Rhode
Island Statewide Planning Program
One Capitol Hill, Providence,
RI 02908
| Land Use | Comprehensive Planning |
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RI
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, or GIS, is an organizational structure
with a staff, a suite of equipment and technical tools, and a computerized
information base of land related information. A GIS can be used to assimilate,
analyze and depict spatially related information in a variety of ways
for any number of disciplines.
The Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) is a consortium of government and private organizations employing computer and communications technology to manage and use a collective data base of comprehensive geographically related information. The mission of RIGIS is to monitor, coordinate, and provide leadership for activities related to the use of geographic information system technology in Rhode Island, and to support initiatives to implement or use this technology.
History
The
Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
started the precursor to the RIGIS in 1985. He did so by initiating an
agreement between that state agency and the University of Rhode Island
(URI) to establish a GIS for the management and analysis of environmental
data in Rhode Island. The RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the
RI Statewide Planning Program, and the RI Solid Waste Management Corporation
(now RI Resource Recovery Corporation) joined this effort shortly thereafter,
each supporting the concept of a unified, centrally managed spatially
related data base. Overall coordination was accomplished through an informal
committee of top level management from each of these five organizations
meeting on an ad hoc basis. Technical management of the data base resided
at the University of Rhode Island. The RIDEM provided all funding for
operations at the Environmental Data Center (URI/EDC) at the University
through 1989.
The RIDEM provided a system coordinator from within that agency until
1989. This person organized GIS related activities within RIDEM, and acted
as a staff liaison person, primarily between the RIDEM and the URI/EDC.
The coordinator also provided staff support for an ad hoc inter-agency
management committee. The Solid Waste Management Corporation funded the
system coordinator from 1989 through 1991 using a contracted consultant
to fill this role. This coordinator was supported by staff and facilities
at the Department of Administration's Division of Planning. Duties included
liaison functions between the four state agencies, (RIDEM, RIDOT, RISWMC
and RIDOA-DOP), and the University of Rhode Island, as part of staff support
functions for the RIGIS Executive Committee, the successor to the previous
ad hoc group. In 1991, a GIS Manager position was established at the RIDOA,
Division of Planning. This person was funded from within that Division's
operating budget and assumed the duties of the RIGIS Coordinator. Responsibilities
were expanded to include administration of the data distribution system,
and liaison among public and private sector organizations with interests
in GIS and related technologies.
From the beginning of development of GIS in Rhode Island in 1985, each
of the primary four state government organizations involved supported
their own internal GIS efforts. Similar methods for internal operations
were employed at the Environmental Data Center at the URI. Funding through
grants on specific projects from the agencies assisted in the development
and operations of the EDC Laboratory. This included the purchase of computer
hardware and software, the assignment of operating personnel, and funding
for data development for information applicable to each agencies' or institution's
needs. Realizing the benefits of a collective informational source, these
organizations contributed their data into a common RIGIS database. Early
on, the Rhode Island office of the USDA/SCS (now NRCS) and the Narragansett
Bay Project also significantly contributed to the data base development
effort. Initially the RIGIS database was housed at the Environmental Data
Center at URI. Until 1991 the EDC/URI used internal staff to perform data
base management functions including assimilation of data, cataloging and
distribution. The staff positions were funded through contractual arrangements
with the RIDEM and by grants awarded by the RISWMC. Due to shortfalls
at the RIDEM in 1990 and 1991, the University was forced to contribute
funds from its own budget to partially support this effort. The URI/EDC
ceased data base management functions in 1991, and these responsibilities
were, by default, assumed by the RIGIS Coordinator at Statewide Planning.
At that time, all external data distribution duties were also shifted
to the Division of Planning.
Legislative Establishment
In 1990, legislation was introduced and passed by the state legislature
to modify and amend the General Laws of Rhode Island to include language
pertaining to a state wide geographic information system. Chapter 42-11-2-(v)
which is focused on the RI Department of Administration now states that
the Department shall have the powers and duties to "devise, formulate,
promulgate, supervise and control a comprehensive and coordinated statewide
information system"...that ..."may include a Rhode Island geographic
information system". Under Chapter 42-11-10-(f)-(6) pertaining to
the Statewide Planning Program, the State Planning Council will "establish
and appoint members to an executive committee consisting of major participants
of a Rhode Island geographic information system with oversight responsibility
for its activities." This Chapter also states "In order to ensure
the continuity of the maintenance and functions of the geographic information
system, the general assembly may annually appropriate such some as it
may deem necessary to the department of administration for its support."
Furthermore, this Chapter states under 42-11-(g)-(3) that "the Division
of Planning shall manage and administer the Rhode Island geographic information
system of land related resources, and shall coordinate these efforts with
other state departments and agencies, including the University of Rhode
Island, which shall provide technical support and assistance in the development
and maintenance of the system and its associated data base."
The same legislative package added language to the General Laws for the
University of Rhode Island under Chapter 16-32-30 whereby, the University
was "authorized and empowered to establish in connection with the
University and within the Department of Natural Resource Sciences a geographic
information system laboratory with suitable facilities for developing
and maintaining a level of scientific and technical expertise in the use
of computer technology in the management of land-related natural resources.
This will include maintaining a statewide data base of land related economic,
physical, cultural, and natural resources and providing for controlled
access of this data base to the university community; other state, municipal
and federal departments and agencies; and the general public...The University
shall cooperate with and provide technical assistance to the Division
of Planning of the Department of Administration in the management of the
statewide geographic information system and shall advise other state,
municipal and federal departments and agencies and the general public
in its use." A separate section addresses the University's authorization
to fund the GIS laboratory under 16-32-31. Appropriations for geographic
information system laboratory. - "The general assembly may annually
appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for maintaining the geographic
information system laboratory within the department of natural resource
sciences, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to
draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said
sum, or so much thereof as may from time to time be required, upon receipt
by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers."