AZSITE CONSORTIUM
Quarterly Meeting, ASM
Tuesday, April 18, 2000
Minutes
- The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. Grindell and Wilcox moved and seconded the
approval of the minutes of the October, 1999, and January, 2000, minutes. The minutes were
approved.
- Database Committee report: Barton noted that the MapObjects 2 upgrade had a bug that
plotted all the sites in the same location and the issue was being resolved. Griffith
noted that the SHPO still had problems connecting to the master database and that Arizona
State Parks refusal to support MSAccess would be a problem. Wilcox reported that the
connection from MNA was slow and that they were working with McCartney and Brett Hill to
ameliorate the problem. McCartney reported the following:
- Brett Hill was working halftime but that is was generally difficult to find student help
with the necessary computer skills.
- The data entry application seems to be working satisfactorily.
- He is working to get RG map files on the server.
- ADOT administration has approved opening a port on the ADOT server so that they can get
direct access.
- With respect to MNA data, the .SHP files do not have an agency number attached although
there is a temporary number assigned. There is no backup system to guarantee the .SHP file
gets attached to the correct attribute data.
- He is working to convert the USFS CRAIS data for Coronado and Prescott to the Kaibab
format so it can be translated into AZSITE.
- AZSITE members will have to download a new client application this summer as ESRI is
modifying the SDE software structure for both data storage and metadata.
- His goal for the summer is to finalize the uploads software and tracking system and then
continue with web improvements.
- McCartney and Karl sponsored a SAA poster session on AZSITE as a deliverable of the FGDC
grant.
- Tribal Concerns Committee report: Wilcox reported on the consulting process with tribes;
he, Barton, Griffith and Grindell met with the Tohono Oodham Legislative Council.
Grindell noted that she had met with the Tohono Oodham Cultural Committee, also.
Wilcox continued reporting that we are setting up meetings with the Hope Cultural
Preservation Office and the Navajo Nation. In the meantime, we are adhering to the default
policy of not including an tribal lands data in the AZSITE web database. Barton commented
that we have not yet received any comments stating that the policy of not including tribal
data is bad. Griffith reported that she and Garrison attended an Inter-Tribal Council of
Arizona meeting on April 14, 2000. The ICTA Cultural Resources Working Group is planning a
meeting soon, to be held at the Heard, and would like an AZSITE demonstration if there is
web access available there. Chad Smith noted that the ITCA issued proposed updates to the
draft Tribal Lands Data policy. In general, he continued, tribal feelings about AZSITE are
negative and tribes are continuing with preparation of their own GIS databases. McCartney
noted that if agencies adhere to the metadata standards that the Federal Geographic Data
Committee has put together, then all these disparate databases should be accessible later,
if necessary. The report on metadata standards may be viewed at http://colby.uwyo.edu/fgdcncptthome.html
by following the link for the Final Report for "Creating a Cultural Resources
Metadata Standard for the Western United States" Project funded by the U.S.G.S.
Federal Geographic Data Committee.
- Management Committee report: Barton noted that it is apparent that AZSITE will have to
support two levels of access, one for access to small quantities of data for individual
projects and one for large scale data management functions by land managers with legal
responsibilities for cultural resources on the land under their jurisdiction. The User
Agreement that has been developed covers the former usage. In the latter case, we need to
develop agreements with land managing agencies under which AZSITE manages their data and
they agree to support AZSITE. Griffith suggests that we start with two federal agencies,
BLM and DOD, as models. Agreements would probably be run through the SHPO of behalf of the
Consortium and it would be necessary to do separate agreements for state agencies like
ADOT, ASLD, ASP, and AGF. Rozen commented that the existing user agreement causes the SLD
attorney general concern because it imposes broad responsibilities for data
confidentiality on agencies, even for land not under their jurisdiction. Direct Access guidelines have been
formulated and it was moved (Wilcox), seconded (Grindell) and approved to adopt the
existing Direct Access Guidelines as a guideline on structuring agency participation
(attached).
The committee reviewed a proposed list of AZSITE
user categories Barton drafted and recommended some modifications. The revised version
is attached. Gary Stumpf expressed great concern about an annual fee of $3,000 per BLM
field office because such a high fee would preclude BLM participation. Kurt Dongoske
expressed similar concern for tribal participation. Barton pointed out that paying for
ongoing maintenance of the system in the absence of state funding will require large fees.
If the system is valuable, then all interested parties will have to participate in funding
it to re-coup costs. Stumpf thought that BLM might be able to provide ongoing funding of
$5,000 per year.
- Announcements
- The WWW interface for searching the database is available to authorized users. Print and
complete a user agreement and send it to the SHPO for approval.
- Use the email address at azsite@asu.edu for
comments, compliments or complaints about the system.
- The ARI, LTER, and AZSITE servers will be moved sometime this summer which may cause
temporary disruptions in service.
- Items for next meeting: Access categories, User agreement for federal and state
agencies.
- Election of next years chair and recorder.
6. Next meeting: August 14, Flagstaff.
Participants:
Michael Barton, ASU, presiding
Beth Grindell, ASM, recording
Peter McCartney, ASU
Steve Erdmann, MNA
Carol Griffith, SHPO, Chair
David R. Wilcox, Museum of Northern Arizona
Marcy Mattson, Ft McDowell Indian Community
Chad Smith, Ft Mohave Tribe/San Carlos Apache Tribe
Brett Hill, ASU
Cathy Johnson, Arizona State Parks
Ken Rozen, ASLD
Kurt Dongoske, Hopi Tribe
Gary Stumpf, BLM
Dave Gifford, Bureau of Reclamation