1. State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems Council Annual Report - December 2007 Submitted in Accordance with C.G.S. 11- 4 (a)

2. About the GIS Council The State of Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Council was established by Public ActPublic Act 05-305-3 to “coordinate, within available appropriations, a uniform geo-spatial information system capacity for municipalities, regional planning agencies, the state and others.” The GIS Council was formed in January 2006 with the appointment of members from municipalities, state agencies, and higher education. The Council consists of four working groups  Data and Inventory Assessment  Education and Training  Legal and Security  Finance Twelve GIS Council meetings were held in 2007. In addition over 48 meetings were held by the various active Working Groups of the GIS Council showing the significant commitment by Connecticut's GIS practitioners in improving coordination and planning. Minutes and agendas are posted on the GIS Council website, located at www.ct.gov/gis. GIS Council Membership Representative of a municipality with population greater than 30,000 but less than 60,000 (Appointed by Governor) Representative of municipality with population greater than 60,000 (Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore) Representative from a Regional Planning Agency (Appointed by Senate Minority Leader) Representative of a municipality with population less than 30,000 (Appointed by Speaker, House of Representatives) GIS User (Appointed by Minority Leader, House of Representatives) Executive Branch Agencies Department of Information Technology (Chair) Office of Policy Management Department of Environmental Protection Department of Economic and Community Development Department of Transportation Department of Public Safety Department of Public Health Department of Public Works Department of Agriculture Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department of Social Services Connecticut Siting Council Department of Public Utility Control Military Department Higher Education Connecticut State University System University of Connecticut

3. Public Participation - Strategic and Business Plan Public participation in the formulation of the strategic and business plan provided valuable insight for the GIS Council as the plan developed. Public Sessions - Summer 2007 To gather public input and foster communication and collaboration with the GIS user community, public sessions were held in New Britain, Danbury, Willimantic and New Haven in July and August 2007. More than 75 individuals attended the sessions. To access public session presentations, select here.select here. Online Survey An online survey of GIS methods, uses and needs was also conducted and generated input from more than 60 organizations. Strategic and Business Planning In 2007, the GIS Council developed a Strategic and Business Plan*. The plan was formally approved by the GIS Council in September 2007 and contained the following goals: Strategic Goals  Organize GIS efforts across state and local government agencies.  Develop a core set of data layers that are kept up-to- date and made broadly accessible in a state-managed data repository.  Communicate and educate potential users and decision makers about the benefits and capabilities achieved by GIS investments. Program Goals  Improve coordination and organize GIS efforts across all levels of government (federal, state, regional, and local).  Develop a core set of framework data layers that can be shared across state agencies and with local government.  Communicate the benefits of and educate decision makers on the use of geospatial technology to increase adoption and provide sustainable funding. * Plans funded by a $50,000 grant from the United States Geological Survey.

4. Framework GIS Datasets The Strategic Plan calls for development of a core set of framework data layers that can be shared. The following datasets were identified for Connecticut’s GIS effort:  Addressing  Administrative and Political Boundaries  Base Map Imagery (Ortho, Oblique and Scanned Imagery)  Cadastral Information  Census and Demographics  Critical Infrastructure  Elevation and Bathymetry  Geodetic Control  Geographic Names and Places  Hydrography  Land Use and Land Cover  Transportation List Standards The Strategic Plan calls for Framework Data layers to contain various data resolutions and scales. Labels identifying businesses, services and other points of interest would be able to be added as well as imagery of all types (orthophotos, infrared, oblique, bathymetry) to enhance the use of the data. This map could be used as a guide for the statewide data repository, and can be used to connect people to spatial data for better communication throughout the state. Properties that are available for occupation could be accessed through an economic development web site. Working Group Summary: Data Inventory and Assessment Identifying Framework Datasets The Data Inventory and Assessment Working Group is tasked with identifying framework datasets and establishing standards and policies for the maintenance and dissemination of GIS data. In 2007, the working group continued their work and established twelve subcommittees to formulate framework GIS datasets for Connecticut and created an updated and more comprehensive report Connecticut’ Geographic Framework Data.Connecticut’ Geographic Framework Data Each subcommittee consists of stakeholders from state, local, private and federal interests and will serve as a steward for the creation and maintenance of data policies, and procedures associated with each of the framework dataset themes. This approach is based on a federal model in which core groups are brought together to develop data useable by many different groups. Such coordinated data development between and among agencies is consistent with the Strategic Plan adopted by GIS Council. Development of Cooperative Data Sharing Agreements The working group is also developing cooperative data sharing agreements with three bordering states that have GIS data. These agreements will enable each State to acquire needed data in the event of an emergency.

