A 35-year career, the completion of 3DEP, and what comes next for the geospatial community.
After more than three decades with the U.S. Geological Survey, Vicki Lukas helped shape one of the most ambitious geospatial initiatives in the world—the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). 3DEP is a national initiative led by the U.S. Geological Survey to systematically collect high-resolution lidar data to create consistent, detailed elevation models of the United States.
We spoke with Vicki about the completion of the national baseline, the role of partnerships, and what’s next for lidar and the 3D National Topography Model as she continues her work with NV5 Geospatial Inc.
A Career Driven by Mapping and Mission
What kept you inspired across your 35-year career at the U.S. Geological Survey?
“Without a doubt, passion for the USGS earth science mission has kept me, like countless other USGS employees before me, inspired and energized. Within that larger mission, mapping has always been where I have found my purpose.
Partnership and program building became defining themes that shaped my career and connected me with an incredible network of collaborators. I was also very fortunate to lead a small but mighty team united by a bold vision for national lidar, and later 3D hydrography.
Working toward audacious goals that deliver real, tangible benefits to the nation was a shared purpose that kept our team moving and focused through the ups and downs of federal service.”
“Mapping has always been where I have found my purpose.“
Completing the 3DEP Baseline—and What Comes Next
At the recent GeoWeek conference, you presented in a USGS session announcing that the national 3DEP baseline acquisition had been completed.
What’s next now that your major goal has been accomplished?
I was absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to come back as a retiree to take part in the big announcement! Celebrating the completion of national 3DEP baseline acquisition felt like the perfect capstone to my career.
But I’m not done yet—and neither is 3DEP. In many ways, we as a community are just beginning to reap the full value of the baseline as the foundation for the 3D National Topography Model, including both the next generation of 3DEP and the 3D Hydrography Program.
As documented by the USGS requirements and benefits of studies, the value of the baseline continues to compound with each new round of data collection and the expanding range of applications it enables. Now is the time for the community to reinvest its energy and momentum.
“With the baseline complete, we have a stronger foundation than ever to build the next generation of national topographic data to support science, safety, resilience, and decision making for years to come.”
Transitioning to NV5 and Continuing the Mission
What piqued your interest in working for NV5 Geospatial Inc. (NV5) following your USGS career?
NV5 has always been a stellar 3DEP partner. They successfully built up their mapping business while also consistently giving back to the community. One example that I am reminded of is when NV5 partnered with the University of California San Diego to collect lidar immediately after the Los Angeles fires—at a time when USGS didn’t have the funding to do so. NV5 and UCSD contributed those data to the public 3DEP holdings, supporting critical recovery and restoration work.
That kind of commitment reflects the values that matter to me. Stepping into this environment after my USGS career felt like a natural fit. My new role at NV5 allows me to help strengthen communications with decisionmakers about the value of the next generation of 3DEP and the broader 3D National Topography Model.
We’re operating in a new federal landscape right now, and fresh approaches are essential to sustain the program’s success. The USGS has always emphasized that 3DEP is a community effort, and I’m grateful for the chance to continue contributing—from a new seat at NV5—by focusing on strategic communications and helping advance the next chapter of national topographic data.
The Biggest Challenges Ahead for 3DEP
What do you see as the biggest community challenges ahead for maintaining the success of 3DEP?
Looking back at what made the 3DEP baseline successful, partnerships funded about 72% of the program between 2015-2023 (per cir1553.pdf). That collaborative investment model was essential, and it will be more so for the next generation of 3DEP.
The Call for Action reports show that the next generation programs significantly increase annual national benefits, but they also depend on continued and expanded investment. This raises important questions for the years ahead:
- Will key Federal agencies like NRCS and FEMA maintain—or even increase—their longstanding support?
- How do we broaden the partnerships beyond the traditional federal base to include more state, local, regional, tribal, academic, and private sector collaboration?
The challenge now is to find creative strategies and new approaches across the producer and user communities. Sustaining momentum is not solely a USGS responsibility—it truly is an “all hands on deck” effort for NV5 and every member of the broader geospatial community.
“Sustaining momentum is not solely a USGS responsibility—it truly is an ‘all hands on deck’ effort for NV5 and every member of the broader geospatial community.”
Advice for Early-Career Geospatial Professionals
What advice would you give to early-career professionals entering the geospatial or lidar field today?
As you build a strong foundation in mapping principles and geospatial technologies, look to build complementary skills in other, related domains that inspire you. That might mean developing expertise in an application area such as water resources, ecosystems, or urban planning, or it may involve building strengths in areas like business development or program strategy.
Also stay open to unexpected opportunities. Careers in this field often evolve in surprising ways, and some of the most rewarding roles or specializations are the ones you never anticipated. Early in my career, I would never have imagined that partnership development and strategic program building would be where I would find my passion and purpose.
Finally, throughout my career I have found that the ability to translate technical information into clear, compelling stories for decisionmakers, partners, and the public is often the biggest challenge that geospatial professionals face. Continually working to improve your communication skills will enhance your overall growth and contribute to your success no matter which technical or domain path you choose.
“The ability to translate technical information into clear, compelling stories for decisionmakers, partners, and the public is often the biggest challenge that geospatial professionals face.”
Emerging Technologies in Lidar and 3D Mapping
What developments in lidar or geospatial technology are you most excited about right now?
An exciting advancement in the 3D National Topography Model is the addition of inland bathymetry to the next generation of the 3D Elevation Program. To make this vision a reality, decisionmakers need confidence that their investments will yield consistent, actionable data with minimal voids.
Variability in data and costs remains a major barrier to producing and using inland bathymetric datasets at scale. It is great to see topobathymetric technologies maturing—from new lidar sensors that provide greater depth penetration and higher fidelity in both shallow and deep, complex environments, to improved accuracy assessment techniques and more robust workflows for integrating bathymetry with topographic elevation data.
NV5 now has three different topobathy sensors that can be deployed based on project requirements. Having more tools in the toolbox is key to a national approach. With consistent methods, clearer specifications, and greater confidence in expected data quality, agencies and partners will be better positioned to invest in, acquire, and share inland bathymetric data.
“The inland bathymetry component of the 3D National Topography Model can shift from experimental to operational—supporting applications from flood modeling and habitat mapping to infrastructure planning and water resource management.”
The Role of the Private Sector in National Mapping
What unique role do you think private companies like NV5 play in advancing national programs like 3DEP and the 3D National Topography Model?
NV5 and other private companies play an essential role in turning the 3DEP and 3D National Topography Model visions into reality. Data acquisition by the private sector is the beating heart of 3DEP, and the public-private partnership at the core of the program is one of its greatest success stories. Completing a national lidar baseline would not be possible without the capacity, expertise, and nationwide reach of private sector firms.
Beyond acquisition for 3DEP and the 3D Hydrography Program, NV5 helps raise awareness, communicate program value, and build partnerships across state, local, and other stakeholder communities. NV5 also supports clients in applying the data to real-world challenges, helping to translate national datasets into local benefits.
Through the association called MAPPS, NV5 and other private mapping firms work together to communicate to decisionmakers about the importance of these programs to national priorities. These efforts are critical to getting the programs funded. Additionally, MAPPS firms collectively drive technical innovation—building and testing new sensors, creating new efficiencies, and advancing the capabilities that national programs depend on.
In many ways, a true ecosystem has grown around 3DEP, with private companies providing essential capacity, advocacy, and innovation that help sustain and strengthen the program.
“A true ecosystem has grown around 3DEP, with private companies providing essential capacity, advocacy, and innovation.”
