Facilitator: Carrie Wolfe

Many organizations, at all levels of government and private industry, need the same basic geographic data for their business functions. The popularity of geographic information System (GIS) data has increased tremendously, and many organizations now use and develop this information. Unfortunately, many resources are spent duplicating the same data sets. In other cases, organizations need GIS data but cannot afford the data collection costs. This environment of individual data development and use is redundant and inequitable. In addition, it creates data sharing problems. Data sets are often incompatible making cross-jurisdictional and cross-organizational analysis and decision making very difficult.

These issues will be addressed within the individual Framework theme projects which include cadastral (property ownership), hydrography (surface waters), transportation, ortho-imagery (corrected aerial photographs), and topography (elevation). Each Framework theme will include basic geospatial data which are collected and maintained collaboratively with many federal, state, local, tribal, and private organizations in Washington. The entire Framework (i.e. all framework themes) is intended to represent the base information that is commonly needed by many types of organizations. A key goal of Framework data development will be to reduce the duplication of effort in GIS data collection and maintenance and increase data sharing capabilities by producing consistent and sharable data and documentation. Mechanisms will be developed for improving and updating the Framework data over time through long term partnerships. The Framework data will be made accessible to the general public for improved information access and decision making. As the framework grows and evolves over time, it will benefit the entire community.