Circular 16

Coordination of
Geographic Information
and Related Spatial Data Activities
Office of Management and Budget • Circular A-16 revised

The National Spatial Data Infrastructure

This printing of OMB Circular A-16, revised August 19, 2002, was
produced by the Federal Geographic Data Committee and is not an
official copy of OMB Circular A-16. For an official copy, please go to
the Office of Management and Budget website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016_rev.html

SUBJECT: Coordination of Geographic Information
and Related Spatial Data Activities
This Circular provides direction for federal agencies that produce, maintain or use spatial data either directly or indirectly in the fulfillment of
their mission. This Circular establishes a coordinated approach to electronically develop the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and establishes the
Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).
The Circular has been revised from the 1990 version to reflect changes
in technology, further describe the components of the National Spatial
Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and assign agency roles and responsibilities
for development of the NSDI. The revised Circular names the Deputy
Director for Management of OMB as Vice-Chair of the Federal
Geographic Data Committee.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND
1. What is the purpose of this Circular? .................................................. 1
2. What is the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)? .............. 1
a. What is the vision of the NSDI? .................................................... 1
b. What are the components of the NSDI? ........................................ 2
(1) What is a data theme?................................................................ 2
(2) What are metadata? .................................................................. 2
(3) What is the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse? ...................... 2
(4) What is a standard?.................................................................... 3
(5) How are NSDI standards developed? ...................................... 3
(6) What is the importance of collaborative partnerships? .............. 3
(7) What are the federal activities and technologies
that support the NSDI? ............................................................ 3
3. What are the benefits of the NSDI? .................................................... 4
4. What is the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)?.............. 4
a. What is the FGDC structure and membership? ............................ 4
b. What are the FGDC procedures? .................................................... 5

POLICY
5. Does this Circular apply to my agency? .............................................. 5
6. What types of activities does this Circular apply to? .......................... 5
7. What types of activities are exempt from this Circular? .................... 6

AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
8. What are the federal responsibilities? .................................................. 6
a. What are the responsibilities and reporting
requirements for federal agencies? .................................................. 6
b. How does my agency report on spatial data assets
within the budget and performance review process? .................... 7
c. Who are the lead federal agencies for the NSDI
data themes?...................................................................................... 8
d. What are the responsibilities of lead federal
agencies for the NSDI data themes? ................................................ 8
e. What are the FGDC responsibilities? .............................................. 9
9. How are differences among agencies settled? .................................... 10
10. How can I check that my agency is compliant with
the latest NSDI requirements and standards? .................................. 10
Appendix A. Authorities ............................................................................ 11
Appendix B Federal Geographic Data Committee
(FGDC) Members ................................................................ 12
Appendix C. History and Background of Circular A-16 ........................ 12
Appendix D. Informative Definitions ...................................................... 13
Appendix E. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)
Data Themes, Definitions, and Lead Agencies .................. 15

BACKGROUND
1. What is the purpose of this Circular?
This revised Circular provides for improvements in coordination and
use of spatial data. Spatial data refers to information about places or
geography, and has traditionally been shown on maps. This Circular
describes the effective and economical use and management of spatial
data assets in the digital environment for the benefit of the government
and the nation. The Circular affirms and describes the National Spatial
Data Infrastructure (NSDI) as the technology, policies, standards, human
resources, and related activities necessary to acquire, process, distribute,
use, maintain, and preserve spatial data. The Circular describes the management and reporting requirements of Federal agencies in the acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and preservation of spatial data
by the Federal Government. The Circular establishes the FGDC as the
interagency coordinating body for NSDI-related activities, chaired by
the Secretary of the Interior with the Deputy Director for Management,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as Vice-Chair.
This revised Circular supersedes Circular No. A-l6 dated October 19,
1990, and incorporates Executive Order 12906. It will remain in effect
until replaced pursuant to section 8.e.(j) of this Circular. A basic list of
authorities is included in Appendix A.

2. What is the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)?
a. What is the vision for the NSDI?
The NSDI assures that spatial data from multiple sources (federal,
state, local, and tribal governments, academia, and the private sector)
are available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of
our physical and cultural world. The NSDI honors several key
public values:
• Privacy and security of citizens’ personal data and accuracy of
statistical information on people, both in raw form and in derived
information products.
• Access for all citizens to spatial data, information, and interpretive
products, in accordance with OMB Circular A-130.
• Protection of proprietary interests related to licensed information
and data.
• Interoperability of federal information systems to enable the drawing of resources from multiple federal agencies and their partners.
The NSDI supports and advances the building of a Global Spatial
Data Infrastructure, consistent with national security, national
defense, national intelligence, and international trade requirements.
International compatibility is an important aspect of the NSDI.
Federal agencies will develop their international spatial data in

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compliance with international voluntary consensus standards, as
defined by Circular A-119.

b. What are the components of the NSDI?
The components of the NSDI are data themes, metadata, the National
Spatial Data Clearinghouse, standards, and partnerships.

