1. What kind of information would you like to see locatable through the EC so as to make it a true regional resource?Definition and boundaries of the Region: The first part of this answer led to a discussion of definition of the region - are we limited to the watershed line around Tahoe and arbitrarily add Truckee, or do we take in the Upper Truckee River up to its head and the lower Truckee River down to Pyramid Lake? It was suggested that we begin by collecting maps like the USGS quadrant maps and the index maps which show large and smaller scale maps of the region. It was noted that the U.S. Geological Survey has an office in Carnelian Bay, and Bob Richards offered to call Gerald Rockwell of the USGS to invite him to the next meeting to review their resources, databases and maps. At the next meeting we will further define where the boundaries of the Tahoe Truckee Region should be.
Next we discussed general categories of information - organized by type of study such as water quality, air quality, land use, environmental education, community plans, EIR/EIS materials for projects, transportation plans and information, climate, geographical, etc. It was felt that we could have a great number of categories of information - different ways to access the same basic materials. TRPA, Tahoe Research Group and Desert Research Institute all offered access to their information but need to know what kind of information is needed and where it will be accessed. Everyone agreed to consider the possible lists of categories and fields of study - and what is essential to the EC itself as well as what can be inventoried for access through other libraries and agencies.
It was also discussed that the scope of the collection will depend upon the size of the building-some thought should be given now to the design of the center for sustainable architecture, public use, archives, computer terminals, office and staff areas, meeting/conference room, etc.
2. How should the content and nature of this information be identified from the source(surveys of agencies)? It was felt that we need to compile lists of contributing agencies and resources and then ask them a series of questions about their materials. Mark Kimbrough of Nevada State Parks stated that he had compiled a resource directory and mailing list of people in environmental education and science as well as a directory of relevant state agencies and people. Mark will bring copies to the next meeting.
Steve Musillani of Cal. State Parks said he wished he had a similar list, but he could begin with his resource directories and compile a mailing list of state people and some education resources. Steve also offered to go through his library for EIS elements, general plans, park plans and other relevant materials. After some discussion, several people present offered to do the same and make an informal list of the various types of information they have - from files to notes to "sub-academic" level papers, to full scientific papers and reports, conversations and recollections of key personnel, maps, charts, graphs, computer data, etc.
Dennis Crabb noted that many agencies are out of storage space, and that they would help to index and sort materials for the EC. They might even pay for these services, and help to decide what is important. Pam Drum of TRPA mentioned that there are lists of periodicals and trade publications, newsletters from AICP and other organizations who need to know what we are collecting, and how we can access their materials. They index this material annually. She also said that there needs to be a "tickler" system for all people and organizations on our mailing lists asking "What have you produced or received in the past 3 months that could be copied for the EC?.
It was mentioned that Sierra Pacific Power Co. has maps and a parcel data base which may be different and more complete than others. TRPA has both parcel data and GIS data on computer already for Hydrologic zones, shorezone, etc. Someone asked about historical data: photographs, writings, maps, film archives, diaries, and even archeological and pre-white settlement cultural materials. Most people felt it was important to reference these, and the diversity and disparity of the collections in Historical societies, museums, State libraries, etc. was enormous. It became apparent that to collect everything about the Region was a vital but nearly impossible task. The group decided to focus on what should be locatable- and where.
Since it was felt that this should be an action group - and that everyone could move forward on the EC project, it was decided that the first important task of this group is to compile and share mailing lists of agencies, organizations, individuals, resources, etc. so that we can formulate a survey saying what we are looking for, and asking what they have, how it is inventoried, etc.
Bob Richards of TRG mentioned his concern that we have a standard for academic papers, and be able to distinguish between levels of scholarship for various purposes.
Mary mentioned that Ken Karkula of the Forest Service has offered the services of a Summer intern or similar part-time employee to inventory the USFS information since it is spread about in the various departments. She also noted that we will need to establish some standards early on so that we are on the same "wave length" about the types of information we are compiling and sorting.
The Forest Service has aerial photos, maps, studies and reports of all kinds, and probably has information that is not found anywhere else. Several others noted that these projects would be good ones for students, interns, advanced degree candidates and others who might give an amount of time for a fairly small compensation.
It was also noted that materials should cover not only the physical sciences or natural environment, but should include people, the economy, social needs and problems, how people interact with the natural ecology of the area, and reports of programs to enhance and restore the natural environment.
3. How could it be inventoried? Again, the answer was to do as much as possible with all available media and allow for the future. Print materials, archival materials, computer disks, on-line access to other sources, library catalogs and computers, bibliographies, networking of people, abstracts of papers and dissertations, maps, photographs, etc. The inventories should be computerized from the beginning with print out copies available for quick reference.
