Authorities to standardize Mo. geographic names

Federal, state and local authorities will hold a conference Oct. 5-9 in Springfield to standardize the names of geographic features in Missouri.

The Council of Geographic Names Authorities, an association working under the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, will hold the conference, according to a COGNA news release.

The event, dubbed "Sinks, Balds and Hollows" after the type of geographic features found in Missouri, will be hosted by the Missouri Board on Geographic Names.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is a board composed of representatives from 15 federal agencies, which works with state, local and tribal governments, as well as citizens, to make sure all geographic features are referred to in the same way. The standardization is an attempt to ease confusion, uncertainty and misunderstanding concerning natural features. COGNA works closely with states to determine the best course of action, the release said.

The conference will be held at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center. It is expected to have about 70 attendees, and the event also is open to the public for a registration fee, the release said.

Registration for the event is $130, $150 for late registration and $85 for one-day registration, according to the COGNA Web site.

The USBGN holds the final authority on approving geographic names for official federal government usage, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]