Natural Resource Information System (NRIS)

NRIS is dedicated to providing Montanans with comprehensive and accurate information that is essential to managing our natural resources. NRIS staff assembles this information from diverse sources, use the best available technologies to deliver it efficiently, and provides exceptional customer support.

Issue 1: Resource managers, scientists, policy makers, businesses and citizens must have access to comprehensive, current and accurate information relating to Montana's natural resources to make sound decisions.

Needs Assessment Summary: Government agencies that produce data often do not have a mandate to disseminate such data widely or have limited resources for dissemination. In addition, information is often broadly scattered among state and federal agencies, other institutions, and individuals, and some types of information are incomplete or not yet assembled. One of NRIS's mandates is to centrally collect and coordinate the dissemination of natural resource information.

Goal #23: To fulfill its mandate to be the source for natural resource information in Montana, NRIS must acquire, integrate, maintain, and document natural resource data and information needed for understanding, managing and utilizing Montana's natural resources, and environment.

LSTA Purpose: No LSTA funds are used for NRIS.

Key Output Targets:

1. Increase the quantity and quality of data available through the NRIS clearinghouse. Identify and incorporate high priority datasets identified through the biennial survey and other inputs, with a goal of acquiring three of the top priority datasets identified in the Data Plan each year.
2. Formalize relationships with data producers/data providers to improve the timeliness of data in the clearinghouse. Establish written agreements with data producers/providers for ongoing exchange/support of data. Refresh the data in the clearinghouse on the schedule identified in the Data Plan.
3. Properly document all data in the clearinghouse. Ensure that appropriate metadata records accompany all new datasets; develop metadata records for twelve existing datasets per year until all datasets are properly documented.
4. Add value to clearinghouse datasets through the integration of these data in a common geodatabase structure, eliminating duplicate datasets, increasing the accuracy of holding information, or improving the link between the spatial representation of a dataset and associated attribute data. Document six occurrences each year where incorporation into the NRIS clearinghouse results in significant benefit.
5. Identify key data gaps and implement strategies to enhance data completeness by direct action (especially related to biological resources) or by supporting and assisting the efforts of others.

Key Outcome Targets:

1. State and local government agency users report that the information available through NRIS has improved their capability to make program, policy or management decisions relating to agency mandates, that access to data through NRIS has improved the utility of their own data for in-house use, and that access to data through NRIS has reduced their costs.
2. Montana businesses report that ease of access to Montana natural resource information has supported their ability to develop, maintain, or increase business capacity, has made their business more efficient, and has improved their ability to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies.
3. Montana citizens report that access to information produced by state agencies has increased their knowledge of Montana's natural resources, has enabled them to make better decisions regarding natural resource issues, has helped them effectively participate in and understand state agency decisions and actions regarding natural resource issues, and has provided them information they have effectively used for personal business, recreational, or other use.
4. Visitors (and potential visitors) to Montana report that they have used information provided by NRIS or through other agencies using NRIS data access tools to help them plan their visits and enhanced their enjoyment and use of recreational opportunities related to Montana's natural resources.

Programs:

Improve coordination and outreach. Obtain/maintain knowledge of natural resource data need and availability by attending meetings relating to natural resource issues, serving on working groups of agencies and organizations involved in natural resource issues, and maintaining involvement in the GIS community. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Focus on data inventory. Conduct/maintain a comprehensive data inventory, including new data of potential value to clearinghouse users. Conduct a biennial survey of state natural resource agencies to identify datasets appropriate for inclusion in the clearinghouse. Time Frame: Current holdings - September 30, 2002, Biennial survey - ongoing.

Develop a data plan for acquiring, managing and serving data of great value to users. Develop/maintain a strategic data plan that:
Sets forth minimum standards for inclusion in the clearinghouse
Identifies available datasets appropriate for inclusion in the NRIS clearinghouse;
Identifies data gaps and strategies to address them;
Sets forth priorities and schedules for importing/updating clearinghouse data;
Identifies consolidation/optimization opportunities;
Identifies appropriate data delivery mechanisms.
Time Frame: June 30, 2002.

