National Forest Boundaries (Lower 48)

nfsland_us_dd (coverage name)

Metadata:

Identification_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

USDA Forest Service - Geospatial Service and Technology Center (GSTC)

Publication_Date: 20000915

Title: National Forest Boundaries

Edition: Second

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Salt Lake City, UT

Publisher: USDA Forest Service - GSTC

Description:

Abstract:

This dataset contains National Forest boundaries for the lower 48 states, including Puerto Rico. Alaska is maintained separately. This dataset includes administrative unit boundaries, derived primarily from the GSTC SOC data system, comprised of Cartographic Feature Files (CFFs), using ESRI Spatial Data Engine (SDE) and an Oracle database. The data that was available in SOC was extracted on November 10, 1999. Some of the data that had been entered into SOC was outdated, and some national forest boundaries had never been entered for a variety of reasons. GSTC has edited this data in places where it was questionable or missing, to match the National Forest Inventoried Roadless Area data submitted for the President's Roadless Area Initiative.

Purpose:

This dataset was created to use as a reference in spatially edgematching all of the National Forest Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) data for the President's Roadless Area Initiative for the lower 48 states. Alaska boundaries are maintained in separate datasets.

Supplemental_Information:

PROCESS:

Most of the data editing tasks were performed using ARC/INFO software.

The data was first converted to an ARC/INFO line coverage, and then projected to Albers. It was then split into three portions, so three individuals could edit one portion each. For each of these portions, dangles that appeared to nearly connect were connected, using a very small tolerance. Where the gaps were larger, or where it appeared there was data missing, the GSTC SOC database was queried, using an ArcView browser, and the appropriate line segment copied if available (some line segments in the original CFF data may have been coded as other features, but may also have been the nf boundary). If it did not exist there, hard copy maps were referenced, and the necessary arcs digitized from the map or on screen using the 1:2,000,000-scale NF boundary data displayed as a reference. The maps used were generally a combination of paper or film prints of the 1:126,720-scale Forest Visitor maps and 1:24,000-scale Primary Base Series Forest Service quads. In some cases, the data was available in the GSTC PBS quad editing database, or online, if the quads were in the process of being revised, and the necessary portions of boundary were then taken from these, as they would be the most current. When all gaps were filled in, the coverages were used as backcoverages for reference when edgematching the IRA data from the National Forests.

Pseudo nodes were later removed, and polygon attributes were built after the three portions of the coverage were appended together. Additional corrections were made as necessary. The Proclaimed Forest Boundaries were disolved. The coverage was projected to geographic for analysis and display.

***** Spatial Reference Information (Beg) *****

Projection Parameters : Geographic

Units: Decimal Degrees

Spatial Information: Vector

Scale of original/hardcopy map: 1:24,000 to 1:2,000,000

Feature Type: polygon

Attributes: AREA = (calculated area of polygon)

PERIMETER = (calculated circumference of polygon)

NFSLAND_US_DD# = (internal identifier of polygon)

NFSLAND_US_DD-ID = (user assigned identifier of polygon)

ADMIN_FOREST = (adminstrative national forest)

NFB_ADM = (Is the land administered by NFS, Yes or No)

***** Spatial Reference Information (End) *****

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19991206

Ending_Date: 20000915

Currentness_Reference: publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Unknown

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: 125

East_Bounding_Coordinate: 60.5

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 25

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NA

Theme_Keyword: National Forest Boundary

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: NA

Place_Keyword: National Forest Name

Temporal:

Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: NA

Temporal_Keyword: NA

Access_Constraints:

User needs to exercise caution regarding the spatial accuracy of these data. The scales of source materials varies, and external features cannot always be expected to align.

Use_Constraints:

Data may be viewed and used by any and all entities upon request. However, data should not be changed or modified by anyone other than GSTC. The USDA Forest Service does not guarantee accuracy of these data.

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Dan Thompson

Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service - Geospatial Service and Technology Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 2222 West 2300 South

City: Salt Lake City

State_or_Province: UT

Postal_Code: 84119

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (801) 975-3441

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (801) 975-3478

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: thompson_dan/wo_gstc@fs.fed.us

Resource_Description: national forest boundary

Distribution_Liability:

The USDA Forest Service manages resource information and derived data as a service to USDA Forest Service users of digital geographic data. The USDA Forest Service is in no way condoning or endorsing the application of these data for any given purpose. It is the sole responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data are suitable for the intended purpose. It is also the obligation of the user to apply the data in an appropriate and conscientious manner. The USDA Forest Service provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of these data.

Much of the USDA Forest Service data are compiled, processed, and maintained with ARC/INFO software developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Much of the information presented uses conventions and terms popularized by ARC/INFO and its user community. The mention of commercial firms or products is for clarity and identification of procedures and methods only, and no endorsements are implied by the USDA Forest Service.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20000217

Metadata_Contact: