| One more hurdle for 2008 NAIP in WI |
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| By Larry Cutforth, USDA Farm Service Agency | |
| February 18, 2008 | |
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On February 15th the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for their 2008 National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). In the RFP, Wisconsin is one of 16 states identified as a “top priority” for imagery acquisition in 2008. This signals a much greater likelihood that Wisconsin will be flown during the summer of 2008, resulting in a statewide, leaf-on, 1-meter resolution product. However, the last hurdle for the project is approval of the 2008 NAIP budget, which may not be decided until April. The U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and nine Wisconsin counties signed agreements to contribute funds toward the 2008 WI NAIP partnership. Without these partnership funds, Wisconsin would have been much lower on the priority list. After this year, 1-meter resolution NAIP will be on a three year cycle, and only cropland areas will be flown. The 2-meter NAIP program was eliminated by USDA. As currently proposed, partners could contribute funds to fly non-cropland areas such as forest and urban areas. Partners may also have the option to buy up to a higher resolution product. |