There are various standards for catalogs- key word search, abstracts, historical data by subject and date, author, subject, cross-reference, etc. Since much of the resource is contact with people and agencies, they should be inventoried as well. For example, if you need to know about soils of the basin - where to start with printed materials, public contact person at the Soil Conservation Service or TRPA, general texts, maps, lists of definitions, new research, etc. Some materials would have to remain at their permanent location but some can be available in hard copy form library, storage or computer at the Center. It may be possible to use the Library of Congress system of cataloging, and to use the LC principle of asking for a copy of every document relevant to the study of the environment of the Tahoe Truckee region. Local public libraries can be a great help in the project.
It was also noted that all the coalitions and organizations in the Basin have their own resources and materials (and mailing lists) such as the Conservancy, TCORP, TTC, etc. A representative of TCORP should be invited to the next meeting.
4. How could it be accessible to those seeking it? Directly through on-line computer BBS, through training teachers, through library and research facilities in the Center, through "live" responses to mail and telephone inquiries, teleconferencing with other areas of the country and the world, video and audio tape programs, catalogs and printed newsletters, etc. Pam Drum of TRPA noted that she has dozens of questions every week, many of which are the same or similar. Many computer services offer a FAX copy of printed materials for $10 per page, payable by credit card.
Since it was felt that the EC will be an environmental learning center for the public especially school children, there should be displays, free literature, etc. It would be possible to print some "packages" with answers to commonly asked questions with format for adults, children in high school or elementary school levels, as well as photos, examples, diagrams and sources of further information. All these programs could be done on a fee basis to generate revenue for the Center.
5. Would it be desirable to have hard copies at a central location? It was felt that this would be desirable and necessary, but that the volume of material is so large that we need to define the parameters of just what was needed in hard copy form and how much storage and staff would be available. It was noted that there is no need to duplicate a university or public library, or to collect hard copies of every piece of information, but that the Center must be "user friendly" and information be readily available on essential topics. It was also felt that education especially on the elementary and high school level was an essential part of the Center's mission for the people of the region. Scholars and scientists will do a pretty good job of storing and accessing their own information, if the Center provides a network and common database for finding the various types of information.
6. Other than your organization, whose material would you like to see available? Several interesting topics were mentioned including composting, tree and plant identification, native plants and landscaping (invcluding information on the demonstration gardens), speakers and resources for presentations on the environment, basically the "hands-on" day to day materials that may be difficult to access in other ways. The possibility of an EC show on the local cable channel was mentioned. This question also references the lists of topics and ways of organizing information discussed above. It was suggested that everyone make a "wish list" for this project.
Other resources are Carla from the Cal State Parks Dept for classroom presentations and Rick Foster. There is a possibility of puttinjg together a curriculum/educational packets/kits for teacher use in class, or bringing students to the EC for exposure to the curriculum.
Do we want the Center to be a repository of everything about the Basin? Most people felt we should not set limits at this time. There will be time later to sort, classify and determine what information is avilable, what will be accessed most frequently, what we can provide to researchers, public agencies and boards needing background, education, planners and private project planning, and other types of needs both in and out of the region.
7. Could you allocate staff time to this project? Dave Ziegler previously said he would consider offering some staff time at TRPA, and others echoed the thought that it was a good way to get a handle on their own files and libraries which may not be cataloged at this time. It was decided that if we all work cooperatively on this, the effort will benefit us doubly- and the cataloging and access for the Center will be a by-product of re-organization and inventory for the agency or organization. A suggestion was made to use interns and volunteers from among others, Sierra Nevada College, which Mark Hurtubise had previously suggested could be available for the right projects.
8. What other factors should be considered:? At this point the discussion focused on how to take specific steps towards making the Center a reality. The first project identified was to bring mailing lists and "wish lists" of information to be included as well as questions to be asked of agencies and resources having important materials. The other "first" project is the current study into the feasibility of the Center and the making of a business plan identifying sources of grants and other funding to build an appropriate building and make the project a reality.
The market study will look at what is currently in the environmental sector in the U.S., who is performing what services and filling what roles, who is doing environmental education and training, and will try to determine what is the competition and the potential alliances. Also included will be potential sources of grants and income from studies for private parties and organizations, and other products for revenue which are consistent with the Mission Statement.
It was also agreed that the EC steering group would form an Education Advisory Committee, a Technical Committee, Publication Committee, Networking Committee, Catalog and Inventory Committee, and such others as will become important as we proceed. Mark Kimbrough offered to head the Education Advisory Committee, and Steve Teshara offered to work with Mark to identify people to particiapte. The general agreement was that the Center is greatly needed and can become a world-class resource for information about our region, similar regions and reach out to others who are just beginning to address the issues we are meeting at Tahoe.
Next meeting: February 4, 1994 at 1: 30 PM at Sierra Nevada College.
Topics: a. Define the area of the region
b. Compile a mailing list of environmental resource people and educators
c. Develop a questionnaire/survey to mail to those people
c. Make a list of types and categories of information you want to see at the EC
d. What inventory system and library methods do you use What can you contribute.
e. Scope of materials to be available at the EC.
f. What sub-committee would you like to join
g What outreach needs to be done to include as many people and resources as possible.
Last updated: April 17, 1997