Continue to acquire data and update existing data. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Improve data documentation. Develop/maintain metadata records for all data included in the clearinghouse. Provide limited training and support to state agency personnel tasked with development of metadata for agency datasets. Evaluate the addition of records to OCLC's World Cat and the use of Dublin Core. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Continue to develop data. Encourage development/refinement of priority datasets (data champion); manage the development/refinement of orphan datasets (data custodian for those datasets not the responsibility of other agencies). Time Frame: Ongoing.

Issue 2: To be effectively used, natural resource data must be easily located, provided in common formats that serve user needs, associated with related data, and made available on demand when and where needed; data access, display and analysis tools must be readily available and easily understood. The inability to quickly locate, obtain and effectively utilize existing data may result in poor decision-making due to lack of adequate data, or increased costs and delays associated with duplication of data collection efforts.

Needs Assessment Summary: Locating and obtaining high quality natural resource information in a form that can be readily utilized is difficult, as multiple agencies use various formats to manage data. NRIS must validate, control the quality of, and standardize date to ensure consistency, accuracy, and maximum utility. In addition, the ability of NRIS clearinghouse users to find and effectively utilize such data varies from novice to expert. Various abilities of user require that NRIS present information in formats easily accessible to a broad range of users.

Goal #24: A broad range of user groups can easily locate data in effective formats. Users find that this information is augmented with related datasets to increase their value. Potential NRIS users are well informed of information available through the clearinghouse and trained in the use of NRIS tools. Staff assistance is available when needed to assist users in locating and utilizing data.

LSTA Purpose: No LSTA funds are used for NRIS.

Key Output Targets:

1. Increase automated data access, with a goal of a 10 % increase in Web hits and megabytes downloaded each year.
2. Improve the reliability of NRIS data delivery mechanisms, with particular focus on providing Internet access in response to user needs as identified in the biannual survey.
3. Provide staff-assisted access to data for users not able to obtain data through automated means, with a goal of responding to an estimated 2000 user requests per year

Key Outcome Targets:

1. Users report that the data access, display, and interpretation tools available through NRIS enable them to obtain maps, data summaries, and other products without having to own or become knowledgeable of specialized hardware and software, saving them time and money.
2. The range of user groups served by NRIS continues to broaden. In addition to an increase in government agency users, Montana businesses and citizens find and utilize data served through the NRIS clearinghouse and other catalogs.

Programs:

Continue and improve efforts to educate and inform. Provide information about NRIS to all user groups using news releases, feature stories, newsletter articles, conference presentations, and seminars. Survey users biannually on the utility of NRIS data access methods and tools and on their particular data access requirements. Provide training and evaluate its effectiveness. Utilize a combination of news releases (12/year), feature stories (2/year), newsletter articles (12/year), conference presentations (6/year), seminars (2/year), and email to advise users and potential users of NRIS products and services, new data or data access tools, and significant changes to the NRIS clearinghouse. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Continue to offer mediated services: Maintain mechanisms to receive user requests via phone, email, and web-based request log. Respond to user requests as appropriate. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Develop and maintain website development. Develop and maintain NRIS website to provide the means to serve data to all user groups. Continually refine the organization and presentation of clearinghouse data to take advantage of improved technology to directly address the identified needs of major user groups and to respond to feedback. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Improve data access. Develop/maintain effective search mechanisms to enable users to quickly locate data available through the NRIS clearinghouse. Maintain the Montana State Library FGDC clearinghouse node and ensure that NRIS data are fully represented. Input to the development of nationally supported information search mechanisms such as the Global Information Location System (GILS). Ensure that state government indexing systems properly index NRIS data holdings. Evaluate the addition of records to OCLC's World Cat and the use of Dublin Core. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Improve and maintain data dissemination. Improve/maintain access to data for all user groups by providing multiple pathways to clearinghouse data, including a library of existing map and data summary products, Internet-based interactive access to geospatial data, and access to raw geospatial and related attribute data for use by GIS professionals. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Develop/maintain the hardware/software environment to provide full time access to clearinghouse data, with down time at a level acceptable to users. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Issue 3: NRIS core funding is inadequate to fully accomplish its mission as described under Issues 1 and 2.

