[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30127-30128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11654]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC); Public Review of the 
Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization

ACTION: Notice; Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FGDC is conducting a public review of the proposed Digital 
Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization. The purpose of 
this public review is to provide data users and producers an 
opportunity to comment on this standard in order to ensure that it 
meets their needs.
    Participants in the public review are encouraged to provide 
comments that address specific issues/changes/additions that may result 
in revisions to the proposed standard. After formal FGDC endorsement of 
the standard, the standard and a summary analysis of the changes will 
be made available to the public.

DATES: The public review period begins on May 19, 2000. Comments must 
be received by September 15, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The electronic version of the draft 
standard, in Portable Document Format (PDF), may be downloaded from vb 
http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/fgdc__gds/mapsymb>.
    Request for printed copies of the standard should be addressed to 
Matilde Moss, at [email protected]> or at U.S. Geological Survey, 918 
National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192. Note: 
there are a limited number of printed copies available, and so 
reviewers are encouraged to use the electronic version.
    Reviewer's comments may be sent to the FGDC via e-mail, to 
geology.usgs.gov">mapsymbol@geology.usgs.gov>. Review comments also may be sent by 
regular mail to: Map Symbol Review, c/o David R. Soller, U.S. 
Geological Survey, 908 National Center, Reston, VA 20192. Reviewers are 
strongly urged to use the review comment template--it may be downloaded 
from http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/fgdc__gds/mapsymb>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following is from the Introduction to the 
Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization, submitted 
by the FGDC Geologic Data Subcommittee.

Introduction

Objective

    This new draft standard is intended to provide to the Nation's 
producers and users of geologic map information a single, modern 
standard for the digital

[[Page 30128]]

cartographic representation of geologic features. The objective in 
developing this national standard for geologic map symbols, colors, and 
patterns is to aid in the production of geologic maps and related 
products, as well as to help provide maps and products that have a 
consistent appearance.

Scope

    This new draft standard contains descriptions, examples, 
cartographic specifications, and notes on usage for a wide variety of 
symbols that may be used on typical digital geologic maps or related 
products such as cross sections. The standard is scale-independent, 
meaning that the symbols are appropriate for use with geologic mapping 
compiled or published at any scale. It is designed for use by anyone 
who either produces or uses digital geologic map information.

Applicability

    This new draft standard applies to any geologic map information 
published by the Federal Government, whether released as hard-copy (in 
either offset-print or plot-on-demand format) or electronically (as 
either Portable Document Format (PDF) files or for computer-monitor 
display only). Non-Federal agencies and private companies that produce 
geologic map information are urged to adopt this standard as well.

Related Standards

    This new draft standard will supersede any existing U.S. Geological 
Survey (USGS) formal or informal cartographic standards for geologic 
map information. During preparation of this new draft standard, its 
relation to other standards or standards-development activities was 
assessed, and no significant conflicts were found.

Standards Development Procedures

    In 1995, a proposed standard was informally released by the USGS 
(U.S. geological Survey, 1995a, 1995b). In 1996, this proposed standard 
was formally reviewed by geologists and cartographers in the USGS, the 
Association of American State Geologists (AASG), which represents the 
state geological surveys, and the Federal Geographic Data Committee's 
(FGDC) Geologic Data Subcommittee (GDS), which is composed mostly of 
representatives from Federal agencies that produce or use geologic map 
information. That review indicated the need for some revision to the 
proposed standard prior to its consideration by the FGDC for adoption 
as a Federal standard.
    In 1996, plans were outlined to create a revised and updated 
Federal standard, and the standards-development group was formed. A 
proposal to develop the revised standard was submitted by the FGDC's 
GDS (see http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/fgdc_gds/mapsymbprop.html), and the FGDC 
accepted that proposal in 1997. Later that year, the standards-
development group produced a preliminary, beta version of the draft 
standard, which was circulated among selected USGS and state geological 
survey personnel for review. Comments were incorporated and, in 1999, 
the revised draft standard (Working Draft) was submitted to the FGDC's 
GDS for consideration. Upon review and subsequent approval by the GDS, 
the Working draft was submitted to the FGDC Standards Working Group, 
which approved the document for public review, pending adoption of 
minor changes. The changes were made, and this new draft standard 
document (Public Review Draft) is now available to the public for 
review and comment.
    Upon completion of the 120-day public review period, comments to 
the Public Review Draft will be considered, and any necessary revisions 
will be made. The revised draft standard document then will be 
submitted to the FGDC for formal approval as the Federal standard for 
geologic map symbolization.
    Because this new standard is intended for use with digital 
applications, an electronic implementation of the Public Review Draft 
has been prepared in PostScript format. This implementation has been 
informally released as a USGS Open-File Report (USGS, 1999). This 
PostScript implementation will enable reviewers to directly apply the 
standard to geologic maps or illustrations prepared in desktop 
illustration and (or) publishing software. As the formally approved 
standard evolves, the PostScript implementation will be updated as 
well. Additionally, partial work on an ArcInfo (v.7x) implementation 
has been completed, and this implementation may also be informally 
released as a USGS Open-File Report in the future. Information 
regarding updates to these and other implementation efforts will be 
posted on FGDC's GDS website (http://ncgmp. usg.gov/ fgdc_gds).
    The Public Review Draft document is available in both printed and 
PDF formats. For information on the review mechanism and the deadline 
for submittal of review comments, as well as on how to obtain copies of 
the Public Review Draft, please see FGDC's GDS website (http:// 
ncgmp.usgs. gov/ fgdc _gds). Questions or comments may be addressed by 
e-mail to geology.usgs.gov">mapsymbol@geology.usgs.gov> or, if preferred, by regular 
mail to Map Symbol Review, 
c/o David R. Soller, National Geologic Map Database project, U.S. 
Geological Survey, 908 National Center, Reston, Virginia, 20192.

Maintenance Authority

    On behalf of the FGDC, the USGS will maintain the Federal standard; 
the responsibility for coordinating Federal geologic mapping 
information is stipulated by Office of Management and Budget Circular 
A-16 (see http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016.html). The 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (and subsequent reauthorizations) 
stipulates a requirement for standards development under the auspices 
of the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB). Under this authority, 
the NGMDB project will function on behalf of the USGS as coordinator of 
this maintenance activity (see http://ncgmp. usgs. gov/ngmdbproject/
standards/general.html). Maintenance will be conducted in cooperation 
primarily with the AASG, which is the USGS's partner in the Geologic 
Mapping Act.
    To assist in its maintenance efforts, the NMGDB project will 
coordinate a standing committee that, as needed, will review comments 
and suggestions for revisions, additions, and deletions to the 
standard. Committee membership will be drawn from, among others, the 
NGMDB project, the USGS scientific staff and Publications Groups, the 
AASG, and the academic community. This standards-maintenance mechanism 
will be tested by forming the committee before completion of the FGDC 
public review period, so that the committee might both help the GDS 
evaluate the comments received and assist in preparing the final 
version to be submitted for formal approval by the FGDC.

    Dated: May 4, 2000.
P. Patrick Leahy,
Chief Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey.
[FR Doc. 00-11654 Filed 5-9-00; 8:45 am]
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