific planning programs, and biodiversity protection. MoRAP is coordinating several resource management activities, and used LANDSAT TM imagery to help develop land cover and other information for the state. MU is using GIT and satellite imagery as part of the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP). The partnership includes several state agencies, including the Departments of Conservation, and Highways and Transportation. MoRAP is also conducting Missouri’s Gap Analysis Project (GAP). All of the TM imagery for the state was received in 1995, and PCI image processing software was purchased and resides on both workstation and personal computer platforms. The first iteration of the public lands database and vertebrate distribution mapping was completed in 1996 and sent out for review. Processes are underway to create a mechanism for the continual update of the public lands database with cooperators.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources:
Jeff Schloss
Spatial Data Coordinator
P.O. Box 176, 205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
573-751-5110 (ph)
573-751-7749 (fax)
nrschlj2@mail.dnr.state.mo.us

Division of Environmental Quality:

Jo Ann Shaw P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 573-751-9370 (ph) 573-751-9277 (fax) nrshawj@mail.dnr.state.mo.us

Division of Geology and Land Survey:

Michael Gawedzinski P. O. Box 250 Rolla, MO 65402 573-368-2117 (ph) 573-368-2111 (fax) nrgawem@mail.dnr.state.mo.us

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has been actively using GIS since 1988. The MDNR collaborates with other state agencies and assists in planning and coordination of GIS activities in the state by participating in the Missouri GIS Advisory Committee and the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership. The MDNR uses funding from general revenue, fee funds, and federal agencies to support the department’s GIS activities.

Completed coverages are available to all staff on a central GIS server. The MDNR has adopted the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (1994). The MDNR also adopted standards for collection of locational data called Latitude-Longitude Method, Accuracy, and Description Codes (LL-MAD Codes). A standard locational data collection sheet is included in the LL-MAD Code manual. The department upgraded its Global Positioning System Receivers in 1999 and trained staff in regional offices to use the new equipment.

Within the Division of Environmental Quality, the Public Drinking Water Program (PDWP) completed the River Flood Extent Project in September 1996. Satellite imagery of the 1993 flood was used to create a GIS coverage and a book of maps showing the flood extent in relation to public water supplies. The purpose of the project was to record flooded areas to better protect public water supplies from future flood events. The PDWP Vulnerability Assessment Project, which reduced monitoring of public water supplies, has saved the MDNR approximately $28 million since implementation in 1994. This project uses GIS to assess the vulnerability of public drinking water sources to synthetic organic chemicals. The data originally assembled for the Vulnerability Assessment is now being joined by additional data to perform source water assessments for drinking water. The results of these assessments will be provided to the public to encourage local efforts to protect sources of public drinking water.

The Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP) has made great strides in creating a well-structured and integrated database with the goal of improving efficiency in decision-making through wider application of geographic information. GIS offers an environment that can integrate various databases and spatial locations and make it possible to summarize relationships between specific pollutant loads and in-stream water quality. GIS coverages exist for both municipal and non-municipal wastewater discharges into Missouri streams and lakes. The WPCP has also taken advantage of the improvements in computer technology that makes it possible to incorporate mathematical models into GIS. Hence, GIS is being applied to water quality modeling in the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

The Air Pollution Control Program used GIS to create maps showing air pollution emissions for the St. Louis area, the Kansas City area, and the whole state. These maps showed point sources segregated by emission level. Maps of air pollution sources associated with the Fort Leonard Wood Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit were created. GIS information was used in the dispersion modeling process by providing quality assurance in locating particular sources and by identifying sources within a buffer zone around the fort. The Solid Waste Management Program produced maps for all active landfills, processing facilities, and transfer stations in the state. The Soil and Water Conservation Program completed GIS soil layers for all published surveys in Missouri by July 1999. As surveys are completed in the field, GIS is used to speed the transformation of soil information from field notes to published surveys. The Hazardous Waste Program maps the most serious threats to human health and the environment on the National Priorities List. In addition, this program maps hazardous waste generators, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in Missouri.