(1) What are data themes?
Data themes are electronic records and coordinates for a topic or
subject, such as elevation or vegetation. This Circular requires the
development, maintenance, and dissemination of a standard core
set of digital spatial information for the Nation that will serve as
a foundation for users of geographic information. This set of
data consists of themes of national significance (see Appendix E).
Themes providing the core, most commonly used set of base
data are known as framework data, specifically geodetic control,
orthoimagery, elevation and bathymetry, transportation, hydrography, cadastral, and governmental units. Other themes of national significance are also an important part of the NSDI, and must
be available to share with others. Additional data themes may be
added with the approval of the FGDC.
NSDI data themes developed with appropriate metadata,
using FGDC standards and served through the Clearinghouse,
facilitate interoperability and information exchange across
administrative boundaries.

(2) What are metadata?
Metadata are information about data and/or geospatial services,
such as content, source, vintage, spatial scale, accuracy, projection,
responsible party, contact phone number, method of collection,
and other descriptions. Metadata are critical to
document, preserve and protect agencies’ spatial
data assets. Reliable metadata, structured in a
standardized manner, are essential to ensuring
that geospatial data are used appropriately, and
that any resulting analysis is credible. Metadata
also can be used to facilitate the search and access
of data sets or geospatial services within a
Clearinghouse or data library. All spatial data
collected or derived directly or indirectly using
federal funds will have FGDC metadata.

(3) What is the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse?
The National Spatial Data Clearinghouse is an electronic service
providing access to documented spatial data and metadata from
distributed data sources. These sources include a network of data
producers, managers, and users, linked through the Internet and
other communications means, and accessible through a common
interface. All spatial data collected by federal agencies or their
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agents, as described in section 5, will be made available through
the Clearinghouse. Spatial data users will have access to the NSDI
through the National Spatial Data Clearinghouse.

(4) What are standards?
Standards are common and repeated rules, conditions, guidelines or
characteristics for data, and related processes, technology and organization. To broaden the global use of federal data and services,
international standards and protocols must be used. NSDI is made
possible by the universal use of standards and protocols for data
development, documentation, exchange, and geospatial services.

(5) How are NSDI standards developed?
NSDI standards are developed and promulgated by the FGDC in
accordance with OMB Circular A-119 using an established process
determined by the FGDC with input from a broad range of data
users and providers. Specifically, the FGDC adopts national and
international standards in lieu of federal standards whenever possible and will restrict its standards development activities to areas
of spatial data standardization not covered by other voluntary
standards consensus bodies, as defined by OMB Circular A-119.
Through active participation in voluntary consensus standards
bodies, the FGDC works to link its standardization activities to
the work of those standards bodies and thereby create an integrated suite of standards for the NSDI. No federal funds will be used
directly or indirectly for the development of spatial data not
complying with NSDI standards, as specified by FGDC.

(6) What is the importance of collaborative partnerships?
Building an effective NSDI will require a well-coordinated effort
among federal, tribal, state, local government, and academic
institutions, as well as a broad array of private sector geographic,
statistical, demographic, and other business information providers
and users. Involving these stakeholders in the development of the
NSDI will aid in meeting the needs of end-users.
Federal agencies will promote and fully utilize partnerships that
promote cost-effective data collection, documentation, maintenance, distribution, and preservation strategies, and that leverage
federal and other resources. New collaborative efforts and
partnerships are encouraged.

(7) What are the federal activities and technology that support
the NSDI?
Federal agencies and the FGDC carry out the activities required
to implement their responsibilities as described in section 8 of this
Circular. Agencies will provide or develop the required technology
and services required to enable and provide access to NSDI data
and information. The OMB will work with affected budget offices
to provide appropriate resources in support of these activities.
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3. What are the benefits of the NSDI?
Spatial data is a national capital asset. The NSDI facilitates efficient
collection, sharing, and dissemination of spatial data among all levels
of government institutions, as well as the public and private sectors, to
address issues affecting the Nation’s physical, economic, and social wellbeing. A coordinated approach for developing spatial data standards that
apply to collecting, maintaining, distributing, using, and preservation of
data will improve the quality of federal spatial data and reduce the cost of
derivative products created by federal and non-federal users. Applications
using spatial data that adhere to FGDC standards enable cost effective
public and private policy development, management, and operations.
Implementation of this Circular is essential to help federal agencies
eliminate duplication, avoid redundant expenditures, reduce resources
spent on unfunded mandates, accelerate the development of electronic
government to meet the needs and expectations of citizens and agency
programmatic mandates, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of public management.
Many applications are dependent upon accurate spatial data. The
benefits of the NSDI for these applications include creating a more
secure Nation. Some examples include the analysis and management of
utility infrastructures, transportation, energy, emergency management
and response, natural resource management, weather and climate
analysis, disaster recovery, homeland defense, law enforcement, protection planning, public health and other civilian or military strategic
issues. The seamless spatial information needed for these applications
can range from highly detailed local data, such as the nature of specific
hazardous material stored in a particular room of a single building, to
the various data needed for real-time projection of the probable effects
of natural disasters.

