Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Boundary Data Standard

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

April 26, 2010

In Reply Refer To:

1610 (210) P

EMS TRANSMISSION

Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-113

Expires:  09/30/2011                                                                                                                          

To:                   All Field Officials

From:               Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject:           Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Boundary Data Standard

                                                                                                                                DD:  05/31/2010

Program Area:  Land Use Planning.

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) transmits the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) data standards for mapping and recording the boundaries for areas of critical environmental concern (ACEC).

Policy/Action:  The data standard for developing and maintaining ACEC boundaries in digital  format are found in attachments 1 and 2 of this IM.  All offices must use the ACEC Boundary Data Standard when developing, amending, or maintaining digital ACEC boundary datasets.      

Background:  Development of national corporate data standards and databases has been recognized by the BLM Director and the Field Committee as being a critical component to facilitate BLM-wide comprehensive data management. Corporate data standards and national databases will also increase efficiency in addressing information needs within all levels of the BLM.  A team, with representatives from field offices, state offices, the Washington Office, and the National Operations Center (NOC), was tasked with developing a set of data standards for ACECs.  Use of the ACEC Boundary Data Standard and development of a national ACEC database will result in fewer data calls, less overall effort by state and local personnel to use geospatial information for regional analyses, and timely sharing of our information with our partners and the public, ultimately resulting in significant long-term savings for the BLM. 

Timeframe:  The ACEC Boundary Data Standard will be effective immediately.  Each state must convert their existing data to the new standard and provide a copy to the NOC for inclusion in the national dataset no later than May 31, 2010.

Budget Impact:  The cost of converting the data to the new data standard will be offset by funding coordinated through the Geospatial Services Strategic Plan (GSSP).

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  None.

Coordination:  The process for developing the ACEC Boundary Data Standard was coordinated among the Washington Office Division of Decision Support, Planning and NEPA (WO-210), representatives of the state planning program leads, state data administrators, and Geospatial Information System (GIS) coordinators.

Contacts:  Bob Bewley, Geo-Sciences Team Leader, WO-210, at 202- 912-7213; Barb Kett, BLM Data Architect, OC-120, at 303-236-4025 for information regarding the standard and the unique identifier; and Keith Francis, GIS Specialist, OC-534, at 303-236-0113 for information regarding sending the data to the NOC.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Edwin L. Roberson                                         Robert M. Williams

Assistant Director                                           Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Renewable Resources and Planning

2 Attachments

      1 - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Boundaries Data Standard Report (20pp)

      2 - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Implementation Guidelines (42pp)