MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC)

I. Establishment:

Geographic information coordination led by the Geographic Information Coordinating Council (GICC), its subordinate committees, and the Center for Geographic Information Analysis (CGIA). B. Established by Executive Order signed on July 30, 1991.

 

II. Mission:

A. Foster voluntary cooperation among state, federal, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector relative to geographic information.

B. Improve the quality, access, cost effectiveness, and utility of North Carolina's geographic information by fostering maximum use of information and resources and by promoting geographic information as a strategic resource for the state.

C. Efficiently collect, develop, and use geographic information through voluntary exchange and string of data and computer technology.

D. Explore, guide and provide an administrative framework for geographic information coordination including:

• developing standards;
• strategic planning;
• resolution of policy and technical issues;
• providing central direction and oversight;
• advising the governor, ITC and the legislature as to needed directions, responsibilities, and funding regarding geographic information; and
• providing technical and support services to GIS users.

 

III. Objectives:

A. Establish GIS policies and procedures for state agencies developing or acquiring GIS products;

B. Develop, set, and enforce data standards including but not limited to mapping specifications, data exchange formats, digitizing specifications, and data conversions standards; and

C. Research GIS services and GIS product availability for state departments through cooperative efforts, including evaluation of computer hardware and software, telecommunications, and other GIS services and products.

 

IV. Structure of GIS Coordination:

A. State Information Processing Services (SIPS)- is the state's central information technology organization, including statewide data processing and telecommunications.

B. Office of State Planning, created in 1991- includes the State Data Center, the State's Demographer's Office, CGIA, and a planning staff. The State Data Center includes the North Carolina Business/Industry Data Center. It has the major role in processing census data and in providing user consultation, data analysis, and user training.

C. Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (CGIA)- formerly known as Land Resources Information Service (LRIS), provides support for the development of a census geographic database and responds to public and private data user requests for mapping services related to census data.

 

IV. Subcommittees:

A. State Government GIS User Committee- includes representatives from all interested state government agencies. It provides a forum for interagency communication and cooperation, and advises the Coordinating Council on issues, problems, and opportunities relating to GIS.

B. State Mapping Advisory Committee (SMAC)- formed to consolidate statewide mapping requirements for submission to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and to advise the Coordinating Council on issues relating to USGS information and programs.

C. Affiliated GIS User Group Committee- comprised of representatives from local governments, federal governments, private industry, universities, and the General Assembly. It provides a forum for all GIS users in the state to confer and also advises the Coordinating Council on issues, problems, and opportunities relating to the use of GIS.

 

V. Membership:

GICC is defined to have twelve members consisting of department heads from the four predominant GIS user departments:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Public Instruction -The department head from one at-large GIS user agency; the Secretary of Administration, the State Budget Officer, the State Planning Officer; one representative from local government; one representative each from the State Government User Committee and the Affiliated User Group committee respectively; and the Director of SIPS as an ex-officio, non- voting member. The Director of CGIA serves as secretary of the council and provides staff support. The Governor appoints the Council's chair. The council reports to Information Technology Commission (ITC).

 

VI. Meetings: Not posted.

VII. Products:

Technical Specifications for Base, Cadastral, and Digital Mapping- accurate, up-to-date county land records finalized by the Land Records Management Program in 1987.