ASGIS User Group Meeting Minutes
February 25th 2005
DPW Conference Room

New datasets (Biology, Topography)

The Environmental Sensitivity Index maps that were created by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Hazardous Materials Response Division, Seattle, Washington, Seattle, Washington. The ESI data was put into the format consistent with data in the Databank under the directory Biology/ESI.

New DRG hard copy & digital maps, Infrastructure maps from USACE

We received 10 hardcopy maps from Henry Wolter of the U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Programs, Hawaii and Pacific Basin Islands. The digital DRG was downloaded and placed into the topology directory in the Databank (tut_east, tut_west, man_east, man_west) where the previous DRG resides. Ron Salz from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is sending down an additional 80 maps (40 east & west for Tutuila) curtousy of his agency. Special thanks go out to Henry and Ron for getting the maps to American Samoa.

Justin Pummell of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Honolulu District) has made available indexed maps of American Samoa containing Quickbird imagery and topomaps for areas without current imagery. These maps were created to aid in the infrastructure damage assessment by TOHS. Copies of the digital maps can be obtained from DOC GIS. Thanks to Justin and Benton for creating these maps.

2001 Vegetation Classification by USFS (Draft) available for viewing

Lisa Fischer sent down a draft version of the vegetation classification of all the Islands of American Samoa. Digital versions can be obtained from DOC GIS for review. Mike Misa and Eric Hanson have the hardcopies of the vegetation classification. An accuracy assessment will occur in the next 2-3 months between Land Grant and technical help from DOC.

DPW update on Land use project

Pete is coordinating with the Registrar’s Office to determine the amount of land available in Tutuila. They are also working on a land information database.

ASPA/ASTCA protocol (Appendix A for SDI)

ASPA and ASTCA held a meeting within the past month with members from upper management to create a protocol for contact between the two agencies in regard to maintenance and installation of communication and utility lines. The protocol will prevent damage between one another’s utility lines and will be included as an item within the proposed Executive Order.

ASGIS User Group Website

There have been over 500 visitors to the ASGIS User Group website in the past month. If any agencies wish to update their projects information please send the update to Troy. Additionally if agencies want to update or add their names to the member’s page please contact Troy (http://doc.asg.as).

Upcoming conferences

1.) Geo-Tools: March 7-10; http://www.csc.noaa.gov/geotools/
2.) PRiMO workshop for Hazard managers: March 15-17
3.) Ocean Symposium and 25th Anniversary of CZM (DOC): May 24-27 2005; http://www.amsamoa.com
4.) CZM ’05: July 17-21, 2005; http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz/
5.) Twenty-Fifth Annual ESRI International User Conference: July 25–29, 2005, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California; http://www.esri.com/events/uc/

Visiting Researchers

· Eric Gillman will be in American Samoa March 21-25 conducting a follow up on his mangrove research sites.
· Dawn Wright will be visiting American Samoa July 2nd to work on collecting marine data in Fagatele and various other places. The data collection will be done using a submersible and research vessel.

Agency Updates

ASPA – the Wastewater division has completed 70% of the Nu’uuli surveying.

ASTCA – working on ArcIMS w/ SDE. David has brought the Databank into SDE. David is currently using ArcGIS for completing work orders.

DMWR – Francesca will be presenting at GeoTools ’05 on her ocean temperature and fisheries project. She has acquired drifter data for American Samoa.

DOC – The GIS division will be receiving a new server to support ArcIMS. The metadata server has also been brought online but still having difficulties with seeing the server outside the network.

DPW – Pete is coordinating with the Registrar’s Office to determine the amount of land available in Tutuila. They are also working on a land information database.

FBNMS – Nancy met with Susan Voight will on a business trip in Hawaii. Susan will work on an Atlas for FBNMS. Nancy is also looking into acquiring a server to support queries on marine data within a relational database.

Next ASGIS User Group Meeting end of March

Attendees

Pete Tuaolo – DPW/SLID
Alvina Lutu – DPW – Civil/Highway Division
David Herdrich – HPO
Tali Tuinei – DOC
Dion Te’o – DOC
Neil Gurr – ASCC Land Grant
Tai Savea – DPW – A/E
Nevo Siaosi – DPW – A/E
Nancy Daschbach – FBNMS
Francesca Riolo – DMWR
David Alaga – ASTCA
Vani Atafua – ASTCA
Troy Curry – DOC
Fa’afetai Wells – ASPA
Petelo Ioane – ASPA
Tim Currey – ASPA