4. What is the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)?
The FGDC is an interagency committee responsible for facilitating
Circular A-l6 related activities and implementation of the NSDI.

a. What is the FGDC structure and membership?
The FGDC is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of the
Interior, with the Deputy Director for Management, OMB, serving as
Vice-Chair. Chair and Vice-Chair may designate an individual to act
in their stead. All agencies responsible for spatial data themes are
required to be members of the FGDC. Departments or agencies that
are members of the FGDC as of the date of this revision will continue
as members and are listed in Appendix B. Departments or agencies that
are not members of the FGDC and that have activities in geographic
information or spatial data collection or use will become members by
requesting membership in writing to the Chair of the FGDC.

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b. What are the FGDC procedures?
The FGDC will establish procedures and committee structures as are
necessary and sufficient to carry out interagency coordination and the
implementation of the NSDI, in accordance with existing law, statute,
and policy. Departments may elect or be assigned the lead responsibility for certain subcommittees, working groups or other committees,
consistent with each Department’s or agency’s existing authority as
described in its mission (e.g., statutory authority or Public Law), or
implied as part of its program responsibilities. The current FGDC
governing structure and bylaws are carried forward and remain in
force under this Circular, and may be modified according to existing
procedures. The Department of the Interior will provide administrative support to the FGDC.

POLICY
5. Does this Circular apply to my agency?
This Circular applies to your agency if it collects, produces, acquires,
maintains, distributes, uses, or preserves analog (e.g., paper maps) or
digital spatial data to fulfill your mission, either directly or through a
relationship with other organizations. Such organizations include, but
are not limited to, State and local governments, tribes, academia, federal
government business partners and contractors, and citizens.

6. What types of data activities does the
Circular apply to?
a. All spatial data and geographic information
systems activities — financed directly or indirectly,
in whole or in part, by federal funds.
b. As examples, this Circular applies to, but is not
limited to: The National Mapping Program, the
National Spatial Reference System, the National
Geologic Mapping Program, the National Wetlands Inventory,
the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program, the National
Public Land Survey System, Geographic Coordinate Database,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
nautical charting and nautical data collection and information
programs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) inland
waterway charting program, the Offshore Minerals Program, the
NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, FEMA’s Flood Plain Mapping
program and other federal activities that involve national surveying, mapping, remote sensing, spatially referenced statistical data,
and Global Positioning System (GPS). Additional spatial data
programs may be added to this list at any time.
c. Any activities that result in the geospatial representation of
international boundaries other than those of the United States
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with Canada or Mexico, which are governed by international
boundary commissions.
d. Any future federal spatial data programs or activities that may be
established, except as noted in section 7 below.

7. What types of data activities are exempt from
this Circular?
The following spatial data activities may be exempt from provisions within
this Circular, as determined by the appropriate official(s) noted below:
(1) Spatial data activities of tribal governments not paid for by federal
funds, as specifically determined by the tribal governments.
(2) Classified national security-related spatial data activities of the
Department of Defense, unless declassified by Executive Order
12951, as specifically determined by the Secretary of Defense; also
those activities of the Department of Energy, as specifically determined by the Secretary of Energy.
(3) Intelligence spatial data activities, as specifically determined by the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AND
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
8. What are the federal responsibilities?
a. What are the general federal agency responsibilities?
In order to use federal resources wisely, and to build the NSDI, all
agencies that collect, use, or disseminate geographic information
and/or carry out related spatial data activities will, both internally
and through their activities involving partners, grants, and contracts:
(1) Prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related spatial data activities
appropriate to their mission, in support of the NSDI Strategy.
Annually report to OMB on your achievements relative to your
strategies, and include spatial data assets within Exhibit 300
submissions (see OMB Circular A-11, sec. 300).
(2) Collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve spatial information
such that the resulting data, information, or products can be readily
shared with other federal agencies and non-federal users, and promote
data integration between all sources. Ensure that data information
products and other records created in spatial data activities are included on agency record schedules that have been approved by the
National Archives and Records Administration. These activities will
adhere to appropriate standards and be conducted in accordance
with existing regulations.

