Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73

§2805 National Geospatial Data Asset data themes

Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 46— - GEOSPATIAL DATA › § 2805

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Committee must choose the main geospatial data topics called National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) data themes. These themes are the big subjects for digital map and location data for the Nation. Each theme must include datasets with location coordinates and details that are documented, checkable, meet standards, can be used by many people, and can help create other datasets. For each NGDA theme, the Committee picks one or more federal agencies to lead. Lead agencies must manage the data, funding, technology, staff, and related products. They must lead work on data standards and make a plan to collect the data nationwide. That plan must include partnerships with States, tribes, colleges, private companies, other federal agencies, and local governments; meet user needs; cover human and money needs; address standards and metadata and use of the GeoPlatform; and speed up theme work. Lead agencies must set goals that match the national strategy, gather user input, name a contact person, report on progress at least annually, publish online maps showing the theme’s status, encourage data holders to share data on the GeoPlatform, work with the GeoPlatform, and publish proven practices for using the data.

Full Legal Text

Title 43, §2805

Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Committee shall designate as National Geospatial Data Asset data themes the primary topics and subjects for which the coordinated development, maintenance, and dissemination of geospatial data will benefit the Federal Government and the interests of the people of the United States, which shall—

(1)be representations of conceptual topics describing digital spatial information for the Nation; and

(2)contain associated datasets (with attribute records and coordinates)—

(A)that are documented, verifiable, and officially designated to meet recognized standards;

(B)that may be used in common; and

(C)from which other datasets may be derived.

(b)(1)For each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the Committee shall designate one or more covered agencies as the lead covered agencies for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme.

(2)The lead covered agencies for a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme shall be responsible for ensuring the coordinated management of the data, supporting resources (including technology and personnel), and related services and products of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme.

(3)To assist in fulfilling the responsibilities under paragraph (2) with respect to a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the lead covered agencies shall—

(A)provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of geospatial data standards for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, with a particular emphasis on a data content standard for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, including by—

(i)assessing existing standards;

(ii)identifying anticipated or needed data standards; and

(iii)developing a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant community and international practices—

(I)in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto; and

(II)consistent with or as a part of the plan described in subparagraph (B);

(B)provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for nationwide population of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, which shall—

(i)include developing partnership programs with States, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, private sector entities, other Federal agencies, and local governments;

(ii)meet the needs of users of geospatial data;

(iii)address human and financial resource needs;

(iv)identify needs relating to standards, metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, and the GeoPlatform; and

(v)expedite the development of necessary National Geospatial Data Asset data themes;

(C)establish goals that support the strategic plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure prepared under section 2804(c) of this title;

(D)as necessary, collect and analyze information from users of geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme regarding the needs of the users for geospatial data and incorporate the needs of users in strategies relating to the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme; and

(E)as part of administering the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme—

(i)designate a point of contact within the lead covered agency who shall be responsible for developing, maintaining, coordination relating to, and disseminating data using the GeoPlatform;

(ii)submit to the Committee—

(I)a performance report, at least annually, that documents the activities relating to and implementation of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, including progress in achieving the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D); and

(II)comments, as appropriate, regarding the summary and evaluation of the performance report provided by the Committee under section 2802(c)(12) of this title;

(iii)publish maps or comparable graphics online (in accordance with the mapping conventions specified by the Committee) showing the extent and status of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes for which the covered agency is a lead covered agency;

(iv)encourage individuals and entities that are a source of geospatial data or metadata for geospatial data for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme to provide access to such data through the GeoPlatform;

(v)coordinate with the GeoPlatform; and

(vi)identify and publish proven practices for the use and application of geospatial data of the lead covered agency.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

43 U.S.C. § 2805

Title 43 — Public Lands

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73