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    Exploring all aspects of mapping and geography, from field data collection, to mapping and analysis, to integration, applications development, enterprise architecture and policy

Pennsylvania Geospatial Coordination Council

Posted by Dave Smith On 1/18/2010 09:09:00 PM 1 comments

Last week, I attended a discussion session sponsored by the Pennsylvania Mapping and GIS Consortium (PaMAGIC) and facilitated by John Palatiello, regarding standing up a Geospatial Coordination Council as a formal governmental advisory body for Pennsylvania. This is not a new concept, it is something that PaMAGIC has been pursuing for several years, it has been discussed several times prior at the PA GIS Conference, and has been introduced in the legislature several times, in various incarnations. It was last introduced in 2007-2008 by Representative Russ Fairchild as House Bill 1304.

The discussion session was held at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' office just outside Harrisburg, and roughly 60 people attended in person and by phone - an excellent cross section of state government, county and local government, private sector, utilities and others. I did not, however, see any representation by the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors or Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers. Similarly, I do not see a spot designated on the proposed Council for these organizations.

I have posted two documents - one is a summary of the meeting, the second is the newest version of the proposed bill - the GIS community is invited to provide comment, by the end of this week, to PaMAGIC President Glenn McNichol, gmcnichol -at- dvrpc.org.


What does give me more optimism in this iteration is that there appears to be additional championing of this cause coming from the Governor's office. It is anticipated that Rep. Fairchild will be introducing the bill again, and I am hoping that the geospatial community will be able to rally around the effort, hopefully PaMAGIC will spearhead a good communications campaign with John Palatiello's help.

1 Response for the " Pennsylvania Geospatial Coordination Council "

  1. John says:

    Great article. Please check this also, http://www.equatorgis.com/blog
    Its very good.

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