Department of the
Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 1/2/08
Series: Organization
Part 120:
Chapter 8: Office
of the Associate Director for Geography
Originating Office:
120 DM 8
8.1 General Functions. The Office of the Associate Director for Geography provides executive leadership for geographic research through remote sensing of the Earth and geographic science that analyzes and addresses urgent natural resource and environmental issues of our Nation. The research focuses on observing and analyzing changes on the land by using earth observing satellites to monitor the change, conducting research and analysis to understand the relationship between people and those changes, and providing land and resource managers with the interactive tools, reports, geographic data, and maps necessary for managing the consequences of the changes.
8.2 The
Associate Director for Geography exercises the authority delegated by the
Director to provide overall executive management and nationwide strategic
guidance for the geographic research activities of the bureau and ensures
integration of those directions with the strategic goals of the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) and the Department. This
includes scientific and technical leadership in the areas of landscape
monitoring and analysis, remote sensing science, satellite operations,
satellite data archiving and distribution, and planning and development of
expanding earth observation programs.
The specific programs that accomplish these activities include the Land
Remote Sensing program and the Geographic Analysis and Monitoring program which
reports to the Chief Scientist for Geography.
The following functions are under the Associate Director for
Geography:
A. Land Remote Sensing (LRS) Program. The LRS program endorses the need, as identified in the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, for continuous monitoring of the Earth and maintaining a readily available record of information displaying the status of its resources and environment. The program provides for the continuous availability of moderate resolution and other remotely sensed imagery for the Nation. The Program Coordinator of the LRS Program is responsible for:
(1) Collecting, processing, archiving, and distributing scientifically relevant global land and near-land observations acquired from aircraft or satellite; ensuring that these data are maintained and easily accessible and available to USGS partners, cooperators, stakeholders, and other customers; conducting and sponsoring research in land remote sensing data collection, accessibility, distribution, and application; and investigating future remote sensing missions, sensors, and data relevant to the preceding objectives.
(2) Earth
Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS).
The EROS center reports to the LRS Program Coordinator and is a
“national capability” of the USGS, supporting its land imaging and geographic
science missions with both national and international significance. The Center
holds the world’s largest collection of civilian remotely sensed data covering
the Earth’s land surface, archiving millions of satellite images and aerial
photographs. The Center's functions includes: managing the operation of land
imaging satellites and supporting ground systems, and the development of new
systems; managing the archiving of geospatial data and information gathered
primarily from satellites and aerial systems, including the distribution and
interpretation of that information; and managing geographic science and
research with a particular emphasis on the use of land imaging, including
research of architecture issues for future land imaging
B. The Chief Scientist for Geography exercises principle
responsibility for the annual and strategic planning and development of
national research programs related to geography, ecosystem science, phenology,
landscape ecology, and earth observation.
The Chief Scientist is responsible for:
(1) Developing policy, identifying priorities,
overseeing program planning and execution, and evaluating the results of
research efforts conducted by Geography staff.
(2) Geographic Analysis and Monitoring. The Chief Scientist oversees the Geographic Analysis and Monitoring Program and is also responsible for coordination of geographic science activities within the Department and with other Federal agencies and the international community. The Program Coordinator is responsible for assessing the Nation’s land resources at a range of spatial and temporal scales to understand the rates, causes, and consequences of landscape change over time. Long-term studies of land use and disturbance histories determine the reasons for changes, leading to improved understanding and knowledge about landscape processes and the impacts of hazard events. The program conducts scientific assessments that provide a national perspective on land surface change and facilitates the use of this scientific information in public policy decisions.