Alaska Mapping Executive Committee Minutes

The Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) met in Anchorage, Alaska at the National Park Service Regional Office. Thirty-five participants attended in person and 53 joined online. Attending Co-Chairs were Dr. Annalise Blum, Department of the Interior (DOI) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science and Dr. Kelly Kryc, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries and NOAA Arctic Policy Lead.

Welcome and Introductions

Annalise Blum, Co-Chair DOI | Kelly Kryc, Co-Chair NOAA

After AMEC executive participant introductions, Co-Chair Blum commented that AMEC had fostered strong interagency partnerships and collaborations that benefit the Nation. Co-Chair Blum also noted that the newly formed 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordination Committee (3DE-FICC) will hold its first meeting in June providing a national coordination opportunity that could positively impact Alaska elevation data collection. Co-Chair Kryc noted that the collaboration between the State of Alaska and Federal agencies is a model that should be emulated. She also stated that Alaska’s vastness requires resource leveraging, and that AMEC exemplifies how entities can work together to prepare for the future. Additionally, she noted that the landscape of Alaska is changing and will require coordination across all agencies to provide geospatial data and services that meet FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Both Co-Chairs thanked the National Park Service and State of Alaska for their hospitality related to the meeting.

AMEC Mapping Theme Status Update

Mike Tischler, USGS

Significant accomplishments since the May 2024 AMEC meeting were announced, such as advancements in national GRAV-D collection and processing, advances in Alaska wetlands and terrestrial hydrography mapping, acquisition of an updated imagery mosaic for Alaska, significant coastal data acquisitions, and multiple inland lidar elevation acquisitions for critical locations across the state.

State of Alaska Report

John Boyle, State of Alaska | Leslie Jones, State of Alaska

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle expressed the State’s support of AMEC and thanked Federal executives and partners for their support. It was noted that AMEC-led data are useful for State objectives of renewable energy, carbon offsets and geologic storage, critical minerals, geothermal, and infrastructure development. He added that local community challenges are of interest to the State and that additional work is needed to understand the nature of natural hazards impacting Alaskan communities. Dr. Leslie Jones, State of Alaska Geospatial Information Officer, expressed the State’s continued support for AMEC mapping themes by administering $10M in externally funded grants, administering Alaska’s coordinating council that supports strategic partnerships, and administering the State Geoportal where data are served to the public. It was also noted that there are continued gaps and deficiencies in foundational framework data as compared to the contiguous United States. The importance of satellite data acquisition was highlighted as especially helpful to Alaska. The opportunity for improved access to satellite resources and cost-shared contracts was expressed. Dr. Jones highlighted the challenges in effectively serving big data such as imagery, elevation and bathymetry and the need for these data to live on Alaska soil for issues related to security and latency. She proposed goals that would streamline federal and state data clearinghouses, such as an improved data ecosystem that aligns with Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) goals. The importance of integrated and interoperable data systems was highlighted, shifting focus from the delivery of raw data to the delivery of information services and solutions. It was suggested that achieving this goal will require proactive pursuit of connecting federal and state systems to overcome data stovepipes and that shift would enable emerging geospatial AI capabilities. It was announced that the State-sponsored 2023 Alaska GeoSummit was a great success, and that the next conference will be held in April 2025.

Terrestrial Mapping Applications

Tracy Fuller, USGS | Sydney Thielke, USFWS | Kim Homan, USFS | Denise Miller, NRCS

A selection of geospatial applications of wetlands data (National Wetlands Inventory), surface water (3D Hydrography Program), imagery (various), and lidar (3D Elevation Program) data were presented to demonstrate the value of AMEC Mapping Themes in supporting science, resource management, and local communities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) stated that in 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture acquired a statewide 30 cm-resolution imagery mosaic and Alaska High Altitude Photography (AHAP) collected circa 1978-1986 is being made geographic information system (GIS)-ready to support landscape change detection. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) detailed significant lidar acquisitions that are occurring in Alaska. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) talked about recent outreach and training provided to Alaska Native communities to improve the ability to leverage available geospatial data and the importance of this work in promoting workforce development within underserved communities of Alaska.

