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WHEREAS, the
management of geographic information about the character and location
of the State's natural and cultural resources, and the human and
economic activities that affect and are affected by those resources,
is essential to all levels of government in the State of New Jersey;
and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to coordinate activities in geographic information systems
in order to better exchange and share information and to enhance
the stewardship of geographic information in the management of public
resources; and
WHEREAS, the
availability of Statewide geographic information and the coordinated
use of geographic information systems will assist in implementing
Statewide initiatives, such as the State Development and Redevelopment
Plan; and
WHEREAS, the
current State Mapping Advisory Committee, a volunteer organization,
has been engaged in a variety of educational, communications and
information sharing activities; and
WHEREAS, State
agencies operate under the principles and take the actions set forth
in the New Jersey State Agency Partnership Agreement for Geographic
Information Resources; and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to develop standards, policies, and guidelines for the
development and sharing of geographic information for use by the
State, other units of government, and private and non-profit entities;
and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to avoid duplication of effort so as to reduce the costs
that would otherwise be incurred if each organization developed
its own geographic information system capabilities independently;
and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to establish a forum to discuss, evaluate and resolve
issues related to geographic information; and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to plan and prioritize the development of publicly funded
data, define the roles and responsibilities for data stewardship,
and formulate policies for the access and distribution of data;
and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to initiate a geographic information clearinghouse in
order to consolidate data into libraries, integrate data into common
formats, and distribute data to users; and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to provide education, training, and support for users
of geographic information toward the better management of public
resources;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby order and direct:
1. There
is established the New Jersey Geographic Information Council (hereinafter
referred to as the "Council") in the Office of Information Technology.
2. The Council
shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows:
(a) The
New Jersey Chief Information Officer, or a designee, who shall
serve ex-officio.
(b) The
Executive Director of the Office of Legislative Services, or
a designee, who shall serve ex-officio; and
(c) Nine
(9) public members shall be directly appointed by the Governor
for terms of one year, and shall include two representatives
from the private sector, one representative from the State Agency
Geographic Information Systems Committee, one representative
of the federal government, one representative of a county government,
one representative of a municipal government, one representative
of a regional planning organization, one representative of a
non-profit organization, and one representative of an institution
of higher education.
3. The Council
shall organize and meet as soon as practicable after the appointment
of a majority of its members. The Governor shall appoint a Chairperson
and ViceChairperson. Each member shall hold office for the term
of appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and
qualified. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring on the
Council for any reason other than the expiration of the term shall
have a term of appointment for the unexpired term only. A member
may be appointed for any number of consecutive terms. The members
shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
as members.
4. The Council
shall, subject to law:
(a) develop
policies, standards and guidelines for the development and use
of geographic information resources and systems technology for
use by State and local government agencies, and private and
non-profit entities, consistent with the purposes and objectives
of this Executive Order;
(b) coordinate
the use of geographic information resources and systems technologies
to minimize redundancy and improve public administration;
(c) develop
a Statewide implementation plan for geographic information systems;
and
(d) promote
collaboration and the sharing of geographic data and and technology.
5. There
is established the Office of Geographic Information Systems in
the Office of Information Technology.
6. The Office
of Geographic Information Systems shall, subject to law:
(a) coordinate
the implementation of geographic information systems across
State agencies, and ensure the adoption and use of consistent
policies and standards to optimize the use of geographic information
systems technology and geographic information;
(b) oversee
the development and implementation of a Statewide geographic
information Cclearinghouse;
(c) assist
State agencies in developing and improving geographic information
systems capacity, and coordinate training and education for
State agencies;
(d) serve
as the State's liaison with national geographic information
systems organizations and initiatives; and
(e) provide
administrative staff support to the Council.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal,
this 3oth day of January in the Year
of Our Lord, Two Thousand and One,
and of the Independence of the United
States, Two Hundred and Twenty-Fifth.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
Attest:
Robert E. Fabricant Chief
Counsel to the Governor
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