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3D Elevation Program Working Group

By 3D Elevation Program

The 3D Elevation (3DEP) Working Group is a forum that is responsible for developing, executing and promoting a national strategy for acquisition, management, and distribution of elevation data consistent with the goals of the 3DEP. This includes monitoring elevation and technology developments that may impact the 3DEP and supporting the adoption and application of new technologies for the program.

The 3DEP Working Group is accountable to the 3D Nation Elevation Subcommittee of the FGDC. The 3DEP Working Group, together with the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping support the OMB Circular A-16 responsibilities for elevation theme leadership for the 3D Nation Elevation Subcommittee. 

The 3DEP Working Group also reports to the 3DEP Executive Forum, which consists of executives of the 3DEP Working Group member agencies. The Forum facilitates executive-level dialog and collaboration on strategies to implement and sustain the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) for the benefit of Federal stakeholders and the broader community. 

The 3D Elevation Program Working Group consists of the following member agencies: 

  • Association of American State Geologists (AASG) 

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) 

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (BC)/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

  • National Park Service (NPS)National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) 

  • Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) 

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 

  • U.S. Forest Service (USFS) 

  • U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

The National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) and the American Association of State Geologists (AASG) participate in 3DEP Working Group meetings to represent state interests in the program.  

Member agencies provide a primary and alternate representative, with the alternate acting for the primary as needed. The USGS is the lead agency for development and management of the 3DEP. The USGS chairs the 3DEP Working Group and provides advisors to assist with programmatic and technical guidance on development and management. 

The Emerging 3D Technologies Working Group (E3DWG) is the technical working group reporting to the 3DEP Working Group and provides information and recommendations related to 3DEP datasets and technologies. It consists of members of the 3DEP Working Group and others from the member agencies with an interest in emerging technologies and tool development.