AmericaView Authorization H.R. 6970 Released

 

The AmericaView Authorization Act (H.R. 6970) was introduced by Rep. Ralph Regula [R-OH]. Co-sponsors include: Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI], Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [D-SD], Rep. James Moran [D-VA], Rep. Michael Rogers [R-AL], and Rep. Betty Sutton [D-OH].

The purpose of H.R. 6970 is “to authorize a comprehensive program of nationwide access to Federal remote sensing data, to promote its use for education, workforce training and development, applied research, and to support Federal, State, tribal, and local government programs.” According to Dr. Sam Batzli, Director of WisconsinView, H.R. 6970 is “an authorization bill that, if passed, would go a long way towards stabilizing the AmericaView consortium (and WisconsinView).  It does not appropriate any money, but rather creates the official program to which money can be appropriated some day (SIAC Listserve, September 19, 2008).” H.R. 6970 has been referred to the House Committe on Natural Resources.

For a nice article on WisconsinView and its benefits, visit the Wisconsin Mapping Bulletin: WisconsinView Mapkes Hi-Res Imagery Available for Free (October 1, 2008).