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(3) Allocate agency resources to fulfill the responsibilities of effective
spatial data collection, production, and stewardship.
(4) Use FGDC data standards, FGDC Content Standards for Digital
Geospatial Metadata, and other appropriate standards, documenting
spatial data with the relevant metadata, and making metadata available
online through a registered NSDI-compatible Clearinghouse node.
(5) Coordinate and work in partnership with federal, state, tribal
and local government agencies, academia and the private sector
to efficiently and cost-effectively collect, integrate, maintain,
disseminate, and preserve spatial data, building upon local data
wherever possible.
(6) Use spatial information to enhance electronic government initiatives, to make federal spatial information and services more useful to
citizens, to enhance operations, to support decisionmaking, and to
enhance reporting to the public and to the Congress.
(7) Protect personal privacy and maintain confidentiality fully
consistent with federal policy and law.
(8) Support emergency response activities requiring spatial data in
accordance with provisions of the Stafford Act and other governing
legislation.
(9) Participate in determining, when applicable, whether data
declassified pursuant to Executive Order 12951 can contribute to
and become a part of the NSDI.
(10) Search all sources, including the National Spatial Data
Clearinghouse, to determine if existing federal, state, local or
private data meets agency needs before expending funds for
data collection.
(11) Appoint a contact to coordinate with lead agencies for collection, acquisition, maintenance, or dissemination of the spatial data
themes used by their organization.

b. How does my agency report spatial
data assets within the budget and
performance review process?
Before the obligation of funds, ensure that all
expenditures for spatial data and related systems activities financed directly or indirectly,
in whole or in part, by federal funds are
compliant with the standards and provisions
of the FGDC. All Information Technology
systems which process spatial data should
identify planned investments for spatial data
and compliance with FGDC standards within the Exhibit 300 capital
asset and business plan submission (see OMB Circular A-11, sec. 300).

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c. What are the lead federal agencies for the NSDI
data themes?
Certain federal agencies have lead responsibilities for coordinating the
national coverage and stewardship of specific spatial data themes. The
data themes in the NSDI, their description, and the responsible lead
for each theme are listed in Appendix E. Lead agency responsibilities
and new data themes may be added or altered by recommendation of
the FGDC and concurrence by the OMB.

d. What are the responsibilities of lead federal agencies for the
NSDI data themes?
(1) Provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of needed FGDC standards, especially a data content standard
for each data theme. Agencies will assess existing standards, identify
anticipated or needed data standards, and develop a plan to originate
and implement needed standards with relevant community and
international practices in accordance with OMB Circular A-119,
consistent with or included in the plan described in section
8.d.(2) below.
(2) Provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for nationwide population of each data theme. Plans
will include the development of partnership programs with States,
Tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal agencies, and localities that meet the needs of users, address human and financial resource
needs, identify needs for standards, metadata, and the Clearinghouse,
and advance a timetable for the development of NSDI data themes.
(3) Under section 8.a of this Circular, will prepare goals that support
the NSDI strategy and, as needed, collect and analyze information
from users about their needs for spatial data, including these in
strategies related to their theme responsibilities.
(4) Administratively:
(a) Designate a point of contact within the lead agency who will
be responsible for development, maintenance, coordination,
and dissemination of data using the National Spatial Data
Clearinghouse;
(b) Provide a performance report, at least annually, that documents data theme activities and implementation status,
including progress toward goals identified in 8.d.(1), 8.d.(2)
and 8.d.(3) above.
(c) Publish maps or comparable graphics online showing the
current extent and status of the spatial data themes for
which they have the lead, and encourage all other sources of
data for those same themes to provide access to their data
through the Clearinghouse. Leads will coordinate with those
in charge of the Clearinghouse and always use FGDC specified Web mapping conventions; and
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(d) Identify and publish proven practices for the use and
application of agency data sets.

e. What are the FGDC responsibilities and reporting
requirements?
The FGDC leads and supports the NSDI strategy, spatial data policy
development, management, and operational decision making. The
FGDC also aids geographic information system use, directs and facilitates national implementation of the system of Framework Data and
other themes in the NSDI, implements the NSDI Clearinghouse, and
advises federal and other spatial data users on their NSDI implementation responsibilities.
The FGDC will:
(a) Prepare and maintain a strategic plan for the development
and implementation of the NSDI.
(b) Serve as the lead federal executive body charged with the leadership, development, implementation, and review of spatial
data standards, the NSDI Clearinghouse network, and a plan
for federal agencies responsible for the NSDI Framework and
other data themes to collect and provide broad access to
spatial data assets.
(c) Communicate with and foster communication among federal agencies
and others concerning spatial data
technology development, transfer,
and exchange.
(d) Promote and guide cooperation and
coordination among federal, state,
tribal and local government agencies,
academia and the private sector in the
collection, production, sharing and
use of spatial information, the implementation of the NSDI,
and the identification of proven practices.
(e) Coordinate with international organizations having an interest in the National or Global Spatial Data Infrastructures.
(f) Provide and update at least annually:
(i) An online status summary for each data theme authored
by the lead agencies, the FGDC, or other subcommittees,
working groups, and advisory committees.
(ii) An online collection of periodic technical publications,
management articles and reports related to the NSDI.
(iii) An online FGDC membership directory, including current subcommittee and working group memberships.

