Invasive Species Management Areas Data Standard

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

September 21, 2010

In Reply Refer To:

9011, 9012, 9014, 9015 (220) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/28/2010

Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-207

Expires:  09/30/2011                                                                                                                          

To:                   All Field Officials

From:               Director

Subject:           Invasive Species Management Areas Data Standard

Program Area:  Invasive Species, Invasive and Noxious Weed Management.

Purpose:  The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to transmit the Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) data standard for mapping and recording Invasive Species Management Areas.

Policy/Action:  The data standards for collecting, storing, and managing the information used to describe Invasive Species Management Areas on public lands in the National Invasive Species Information Management System (NISIMS) database are found in Attachment 1.  All field offices must use these standards when amending or maintaining electronic data about Invasive Species Management Areas. 

Invasive Species Management Areas (sometimes referred to as “weed management areas”) are part of an integrated approach to managing invasive species using an agreement to cooperatively manage a geographic area for specific invasive species.  This Invasive Species Management Areas Data Standard incorporates the appropriate North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) data standards, and is in agreement with IM 2010-080, National Invasive Species Information Management System Project Development.

Timeframe:  The Invasive Species Management Areas Data Standard will be effective immediately. 

Budget Impact:  None.

Background:  Since 2005, an Invasive Species Database users group has been developing an information management system that addresses the data standards for the collection, storage, display, and dissemination of invasive species management data.  In Fiscal Year 2009, a proof of concept was developed for data field collection and report generation based upon testing completed in four states.

The Invasive Species Database Team, a users group created specifically to address the data needs for invasive species, then created data standards in coordination with subject-matter experts, technical representatives, the Washington Office data steward and program leads, BLM state weed coordinators, and field office staff.  These data standards comply with the NAWMA standards.  NISIMS is scheduled to be deployed nationally this fiscal year.  Per IM 2010-080, the information required has already been submitted, formatted, and input to NISIMS.  (April 3, 2010 was the due date.)

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  None.

Coordination:  This IM was coordinated with business representatives from the Rangeland Resources (WO-220) division, Weeds Database Project Manager, National Weed Team, State Weed Coordinators, BLM Business Data Stewards, State Data Administrators, State GIS Leads, and National Operations Center Resource Services Data Standards Team.

Contacts:  Questions regarding this IM should be directed to Kathie Jewell, Geospatial Information System Manager, Montana State Office, at (406) 896-5144 or Gina Ramos, Senior Weed Specialist, Rangelands Resources Division (WO-220), at (202) 912-7226.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Edwin L. Roberson                                         Robert M. Williams

Acting, Director                                              Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

1 Attachment

   1 –  Invasive Species Management Area Data Standards Report (24 pp)