FINAL REPORT - International Joint Commission

FTP Support
The first component of the IMS to be implemented was an FTP server, operated and maintained by
Environment Canada, Ontario Region. A standard template was created for each TWG to upload digital
files to the FTP site, which was used throughout the Study to facilitate information exchange within and
among TWGs.
ANNEX 2
The FTP site, however, should have been policed more rigorously throughout the Study. Information
holdings were often poorly documented, without the use of naming conventions, and in some cases, more
than one version of the same file appeared. The FTP site had inadequate security provisions (anyone who
had access to the site could delete, modify or add files).
The contents of the FTP site were backed-up for archival purposes on a regular basis throughout the
Study, with most of the data holdings being moved to the Document Management System. The FTP site
will not be available after the Study has been completed, as it was intended for internal Study use only.
Metadata Production
Metadata are records that identify the salient characteristics of data files, including lineage, history, production
dates, accuracy, precision, appropriateness for use, distribution limits, etc. The Study Board stressed the
importance of completing this necessary documentation, but few TWG members were sufficiently
knowledgeable to create metadata without an appropriate template for their information type. Production
of compliant metadata was not fully accomplished due to the large volume of data produced within the
Study. Instead, metadata production forms were created to ensure that all critical data and Study information
resources were documented to the degree necessary to support basic Study information needs.
For some TWGs, metadata production was a substantial burden that was not covered adequately during
project budgeting. The Coastal TWG in particular produced several thousand geospatial files to support
their predictive modeling. Practical “work-arounds” were created to assemble data files into “families” of
datasets with a fraction of metadata records (e.g., profiles along shorelines were grouped within counties
with one metadata record).
Metadata has been created for all documents produced by the Study Board, PIAG, PFEG and the TWGs.
All geospatial datasets that can be used in future GIS applications are expected to have compliant metadata
produced before the end of the Study. The shortcomings in the area of metadata production are likely to
affect non-geospatial data holdings, specifically level and flow time series data, hydropower analyses, and
commercial navigation, recreational boating and municipal water system datasets. These non-spatial
information resources may not be discoverable in the future without metadata.
All digital files should have compliant metadata produced to support their discovery (through search engines)
and evaluation (assessment of the type and quality of information) as well as the means of distribution of
these resources. Through the largess of Study participants, work is expected to continue after the study is
completed to ensure that all critical geospatial data files created by the Coastal TWG are fully documented,
since these data have long-term utility for other coastal zone management applications throughout the
Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River system. As well, these data holdings would be useful if adaptive
management practices are implemented in IJC outflow control operations.
Options for Managing Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Water Levels and Flows
151