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(g) Ensure consistency of the NSDI with national security,
national defense, and emergency preparedness program
policies regarding data accessibility.
(h) Support the development of electronic government with
spatial data.
(i)Support and promote the infrastructure of networks, systems,
services, and standards that provide a digital representation of
the Earth to users for many applications.
(j)Through the Chair and Vice Chair, take actions where required
to recommend appropriate additions, revisions, or deletions to
this Circular.

9. How are differences settled among agencies?
Any major differences among agencies with respect to coordination or
conduct of activities covered by this Circular that cannot be resolved
by the FGDC leadership will be referred in writing by the head of any
agency concerned to the Director of the OMB. Copies of such referrals
will be provided to the Chair and Vice Chair of the FGDC and to the
heads of those agencies directly involved or affected by the outcome of
the decision.

10.How can I check that my agency is compliant with the latest
NSDI requirements and standards?
The FGDC website (www.fgdc.gov) will serve as an up-to-date resource
for reviewing the latest data standards, the source for spatial data that is
already collected, boilerplate procurement language, laws and regulations
regarding spatial data and information on the latest geospatial technologies.
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.
Director

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Appendix A: Authorities
This Circular provides requirements and guidance for the management
of data and federal information assets that relate to geographic locations.
The revised OMB Circular A-16 incorporates Executive Order 12906.
A basic list of authorities is listed below:
The Paperwork Reduction Act
The Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1999
The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
The Federal Records Act
OMB Circular A-130 (on Management of Federal
Information Resources)
OMB Circular A-119 (Federal Participation in the Development
and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and In Conformity
Assessment Activities)
The Freedom of Information Act and the Electronic Freedom of
Information Act Amendments of 1996
The Privacy Act
The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996
The Stafford Act
Federal Acquisition Regulations
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
Executive Order 12906 (Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition
and Access: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure)
Executive Order 12951 (Release of Imagery Acquired by Space-Based
National Intelligence Reconnaissance Systems)
Rehabilitation Act, Sec. 508, Electronic and Information Technology,
and other relevant statutes
The OMB may amend this list as new authorities are approved.

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Appendix B: FGDC Member Agencies
FGDC Members (July 2004*)
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Homeland Security
General Services Administration
Library of Congress
National Archives and Records Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Science Foundation
Tennessee Valley Authority

Appendix C: History and Background of
Circular A-16
This Circular was originally issued in 1953, revised in 1967, and revised
again in 1990. The Bureau of the Budget (now the OMB) issued Circular
No. A-16 on January 16, 1953. Appended to this Circular were Exhibits,
occasionally revised, that dealt with procedures for programming and
coordinating of federal Topographic Mapping Activities, National Atlas,
Geodetic Control Surveys and International Boundaries.
The purpose of the 1953 Circular was “to insure (sic) that surveying and
mapping activities may be directed toward meeting the needs of federal
and state agencies and the general public, and will be performed expeditiously, without duplication of effort.” The original Circular references
Executive Order No. 9094, dated March 10, 1942. This Executive Order
directs the Director of the Bureau of the Budget to coordinate and
promote the improvement of surveying and mapping activities of the
Government. Furthermore, it passes on functions carried out by the
Federal Board of Surveys and Maps, established by Executive Order No.
3206, dated December 30, 1919. Thus, the OMB is directed to make recommendations to agencies and to the President regarding the coordination
of all governmental map making and surveying. Executive Order No. 3206
superseded an Executive Order, dated August 10, 1906, that granted advisory power to the United States Geographic Board to review mapping
projects to avoid duplication and to facilitate standardized mapping.

*Updated by FGDC Secretariat

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A revised Circular A-16 was issued on May 6, 1967. The most significant
change in this revision is the addition of a new section on Responsibility
for Coordination. This section outlines the responsibilities of three
federal departments (Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of
Commerce (DOC) and Department of State (DOS)). Both the original
and the 1967 revision of the Circular focus on providing a guide for the
development of annual programs of the individual agencies and, through
the Exhibits, established extensive reporting requirements.
A second revised Circular A-16 was issued on October 19, 1990. This
revision expanded the Circular to include not only surveying and mapping, but also the related spatial data activities. Specifically, it included
geographically referenced computer-readable (digital) data. In addition,
the Exhibits are no longer referenced and a short reporting requirements
section is added.
The 2002 updated Circular calls for continued improvements in spatial
data coordination and the use of geographical data. Objectives for this
revision are to reflect the changes that have taken place in geographic
information management and technology, and to clearly define agency
and FGDC responsibilities. The proposed revision displays an integrated
infrastructure system approach to support multiple government services
and electronic government.

