COMENTARY

Maps in our lives

by Richard R. Randall

For many years, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, the Cartography and Geographic Information Society, and the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress have promoted excellence in cartography and mapping through the annual CaGIS-ACSM Map Design Competition. more >>

SURVEYING&GIS

Geographic text search

by John Henry Gross

A surveyor prepares to work at the proposed site for a new highway. He knows that part of the landscape is considered ecologically fragile--but what part? That information is contained in EPA documents. more >>

The state of GIS in state surveying societies

by Joshua Greenfeld

Many states have established a Geographic Information System (GIS) office and/or a GIS Council where important GIS-related policies and standards are being formed and implemented. It is imperative that surveyors actively participate in the policy making and professional decisions made by these organizations. more>>

GEODESY

A change for the better

by Dru Smith ad Ilse Genovese

In a dynamic world, people expect to have access, in real time, to the most accurate and up-to-date information which exists for a site on which they are trying to position themselves. Providing such information is the business of the National Geodetic Survey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. more>>

HYDROGRAPHY

Coastal hazards: Tools for warning & mitigation

by Allison L. Allen, Lori E. Fenstermacher, and Gerald Hovis

Coastal hazards vary by geographic region. For instance, the East and Gulf coasts are more susceptible to storm surge effects from storms and hurricanes, while the West coast and Alaska are more vulnerable to tsunamis. Changes in relative sea level can have several potential impact, such s increased flooding, coastal erosion, and wetland loss. more>>

INTERNATIONAL

The FIG Report, vol. II, no. 2

by John Hohol

FIG and its 10 Commissions participate in a broad spectrum of activities that involve the international surveying and geospatial community. The FIG Report vol. II, no. 2 is a report on the results of a joint workshop held by FIG Commission 3 (Spatial Information Management) UN/ECE Working Party on Land Administration and UN/ECE Commission on Housing and Land Management, held March 28-31, 2007 in Sounio, Greece. more>>
Questions: jhohol@gmail.com.

ADVOCACY

JGAC semi-annual report, March 2007

by Laurence Socci

Since JGAC's last meeting in the fall of 2006, significant strides have been made in many government affairs issues. We worked with several coalitions on issues important to our members, including the Government Withholding Relief Coalition which is working to repeal the three percent withholding tax which was signed into law in 2006 as part of broader legislation. more>>