ASGIS User Group Agenda
March 3, 2004

Presentation by Ron Salz

Ron Salz who is the GIS/GPS Specialist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu, HI gave a briefing on a Botany GIS project completed with Art Whistler on mapping botanical specimens. Ron detailed the project from the initial meetings with Art to the end data product. The presentation illustrated the use of Microsoft Access for the database creation and data input. The data was also shown in shapefile format in ArcMap. The data points and documentation can be downloaded from the ASGIS User Group FTP.

Multi-beam survey update (Nancy)

The Coral Reef Ecosystem Division of NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center sent a research vessel to American Samoa to conduct several field experiments for oceanographic research. This research activity ties into the Rapid Ecological survey that was completed two years ago. They are taking bathymetry requests for the next two weeks (contact Scott Ferguson for details). Other activities they are completing are multi-beam mapping, night mapping, camera validation, and CTV’s. The Ahi boat is currently being used for the multi-beam mapping. If anyone is interested in going out on the multi-beam boat please contact Scott or Ron at 252-2845.

Palau Community College Update for GIS/Database/Benchmarking Training (David)

The selection was made by Don Hanser and Kelly Raleigh of Palau Community College for people to take part in the regional training opportunity and alternates for the training. David will send out a notice this week to the selected trainees and alternates that were chosen by Don and Kelly for the database training. David will be attending the first training in Palau in mid March for Database training. When he returns he will train the selected 20 trainees either in the end of March or beginning of April. The database course will be taught at the ASCC engineering laboratory during the evenings for a designated number of weeks to be determined. After the initial database training, 5 individuals will be chosen for the GIS and Benchmarking training in Palau that is tentatively planned for August. In the future, it is envisioned that there will be an ASCC certificate associated with the database, GIS, and Benchmarking training.

Agency updates

ASCC

David Kulberg reminded the AS User Group of the FIG grant training opportunity. The FIG grant was developed by David to allow users to receive free ESRI online training in ArcView, ArcGIS, and their extentions including Spatial Analyst and 3-D Analyst. Please see David or call him at 699-4520 for details and information about logging into the online training sessions. He also urged people to finish the online training if you have started an online course in the past.

Land Grant

Eric Hansen will be working on an invasive plant species study in the near future. He will be using data from Cole and sampling 100 meter plots that are randomly distributed around the Island of Tutuila. He announced the opportunity for volunteers for hiking to the plots. The study will begin in April.

Historic Preservation Society

Julie Taomia announced that she will be leaving the Historic Preservation Society in mid March. She will still be located on Island but will work on the consulting side.

National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Island Regional Office

Fatima Sauafea announced that Robert O’Conner from the PIRO Office GIS section will be on Island in the near future.

DMWR

Francesca will be working on developing fisheries data and biological data as part of her work plan. She is also working with Nancy to create a qualitative data layer for post Heta damage on Tutuila.

FBNMS

Reefweeks will take place during the week of March 8th. This year reefweeks will be comprised of presentations on GIS and reefs to 4 schools.

Nancy also announced that the Sensitivity of Coastal Environments and Wildlife to Spilled Oil American Samoa Atlas has been received at the FBNMS and DOC office (CRAG). This sensitivity index atlas was created by the NOAA National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration. The atlas contains very informative and colorful maps and detailed information. The digital format will follow. Please contact either Nancy or Chris to view the sensitivity index atlas.

Next meeting

April. Karyn Caldwell from Ecological Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at Colorado State University will be on Island for an archaeological investigation.

Agencies present for ASGIS User group meeting

ASCC - David Kulberg

ASHPO - Julie Taomia

ASPA - Faafetai Wells, Paulo Tuimalu

DOC - Troy Curry, Tali Tuinei, Laurie Williams

DMWR - Francesca Riolo

FBNMS - Nancy Daschbach

ASCC Land Grant - Eric Hansen, Neil Gurr, Jessica Ludgate, Mila Misa

ASCC Sea Grant Marine Science - Karolyn Braun

NMFS-PIRO - Fatima Sauafea

NRCS - Colin Barnard

USFWS - Ron Salz