Using an Official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset

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

September 2, 2010

In Reply Refer To:

1610 (210) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/09/2010

Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-198

Expires: 09/30/2011

To:                   All Field Officials

From:               Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject:            Using an Official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset

Program Area:  Land Use Planning.

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides direction regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) use of an official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset.

Policy/Action:  All offices are directed to adopt the official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset served from the National Operations Center (NOC) as their single recognized data source for high resolution Geographical Information System (GIS) data.  The State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset is derived by the BLM cadastral community from the Geographic Coordinate Data Base (GCDB) and Public Land Survey System (PLSS) data.   

Cadastral Survey will update and maintain the PLSS data. The PLSS data or equivalent includes state boundaries, e.g., State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset. This information can then in turn be used in BLM's GIS through the process established by the Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management.

The adoption of an official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset addresses a Fiscal Year 2010 Objective from the Data Architecture section of the Geospatial Services Strategic Plan.

Timeframe:  The policy contained in this memorandum is effective immediately.

Budget Impact:  Budget impacts of this IM are dependent on the level of usage by a specific office or location.  Currently, many BLM state and field offices are collecting data to update and maintain these datasets in both the Cadastral and Geospatial Program Areas.  Adoption of a single source data set with established maintenance protocols should streamline the use of the State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset.

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 facilitating BLM-wide comprehensive data management. Corporate data standards and national databases will also increase efficiency in addressing information needs at 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 an official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset.  Use of the State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset 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. 

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  None.

Coordination:  The adoption of the official State Geopolitical Boundary Dataset was coordinated with the Washington Office Divisions of Lands, Realty, and Cadastral Survey (WO-350) and Decision Support, Planning and NEPA (WO-210).

Contacts:  Robert Ader, Cartographer, WO-350, at (303) 236-1161 for GCDB source information; Patrick Mahoney, Geospatial Program Analyst, WO-210, at (202) 912-7214; Tom Chatfield, BLM Data Architect, OC-530, at 303-236-1936; and Bill Lamb, Spatial Data Coordinator, OC-530, at (303) 236-0911 for information regarding access to the data at the NOC.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Marci Todd                                                     Robert M. Williams

Acting, Assistant Director                              Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Renewable Resources and Planning