WHEREAS, these systems, referred to as Geospatial Technology, have the potential to significantly increase efficiency and reduce costs to the State for conducting land, water, demographic, social and other natural resource management activities, and are becoming ever more closely linked as component parts of Idaho's information management activities; and

    WHEREAS, geospatial products produced and maintained by organizations provide a valuable information infrastructure for public and private entities; and

    WHEREAS, Geospatial Technology assists state, federal and local governments in carrying out their mandated responsibilities more efficiently, at reduced costs, with better services to taxpayers as a valuable tool for scientific investigation, resource management and development planning; and

    WHEREAS, the related components of Geospatial Technology, together with the computer field in general, are currently in a period of dynamic evolution and growth; and

    WHEREAS, it is important to provide channels of communication and cooperation among agencies of the State of Idaho, federal resource management agencies, federal budget agencies, local and tribal governments, private organizations, education institutions and the citizens of Idaho; and

    WHEREAS, there is a need to oversee and promote the cooperation and coordination of programs, policies, products, and resources using Geospatial Technology to maximize opportunities and minimize duplication of effort; and

    WHEREAS, there is a need to develop and implement policies, guidelines, and standards for producing and sharing Geospatial Information; and

    WHEREAS, there is a need to support the ongoing development of a clearinghouse in order to foster the sharing of Geospatial Information; and

    WHEREAS, there is a need to provide education, training, and technical support for users of Geospatial Information to support consistency and efficiency; and

    WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature annually appropriates a significant amount of state funds for agency Geospatial Technology activities which could benefit from coordination; and

    WHEREAS, Geospatial Technology activities and implementation have a long-term economic benefit to the citizens of Idaho;

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho, do hereby order:

1. There is created the Idaho Geospatial Committee.

2. The purpose of the Idaho Geospatial Committee is to provide policy level direction and promote efficient and effective use of resources for matters related to geographic information. To that end it shall:

a. Promote cooperation among state, federal, tribal and local agencies, universities and the private sector in addressing geographic data and information needs and services in Idaho;

b. Review priorities for statewide geographic information needs and assist in the development of projects, plans, policies, standards, priorities and guidelines for geographic information;

c. Facilitate cooperative and contract arrangements to develop and maintain high-priority geospatial databases and applications programs;

d. Identify and promote a State geospatial information clearinghouse as a vehicle for sharing information on geospatial technology, programs, policies and resources to maximize opportunities and minimize duplication of effort, and to facilitate the standardization, documentation, distribution and exchange of geographic information; and,

e. Provide recommendations to ITRMC, the Governor and the Legislature, when appropriate, concerning issues related to geographic information in Idaho.

3. The Idaho Geospatial Committee shall receive administrative staff support from the Information Technology Resource Management Council staff.

4. The Idaho Geospatial Committee will meet no less than twice annually.

5. The Idaho Geospatial Committee will appoint subcommittees consistent with the needs of the Committee to address issues including, but not limited to: the sharing of geospatial information through a geospatial clearinghouse; technical support and education issues related to geospatial technologies in Idaho; and, outreach and liaison with the Federal Geographic Data Committee and the geospatial coordinating committees in neighboring states.

6. The Idaho Geospatial Committee shall prepare and submit a report to the Information Technology Resource Management Council by December 30 of each year describing the Committee's activities and achievements of the previous year. Additionally, the annual report due on December 30, 2001, shall include bylaws for this committee, address the need to provide education, training, and technical support for users of geospatial information, and make recommendations with respect to the organizational structure of the subcommittees.

7. The Idaho Geospatial Committee shall be composed of no more than sixteen (16) members with knowledge of and interest in the field of geospatial technologies including representatives of: three (3) state agencies, one of whom will serve as chair (appointed by the Chairman of ITRMC), the State Library, and the State GIS Coordinator. Other members may include: the Idaho Federal Framework Coordinator, one (1) representative of the United States Department of Agriculture, one (1) representative of the United States Department of Interior, one (1) Tribal Government representative, one (1) representative of the State University System, two (2) representatives of the public utilities or private businesses active in geospatial technologies, and three (3) representatives from county and municipal governments, at least two (2) who are local government representatives active in geospatial technologies. The Idaho Geospatial Committee's membership shall be selected by the groups they represent and approved by the Information Technology Resource Management Council.

This Executive Order shall cease to be effective four years after its entry into force.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on the thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand and one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred twenty-fifth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eleventh.

PETE T. CENARRUSA
SECRETARY OF STATE