A progress report on a U.S. National Survey of Geospatial Framework Data

Although federally supported geospatial data clearinghouses have appeared on the Internet, there exist few resources allowing for a coordinated collection of publicly available geospatial data over large areas. The completion of a national survey of potential producers of geospatial data provides users with a new way of learning about relevant, publicly accessible data when they embark on projects with a spatial component. This article presents a progress report on the National Survey of Geospatial Framework Data. The survey's methodology is described, allowing for readers to anticipate both the nature and extent of the survey results. Also described are the means by which the final results will be released. The survey results will serve as a major national source of information regarding where public geospatial data can be obtained at all levels of government. This article is intended to encourage access to the survey results so the results reach an appropriate audience while still timely and relevant. The survey will serve as a new source of information having implications for access to geospatial data nationwide. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd