The North Shore Data Consortium: Acquiring and Distributing High-Resolution Geospatial Information

Abstract

This project came about because of strong local and regional interests in the acquisition and distribution of high-resolution spatial data needed for land use planning, natural resource management, and environmental assessment. Included among these data was LiDAR – light detection and ranging imagery which provides very high resolution (0.5 to 1 m) elevation data, which in turn can be used to generate other spatial data, such as hierarchically structured watersheds, topographic moisture indices, and refined wetland classifications. In spite of the strong interests in these data sources, acquisition was hampered because no single agency had the mandate for developing interagency strategies to coordinate funding and planning for largescale data acquisition projects. To address this, we proposed to create the North Shore Data Consortium (NSDC), with the purpose of developing specific funding strategies and timelines for collecting LiDAR and contemporary high-resolution aerial photography for the region. The Consortium created partnerships among local, state, and federal agencies along with interested NGOs to develop data standards, provide for data sharing and leveraging of funds for contracting LiDAR acquisition. The NSDC worked closely with the Ditigal Elevation Committee of the Governor's Council on Geographic Information, who coordinates statewide data efforts. A secondary goal of the proposal was to facilitate data distribution and training.