Implementation of National Invasive Species Information Management System (NISIMS)
April 10, 2013
In Reply Refer To:
9011/9012/9014/9015 (CA930) P
EMS TRANSMISSION: 4/10/13
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2013-016
Expires: 9/30/14
To: All California District Managers and Field Managers
From: State Director
Subject: Implementation of National Invasive Species Information Management System (NISIMS)
Program Area: Invasive species inventory, treatment, evaluation.
Purpose: To provide direction for implementing NISIMS deployment in FY 13.
Introduction: NISIMS is designed to collect field data and store it in a standard database to allow for data sharing and reporting at the local, state and national levels. The system reports and tracks infestations by weeds, birds, fish, algae, and all taxa. The system also reports and tracks treatments of these invasive species infestations on public lands.
All Field Offices are required to use NISIMS in FY 13 except in the California Desert District (CDD). The NISIMS will be deployed in the CDD in FY 14. Training opportunities will be available. The first WebEx training will be provided on May 14 and 15 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Because travel will not be required, each Field Office (FO) will have at least one staff participate in the two-day training. This training will involve orientation to NISIMS field data collection, as well as check-in and out of the database. Students enrolled in the course must have a mobile device that is properly configured in order to complete the course. A training video detailing how to properly configure your device is available on the NISIMS SharePoint Site. Go to the NISIMS SharePoint site and click on "NISIMS 2.0 Training Videos" under the "Related Links" section." The California State Office will provide followup training and support needed to implement the system. The FO supervisors need to provide the names of the persons responsible for the tasks in the FO roles/responsibilities identified in Attachment A. Also at this SharePoint site, a calendar of past and future training may be viewed.
Budget Impact: None.
Background: Since 2005, an Invasive Species Database user’s 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. The NISIMS is designed to collect field data and store it in a standard database which will allow for data sharing and reporting at the local, state, and national levels.
In FY 2009, the BLM developed a proof of concept for data field collection and report generation based upon testing completed in four states. The Invasive Species Database Team, a user's group created specifically to address the data needs for invasive species, created data standards in coordination with subject-matter experts, technical representatives, the Washington Office data steward and program leads, the BLM State Weed Coordinators, and the Field Office staff. These data standards comply with the North America Weed Management Association standards. The Data Standards developed for NISIMS include the following areas: Invasive Species Management Area; Invasive Species Survey Area; and Invasive Species Infestation Area. While, the first phase of NISIMS data is weed related, subsequent data standards will be developed for other invasive species taxonomy. The NISIMS database deployed nationally December 21, 2012. All state offices have been provided guidance, training, and field collection equipment prior to deployment of NISIMS and will be provided follow-up webinars and on-line training in 2013.
Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: The BLM Manual Section 9015- Integrated Weed Management and BLM Manual 9011- Chemical Pest Control (Handbook), and 9014 of Biological Control Agents of Pest Control on Public Lands in future revisions.
Coordination: This IM was coordinated with representatives from the CASO Weed Program, Information Resources Management, and Geographical Information System.
Contact: For further information contact Dianna Brink, Weed Program Lead (916) 978-4645; Stephen Lincoln, GIS Specialist (916) 978-4348; or Gary Walter, IT Specialist (Data Management) at (916) 978-4546.
Signed by: :
Angie Lara
Associate State Director
Authenticated by
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management
Attachment
NISIMS Roles and Responsibilities (1 p)
Attachment A: NISIMS Roles and Responsibilities
CASO IRM (Gary Walter)
• Administer State Enterprise Database
o Grant Field Office users appropriate permissions.
o Reconcile and Post Field Office versions into the sde.Default version.
o Manage replication to National Enterprise Database.
o Work with designated Field Office Staff to filter NISIMS lookup tables for values appropriate to California.
CASO Mapping Sciences (Stephen Lincoln)
• Support Field Office Staff as requested.
CASO Weeds Lead (Dianna Brink)
• Request National Database Updates for new PUPs, BCARPs, and Chemical Treatment
Projects.
• Field Offices create local NISIMS file geodatabase from State Enterprise Database
using the S1 ArcPad Data Manager 3.0 in ArcMap.
• Checkout data from local NISIMS file geodatabase for field data collection on GPS
devices using ArcPad and the S1 mobile tools.
o Install ArcPad and S1 mobile tools on their weeds GPS devices and update as
needed.
o Create Field Office specific look up tables for their data collection projects.
• Check data in from GPS devices to their local NISIMS file geodatabase.
• Check their updated local NISIMS file geodatabase back into the State Enterprise
Database.
• Request National Database updates for new Persons, and Mechanical or Manual
Treatments.
Attachment 1