The FGDC encourages State, Tribal, local governments, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, the commercial sector, and other segments of the geospatial community to review and comment on the draft standard to ensure the widest possible review. Comments are critical to assure that the draft National Vegetation Classification Standard, Version 2.0 will meet the needs of the geographic information community.

The draft National Vegetation Classification Standard, Version 2.0, supports the development and use of a consistent national vegetation classification (the “NVC”) in order to produce uniform statistics based on vegetation data gathered at local, regional, or national levels. Uniform statistics require that the composition of any map unit or inventory unit be described in terms of one or more vegetation types at an appropriate level of the NVC hierarchy. This Standard shall not preclude alternative classification approaches and systems that address particular needs. It is intended to facilitate orderly development of the NVC and collaboration with international vegetation classification activities.

This Standard applies only to vegetation documented for a specific location and time, and the NVC includes only existing vegetation types. This Standard applies to vegetation classification efforts in the United States and its Trust Territories. Specific time need not be the present, that is, historical data may be included. Lastly, this Standard establishes minimum metadata requirements to ensure consistent reporting on the status of our Nation's vegetation resources. Both the NVC and the metadata requirements may be used nationally to link local level vegetation inventory and map efforts.

The draft National Vegetation Classification Standard, Version 2.0 may be found at http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDC-standards-projects/physiognomic-levels/Draft_FGDC_Std_November_edits3.pdf. Reviewers are strongly encouraged to submit comments in Word or Excel using the format and guidance provided by FGDC Standards Directive #2d, Standards Working Group Review Guidelines: Review Comment Template, http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/process/standards-directives/directive-2d-standards-working-group-review-guidelines-review-comment-template. Proposed changes are needed to ensure that the question /problem is correctly addressed and adjudicated.

Comments shall be submitted to Julie Maitra of the FGDC Secretariat (Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) no later than Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:00 midnight Eastern Time.

Comments resulting from public review will be adjudicated following the close of the public review on Friday, June 8, 2007. After public review comments have been adjudicated and a revised draft standard based on comment adjudications has been prepared, the revised draft standard and supporting documentation will be submitted for endorsement as an FGDC standard.