TEN REASONS AMERICA
NEEDS A STRONG
SURVEYING PROFESSION
John Palatiello
CLSA-NALS Conference
San Diego, California
April 13, 2014
1. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/
geographic/place-based data for implementation
Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/
geographic/place-based data for implementation
• HHS has no GMO/GIO
Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/
geographic/place-based data for implementation
• HHS has no GMO/GIO
• Could that be a factor in the law’s failed roll-out?
Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
• 814 provisions in the health care law require location/
geographic/place-based data for implementation
• HHS does not have a GMO/GIO
• Could that be a factor in the law’s failed roll-out?
• The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
2. Federal Land Inventory
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000
unneeded buildings
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000
unneeded buildings
• Based on a database GAO finds “unreliable and of limited
usefulness” and “not current or reliable”
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
• Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000
unneeded buildings
• Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and
of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”
• Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory
includes buildings only, and not land
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
•
•
•
•
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000
unneeded buildings
Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and
of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”
Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory
includes buildings only, and not land
Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform (FLAIR) Act
Federal Land Inventory
• The Federal government does not have a current,
•
•
•
•
accurate inventory of the land/buildings it owns
Government wastes $2 billion a year on some 77,000
unneeded buildings
Based on a GSA database that GAO finds “unreliable and
of limited usefulness” and “not current or reliable”
Underestimates the problem, as the GSA inventory
includes buildings only, and not land
The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
3. National Parcel System
National Parcel System
• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or
“cadastre”
National Parcel System
• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or
“cadastre”
• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the
parcel level
National Parcel System
• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or
“cadastre”
• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the
parcel level
• Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”
that could have prevented, at least minimized, the
mortgage foreclosure crisis
National Parcel System
• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or
“cadastre”
• No government agency tracks real estate trends at the
parcel level
• Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”
that could have prevented, at least minimized, the
mortgage foreclosure crisis
• “Dodd-Frank” law enables collection of data under Home
Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) at parcel level, to be
implemented by new Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB)
National Parcel System
• United States lacks a uniform, national parcel system or
•
•
•
•
“cadastre”
No government agency tracks real estate trends at the
parcel level
Cadastre would have provided an “early warning system”
that could have prevented, at least minimized, the
mortgage foreclosure crisis
“Dodd-Frank” law enables collection of data under Home
Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) at parcel level, to be
implemented by new Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB)
The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
4. Digital Coast
Digital Coast
• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million
Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United
States population. This number is expected to increase by
more than 15 million by 2020
Digital Coast
• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million
Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United
States population. This number is expected to increase by
more than 15 million by 2020
• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located
within coastal zones
Digital Coast
• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million
Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United
States population. This number is expected to increase by
more than 15 million by 2020
• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located
within coastal zones
• Balancing economic development with ecological
management requires accurate data and integrated
information that enable coastal communities to address
many coastal and emergency management issues.
Digital Coast
• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million
Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United
States population. This number is expected to increase by
more than 15 million by 2020
• Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located
within coastal zones
• Balancing economic development with ecological
management requires accurate data and integrated
information that enable coastal communities to address
many coastal and emergency management issues
• Digital Coast Act
Digital Coast
• Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million
•
•
•
•
Americans in 2010, approximately 52% of the United
States population. This number is expected to increase by
more than 15 million by 2020
Over half of the Nation’s economic productivity is located
within coastal zones
Balancing economic development with ecological
management requires accurate data and integrated
information that enable coastal communities to address
many coastal and emergency management issues
Digital Coast Act
The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
5. Highway Bill
Highway Bill
• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires
September 30
Highway Bill
• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires
September 30
• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services
are essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate
and maintain highways
Highway Bill
• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires
September 30
• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services
are essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate
and maintain highways
• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle”
technology allows vehicles to communicate potential risks
to drivers and avoid rear-end, lane change, and
intersection crashes
Highway Bill
• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires
September 30
• Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services are
essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and
maintain highways
• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle” technology
allows vehicles to communicate potential risks to drivers and
avoid rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes
• MAP-21 reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress
to leverage investments, introduce new geospatial technology,
data, products and services, reduce costs, and enhance safety
and efficiency in our Nation’s transportation systems
Highway Bill
• MAP-21 Act, the current Federal highway law, expires
•
•
•
•
September 30
Surveying, mapping, and other location-based services are
essential to plan, design, inventory, assess, operate and
maintain highways
Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or “connected vehicle” technology
allows vehicles to communicate potential risks to drivers and
avoid rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes
MAP-21 reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress
to leverage investments, introduce new geospatial technology,
data, products and services, reduce costs, and enhance safety
and efficiency in our Nation’s transportation systems
The expertise of the surveying profession could benefit
the American people