During the past ten years, the Division of Geology and Land Survey (DGLS) has completed a wide variety of GIS projects. It has used GIS to create Earthquake Hazard Maps for the higher risk areas of St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and Southeast Areas of Missouri. These maps indicate the areas susceptible to damage in the event of an earthquake in the New Madrid fault zone. The geologists who have been mapping geologic formations for the USGS State Map Project on a 7.5 minute quadrangle level are placing all their information directly into a GIS format. The Wellhead Protection Section, responsible for certifying domestic well construction, has used GIS to create a casing requirement map for the area around Springfield using the data collected by this same section. The Water Resources program continues work on a remote sensing project to identify wetlands in a cost-effective and accurate manner. The Land Survey Program has been using GIS in defining disputed state boundaries and uses imaging in producing established corner drawings to registered land surveyors and the public. The Dam Safety Program has begun delineating dam reservoir extents and recharge areas. DGLS is also in the process of developing several GIS databases with information about wells, outcrops, springs, losing streams, dye traces and known faults throughout the state. DGLS continues to incorporate GIS as a data management and decision-making tool.

MNDR – Division of State Parks: The division has recently started using GIS and is beginning to work on GIS coverages for National Register Properties.

Department of Conservation:
Tony Spicci, GIS Coordinator
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4115 (ph)
573-526-4495 (fax)
spicca@mail.conservation.state.mo.us

The Department of Conservation (MDC) has utilized a department-wide approach to GIS since 1991. The Department has a centralized GIS unit that is led by an agency GIS Coordinator. Each resource division (Fisheries. Forestry and Wildlife) has its own GIS staff that support Divisional GIS projects, but work in coordination with the central GIS unit. In addition, there are a number of GIS users through out the agency.

The centralized GIS unit is responsible for managing the GIS program at MDC. This unit, which is housed in the Department’s Policy Coordination Section, includes several full-time staff (including the GIS Coordinator) as well as part-time staff. There are also three GIS Analysts assigned to each of the Department’s regional units to assist in GIS efforts. There is a GIS lab that manages the agency’s databases and GIS applications. It is also responsible for GIS coordination, training, standards development and implementation and implementation of new technologies. The lab houses a network of high-end UNIX and PC workstations and servers running ARC/INFO, ArcView, and Erdas Imagine. Scanning, digitizing and production of high-quality hard copy can be achieved using the lab’s various peripherals. All Department GIS users have access to ArcView software and various extensions. Recent and ongoing projects at MDC include the following applications

  • Processing and converting state DOQQs (in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Lincoln University / NRCS) for distribution to users.
  • Participating in the development of a statewide stream network database.
  • Refining the 14-digit HUC database.
  • Developed a statewide fisheries spawning restriction layer.
  • Completed the National Wetlands Inventory layer for Missouri and made it available to users.
  • Developing (with the GRC) a statewide historic vegetation cover of Missouri.
  • Analyzing the Department’s Point-of-Sale database to examine the demographic makeup of Missouri’s hunting and fishing license holders.
  • Creating an integrated land holdings database to interface with all Department applications.
  • Creation of a cooperator information system that tracks the activities of MDC field staff on private lands and ties it with the Department’s accomplishment tracking system.
  • Created at statewide natural features and communities layer, in addition to the digitization of the Heritage database.
  • Currently bringing maps to the Department’s web page using ArcIMS.
  • Completed a fish and wildlife habitat assessment of the Missouri River for use in a management recommendation plan.
  • Serving as a partner in the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership.

Department of Transportation:
Arnold Williams
Sr. GIS Specialist
Missouri Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 270
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Tel: 573-751-7012
willia1@mail.modot.state.mo.us

The Department of Transportation also has a statewide approach to GIS. Access to the GIS databases was granted to all field offices and deployed several years ago. The system is still in use and a major reconstruction of the data base management systems within MoDOT is ongoing with GIS data playing a major role in that development.

Department of Health
Mark Duewell, GIS Manager
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
duewem@mail.health.state.mo.us

The primary GIS office at Missouri’s Department of Health (DOH) is located in the Office of Surveillance (OoS) unit within the Department’s Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Prevention (EHCDP). OoS’ s GIS office is tasked with Department GIS administration and policy making, spatial data development and maintenance, training, technical solutions and as the primary contact for GIS activities with other state agencies and other GIS entities across and outside the state. The office also provides basic GIS services including project planning, database development, and mapping. The office has been in existence since July 1997.

Many other units within the Department also utilize GIS at the desktop level for health statistical analysis, resource allocation, and grant applications and to enhance the management decision making process. Following is a sample list of Health GIS users in addition to the Office of Surveillance: The Section for Environmental Public Health, the Section for Vaccine Preventable and Tuberculosis Disease Elimination, the Section of Communicable Disease Control and Veterinary Public Health, the Section of STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Services, the Office of Lead Licensing and Accreditation, the Office of Epidemiology, the Bureau of Health Data Analysis, the Center for Community Development and Health Care Access, the Bureau of Disabilities Prevention and Injury Control, and the Bureau of Cancer Control. GIS-supported studies now being conducted include, but are not limited to, hazardous waste exposures, disease outbreaks, lead poisoned children, concentrations of sexually transmitted diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, and service cost allocations.

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
Jeff Falter
CIT III
State Emergency Management Agency
2302 Militia Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Tel: 573-526-9138
jfalter@sema.state.mo.us

SEMA uses mapping techniques to visually display resource and critical facility locations, hazards and risk assessment information, detailed road and infrastructure maps and specialty products such as Flood Plain Topographic and Imaging maps. These products are used to support all facets of disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation; and are shared with other State Agencies and Local governments. Recent and ongoing projects include the following applications: Mississippi and Missouri River Q3 Data; Flood Mitigation Buyout Assessment; State Hazard Analysis Assessment and assisting the Local jurisdictions with emergency planning and response map products. Recent and ongoing projects include the development of statewide Digital Raster Graphics (DRG’s), emergency shelters statewide, and other databases

Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC)
Debbie Pitts, Missouri State Library
PO Box 387
Jefferson City, MO 65102
dpitts@mail.sos.state.mo.us

The Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC) is a cooperative program among the state agencies and the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The program is designed to enhance the awareness, access and use of public data and information. The Missouri State Library is the lead agency for Missouri’s program. Coordinating agencies include the Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Budget and Planning and four units of the University of Missouri. The university units provide information systems development and support services for the program. These core units include

  • Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA) — Columbia,
  • Geographic Resources Center (GRC) — UM-Columbia,
  • Missouri Small Business Development Center (MoSBDC) — UM-Columbia,
  • Center for Economic Information (CEI) — UM-Kansas City.

In addition to the lead and core agencies, there are over 100 affiliates around the state who participate in the dissemination of census information and related materials. Through this program, MCDC holdings consist of over 2,000 public machine-readable data files and numerous printed reports. Recent and ongoing projects include the cooperative development and review of Census TIGER files with the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the integration of census tabular files with existing GIS data layers for query and reporting.

Department of Economic Development
Gary Beahan, GIS Coordinator
PO Box 118
Jefferson City, MO 65102
gbeahan@mail.state.mo.us

The department recently hired their first GIS position within their organization. Activities include business siting and recruitment as well as visualization of the impact of legislative acts on the Missouri citizenry

Department of Revenue
Renee Holder
GIS Specialist
Dept. of Revenue
301 West High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Tel: 573-751-3062
renee_holder@mail.dor.state.mo.us

The Department of Revenue is just entering the GIS arena. The first application will be to map sales and use tax areas in the state by street address with geographic coding. This application will be available online so that the sales and use tax rates for any given address will be easily obtained by citizens, governmental agencies, in-state merchants, and remote sellers. Following this application, the department hopes to be able to do more research using GIS. This research will help in understanding the potential changes that legislation or regulatory changes may have on citizens and government entities. The Department of Revenue recently posted an advertisement for a GIS position within their organization.

University of Missouri – The University of Missouri (UM) in Columbia has several important centers with activities important to the state’s GI/GIT approach. These groups are described below.

MU – Geographic Resources Center:
Tim Haithcoat, Program Director
104 Stewart Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-2324
573-884-4239 (fax)
haithcoatt@missouri.edu

The Geographic Resources Center (GRC) in the University of Missouri Department of Geography is a multidisciplinary applied research and teaching facility for geographic and remote sensing data analysis. It also serves as a resource center for information concerning applications, GIS, remote sensing and cartography. GIS technology provides an efficient means for automating entry, manipulating and analyzing geographic data. The process of linking spatial data to descriptive attribute data is used extensively by planners, resource managers, biologists and a host of professionals to assist in decision making. Since its establishment in 1980, the GRC has matured to a multidimensional research facility. The Center’s staff has worked on more than 200 projects with public and private sector clients including MU academic units, University Extension, state agencies, federal agencies, local government, and private organizations and companies. GRC projects cover a broad range of activities relating to the collection, storage and analysis of geographic data. The multidisciplinary staff has had wide experience on projects in areas such as wildlife biology, forest resource inventory, agronomy, land-use planning, water quality, global vegetation monitoring, land-cover mapping, surface modeling, socio-economic analysis, census information and landscape analysis. These activities have helped develop GRC staff expertise in photo interpretation, digital image analysis, GIS analysis, data base construction, spatial analysis and scholarly research, writing and evaluation.

The mission of the GRC is to:

  • Conduct interdisciplinary applied research in GIS and remote sensing in support of University faculty and extension personnel.
  • Provide expertise and support to the state during the development, implementation, and use of GIS, digital databases and data base management systems.
  • Educate the people of the state through courses, workshops and extension activities to realize the potential and utility of this GIS-related technology.
  • Provide instruction and training in GIS strategies for graduate and advanced undergraduate students at MU.

Major projects completed by the GRC include: Statewide School Districts, Statewide Voting Districts, Statewide Road Inventory and Update, Statewide Biodiversity Assessment – GAP, 1990 Legislative Redistricting Support, 1993 Flood Database Development, Statewide Census Database Development, Historic Vegetation Mapping, County Highway Mapping, Missouri Spatial Data Information Service, Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and ‘Buildings of the United States’ Locator Mapping.

MUMissouri Spatial Data Information Service:
Tim Haithcoat, Program Director
104 Stewart Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-2324 (ph)
573-884-4239 (fax)
haithcoatt@missouri.edu

The goal of the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service is to encourage use of GIS technology and geographic data resources in state government by providing practical support in the form of GIS-related services to current and potential user agencies. This can be expressed in the following manner.

  • To establish and make available to the GIS community in state and local government a core database of geographic information to be held and maintained in common as a continuing asset within an archive mechanism;
  • To encourage development, maintenance, and dissemination of thematic databases built on the core database foundation;
  • To encourage use of GIS technology and geographic data resources in state government by providing practical support in the form of GIS-related services to current and potential user agencies, and
  • To inform supervisors, managers, and other professionals in user agencies and state government at large about GIS technology, and its potential and capabilities in state government.

To achieve these goals, the following tasks are projected:

  • Develop and maintain a GIS database directory as a guide for GIS users throughout state government and beyond to the databases held by state agencies.
  • Provide GIS development consultation and operational training. The Missouri Spatial Data Information Service will make available, as an ongoing service, technical advice on GIS design, hardware and software selection and procurement procedures, database development, and GIS operation and applications.
  • Define database standards which will guide all members of the Missouri GIS community in database building and sharing. Standards will address such fundamentals as spatial accuracy and precision, currency and data maintenance, source documentation, database logic, and attribute coding. These standards will meet or exceed established Federal standards for the same.
  • Provide limited GIS services. The staff and facilities of the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service will perform limited GIS services (such as custom map plotting or report generation) for users who have limited needs and no other access to the technology. Through such services, the MSDIS will extend familiarity with GIS technology and encourage wider use of the state GIS resources.
  • Create a WWW page for the service through which access to these data can be obtained. Other data sharing included in this plan is the physical exchange of hard copy graphics or data tapes and disks.
  • Conduct annual applications conferences / workshops. The MSDIS will host workshops to provide information on, and demonstration of, GIS applications within the Missouri GIS community. These conferences will also provide the participants with the current status and trends of this type of information within the nation and state.

Services and Deliverables – Primary Services

  • Review core data sets and check work to assure compliance with database standards.
  • Respond to requests from agencies for core data sets (copy and distribute data as
  • requested). Maintain an accurate and complete log of requests, work, and consultation.
  • Prepare, maintain and annually distribute a core database catalog. Establish
  • communication channels with participating agencies to distribute information (newsletter),
  • and for supplemental updates to the core database catalog.
  • Maintain a digital data library, including additions of new databases as they are delivered
  • to MSDIS and a biannual updating of revised data sets as they are received from custodial
  • agencies. Archive and catalog old databases for historic records.
  • Provide assistance to agencies regarding loading and use of core data sets (phone
  • consultation, documentation, etc.).
  • Work with appropriate groups on development, refinement and utilization of standards to
  • facilitate data exchange and compatibility.
  • Document problems, errors, deficiencies and needs of core database. Establish
  • procedures for error reporting, internal error detection, and recommend corrective action.
  • Consult with GIS staff on a regular basis regarding development and implementation of
  • annual plans, delivery of MSDIS services, coordination of agencies’ database development
  • projects and acquisition of digital data.

Secondary Services (as resources allow)

  • Respond to inquiries/requests from other organizations including federal, local, and private entities.
  • Provide GIS products other than the GIS Core Database (ie: maps) to agencies on a fee-for-service basis
  • Attend various meetings, conferences and workshops related to GIS technology and
  • MSDIS services.
  • Accept and make available other GIS and thematic data layers that meet minimum
  • standards. Encourage database requestors to share end products derived from the core
  • database.
  • Promote GIS technology and the use of core databases by other participating agencies.
  • Improve various databases acquired to produce a more usable GIS product.

MU – Center for Agricultural, Resource, and Environmental Systems (CARES)
Tony Prato, Co-Director, Professor of Resource Economics and Management
130A Mumford Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573)-882-7458
pratoa@missouri.edu

Chris Fulcher, Co-Director, Research Assistant Professor
131A Mumford Hall
(573)-882-6534
fulcherc@missouri.edu

CARES is an intercollegiate research and education center within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri – Columbia. CARES was established in 1992 with the purpose of helping people better understand and address agricultural, natural resource and environmental issues using knowledge and information technologies. Co-Directors Tony Prato and Chris Fulcher also serve as faculty in the Department of Agricultural Economics. CARES utilizes a number of technologies, including GIS, environmental simulation models, remote sensing, economic models and Internet systems. CARES participates in projects with Federal, state and local government entities, non-profit and community organizations, and supports University faculty and students on a variety of research topics. CARES projects include:

  • Assessing the vulnerability of Missouri public drinking water to chemical contamination
  • Evaluating alternative farming systems for alleviating contamination of surface and public water drinking supplies.
  • Implementing internet-based analysis and research tools
  • Creating a cost-effective approach to digitizing soils information for individual counties in Missouri
  • Produced a manual for the Missouri River to assist state field staff in managing future flood events
  • Developing web-based tools and techniques to assist county planners with daily decision making
  • Providing internet-based access to state and federal geographic information
  • Developing web-based remote sensing tools and techniques to assist county planners with daily decision making
  • Coordinating federal and state evaluations for watershed restoration
  • Participating as part of the national team refining the National Hydrography Dataset
  • Supporting community development and local decision making
  • Researching the impacts of woody draws on environmental quality
  • Designing on-farm record keeping and planning tools for nutrient management

MU – The Missouri Interdisciplinary Center for Research in Earth Science Technologies (ICREST)
Verne H. Kaupp, Director
349 EBW
Electrical Engineering
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri 65211
Office: 573 882 0793
Fax: 573 882 0397
kauppv@missouri.edu

ICREST is designed to integrate the University of Missouri System, NASA and private sector research activities to commercial applications of remote sensing and attending technologies. The goal of ICREST is to develop processes that can make remote sensing commercially viable in the private sector. The Institute objectives are identified as follows: 1. Develop techniques to identify, assess, document, and structure solutions to user requirements; 2. Apply remote sensing technology to develop user defined commercial products; 3. Develop processes that warranty deliverables to the user community; 4. Document the process of commercial business plan development and provide customer development (training and education). The Institute initially is focusing its application on land cover and local government related projects.

