Alaska Mapping Executive Committee Tactical Plan

This plan proposes the actions that will be taken from July 2023 through December 2024 to advance the mapping efforts of the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) in coordination with the Alaska Geospatial Council and various Alaska Federal Regional Executives. 

• Terrestrial Hydrography goals

  • The USGS will deliver at least one Alaska eight-digit hydrologic unit of elevation-derived hydrography in the new 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) format to Alaska users for review in 2023 and will convert all National Hydrography Dataset data in Alaska to the 3DHP format by the end of 2024.

  • The Technical Subcommittee will develop and recommend to AMEC an updated metric for monitoring terrestrial hydrography accomplishments under the new 3DHP.  

  • The Alaska Geospatial Council’s Hydrography Working Group will coordinate with the USGS to provide accurate and timely updates of 3DHP progress via status updates and delivery of 3DHP in user-friendly configurations. 

  • The USGS will contract at least 60,000 square miles of terrestrial hydrography and watershed boundary updates comprising 10% of statewide coverage. 

  • The USFWS, USGS, and the State of Alaska will engage in a combined 3DHP/NWI collection project involving the Glacier Bay hydrologic watershed. Agency representatives will report cost and data alignment comparisons between separate and joint editing of these two datasets at a future AMEC meeting. The information can be used when considering options for future contracting. 

  • The USGS will explore solutions for modifying recently updated hydrography outside the current 3DHP specification to meet new USGS specifications for downslope monotonicity and elevation height attribution.  

  • USGS will support USFS’ efforts to update terrestrial hydrography for lands they manage and consider procedures for including USFS updates into 3DHP. 

• Wetlands Mapping goals

  • 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 Technical Subcommittee and USFWS will coordinate data collection efforts with the Alaska Wetlands Technical Working Group. 

  • AMEC partners will identify and explore funding/contracting mechanisms to expedite partnerships amongst agencies and other data collection efforts including the NHD. 

  • FWS will complete the Kodiak/Shelikof joint NWI/3DHP project and analyze and document any improved data alignment and cost savings. 

  • FWS and partners will coordinate with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation to complete wetlands mapping in the Bristol Bay Region. 

• GRAV-D goals

  • See relevant FY23-24 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

  • See relevant FY23-24 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

  • AMEC participating agencies and the AMEC Technical Subcommittee will coordinate with the AMEC Coastal Mapping Subcommittee (ACMS) to achieve coastal mapping goals. 

  • See relevant FY23-24 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

  • Collaborate with the Civil Applications Committee (CAC) to submit NGA foundation imagery requirement for 20% of statewide Alaska high resolution imagery mosaic in March 2024. Requirement will be spectrally consistent Worldview 2/3 or similar sensor, 8-band imagery (Pan/MSI) for prioritized areas in the State that are older than 2019, non-summer scenes, or are not free of snow, haze, smoke, or clouds.  

  • USGS will work with the CAC and NGA to accomplish delivery of collected scenes to Earth Explorer or Alaska Geospatial Office imagery Portal. 

  • The AGC Imagery Working Group will evaluate use of imagery subscription services to meet statewide imagery requirements and refresh rates. 

  • AMEC participating agencies will acquire and distribute statewide satellite imagery mosaic refresh for government and non-profit use. Specifications include a 30cm resolution 4-band mosaic collected during summer. 

  • USDA will lead an effort to acquire high resolution, 30cm, 4 band, public-domain aerial imagery on 100% of USFS lands in Alaska. Contracts in place; awaiting weather accommodation.   

  • USDA will lead an effort to acquire digital orthoimages of scanned circa 1980’s Alaska High Altitude Photography (AHAP) data for approximately 50% of the State and seek opportunities to complete statewide coverage. 

  • AMEC agencies will identify opportunities to support State of Alaska imagery service and distribution mechanisms. 

  • DOI agencies explore the DOI Blanket Purchase Agreement with Planet for potential use in satellite imagery acquisition. 

  • The AGC Imagery Working Group will investigate potential of harmonized satellite imagery data sets to support AMEC mapping objectives.  

  • The AMEC participating agencies will identify opportunities for joint federal and state imagery contracts and subscriptions services that support AMEC mapping theme goals and joint operational needs of agencies. 

• Next generation topographic elevation data

  • The AGC Elevation Working Group consulting with the AMEC Technical Subcommittee will utilize results of the 3D Nation Survey to understand refresh needs, resolution requirements, and priority target areas. 

  • The AGC Elevation Working Group consulting with the AMEC Technical Subcommittee will identify new technologies that could be used in acquisition of elevation data. 

  • AMEC participating agencies will identify opportunities to collaborate and engage in the 3DEP proposal solicitations.  

  • The AGC Elevation Working Group consulting with the AMEC Technical Subcommittee will make recommendations to USGS on the next generation of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) based on Alaska needs and data gaps. 

  • AMEC participating agencies will identify opportunities to develop partnerships that support digital elevation updates. 

  • AMEC agencies will identify opportunities to support State of Alaska in lidar planning, prioritization, and distribution of elevation data. 

• 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.

  • Pursue executive-level representation from all AMEC member agencies, specifically individuals who have the authority to commit agency resources and funding. 

  • AMEC executives will appoint new officers as necessary. 

  • Develop and maintain up to date membership information and distribution lists at the Technical Subcommittee and Executive levels. 

  • Participate in the 2023 Alaska GeoSummit and any potential 2024 Alaska GeoSummit event. 

  • Update the USGS-hosted AMEC webpage to provide more detail and context. 

  • Investigate options for advancing public outreach and information exchange with local entities and work outreach issues through the Alaska Geospatial Council.