GEOSPATIAL DATA: Progress Needed on Identifying Expenditures, Building and Utilizing a Data Infrastructure, and Reducing Duplicative Efforts
Abstract
The federal government collects, maintains, and uses geospatial informationdata linked to specific geographic locationsto help support varied missions, including national security and natural resources conservation. To coordinate geospatial activities, in 1994 the President issued an executive order to develop a National Spatial Data Infrastructure- a framework for coordination that includes standards, data themes, and a clearinghouse. GAO was asked to review federal and state coordination of geospatial data. GAOs objectives were to (1) describe the geospatial data that selected federal agencies and states use and how much is spent on geospatial data; (2) assess progress in establishing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and (3) determine whether selected federal agencies and states invest in duplicative geospatial data. To do so, GAO identified federal and state uses of geospatial data; evaluated available cost data from 2013 to 2015; assessed FGDCs and selected agencies efforts to establish the infrastructure; and analyzed federal and state datasets to identify duplication. GAO suggests that Congress consider assessing statutory limitations on address data to foster progress toward a national address database. GAO also recommends that OMB improve its oversight of FGDC and federal agency initiatives, and that FGDC and selected agencies fully implement initiatives. The agencies generally agreed with the recommendations and identified plans to implement them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1174890
Entities
People
- Chris G Businsky
- Colleen Phillips
- David A. Powner
- Jamelyn Payan
- Jessica Waselkow
- John Mingus
- Kathleen L Epperson
- Rebecca Eyler
- Tina M Torabi
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office