Appendix D: Informative Definitions
Analog: Of, relating to, or being a device in which data are represented
by variable measurable physical quantities. In this Circular, refers to
“paper” maps.
Preserve: The process of saving and storing data or records. May also
refer to the place where data or information is kept.
Clearinghouse: A distributed network of data producers, managers,
and users linked electronically, such as over the Internet. Through the
Clearinghouse, users can use a single interface to search and access metadata and/or data for the themes they seek. The Clearinghouse includes
the sites across the country where the metadata and data are stored,
usually at the site of the producer or intermediary.
Data: Factual information, especially information organized for
analysis or used to reason or make decisions. In Computer Science,
numerical or other information represented in a form suitable for
processing by computer.
Data Theme: Electronic records and coordinates for a topic or subject,
such as elevation, vegetation, or hydrography. In this Circular, data theme
refers to a Geographic Information System (GIS), or location-based
data theme.
Framework Data: Seven themes of geospatial data that are used by most
GIS applications (geodetic control, orthoimagery, elevation and bathymetry, transportation, hydrography, cadastral and governmental units).
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These data include an encoding of the geographic extent of the features
and a minimal number of attributes needed to identify and describe
the features.
Framework: The NSDI framework is an initiative to develop a readily
available set of basic geographic data. It includes the information, operational environment, and technology to provide access to these data, and
the institutional setting to sustain its development.
Geographic Information: Coordinate and attribute data for locationbased features, usually in the categories of point (e.g., a well), line (e.g.,
a road), polygon (e.g., a forest), cell (e.g., a raster-based “rectangle”), or
coordinates (e.g., the latitude-longitude of a point on the ground).
Geographic Information System: A computer system for the
input, editing, storage, retrieval, analysis, synthesis, and output of
location-based information. GIS may refer to hardware and software,
or include data.
Georeference: A set of datums by which the location of each point can
be uniquely identified.
Geospatial Data: Information that identifies the geographic location and
characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the
Earth. This information may be derived from, among other things, remote
sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies. Statistical data may be
included in this definition at the discretion of the collecting agency.
Geospatial Services: A collection of operations, accessible through an
interface that allows a user to evoke a behavior of value to the user.
Global Positioning System: A satellite-based system deployed to determine locations on the Earth’s surface. It is commonly used for surveying,
mapping, and navigation on land and water.
Metadata: Information about data, such as content, source, vintage,
accuracy, condition, projection, responsible party, contact phone number, method of collection, and other characteristics or descriptions.
National Spatial Data Infrastructure: The technology, policies,
standards, human resources, and related activities necessary to acquire,
process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data (e.g., information and process discovery, publishing data, publishing symbol
libraries, query filtering, data fusing, Earth
imaging, photogrammetry, location processing,
and spatial analysis).
Proven Practices: Methods and activities that
are “tried and true” including, but not limited
to “best practice.”
Spatial Data: Information that identifies the
geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries
on the Earth. This information may be derived
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from remote sensing, mapping, charting, surveying technologies, GPS,
or statistical data, among other sources.
Spatial Data Standards: Descriptions of objects, features, or other geographically located items that are collected, automated, or affected by
activities or functions of agencies, and may be structured in a model.
Standards: Documented agreements containing technical specifications
or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or
definitions of characteristics to ensure that materials, products, processes,
or services are fit for their purposes.
Technology: The scientific method and material used to achieve a
commercial or industrial objective. Jargon for “software,” “hardware,”
“protocol,” or something technical in nature.

Appendix E: NSDI Data Themes, Definitions,
and Lead Agencies
The lead federal agencies with responsibilities for NSDI spatial data
themes are as follows:

Baseline (Maritime): Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA and DOI,
Minerals Management Service (MMS)
Baseline represents the line from which maritime zones and limits are
measured. Examples of these limits include the territorial sea, contiguous
zone, and exclusive economic zone. The spatial extent of the baseline is
defined as “ordinary low water,” interpreted as mean lower low water, as
depicted on National Ocean Service nautical charts and/or appropriate
supplemental information.

Biological Resources: DOI, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
This dataset includes data pertaining to or descriptive of (nonhuman)
biological resources and their distributions and habitats, including data
at the suborganismal (genetics, physiology, anatomy, etc.), organismal
(subspecies, species, systematics), and ecological (populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, etc.) levels.

*Cadastral: DOI, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Cadastral data describe the geographic extent of past, current, and future
right, title, and interest in real property, and the framework to support
the description of that geographic extent. The geographic extent includes
survey and description frameworks such as the Public Land Survey
System, as well as parcel-by-parcel surveys and descriptions.

*Cadastral (Offshore): DOI, MMS
Offshore Cadastre is the land management system used on the Outer
Continental Shelf. It extends from the baseline to the extent of United
States jurisdiction. Existing coverage is currently limited to the contermi-

*Indicates framework theme

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nous United States and portions of Alaska. Maximum extent of United
States jurisdiction is not yet mathematically calculated.