Local & Regional Government Program

The geographic focus of ICREST local government related projects is in Springfield, Missouri, and is structured around developing applications that use remote sensing technologies (commercial & NASA) for solving complex local government planning and growth management issues. The Springfield-Branson corridor is one of the fastest growing portions of Missouri. The City of Springfield is a cooperating partner in activities – providing data, location specific resources, and local expertise to aid in our analysis and to achieve our goal of fully understanding & documenting the use of remote sensing within a local government. The particular projects selected are used to document cost vs. benefit of using remote sensing derived products as a solution to a specific user problem. In addition, we are integrating our results (cost vs. benefit) with two other ICREST tasks, ICREST Business Plan and analysis from the ICREST National Local Government User Survey. Working with the City of Springfield provides a unique opportunity for ICREST, as well as NASA, to better understand local government uses of remote sensing technologies.

The Urban Validation Site

The Springfield Urban Validation Site (UVS) is an approximately 1-km N-S by 4-km E-W site within the City of Springfield, Missouri, consisting of varying aged residential developments, commercial, institutional, parks & open space, and light industrial land uses. The site, when primary data collection is complete, will be highly documented with respect to positions and compositions of structures and land covers. Our efforts focus on documenting urban phenomenology and at understanding how various commercial remote sensing platforms can aid in primary data acquisition for planning and urban management applications. The site also serves as a test-bed for developing and assessing the accuracy of advanced classification and feature recognition algorithms by ICREST partners and the larger remote sensing community.

Southwest Missouri State University: Southwest Missouri State University has had projects involving the merging of satellite, aerial photography and ground information into GIS for localities, such as Greene County, Missouri. Planning services are offered through the Center for Resource Planning and Management with special targeting of small municipalities

Lincoln University GIS/RS Laboratory :
Lincoln University, 306 Founders Hall
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(http://lincserv1.gis.lincolnu.edu/)

Initially founded in 1990 through a grant of $163,000 received from the USDA Soil Conservation Service and AT&T Corporation, the Lincoln University Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) Laboratory is an integral part of the University’s Center of Excellence for Leadership in GIS and Wildlife Management. The Center initiative receives financial and programmatic support from the United States Department of Agriculture. Through Center activities, Lincoln University envisions becoming nationally and internationally known for academic excellence in GIS and wildlife management. The lab houses a network of high-end UNIX workstations, terminals and servers running ARC/INFO, ArcView, GRASS and Erdas Imagine. Scanning, digitizing and production of high-quality hard copy can be achieved using the lab’s various peripherals. The GIS/RS staff have years of experience in UNIX system administration and applying GIS and image processing to various resource issues. Combined with this experience, the staff stays up-to-date on new developments in these technologies–a necessity in fields that change so rapidly. The lab became fully functional in early 1994. Despite its short history, the lab has made these significant contributions to academic and regional applications of GIS and image processing:

  • projects have been undertaken to assess landscape changes along the Missouri River due to the Flood of ’93 for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), automate forest tract boundary mapping for the Missouri Department of Conservation, transfer and automate hydrologic unit boundaries (NRCS), analyze Indiana Bat distributions and migrations for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery team and assist Missouri Army National Guard with an optimal siting study for a fueling station.
  • the laboratory has been designated as a regional training center by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. for ARC/INFO and ArcView and by Erdas, Inc. for Imagine
  • short courses on photo interpretation and map reading, GIS, Global Positioning System, digital orthophotography and image processing have been conducted on behalf of various agencies
  • laboratory staff are assisting USDA personnel in Callaway County, Missouri with design and implementation of a Team USDA Field Service Center