The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission is pleased to present quarterly news, events, and project updates to a region-wide audience. 

The Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with the City of Slidell, has initiated a feasibility study to review pedestrian conditions along the US190B corridor between US 11 and Town Center Boulevard. The feasibility study will provide concepts for upgrading existing pedestrian facilities, constructing new facilities where they do not exist, and cost estimates for feasible alternatives. This study builds upon recommendations from the recently completed Slidell Comprehensive Plan which identified improving walkability as a key component of their plan. 

One of the Regional Planning Commission’s top priorities is to ensure the transportation mobility choice of walking and bicycling safely exists for all citizens. This mission is accomplished with data driven analysis and decision-making, through planning and design for sustainable transportation. To accomplish this, significant data were collected and analyzed to help inform feasible improvements. These efforts include a review of five years of crash data, motorized, pedestrian and bicycling counts, speed data and turning movement counts, infrastructure and utility inventor, and a demographic analysis of the study area. This data will ensure that the proposed improvements best accommodate the transportation needs of the area. The project is scheduled to conclude on May 31^st, 2024. For more information on the project, please reach out to Nelson Hollings at nhollings@norpc.org.

The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 (GDA) was signed into law by the President on October 5, 2018, establishing the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The GDA is now in U.S. Code, Title 43 – Public Lands, Chapter 46: GEOSPATIAL DATA.

National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC)

“The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) is a Federal Advisory Committee sponsored by the Department of the Interior. The NGAC is authorized under the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, and operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The NGAC reports to the Chair of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (Secretary of the Interior). The scope and objectives of the NGAC are described in the Geospatial Data Act:

The Advisory Committee shall: (1) provide advice and recommendations relating to (A) the management of Federal and national geospatial programs; (B) the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and (C) implementation of the Geospatial Data Act; (2) review and comment on geospatial policy and management issues; and (3) ensure the views of representatives of non-Federal interested parties involved in national geospatial activities are conveyed to the Federal Geographic Data Committee.” https://www.fgdc.gov/ngac

Who is NGAC: 

Appointees (up to 30 members nation-wide) across all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors and the academic community meet three to four times a year providing advice and recommendations on national geospatial policy and management issues (membership 2023). Lynn Dupont, GIS Manager at RPC, was appointed for a three-year term in 2022. During the year members are assigned to committee workgroups for in-depth discussion and review of existing datasets, methodology, standards, and policies. RPC’s 2022/2023 focus was on the 3DEP lidar subcommittee, publishing NGAC Paper: NGAC Assessment of the 3D Elevation Program. 



Other coordinating activities included the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) conference (in New Orleans in 2023) which offered opportunities for state Geographic Information Systems (GIS) leaders to work with federal agencies and the private sector highlighting activities and discussing needs. In 2024 RPC continues its NGAC lidar initiatives, while contributing to the strategic planning efforts of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) on National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). NSDI Strategic Plan 2021-2024

Why NGAC exists:

Surveying and mapping in the United States dates to the 1840s. President Theodore Roosevelt signed Executive Order 493 in 1906 creating the U.S. Geographic Board for all government projects to avoid duplication of work and improve the standardization of maps. In 1953 President Dwight Eisenhower issued the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 describing responsibilities of Federal agencies to coordinate surveying and mapping activities. (“Circulars are one of the primary ways OMB provides detailed instructions and information to Federal agencies. Circulars standardize implementation guidance for Federal agencies across an array of policy areas and topics that are central to the Federal Government's management and budget processes.”)

OMB Circular A-16 has been updated and revised and reissued remaining the leading policy document for geospatial coordination in the United States. Circular A-16 is the foundation for the FGDC creation in 1990. NGAC was created in 2008 and authorized in the GDA of 2018 with the purpose of:

• providing advice and recommendations on federal geospatial policy and management issues to Federal Geographic Data Committee,
• providing a forum to convey views representative of the geospatial community,
•  providing advice on the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

Over the years the policy goals have remained consistent for establishing standards, having authoritative information sources, and encompassing a broad participation in the coordination process. NGAC plays an important role in Improving coordination across multiple levels of government agencies, academia, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations towards the goal of fostering organizational change that benefits the development of nation-wide geospatial data.

Adam Tatar wears two hats at the RPC, serving as the Director of Economic Development and the Brownfields Coordinator. When he initially came on staff, Adam worked on Brownfields Redevelopment Programs, and just this year he has taken over directing RPC’s Economic Development Program as well. He looks forward to finding opportunities to leverage these two federal programs and to connect funding to local projects within our region. Adam will celebrate his 5-year work anniversary at the RPC this coming July, 2024. Prior to joining the RPC, Adam previously worked at our neighboring MPO for the Baton Rouge area, the Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC). What inspires Adam in his work at the RPC is having the opportunity to meet so many organizations and people within our region who are developing creative and entrepreneurial initiatives to improve both the social, economic, and environmental well-being of our communities – those such as the non-profits Café Reconcile and Propeller, as well as the founders of the TEP Interpretive Center who have redeveloped the historic McDonogh No. 19 school building into a community-focused mixed-use development with affordable housing for seniors. One of Adam’s accomplishments that he is most proud of is partnering with St. Bernard Parish to win a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Grant for site assessments which help to address longstanding blight from Hurricane Katrina and revitalize commercial corridors in the parish.

Adam came to New Orleans more than 20 years ago from his home state of Connecticut. He earned his Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UNO and is a certified AICP planner. Adam and his husband are avid sailors who enjoy the spring and fall windy days on their boat in Bay St. Louis. One interesting fact about Adam is that, while others were busy perfecting their banana bread recipes and staying safe during the COVID Lockdown of 2020, Adam took up piano lessons in his spare time at home. He continues to enjoy playing the piano to this day and refining his musical skills.