11-05, 14:00–14:30 (America/New_York), Reston ABC
NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey defines, maintains, and provides access to the National Spatial Reference System, the foundation for all civilian surveying and mapping in the United States. A modernized version of the NSRS is now available for beta testing.
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the foundation for all geospatial data in the U.S. is being overhauled to better support our geospatially enabled society and emerging technology such as GeoAI, digital twins, and digital project delivery. NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) defines, maintains, and provides access to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), which serves as the basis for civilian surveying and mapping in the United States. Currently, NGS is in the process of modernizing the NSRS, updating the existing horizontal datums with a suite of geometric reference frames and the vertical datums with a gravimetric derived geopotential datum. The new system will provide a more accurate and consistent base, making all geospatial data more interoperable. The core elements of the new system were released for beta testing in June 2025. This session will discuss the limitations of the current system, benefits of the new system and the data and tools that will be made available.
Galen Scott began federal service in 2003 as a Presidential Management Fellow
for NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey. Starting off in the NGS Front Office as a
geek translator, he explained the complex science and critical applications of
geodesy for non-technical audiences, particularly in the strategic planning and
budgeting process. Since 2004, Mr. Scott has worked with coastal scientists and
managers to build the geospatial infrastructure necessary to obtain accurate
coastal elevations and water levels for long-term ecosystem monitoring and
coastal management decisions. He has forged diverse partnerships to help
coastal communities use NOAA’s authoritative data, services, and tools to
understand and address impacts of sea level rise. He currently serves as the
NGS Constituent Resources Manager, responsible for engaging stakeholders
about NGS products and services, and generating feedback to better serve our
users’ needs. Mr. Scott led the NGS GPS on Bench Marks program, a crowd-
sourced data collection effort to help the geospatial community prepare for the
Modernization of the National Spatial Reference System. He holds Masters
Degrees in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from Johns
Hopkins University and the University of Rhode Island.