Committee Co-Chairs

• Department of Commerce, Acting Co-Chair NOAA Chief of Staff Dr. Karen Hyun
• Department of Interior, Acting Co-Chair DOI Assistant Secretary for Water and Science nominee Tanya Trujillo

Meeting Information

• The next meeting will be held in Anchorage on August 24, 2021. A virtual option will be available for those unable to travel. The Committee will be updated on significant work and planning occurring this summer. The Committee will also consider several new initiatives that have been suggested by participating agencies. 
• The last meeting was held virtually on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Highlights include:
  • The highlight of the meeting was a visit by DOI Secretary Deb Haaland who recognized the Committee's accomplishments and value to the nation.
  • Significant recent accomplishments were recognized including development of the Alaska Coastal Mapping Implementation Plan currently under OMB review, addition of Wetlands Mapping to AMEC targeted acquisitions, the State's implementation of the 0.5m-resolution statewide imagery service, and approval of an updated 18-Month Tactical Plan.
  • Status of hydrography, imagery, GRAV-D, shorelines, coastal bathymetry, and terrestrial hydrography was presented.

18-Month Tactical Plan

• AMEC uses 18-month tactical plans to guide its coordination activities. The plans provide details regarding anticipated data acquisition, communication, and outreach objectives.

                                                             Alaska Mapping 18-month Tactical Plan III

  This plan proposes the actions that will be taken from April 2021 through September 2022 to advance the mapping efforts of the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee in coordination with the Alaska Geospatial Council and various Alaska Federal Regional Executives.

• Terrestrial Hydrography goals (Guides: Tracy Fuller, Brian Wright, Kim Homan, Parker Martyn, Sydney Thielke and Alaska Hydrography Technical Working Group)
  • AMEC partnering agencies will acquire 120,000 square miles of updated NHD/WBD comprising 22% statewide coverage coordinating with the Alaska Hydrography Technical Working Group.
  • USGS will acquire 110,000 square miles of NHDPlus HR comprising 18% of statewide coverage.
  • USFWS, USGS and the State of Alaska will engage in the combined NHD/NWI collection project funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trust Council. Representatives will identify common collection standards and procedures and document any cost savings.
  • USGS explore solutions for modifying recently updated non-EDH NHD to meet new USGS specifications for downslope monotonicity and elevation height attribution.
  • USGS and USFS will coordinate cross-border terrestrial hydrography alignment with Natural Resources Canada using established coordination councils.
  • USGS to work with State of Alaska to designate NHD Steward, role, and responsibilities.
• Wetlands Mapping goals (Guides: Sydney Thielke, Chris Noyles, Parker Martyn)
  • The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) will be officially recognized as a monitored theme by the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee.
  • FWS, as the data Steward, will coordinate data acquisition, conduct quality control and integrate data into the National Wetlands Inventory Geodatabase.
  • AMEC partners will acquire 35 million acres of standard compliant National Wetlands Inventory data, in accordance with the ten-year strategy produced by the Alaska Wetlands Technical Working Group.
  • The AMEC and USFWS will coordinate data collection efforts with the Alaska Wetlands Technical Working Group.
  • USFWS, USGS and the State of Alaska will engage in the combined NHD/NWI collection project funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trust Council. Representatives will identify common collection standards and procedures and document any cost savings.
  • AMEC partners will identify and explore funding/contracting mechanisms to expediate partnerships amongst agencies and other data collection efforts including the NHD.
• GRAV-D goals (Guides: Jeff Johnson, Nic Kinsman)
  • See relevant FY21-22 performance indicators in Objective 2.2. Upgrade Alaska National Spatial Reference System Components to Support Mapping Data Acquisition portion of the Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy Implementation Plan 2020-2030.
• Shoreline Mapping goals (Guides: Mike Aslaksen, Nic Kinsman)
  • See relevant FY21-22 performance indicators in Objective 2.3. Produce and Disseminate Key Datasets and Products from Alaska Coastal Mapping Data portion of the Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy Implementation Plan 2020-2030.
• Coastal Topography/Bathymetry Mapping goals (Guides: Ashley Chappell, Nic Kinsman, Jaci Overbeck)
  • Coordinate with the AMEC Coastal Mapping Technical Subcommittee, a subsidiary of the AMEC Technical Subcommittee
  • See relevant FY21-22 performance indicators in Objective 2.1. Execute a Flexible Alaska Coastal Mapping Campaign portion of the Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy Implementation Plan 2020-2030.
• Imagery goals (Guides: Leslie Jones, Chris Noyles, Parker Martyn, Kim Homan, John Mootz, Tony Kimmett)
  • Continue collaboration with the Civil Applications Committee (CAC) for the acquisition of spectrally consistent Worldview 2/3, 8-band imagery (Pan/MSI) for the areas in the State that are older than 2017 or non-summer scenes via the NRO NGA NextView contract. Ensure delivery to Earth Explorer.
  • Promote continued collection of AK scenes by NGA to replace scenes that are older than five years, non-WV 2/3, or of inferior clarity (cloud cover, haze, snow, smoke).
  • Technical Subcommittee representatives support the National Digital Orthophoto Program’s Investigation of a potential NAIP-like imagery acquisition program to support common federal, State, and local AOIs in Alaska.
  • Evaluate use of imagery service subscriptions to meet statewide imagery requirements and refresh rates.
  • Acquire high resolution, 30cm, 4 band, public-domain imagery on 20% of USFS lands in Alaska. Estimated acquisition includes 3 million acres in FY21 and 2.5 million acres of FY22, based on projected funding.
  • AMEC agencies identify opportunities to support State of Alaska imagery service and distribution mechanisms.

• Next generation topographic elevation data (Guides: Brian Wright, Leslie Jones, and Mike Hendricks)

  • Evaluate results of 3D Nation Survey to understand future revisit requirements and priority target areas.
  • Identify potential new technologies.
  • Investigate opportunities to engage in the 3DEP Broad Agency Announcement.
  • Members will identify opportunities to develop partnerships that support digital elevation updates.
• Prepare communication materials and establish meetings and mechanisms to transfer knowledge of AMEC objectives and activities to broad array of political, federal, and citizen representation (Guides: Tracy Fuller, Chris Noyles, Leslie Jones)
  • Pursue executive-level representation from all AMEC member agencies, specifically individuals who can commit agency resources and funding.
  • Appoint new officers to AMEC as necessary.
  • Develop AMEC introduction presentation and white paper.
  • Develop and maintain up to date membership information and distribution lists at the Technical Subcommittee and Executive levels