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Elevation Specifications Review Board

By NGP Standards and Specifications

The 3DEP Elevation Specifications Review Board (ESRB) is responsible for updates to specifications and requirements for elevation products used in The National Map. 

The ESRB includes members from groups within the National Geospatial Program who have responsibilities related to elevation products. Such products include the 1-m layer based on lidar data, 5-m in Alaska based on interferometric SAR (ifsar), and 1/3-arc-second, 1-arc-second, and 2-arc-second resolution layers. The board meets monthly or more often as necessary to discuss and review revisions to the Lidar Base Specification. Once the board approves a revision, the 3DEP Working Group reviews and votes on the revision. If approved, the revision is incorporated into the next release of the specification. If denied, the ESRB has an opportunity to modify the proposed revision to address any concerns the 3DEP WG members may have or withdraw the revision from consideration. Proposals for revisions to the Lidar Base Specification are made by the board members or through the 3DEP Working Group members. Updated versions of the elevation specifications are then made available through the USGS National Geospatial Program's Standards and Specifications website.  

This new review and approval process significantly decreases the amount of time necessary to adapt the specification and collection requirements to changes in technology or needs. 

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact TNM_help@usgs.gov.