National Civil Applications Program

The National Civil Applications Program
(NCAP) is a component of the U.S.
Geological Survey's (USGS) Mapping,
Remote Sensing, and Geographic
Investigations Program. The NCAP
serves Federal civil agencies by providing
for the acquisition, dissemination,
and exploitation of classified remote
sensing systems and data in support of
mission responsibilities for land and
resource management, environmental and
scientific studies, homeland security, and
hazards/disaster management.
Civil applications of classified remotely
sensed imagery began in 1969 when the
USGS provided Federal civil agencies
with access to imagery for various uses,
including mapping, charting, geodesy,
and management of the Nation's lands
and resources. The Civil Applications
Committee (CAC) was established in
1975 to provide oversight and
coordination of these activities. The CAC
is composed of 11 Federal departments
and independent agencies. The USGS,
through the Secretary of the Interior, is
delegated responsibility to chair the
CAC.
The use of classified remotely sensed
data has increased dramatically over the
past 10 years. There has been an
expanded emphasis on using data for
environmental monitoring and research
and for hazards detection, warning, and
emergency response. To address the
growing requirements and better serve
the Federal civil community, the USGS
expanded its investment in NCAP
facilities and infrastructure during the
1990s. The USGS Advanced Systems
Center (ASC) in Reston, Va., was built in
1993 and serves as the hub of NCAP
operations. The USGS operates regional
facilities in Denver, Colo.; Rolla, Mo.;
Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; and Menlo Park,
Calif. An interagency NCAP facility is
located in Anchorage, Alaska. Each
USGS facility provides the infrastructure,
systems, and expertise required to
support the growing diversity of civil
applications.