In January of 2008, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced the formation and membership of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). This announcement came as no surprise to geospatial professionals following the activities of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) or spatial data development and coordination in the United States. In fact, for years, many nonfederal organizations and individuals have called for a voice to officially provide input into U.S. federal government activities related to geospatial programs.