6 U.S.C. § 343: Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer shall report to the Secretary, or to another official of the Department, as the Secretary may direct. The term “geospatial information” means graphical or digital data depicting natural or manmade physical features, phenomena, or boundaries of the earth and any information related thereto, including surveys, maps, charts, remote sensing data, and images. global satellite surveillance systems; global position systems; geographic information systems; mapping equipment; geocoding technology; and remote sensing devices. The Office of Geospatial Management is established within the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The Office of Geospatial Management shall be administered by the Geospatial Information Officer, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and serve under the direction of the Chief Information Officer. The Geospatial Information Officer shall assist the Chief Information Officer in carrying out all functions under this section and in coordinating the geospatial information needs of the Department. providing such geospatial information as may be necessary to implement the critical infrastructure protection programs; providing leadership and coordination in meeting the geospatial information requirements of those responsible for planning, prevention, mitigation, assessment and response to emergencies, critical infrastructure protection, and other functions of the Department; and coordinating with users of geospatial information within the Department to assure interoperability and prevent unnecessary duplication. coordinating the geospatial information needs and activities of the Department; the Department; State and local government; and the private sector; coordinating with the Federal Geographic Data Committee and carrying out the responsibilities of the Department pursuant to Office of Management and Budget Circular A–16 and Executive Order 12906; and fund the creation of geospatial data; and execute information sharing agreements regarding geospatial data with State, local, and tribal governments. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection for each fiscal year. Geospatial technologies and geospatial data improve government capabilities to detect, plan for, prepare for, and respond to disasters in order to save lives and protect property. Geospatial data improves the ability of information technology applications and systems to enhance public security in a cost-effective manner. inadequate geospatial data compatibility; insufficient geospatial data sharing; and technology interoperability barriers.”