 |
|
|
||||
| Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) |
About the Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team
Through a directive from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, an interdisciplinary Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team (SAST) was formed
"to provide scientific advice and assistance to Federal officials responsible for making decisions with respect to flood recovery in the Upper Mississippi River and Missouri River Basins, and to develop and provide information to support the decision making process regarding both nonstructural and structural approaches to river basin management."
The team included scientific specialists from the 
Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Biological Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In-depth technical and scientific support is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center.
Over a period of 3 months at the EROS Data Center, the team developed a substantial Environmental Information System for the Upper Mississippi and Missouri River Basins. This system includes satellite data, elevation data, digitized aerial photographs, data on historic river channels, man-made structures, hazardous/toxic waste sites, spatially referenced information on soils, and various geologic, biologic, hydrologic, and hydrographic themes. The component data sets were designed for widely different purposes, and were received in a variety of formats and map scales. Data were edited, reformatted, and carefully documented to provide consistency and accuracy for analysis based on overlay and mensuration.
The majority of data were provided by Federal agencies, and are in the public domain. These will be available for release to the public for the cost of distribution. A small number of data sets have distribution restrictions due to proprietary agreements or to protect resources at sensitive locations such as archaeologic sites or endangered species nesting areas. Data sets will be managed and maintained at various sites and will be distributed using Internet access as part of a clearinghouse function. One approach to Internet access involves Mosaic software and World-Wide Web services. Application of Mosaic hypertext provides a window-based browser environment allowing interested persons to read or download documents, graphics, and data layers.
In describing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), the Federal Geographic Data Committee said, "Geospatial data form the foundation of an information-based society" (Nancy Tosta, NSDI, written commun., May, 1993). The SAST has provided a prototype for the development, planning, creation, and distribution of a quality environmental information system for the Federal Geographic Data Committee's National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
For more Information about the SAST program contact the EROS Data Center at the following address:
U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center Mundt Federal Building Sioux Falls, SD 57198 (605) 594-6551
| Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices | |
  |
|
