Part B—Remote Sensing

§16671. Definitions

In this part—

(1) the term "geospatial information" means knowledge of the nature and distribution of physical and cultural features on the landscape based on analysis of data from airborne or spaceborne platforms or other types and sources of data;

(2) the term "high resolution" means resolution better than five meters; and

(3) the term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given that term in section 1001(a) of title 20.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §311, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2920.)

§16672. General responsibilities

The Administrator shall—

(1) develop a sustained relationship with the United States commercial remote sensing industry and, consistent with applicable policies and law, to the maximum practicable, rely on their services; and

(2) in conjunction with United States industry and universities, research, develop, and demonstrate prototype earth science applications to enhance Federal, State, local, and tribal governments' use of government and commercial remote sensing data, technologies, and other sources of geospatial information for improved decision support to address their needs.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §312, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2920.)

§16673. Pilot projects to encourage public sector applications

(a) In general

The Administrator shall establish a program of grants for competitively awarded pilot projects to explore the integrated use of sources of remote sensing and other geospatial information to address State, local, regional, and tribal agency needs.

(b) Preferred projects

In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator shall give preference to projects that—

(1) make use of commercial data sets, including high resolution commercial satellite imagery and derived satellite data products, existing public data sets where commercial data sets are not available or applicable, or the fusion of such data sets;

(2) integrate multiple sources of geospatial information, such as geographic information system data, satellite-provided positioning data, and remotely sensed data, in innovative ways;

(3) include funds or in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources;

(4) involve the participation of commercial entities that process raw or lightly processed data, often merging that data with other geospatial information, to create data products that have significant value added to the original data; and

(5) taken together demonstrate as diverse a set of public sector applications as possible.

(c) Opportunities

In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall seek opportunities to assist—

(1) in the development of commercial applications potentially available from the remote sensing industry; and

(2) State, local, regional, and tribal agencies in applying remote sensing and other geospatial information technologies for growth management.

(d) Duration

Assistance for a pilot project under subsection (a) shall be provided for a period not to exceed 3 years.

(e) Report

Each recipient of a grant under subsection (a) shall transmit a report to the Administrator on the results of the pilot project within 180 days of the completion of that project.

(f) Workshop

Each recipient of a grant under subsection (a) shall, not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot project, conduct at least one workshop for potential users to disseminate the lessons learned from the pilot project as widely as feasible.

(g) Regulations

The Administrator shall issue regulations establishing application, selection, and implementation procedures for pilot projects, and guidelines for reports and workshops required by this section.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §313, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2921.)

§16674. Program evaluation

(a) Advisory committee

The Administrator shall establish an advisory committee, consisting of individuals with appropriate expertise in State, local, regional, and tribal agencies, the university research community, and the remote sensing and other geospatial information industries, to monitor the program established under section 16673 of this title. The advisory committee shall consult with the Federal Geographic Data Committee and other appropriate industry representatives and organizations. Notwithstanding section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the advisory committee established under this subsection shall remain in effect until the termination of the program under section 16673 of this title.

(b) Effectiveness evaluation

Not later than December 31, 2009, the Administrator shall transmit to the Congress an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program established under section 16673 of this title in exploring and promoting the integrated use of sources of remote sensing and other geospatial information to address State, local, regional, and tribal agency needs. Such evaluation shall have been conducted by an independent entity.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §314, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2921.)

References in Text

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is section 14 of Pub. L. 92–463, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§16675. Data availability

The Administrator shall ensure that the results of each of the pilot projects completed under section 16673 of this title shall be retrievable through an electronic, Internet-accessible database.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §315, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2922.)

§16676. Education

The Administrator shall establish an educational outreach program to increase awareness at institutions of higher education and State, local, regional, and tribal agencies of the potential applications of remote sensing and other geospatial information and awareness of the need for geospatial workforce development.

(Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §316, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2922.)