Climate: Co-leaders, Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and DOC, NOAA
Climate data describe the spatial and temporal characteristics of the
Earth’s atmosphere/hydrosphere/land surface system. These data represent both model-generated and observed (either in situ or remotely
sensed) environmental information, which can be summarized to
describe surface, near surface and atmospheric conditions over a range
of scales.

Cultural and Demographic Statistics: DOC, U.S. Census
Bureau (USCB)
These geospatially referenced data describe the characteristics of people,
the nature of the structures in which they live and work, the economic
and other activities they pursue, the facilities they use to support their
health, recreational and other needs, the environmental consequences
of their presence, and the boundaries, names and numeric codes of
geographic entities used to report the information collected.

Cultural Resources: DOI, National Park Service
The cultural resources theme includes historic places such as districts,
sites, buildings, and structures of significance in history, architecture,
engineering, or culture. Cultural resources also encompass prehistoric
features as well as historic landscapes.

*Digital Ortho Imagery: DOI, USGS
This dataset contains georeferenced images of the Earth’s surface, collected
by a sensor in which image object displacement has been removed for sensor distortions and orientation, and terrain relief. For very large surface
areas, an Earth curvature correction may be applied. Digital orthoimages
encode the optical electromagnetic spectrum as discrete values modeled in
an array of georeferenced pixels. Digital orthoimages have the geometric
characteristics of a map, and image qualities of a photograph.

Earth Cover: DOI, USGS
The Earth Cover theme uses a hierarchical classification system based on
observable form and structure, as opposed to function or use. This system
transitions from generalized to more specific and detailed class divisions,
and provides a framework within which multiple land cover and land
use classification systems can be cross-referenced. This system is applicable everywhere on the surface of the Earth. This theme differs from the
Vegetation and Wetlands themes, which provide additional detail.

*Indicates framework theme

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*Elevation Bathymetric: Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA (U.S. waters
outside channels) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
(inland waterways)
The bathymetric data for Inland and Intercoastal waterways is highly
accurate bathymetric sounding information collected to ensure that
federal navigation channels are maintained to their authorized depths.
Bathymetric survey activities support the Nation’s critical nautical
charting program. This data is also used to create Electronic Navigational
Charts. The bathymetric sounding data supports the elevation layer of
the geospatial data framework.

*Elevation Terrestrial: DOI, USGS
This data contains georeferenced digital representations of terrestrial
surfaces, natural or manmade, which describe vertical position above or
below a datum surface. Data may be encapsulated in an evenly spaced
grid (raster form) or randomly spaced (triangular irregular network,
hypsography, single points). The elevation points can have varying horizontal and vertical resolution and accuracy.

Buildings and Facilities: General Services Administration
The facility theme includes federal sites or entities with a geospatial location
deliberately established for designated activities; a facility database might
describe a factory, military base, college, hospital, power plant, fishery,
national park, office building, space command center, or prison. Facility
data is submitted from several agencies, since there is no one party responsible for all the facilities in the Nation, and facilities encompass a broad
spectrum of activities. The FGDC promotes standardizing on database
structures and schemas to the extent practical.

Federal Land Ownership Status: DOI, BLM
Federal land ownership status includes the establishment and maintenance of a system for the storage and dissemination of information
describing all title, estate or interest of the federal government in a parcel
of real and mineral property. The ownership status system is the portrayal
of title for all such federal estates or interests in land.

Flood Hazards: Federal Emergency
Management Agency
National Flood Insurance Program has prepared
flood hazard data for approximately 18,000
communities. The primary information prepared
for these communities is for the 1 percent annual
chance (100-year) flood, and includes documentation of the boundaries and elevations of
that flood.

*Indicates framework theme

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*Geodetic Control: DOC, NOAA
Geodetic control provides a common reference system for establishing
coordinates for all geographic data. All NSDI framework data and users’
applications data require geodetic control to accurately register spatial
data. The National Spatial Reference System is the fundamental
geodetic control for the United States.

Geographic Names: DOI, USGS
This dataset contains data or information on geographic place names
deemed official for federal use by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names
as pursuant to Public Law 80-242. Geographic Names information
includes both the official place name (current, historical, and aliases) and
locative direct (i.e., geographic coordinates) and indirect (i.e., State and
County where place is located) geospatial identifiers and categorized as
populated places, schools, reservoirs, parks, streams, valleys, and ridges.

Geologic: DOI, USGS
The geologic spatial data theme includes all geologic mapping information
and related geoscience spatial data (including associated geophysical, geochemical, geochronologic, and paleontologic data) that can contribute to
the National Geologic Map Database as pursuant to Public Law 106-148.