Needs Assessment Summary: NRIS currently receives funding for six FTE through legislative appropriation. The ability for NRIS to accomplish its mission using a staff of six is limited because (a) data assimilation/dissemination demands are greater than can be met with a staff of six and (b) it is difficult to obtain the necessary level of Internet, GIS and database technical expertise as well as natural resource knowledge within a staff of six. In order to maintain the necessary level of staff resources and staff expertise, NRIS must employ a staff of approximately ten persons, or four more than are currently provided for through core funding.

NRIS currently makes up the difference through contracts with state agencies and other users, who often have data access, display, and dissemination needs that cannot be met using their in-house resources. Through these contracts, NRIS is normally able to support its full complement of staff, as well as develop/refine datasets and develop new data access, display, and analysis tools that are then integrated into the general clearinghouse. However, work available through contracts is driven by project needs that are often not fully aligned with general clearinghouse needs; thus staff resource demands associated with general clearinghouse needs are sometimes diverted in response to contract demands. In addition, contract funding has proven to be unavailable at times, resulting in loss of staff and the subsequent difficulties associated with restaffing the program.

State funding accounts for only 60% of Heritage program's basic operations. This program, an integral part of NRIS services, needs to find stable and reliable funding for its core services.

In order for NRIS to fulfill its mission, a higher percentage of core funding is necessary. Legislative and executive branch policy makers must fully understand the benefits of the NRIS clearinghouse so that NRIS receives an appropriate portion of the funding available to support information technology resources.

Goal #25: In order to fulfill its mandate as described under Issues 1 and 2, NRIS must secure adequate and stable funding.

LSTA Purpose: No LSTA funds are used for NRIS.

Key Output Targets:

1. Clearly define the role of NRIS, its relationship with state agency programs, and its relationship with other clearinghouses.
2. Inform and educate executive and legislative branch policy makers of the benefits of NRIS.
3. Develop contracts with agencies at a level that supports staff not funded through core funding, with a goal of maintaining stable funding for a staff of ten FTE.

Key Outcome Targets:

1. Policy makers have a clear understanding of NRIS mission, the benefits of NRIS, and the overall cost savings to the state associated with the NRIS clearinghouse.
2. NRIS receives increased core funding each biennium until NRIS is no longer dependent on contract funding, with a goal of replacing contract funding with core funding for one additional FTE each biennium.
3. NRIS is able to maintain the broad range of staff expertise necessary to fulfill its clearinghouse mandate.
4. NRIS is able to concentrate on developing/refining statewide or regional datasets of use to a broad range of NRIS users.
5. NRIS is able to develop/refine data access, display, and interpretation tools of use to a broad range of NRIS users.
6. Montana experiences an overall savings in the cost of products and services related to access and use of natural resource data.
7. All NRIS users benefit from the additional staff expertise, additional data, better data access, and display and interpretation tools made available through the NRIS clearinghouse.

Programs:

Improve education and outreach. Clearly define the role of NRIS in the information and GIS community and communicate that role effectively to users and policy makers. Time frame: Ongoing.

Develop supplemental (contract) funding. Develop contracts with state agencies and other NRIS users to provide data acquisition, development, management, and dissemination support, and applications development services. Seek contracts related to providing or improving access to natural resource and related data, beyond the products and services provided through core funding. Time Frame: Ongoing.

Explore changes in the contract relationship between MSL and the Nature Conversancy (TNC) with the Nature Conservancy and the staff of the Heritage Program. Time Frame: 2003.

Continue to inform and educate the executive and legislative branch on NRIS' value to state services and seek additional funding for core services. Time frame: Ongoing.