Number 070 SCR 16 - Use of State Geographic Information JO FENETY, AIDE, SENATOR DRUE PEARCE, stated the Geographic Information System (GIS) is a tool which is becoming the preeminent tool in finding out about land, environmental and natural resource decision making for agencies. Through the years, state agencies have spent millions of dollars gathering this data. She said much of the data is nonproprietary, yet it has been difficult to access. She explained SCR 16 will allow access to the data by a university associated entity. Number 085 DR. DOUGLAS SEGAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE INSTITUTE, stated GIS is becoming the method of storing and using environment and natural resource data. GIS is a method of storing data in a computer which can be continuously updated and instantly printed out for use in decision making on an ongoing, timely basis. He said GIS replaces the old data report and map which was updated once every two years. The Environment and Natural Resource Institute has three public information programs including the Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, the Alaska State Climate Center, and the Alaska Natural Heritage program. DR. SEGAR said the Environment and Natural Resource Institute is in the business of providing to the public and students environment and natural resource data related to the state and the arctic for various purposes. The institute has approximately 300 requests a month for information, with the majority of requests coming from individuals or small businesses who are not able to spend the time or money to research where this information is. He noted the institute has had a minor problem in recent years both with the federal government and state agencies in that now the information is being stored on computers, there is a tendency to think that the GIS files are works in progress and therefore, not at the point where they should be released. He said there is a tendency to call them draft reports. However, in practice these files are continuously updated, so they never will be finished. He stated the institute needs assistance to ensure access. DR. SEGAR noted the institute is designated as a (indiscernible) data base center and therefore has access to all of the United Nations environment program GIS files. The institute also has an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, who is the GIS leader in the federal government, giving the institute access to most and eventually all of the federal government GIS files. The institute would like to be able to do the same with state information. Number 125 REPRESENTATIVE JAMES asked if this program receives federal funds and if so, how will cuts in federal funding affect the program. DR. SEGAR responded there will be little effect. The institute supplements its general fund appropriation about 3-1 with federal funding. That ratio has not changed over the years and there is no expectation of any change in the future. He said the institute is quite capable of generating additional federal dollars, but it is felt that is not a very stable thing to do. He stressed the institute is unable to accept all of the federal contracts which are offered. He noted the institute has had to adopt an internal rule that contracts will not be accepted where the institute has to match with more than 20 percent state funding because the institute cannot then take in the same amount of federal dollars. He noted that federal funding in this area is actually increasing. Number 151 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked if the university and state data processing systems are now compatible. DR. SEGAR replied yes. He said in the GIS area, there is a standard software package which is not just standard in Alaska or the United States, but worldwide. REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON stated this is an area that years ago much effort was put forth in trying to establish systems between the university and state agencies which were sufficiently compatible and there was resistance by the university. He wondered if that problem has been rectified. DR. SEGAR responded at a number of levels the problem has been rectified, but he cannot say the problem has been eliminated completely. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES made a MOTION to MOVE SCR 16 out of committee with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS. CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED. Number 180 (CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted for the record that REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE had joined the committee at 8:45 a.m.) ANNOUNCEMENTS CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS stated the resumes of the ten Governor's appointees to various state boards and commissions had been distributed to each committee member. He asked the committee to decide if they are prepared to make their decision regarding confirmation based on the individual's resume or if they would like to interview any of the individuals, either in person or by teleconference. He said the committee will consider these appointments on Monday, April 11. The committee decided the only two people they would like to interview are Richard Burley and Ed Grasser, appointees to the Board of Game. However, the committee decided that each appointee should be on teleconference for questions and discussion. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the House Resources Committee, Chairman Williams adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m.