5. Working Group Summary: Education and Training The Education and Training Working Group explores methods to train and educate GIS users in Connecticut about events, training opportunities, technology programs and GIS trends. The GIS Strategic Plan calls for the development of elements designed to bolster communication and outreach to multiple audiences, including  Educational Materials, including standard presentations, for use in education about the use of GIS in the state;  Newsletters detailing current GIS related activity within the state.  GIS User to User Group to foster communication and collaboration between the GIS Council and the diverse user community. The Strategic Plan also identified venues and organizations through which to conduct outreach. This will create an atmosphere of open dialogue and bi- directional flow of information with stakeholder groups. Areas of Focus in 2007 The working group conducted the following activities in 2007: Surveyed Existing Training Programs and Needs A survey of training programs, focusing on state agencies in the Northeast region, was conducted. The survey revealed that States have markedly different means of training. The Working Group seeks to incorporate the most successful of these into its own training programs. Developed Outreach and Educational Materials General educational materials continued to be developed to educate multiple audiences on geospatial technology in Connecticut and the work of the GIS Council. Additions to the GIS website included features on how GIS is being used throughout Connecticut, including examples from schools and municipalities, notices of GIS events, data sources and more. Organized GIS Day at State Capitol The working group organized the 2007 GIS Day at the Legislative Office Building and invited participation from GIS professionals, educators, students and other practitioners. The 2007 GIS Day resulted in the largest assembly of posters and GIS work display to date. GIS Practitioners Database Under Development A database of GIS practitioners is being developed. The Working Group will put the database online so that it may be viewed and updated by users of the GIS Website.

6. 2008 Goals and Challenges In 2007 the State GIS community was able to continue as well as initiate several projects which were funded in whole or partially through several federal grant programs. Several important pilot programs made significant progress during 2007:  Geospatial Emergency Management System - DEMHS GIS Project, created an Emergency Response and Planning tool  Oblique Imagery Project – Purchase of Pictometry photographic imagery for a third of Connecticut's land area  Road Network Environment – Developed a pilot to test long term road data framework These important projects will need sustained funding in order to continue to be successful. In 2008 we will be looking to secure sustainable funding for these important projects. In addition the GIS Strategic Plan calls for the development of elements designed to bolster communication and outreach to multiple audiences to continue these efforts.

7. GIS Day – November 14, 2007 GIS DayGIS Day was celebrated in all 50 states and more than 80 nations on November 14, 2007. In Connecticut, Governor M. Jodi Rell issued a proclamation in honor ofissued a proclamation the event. The State GIS Council hosted an event at the Legislative Office Building to highlight the use of geospatial technology across Connecticut. The exhibit, coordinated by the GIS Council Education and Training Working Group, featured talks and displays demonstrating how GIS technology is being used by federal, state, academic and non-profit organizations throughout the state. Students from several schools were on hand to talk about their GIS projects. Informative workshops about the integration of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with digital pictures and the combination of common web mapping applications with local data gave the over 100 attendees at each session a look at some of the newer uses of this versatile technology. These materials are essential to raising awareness of the breadth and extent of geospatial technology applications in Connecticut. They are available on the council website www.ct.gov/gis and will be reused in future outreach www.ct.gov/gis efforts. More than 50 organizations contributed posters that were on display at the Legislative Office Building for the month of November, 2007. To view these posters, visit www.ct.gov/giswww.ct.gov/gis