Coastal Mapping Status and Applications

Rachael Dempsey, NOAA | Brett Howe, NOAA | Mike Aslaksen, NOAA | Ashley Chappell, NOAA |Leslie Jones, State of Alaska | Jennifer Wozencraft, USACE

NOAA led a presentation on the status of coastal mapping in Alaska, describing challenges that include very large tidal ranges, expansive tidal flats, and turbid water. It was also highlighted that while positioning data are improving greatly in Alaska, significant work remains. It was stated that the recent completion of GRAV-D collection for Alaska will significantly improve mapping-height accuracy. Version 1 of VDatum, a free tool from NOAA for converting geospatial data among different tidal, orthometric, and ellipsoidal datums, will be available for Alaska at the end of 2025. It was noted that version 1 will have many limitations due to data gaps and will require the incorporation of additional water-level observations that are currently being acquired in partnership between NOAA and the State of Alaska. NOAA described important coastal imagery and coastal shoreline mapping collections including the western coast of Alaska to support Typhoon Merbok response efforts. NOAA has led the collection of topo-bathymetric data for 60 communities over the past few years by the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Excellence (JALBTCX). JALBTCX also provided outreach and training to local communities on the use of bathymetric data. NOAA highlighted nationwide seafloor mapping efforts, and it was noted that Alaska seafloor mapping is 63% short of completion. NOAA is continuing to seek partnerships to support seafloor mapping through its Seascape campaign.

Recommendation – Add Vegetation as an AMEC Mapping Theme

Aimee Devaris, USGS | Elizabeth Powers, USGS

The Alaska Geospatial Council’s Vegetation Working Group completed and published a vegetation mapping implementation plan as requested by executives at the May 2023 AMEC meeting. Several pilot projects have been completed and more are in work to confirm final mapping and quality review requirements. A vote to add vegetation as a tracked AMEC mapping theme will be sent to AMEC executive representatives via email after the meeting.

NGA Source Operations and Management Directorate, An Overview

David Schroeder, NGA | Stephen Escarzaga, NGA

The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) Source Directorate develops intelligence information primarily for customers in the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. However, capabilities of the Source Directorate can also provide support to critical civilian science requirements. The Source Directorate focuses on sourcing available from commercial geo-intelligence, developing a foundational digital twin, integrating multiple sensor sources, and provisioning discovery and accessibility of its data. The GeoData Cooperative within NGA’s Source Directorate is currently creating a 1-m digital surface model statewide for Alaska in two phases, with the first half of Alaska expected to be delivered in summer 2024 and the second half of Alaska to be delivered in summer 2025. Data licensing will allow for public release.

Earth Mapping Resource Initiative and Geophysical Mapping

Colin Williams, USGS

Alaska DNR’s Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have developed a strong partnership to acquire geophysical data for Alaska. DGGS contracts the collection of the geophysical data while USGS and DGGS collaborate on generating geologic maps using the geophysical data. Map products showing areas of data collection including the Yukon-Tanana Uplift, Kuskokwim River, and Seward Peninsula regions were displayed. USGS described that geochemistry data, geophysical data, and geologic mapping information are integrated to understand mineral availability or non-availability and to investigate environmental concerns. It was also noted that data are being used to locate and understand mine waste areas.

Meeting Community Needs with Equitable Delivery of Data and Services

Leslie Jones, State of Alaska | Jaci Overbeck, NOAA

Flooding, erosion, and permafrost degradation threaten local communities and in particular Alaska Native villages. Address and cadastral mapping are important to understanding where people and community infrastructure are located in order to mitigate these issues. Alaska scores poorly on the maturity of these themes in the National States Geographic Information Council Geospatial Maturity Assessment. These data themes are often managed and maintained by local governments, but broad areas of Alaska have limited local government or limited mapping capabilities by local government. The State of Alaska highlighted the need to update infrastructure maps for communities across Alaska, which result in continued inequities of the most essential health and human services. StateMap was a former State program completed in 2015 that supported rural community mapping needs, but no longer exists. To support community needs, NOAA has allocated funding towards updating infrastructure maps, working directly with rural and underserved communities, and is seeking partnerships to continue this work. The State of Alaska commented on the need to deliver data in a solution and decision-ready means where technical capacity is limited. For example, a local government without resources to directly use lidar data may be better served with a map of potential flood impact areas than with accessing lidar data itself. A positive AMEC impact noted was that lidar has been collected for 80% of 162 communities. The State is interested in AMEC collaboration resulting in collection of the remaining 20% and expanding lidar coverage beyond the defined community boundaries for critical landscapes. It was noted that a gathering was planned the week of May 20-24 with Tribal and State and Federal agency representatives to discuss how to address needs listed in the report Unmet Needs of Environmentally Threatened Native Villages. It was stated that training, technical assistance, workforce development, and building local relationships will be key to supporting local communities.

Closing Remarks

Annalise Blum, Co-Chair DOI; Kelly Kryc, Co-Chair NOAA

The Co-Chairs noted that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate accomplishments and to consider future opportunities to lean forward and lead the nation in geospatial collaboration. The Co-Chairs also noted that they are open to supporting opportunities to raise the profile of AMEC work.

Open Discussion Sessions

Two open discussion sessions generated valuable comments, insights, and several follow-on actions.

• The need for 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) data to support the National Water Model was discussed. USGS is working directly with NOAA National Weather Service to synchronize the 3DHP data model with the requirements of the National Water Model. Though the NHD-HR program has ended, the surface water data for portions of the State are available in the National Hydrography Dataset – High Resolution (NHD – HR). Surface water data for Alaska that meets the full elevation-derived 3DHP specification will be published by eight-digit hydrologic unit as they are contracted, delivered, and approved through the year 2030. Consequently, a complete Alaska statewide dataset meeting this specification will not be available prior to the 2026 national goal for developing the National Water Model.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) executive noted that some Alaska Native coastal and riverine communities are facing flooding. BIA recommended that AMEC agencies could work with Tribal communities to locate available data to support decision making when facing these challenges. BIA also recognized that local traditional environmental knowledge could be augmented with AMEC data. BIA invited an AMEC representative to present AMEC efforts and data availability at an upcoming BIA Providers Conference. Several AMEC representatives agreed that increasing technical outreach to communities would be valuable to help AMEC understand how to share data in an effective and relevant manner.
• The State of Alaska noted the need to increase satellite radar data availability. Data from NASA’s NiSAR mission will be coming online soon and will be a valuable data resource. It was suggested that the use cases be identified for satellite radar data from NiSAR and other sensors to understand future data acquisition requirements.
• The State of Alaska’s Geoportal serves as the one-stop shop for searching and locating Alaska data. The State will be working on upgrading the geoportal which aims to provide federal, state, local government data to support data integration and interoperability. Any agencies that want to partner with the State to ensure authoritative data from their agency is integrated into the State’s Data Infrastructure (SDI) should reach out to the Alaska Geospatial Office.
• The State highlighted the need for a Strategic Plan to accomplish a statewide lidar campaign and efficiently serve data and services to the public.

• A question was answered related to sea level rise shown in NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer. Isostatic rebound effects are included in the representation on the Viewer, and these effects are expected to override sea level rise from other impacts such as tectonic effects.
• Many Alaska villages are faced with relocating due to impacts of climate change (e.g., permafrost degradation, sea level rise). These villages may require land far from current traditional lands to avoid climate change issues, so data are needed in areas outside of the current village areas. A need for more frequent elevation data refresh was noted, and NGA’s commercial satellite data and NASA’s NiSAR data should be explored to potentially support this need. Water-level data are also critical to understanding flooding events. Vegetation change can also indicate changes on the landscape, and some older vegetative data are available for comparison to understand the change. Developing stronger relationships between AMEC and Regional Alaska Native experts was suggested, and the Denali Commission was noted as a potential strong collaborator.
• Permafrost degradation was noted as a contributor to infrastructure destabilization at the local community level. A question was raised whether AMEC could investigate if there is a permafrost mapping activity that it could support. An investigation into whether L-band NiSAR data could support some element of permafrost mapping was suggested. An Arctic community interagency meeting planned for 2025 could address this and other permafrost mapping issues.
• It was noted that EPA has a $20M community change grant opportunity. US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) is looking at that grant opportunity to support some Alaska village needs. It was suggested that this grant opportunity could present a larger AMEC collaboration opportunity.
• The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) executive representative noted that DEC was grateful for AMEC map themes.

AMEC Meeting Action Items

The following action items were documented during the meeting:

• 3DHP Updates: USGS will provide information regarding the 3DHP contracting and publication schedule to the Alaska Region National Weather Service.
• Satellite Capabilities: The Alaska Mapping Technical Subcommittee and Alaska Geospatial Council’s Imagery and Elevation Working Group will coordinate to assess current and emerging radar satellite capabilities, potential use cases (e.g., support Alaska Native village relocation, permafrost mapping), and data gaps to inform future AMEC data collaboration requirements. From this assessment, the Alaska Mapping Technical Subcommittee will develop a white paper for AMEC executive review.
• Data Infrastructure and Delivery: The State of Alaska Geospatial Information Officer will document and present to the Alaska Mapping Technical Subcommittee opportunities for Federal agencies to engage with the State to advance/improve State geospatial data infrastructure and delivery. From this information, the Alaska Mapping Technical Subcommittee will provide recommendations to AMEC executives for review and adoption.
• BIA Providers Conference Presentation: The Alaska Mapping Technical Subcommittee will coordinate with BIA to present on AMEC objectives and data availability at a future BIA Providers Conference.