Des Moines Register Editorial Praises GIS and Use/Collection of LiDAR in Iowa

The Des Moines Register Editorial section on Monday, September 7, 2008, praised the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for having the initiative and foresight to invest $6 million in the collection of LiDAR. They highlighted the need for this type of elevation data to allow accurate updates to Iowa's flood plain maps. It was a great way to highlight the importance of this type of data.

Ensure maps of Iowa's flood plains are updated - editorial

Next to that editorial was another one highlighting the use of LiDAR technology in flood prevention in Iowa. David Croll, GIS Coordinator for the City of Johnston, was interviewed regarding his use of LiDAR in protecting a residential area in Johnston during the June 2008 flooding.

How technology can help prevent flooding in Iowa - editorial

What a wonderful way to start a Monday morning - postive feedback on GIS and related technology!

The Role GIS Played in Emergency Response During 2008 Iowa Floods

Roughly 54 people attended the Eastern Iowa GIS Users Group meeting on July 17, 2008 at the Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center just outside Cedar Rapids. The afternoon session focused on the use of GIS during and after the recent flooding events. Rick Havel, GIS Coordinator for Johnson County, Iowa, and Jason Siebrecht, GIS Coordinator for Linn County, Iowa, started the discussion with their recent experiences. Quickly others joined in with comments about their own experiences, questions about what others did or learned, and ideas about what might be needed in the future.

Here are some interesting points that were raised:

• GIS staff generally have not been included in training exercises and the emergency operations center when used.


• Printing maps during the flooding was a problem in several instances. Either there were problems with hardware "talking" to each other (i.e. lacking the proper printer driver on a laptop), or problems due to the sheer volume of paper maps needed.


• Current aerial photos are extremely important in order to see exactly what is where. Outdated photos have items that are shown but no longer there, or are missing new structures.


• LiDAR data was extremely helpful.


• GIS can be used during the actual response, but is also useful for damage assessment after a disaster.


• River gauges were helpful in monitoring activity and estimating water levels. Historical river level data was imperative during the flooding. Knowing what the water level was in the 1993 flooding and which roads were closed at that time helped to estimate which roads might close this time.


• Simple directional maps were critical to assist out-of-town responders.


• Many expressed an interest in collaboration during future disasters. GIS professionals in an area that is unaffected by the disaster are interested in getting to that area to assist, or assist remotely if that is possible.


• The need for a data inventory (who's mapping what) and a data repository seemed clear.

All in all it was a very lively and exciting discussion. It sounds like relationships between emergency management/response and GIS professionals will be built. Clearly there is a need for accurate, current data and a means to share that when needed. The ICIT Data Repository and IGIC's proposed IGI should accomplish the goal of sharing the data. Now to get an inventory done and documented and get current, high resolution for all of Iowa... We'd be ready for next time. (Here's hoping next time never comes.)

IGIC Goes to the Capitol

During the last two weeks, IGIC has sent two different contingents to Des Moines to work on promoting geospatial activities in Iowa.

The first occurred the week of January 22nd. The Iowa DNR was able to get IGIC half of a table in the rotunda of the Capitol to show off some of the materials for our Imagery for Iowa initiative. While not as well attended as we would have hoped, it was a start. Big thanks go out to Herb Kuehne, Patrick Brown, Jon Paoli, and Chris Ensminger for getting the display setup and staffing the booth for the day.

The biggest positive that I see (at least right now) is in follow-up. Following the display, the Environmental Protection Committee of the House of Representatives invited us in to give a presentation to that Committee. Another very big thank you goes out to Chris Ensminger with the DNR in getting us brought to the table. In summary, the presentation went OK. There was a water pipe that had burst in the building earlier in the day so the legislators were late in getting gaveled in to start activities for the day. After that delay, the parties went into caucus so there were a few moments where we weren't sure if we were going to get to present that day or if we were going to get pushed back to another time.

Long story short, we presented but had to follow Mike Hawkins. If you don't know Mike, you should probably look him up and have him talk to you about some of the LiDAR work that he is doing. Makes for a tough act to follow.

Where does that leave us? My take is that we were favorably received and we are intent of getting back to the table and having some discussions with the Ag and Natural Resources Appropriations Committee to see where our next steps should be.

All in all, from what I've heard, we still have some learning to do. I don't want to steal Patrick's thunder but he made a couple of observations as to what could make our efforts more successful.

1. Lesson 1: Eye Candy (graphics and bold display)
2. Lesson 2: Handouts that get to the point fast. (time is precious)
   
3. Lesson 3: Make sure our legislators know we're coming. Personally invite them to stop by and say hello.
4. Lesson 4: Location, location, location. In terms of traffic, it matters where you're at.

In terms of future activities, I think it would be fantastic to make sure we have a GIS presence during ever session. Find someway to get down there and show off what it is we do. There are states that have been doing this type of activity for 15 years. And another great point made by Patrick. We had the display going on during a day that was highlighting Natural Resources related activities. Of the 20 or so booths that were going on, roughly 15 were utilizing GIS in some way, shape or form. In their display, analysis, map, handout. The true trick is tying these pieces together for an effective message.

2006 Technology Governance Board Annual Report

Found this annual report on the State of Iowa's website. Several items of note.

1. LiDAR initiative is mentioned as one of the successes.
2. Mention is made of the disucssion on the GIS software RFP.

I guess I find these of note primarily in that GIS is actually mentioned in something out of DAS. Geospatial is on their radar screen, how do we try and build upon these successes?