1. FGDC Veg Subcommittee Established to: Promote standards of accuracy and currentness in vegetative data financed in whole or in part by Fed funds; Exchange info on technological improvements for collecting veg data; Encourage Fed/non-Fed community to identify & adopt standards and specifications for veg data; and Collect & process the requirements of Fed/non- Fed organizations for veg data

2. Responsibilities of FGDC Veg Subcommittee (selective,not exhaustive) A.Facilitate the coordination of agencies activities & the exchange of veg data, B.Participate in the development and evaluation of data definitions and standards used by the UN and other international organizations C.Determine which categories of veg data are to be included in national digital data base & recommend the addition of other categories not currently collected D.Develop and adopt common standards of content, format, accuracy, and currentness for veg data & encourage use by non-Feds, in increase its interchangeability & enhance its potential for multiple use.

3. Continuing Responsibilities of FGDC Veg Subcommittee E.Assist the USDA in establishing & publishing standards and specifications for the data and assisting in establishing priorities for veg data production F.Establish & maintain mechanisms & reports to interface with databases G.Facilitate the economic & efficient application of veg data classification through the sharing of experience involving applications H.Support higher-order or cross-cutting activities established or recognized by FGDC

4. FGDC Veg Subcommittee Lead Agency responsible for coordination, management, and dissemination of vegetation data is the Dept of Ag, US Forest Service (USFS) USFS will develop and implement a plan to coordinate veg data-related activities among Fed and no-Fed agencies and report on its activities to FGDC

5. Membership of FGDC Veg Subcommittee Representatives designated by Fed agencies that collect or finance collection of veg data as part of their mission or have direct application of these data through legislated mandate and non-fed participation as needed.

6. Current FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Members *Alternatives Ron Brohman (USDA FS) *Lori Hidinger (ESA) Larry Bryant (USDA FS)Alison Hill (USDA FS) (Chair) Brian Czech (USDI FWS)Michael Jennings (USGS Gap) John Dennis (NPS)Mike Sherm Karl (BLM) Chris English (BIA)Elizabeth M. Middleton (NASA) Jake Faibisch (IAFWA)Doug Powell (USDA USFS) * Laurel Gorman (DOD)Denice Shaw (EPA) Dennis Grossman(ABI)Dennis Thompson (NRCS) George Hanuschak (NASS)Gary Waggoner (USGS Center for Biology Informatics) Involvement in SRR

7. FGDC Standard Development Process (12 Steps) PROPOSAL STAGESTEP 1-2 –Defines need for and benefits of standard –At end-FGDC recognizes the standards as a project and adds to the register. Work and funding not yet identified. PROJECT STAGESTEP 3 –Defines funding and administration for standard –Development methodology, work groups & members develop scheduled document are documented –At the end-project stage work begins on standards development

8. FGDC Standard Development Process (12 Steps) DRAFT STAGESTEP 4-5 –The standard development stage –Standard receives comments & input from as many constituent groups as possible –At end-standard is ready for review REVIEW STAGESTEP 6-11 –First portion is for public comment & official public review –Internal FGDC format and integration review –At end-standard is ready for FGDC approval FINAL STAGESTEP 12 –Final adoption stage is where standard becomes officially recognized as FGDC standard

9. Discussion Thoughts, concerns, recommendations, & lessons learned SRR participation & suggestions for the appointment of to the FGDC Project Committee Stakeholder involvement (Outreaching to the rangeland community through the SRR) The proposed FGDC Process Maintaining balance in the project team & leadership Approaches and lessons learned Tools that could help Delphi?