We are pursing a long-term strategy evolving WebBased GIS within the National Park Service in three overlapping areas: Data Management, Application Development, & Interface Design.

• Data Management centers on service wide database standards, design, implementation, and maintenance of information that contains a spatial component.
• Application Development centers on the creation, implementation, and maintenance of client driven functoinallity for the desktop as well as the internet.
• Interface Design centers on visual identity, usability, accessibility, and the implementation of federal standards (e.g., 508, Director's Order 70, etc.).

Goals:

Long Term - Seamlessly blend Geographic Information System (GIS) use, data, and activities into the normal daily presence of the National Park Service. This will be accomplished when anyone (or everyone) can perform spatial operations without having to rely on GIS specialists. (Or the art of GIS without GIS, paraphrased from Bruce Lee "Enter the Dragon")

Medium Term - When the triad of functions above are working together in creating useful applications using integrated databases that are easy, intuitive, and usable in our everyday working environments.

Short Term - Create prototype application(s) using existing data (e.g., NPS source data from WWW, NSDI Clearinghouse, other agencies, and partners) in conjunction with current NPS & WWW design standards to prove concept (http://maps.nps.gov). Assign people and resources to further develop data standards that currently cross-institutional boundaries. Create an application development environment, which can be used in a structured developmental environment for modular application with reusable components. Implement or create standards, which allow or enhance access to data and derived products from those data.