Access and Use of FIA Data Access and Use of FIA Data Through FIA Spatial Data Through FIA Spatial Data

ServicesServices

Elizabeth LaPointElizabeth LaPoint

Why am I Here?Why am I Here?►Facilitate access to FIA data without Facilitate access to FIA data without

violating the law - revealing plot violating the law - revealing plot location or ownership informationlocation or ownership information

►Connect customers’ GIS layers or Connect customers’ GIS layers or imagery with FIA plotsimagery with FIA plots

►Summarize data over a given areaSummarize data over a given area►Assist by providing information or Assist by providing information or

knowledgeknowledge

The LawThe Law

► FY 2000 Appropriations Bill modified the FY 2000 Appropriations Bill modified the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276(d))2276(d))

► Data must be in an aggregate form so that Data must be in an aggregate form so that the landowner’s identity cannot be the landowner’s identity cannot be determineddetermined

► Violation of the law can result in fines up to Violation of the law can result in fines up to $10,000 and/or 1 year in jail$10,000 and/or 1 year in jail

Who Makes Requests?Who Makes Requests?

►Academia - #1 CustomerAcademia - #1 Customer►Federal Agencies –USGS, EPA, BLMFederal Agencies –USGS, EPA, BLM► Forest Service – NFS, ResearchersForest Service – NFS, Researchers►State AgenciesState Agencies►FIA – between Units; within UnitsFIA – between Units; within Units►NGO – The Nature ConservancyNGO – The Nature Conservancy

Data Requests by Organization

Academic42%

State (not Academia)17%

Industry4%

NFS4%

Other4%

Other Federal9%

Other FS9%

FIA11%

Request ProcessRequest Process

► Initial contactInitial contact► Review & explain the law and Review & explain the law and

security policysecurity policy► Protecting the landowner’s Protecting the landowner’s

privacy & plot location is #1 privacy & plot location is #1 concern concern

► Refine the idea – What question Refine the idea – What question do they really want answered? do they really want answered?

► Focus the requestFocus the request► No charge for requestsNo charge for requests

Regional Data RequestsRegional Data Requests► If a data request falls entirely into a single If a data request falls entirely into a single

FIA Unit then the request may be handled FIA Unit then the request may be handled by the FIA Unit itselfby the FIA Unit itself

Request ProcessRequest Process► Limitations of the data – GPS, Limitations of the data – GPS,

gaps in coverage, differences gaps in coverage, differences between statesbetween states

► Does FIA data answer their Does FIA data answer their question?question?

► Can we modify the request so Can we modify the request so it does? it does?

► Present plan to Program Present plan to Program Manager(s)Manager(s)

Request Process Request Process ►Approve – I handle requestApprove – I handle request►Approve – FIA Unit involved does Approve – FIA Unit involved does

requestrequest►Deny – I work with requestor to figure Deny – I work with requestor to figure

out alternative that will workout alternative that will work►Do the analysisDo the analysis►Final security reviewFinal security review►Product is shippedProduct is shipped

ExamplesExamples► Wood Basket – Circular Wood Basket – Circular

retrieval. 150 miles retrieval. 150 miles around a given location. around a given location. Return growth within Return growth within area.area.

► Accuracy assessment of Accuracy assessment of imagery classification. imagery classification. Return classes with plot Return classes with plot information.information.

^

How Busy Have I Been?How Busy Have I Been?► In FY2004 70 new requests made so farIn FY2004 70 new requests made so far► 24 active requests currently24 active requests currently► 11 active national requests11 active national requests► Estimated wait time - about 4-8 weeksEstimated wait time - about 4-8 weeks► 67% completed within 4 weeks in 67% completed within 4 weeks in

FY2003FY2003

Fuzzing & SwappingFuzzing & Swapping

►FIADB will have coordinates again FIADB will have coordinates again ..

….BUT…..….BUT…..

First the FuzzingFirst the Fuzzing► Coordinates will be fuzzedCoordinates will be fuzzed

Then Swapping Then Swapping ► Up to 20% of privately owned plots “swapped”Up to 20% of privately owned plots “swapped”► Similar plots have their data swappedSimilar plots have their data swapped

Plot A’s data assigned to Plot B’s locationPlot A’s data assigned to Plot B’s location

What Does This Mean?What Does This Mean?

►Customers may choose to download Customers may choose to download the fuzzed & swapped data to usethe fuzzed & swapped data to use

►Refine their ideas using fuzzed & Refine their ideas using fuzzed & swapped data and then call meswapped data and then call me

Fuzzed/Swapped Data Fuzzed/Swapped Data AvailableAvailable

Fuzzing and Swapping FutureFuzzing and Swapping Future

►Available now on FIADB web siteAvailable now on FIADB web site

http://ncrs2.fs.fed.us/4801/fiadb/http://ncrs2.fs.fed.us/4801/fiadb/fiadb17_fiadb17_

dump/fiadb17_dump.htmdump/fiadb17_dump.htm

Elizabeth LaPointFIA National Spatial Data Services

Northeastern Research StationNewtown Square, PA

610-557-4049

elapoint@fs.fed.us

www.fs.fed.us/ne/fia/spatial/index_ss.html