*Governmental Units: DOC, USCB
These data describe, by a consistent set of rules and semantic definitions,
the official boundary of federal, state, local, and tribal governments as
reported/certified to the U.S. Census Bureau by responsible officials of
each government for purposes of reporting the Nation’s official statistics.

Housing: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD’s database maintains geographic data on homeownership rates,
including many attributes such as HUD revitalization zones, location of
various forms of housing assistance, first-time homebuyers, underserved
areas, and race. Data standards have not yet been formalized.

*Hydrography: DOI, USGS
This data theme includes surface water features
such as lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, canals,
oceans, and coastlines. Each hydrography feature
is assigned a permanent feature identification
code (Environmental Protection Agency Reach
Code) and may also be identified by a feature
name. Spatial positions of features are encoded
as centerlines and polygons. Also encoded is network connectivity and direction of flow.

*Indicates framework theme

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International Boundaries: Department of State
International boundary data include both textual information to
describe, and GIS digital cartographic data to depict, both land and maritime international boundaries, other lines of separation, limits, zones,
enclaves/exclaves and special areas between States and dependencies.

Law Enforcement Statistics: Department of Justice
Law enforcement statistics describe the occurrence of events (including
incidences, offenses and arrests) geospatially located, related to ordinance
and statutory violations and the individuals involved in those occurrences. Also included are data related to deployment of law enforcement
resources and performance measures.

Marine Boundaries: Co-leaders: DOC, NOAA and DOI, MMS
Marine boundaries depict offshore waters and seabeds over which the
United States has sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Offshore Minerals: DOI, MMS
Offshore minerals include minerals occurring in submerged lands.
Examples of marine minerals include oil, gas, sulfur, gold, sand and
gravel, and manganese.

Outer Continental Shelf Submerged Lands: DOI, MMS
This data includes lands covered by water at any stage of the tide, as
distinguished from tidelands, which are attached to the mainland or an
island and cover and uncover with the tide. Tidelands presuppose a highwater line as the upper boundary; whereas submerged lands do not.

Public Health: Department of Health and Human Services
Public health themes relate to the protection, improvement and promotion of the health and safety of all people. For example, public health
databases include spatial data on mortality and natality events, infectious
and notifiable diseases, incident cancer cases, behavioral risk factor and
tuberculosis surveillance, hazardous substance releases and health effects,
hospital statistics and other similar data.

Public Land Conveyance (patent) Records: DOI, BLM
Public land conveyance data are the records that describe all past, current,
and future, right, title, and interest in real property. This is a system of
storage, retrieval and dissemination of documents describing the right,
title, and interest of a parcel.

Shoreline: DOC, NOAA
Shorelines represent the intersection of the land with the water surface.
The shoreline shown on NOAA Charts represents the line of contact
between the land and a selected water elevation. In areas affected by tidal
fluctuations, this line of contact is the mean high water line.

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Soils: USDA, NRCS
Soil data consist of georeferenced digital map data and associated tabular
attribute data. The map data describe the spatial distribution of the
various soils that cover the Earth’s surface. The attribute data describe the
proportionate extent of the various soils as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of those soils. The physical and chemical properties are
based on observed and measured values, as well as model-generated
values. Also included are model-generated assessments of the suitability
or limitations of the soils to various land uses.

*Transportation: Department of Transportation, Bureau of
Transportation Statistics
Transportation data are used to model the geographic locations, interconnectedness, and characteristics of the transportation system within
the United States. The transportation system includes both physical and
non-physical components representing all modes of travel that allow the
movement of goods and people between locations.

Transportation (Marine): USACE
The Navigation Channel Framework consists of highly accurate dimensions (geographic coordinates for channel sides, centerlines, wideners,
turning basins, and River Mile Markers) for every federal navigation
channel maintained by USACE. The Navigation Framework will
provide the basis for the marine transportation theme of the geospatial
data framework.

Vegetation: USDA, U.S. Forest Service
Vegetation data describe a collection of plants or
plant communities with distinguishable characteristics that occupy an area of interest. Existing
vegetation covers or is visible at or above the
land or water surface and does not include
abiotic factors that tend to describe potential
vegetation.

Watershed Boundaries: Co-leaders: DOI, USGS and USDA, NRCS
This data theme encodes hydrologic, watershed boundaries into topographically defined sets of drainage areas, organized in a nested hierarchy
by size, and based on a standard hydrologic unit coding system.

Wetlands: DOI, Fish and Wildlife Service
The wetlands data layer provides the classification, location, and extent
of wetlands and deepwater habitats. There is no attempt to define the
proprietary limits or jurisdictional wetland boundaries of any federal,
state, or local agencies.
Lead Agency responsibilities and new data themes may be added or
altered by recommendation of the FGDC and concurrence by the OMB.
*Indicates framework theme

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For more information on the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and
the work of the Federal Geographic Data Committee, visit the FGDC
Web site at www.fgdc.gov .