6. Underground Utilities
Underground Utilities
• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25
times
Underground Utilities
• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25
times
• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit
somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds
Underground Utilities
• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25
times
• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit
somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds
• Improved underground infrastructure location would
enhance public safety, environmental protection and the
economy
Underground Utilities
• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25
times
• APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit
somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds
• Improved underground infrastructure location would
enhance public safety, environmental protection and the
economy
• Federal law should be strengthened on accurate location
(surveying and mapping) of such pipelines and other
forms of underground utility infrastructure
Underground Utilities
• Pipelines in the United States could encircle the Earth 25
•
•
•
•
times
APWA estimates an underground utility line is hit
somewhere in the United States every 60 seconds
Improved underground infrastructure location would
enhance public safety, environmental protection and the
economy
Federal law should be strengthened on accurate location
(surveying and mapping) of such pipelines and other
forms of underground utility infrastructure
The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
7. FEMA Flood Insurance
FEMA Flood Insurance
• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers
FEMA Flood Insurance
• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers
• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,
then revised, repealed key provisions last month
FEMA Flood Insurance
• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers
• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,
then revised, repealed key provisions last month
• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of
surveying technology can improve the program
FEMA Flood Insurance
• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers
• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,
then revised, repealed key provisions last month
• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of
surveying technology needed to improve the program
• Surveyors can help Congress with recommendations to
result in fairness, loss prevention, and equitable
premiums
FEMA Flood Insurance
• NFIP is $24 billion in debt to U.S. taxpayers
• Congress enacted reforms in Biggert-Waters in 2012,
then revised, repealed key provisions last month
• Current, accurate data (3DEP) and better use of
surveying technology needed to improve the program
• Surveyors can help Congress with recommendations to
result in fairness, loss prevention, and equitable
premiums
• The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
8. Geospatial Coordination
Geospatial Coordination
• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area
where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal
government
Geospatial Coordination
• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area
where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal
government
• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial
expenditures
Geospatial Coordination
• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area
where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal
government
• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial
expenditures
• FGDC process, structure is broken
Geospatial Coordination
• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area
where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal
government
• Federal government does not collect data on geospatial
expenditures
• FGDC process, structure is broken
• Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act
Geospatial Coordination
• GAO continues to identify geospatial activities as an area
•
•
•
•
where there is duplication, lack of coordination in Federal
government
Federal government does not collect data on geospatial
expenditures
FGDC process, structure is broken
Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act
The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
9. Privacy/UAVs
Privacy/UAVs
• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen
privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”,
without defining the term
Privacy/UAVs
• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen
privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”,
without defining the term
• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for
applications that provide enormous public benefit
Privacy/UAVs
• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen
privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”,
without defining the term
• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for
applications that provide enormous public benefit
• The collection, storage and dissemination of imagery and
geospatial data, including from UAVs, does not threaten
the privacy of individual citizens
Privacy/UAVs
• Legislation, policies intended to protect individual citizen
privacy seeks to regulation “precise geolocation data”,
without defining the term
• UAV legislation would limit surveyors’ use of UAVs for
applications that provide enormous public benefit
• The collection, storage and dissemination of imagery and
geospatial data, including from UAVs, does not threaten
the privacy of individual citizens
• The expertise of the surveying profession could
benefit the American people
10. Status of Surveying Profession
Status of Surveying Profession
• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,
such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew
members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the
Davis-Bacon Act
Status of Surveying Profession
• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,
such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew
members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the
Davis-Bacon Act
• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline
within the Department of Education’s Classification of
Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs
are classified as Social Sciences
Status of Surveying Profession
• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,
such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew
members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the
Davis-Bacon Act
• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline
within the Department of Education’s Classification of
Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs
are classified as Social Sciences
• Surveying population is aging, number taking licensing
exam is declining
Status of Surveying Profession
• There are threats to the professional status of surveying,
such as the Labor Department ruling that survey crew
members are “laborers and mechanics” subject to the
Davis-Bacon Act
• Surveying engineering is classified as a STEM discipline
within the Department of Education’s Classification of
Instructional Programs, but other GIS-related programs
are classified as Social Sciences
• Surveying population is aging, number taking licensing
exam is declining
Conclusions
• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by
the expertise of the surveying profession
Conclusions
• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by
the expertise of the surveying profession
• Surveyors need to project a professional image and
elevate the public’s understanding of the important role
they play in American life
Conclusions
• The quality of life of the American people is enhanced by
the expertise of the surveying profession
• Surveyors need to project a professional image and
elevate the public’s understanding of the important role
they play in American life
• A well educated and qualified surveying workforce for
tomorrow is critically needed to enhance and protect the
public health, safety and welfare
THANK YOU!
John Palatiello
CLSA-NALS Conference
San Diego, California
April 13, 2014