This joint proposal by Montana and Idaho employs a two-part approach to demonstrate technical and governance approaches to support Geodetic Control in a multi-state environment. The technical part will provide tools to support the discovery, use, and exchange of geodetic information in two states by adapting the Montana Control Point Database and application to consume and make available Idaho's control points. The result will be a Multi-state Control Point Database and application (MCPD).

The second part of the grant is devoted to developing a business plan for a Regional Geodetic Reference Center for Montana and Idaho. The Geodetic Reference Center will support various positioning projects and programs such as hosting the MCPD, densifying the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network in Idaho, and establishing a real-time network initially in Eastern Idaho and Western Montana with the potential to later be expanded to a larger region. The plan will address governance, management, funding, technical issues, and other aspects that insure accountability, longevity and stability.