PLSS_CadNSDI_V2 Standardized PLSS Data Catalog National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Dataset Catalog
Published By Federal Geographic Data Committee
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
This catalog is a listing of the location of available standardized PLSS data sets which are hosted by BLM and states. The document referenced in the online linkage is updated regularly and will provide linkages for accessing state and BLM hosted sites. The PLSS Data are standardized for publication and are in compliance with the FGDC the Cadastral Publication Data Standard for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure or CadNSDI Version 2.0. This standard publication guideline for cadastral data and is intended to provide a common format, structure and content of the information and allow it to be readily used across jurisdictional boundaries. This data represents the GIS Version of the Public Land Survey System including both rectangular and non-rectangular survey data. The rectangular survey data are a reference system for land tenure based upon meridian, township/range, section, section subdivision and government lots. The non-retangular survey data represent surveys that were largely performed to protect and/or convey title on specific parcels of land such as minerals surveys and tracts. The data are largely complete in reference to the rectangular survey data at the level of first division. However, the data varies in terms of granularity of its spatial representation as well as its content below the first division. Therefore, depending upon the data source and steward, accurate subdivision of the rectangular data may not be available below the first division and the non-rectangular minerals surveys may not be present. At times, the complexity of surveys rendered the collection of data cost prohibitive such as in areas characterized by numerous, overlapping mineral surveys. In these situations, the data were often not abstracted or were only partially abstracted and incorporated into the data set. These PLSS data were compiled from a broad spectrum or sources including federal, county, and private survey records such as field notes and plats as well as map sources such as USGS 7 ½ minute quadrangles. The metadata in each data set describes the production methods for the data content. This data is optimized for data publication and sharing rather than for specific "production" or operation and maintenance. A complete PLSS data set includes the following: PLSS Fully Intersected (all of the PLSS feature at the atomic or smallest polygon level), PLSS Townships, First Divisions and Second Divisions (the hierarchical break down of the PLSS Rectangular surveys) PLSS Special surveys (non rectangular components of the PLSS) Meandered Water, Corners and Conflicted Areas (known areas of gaps or overlaps between Townships or state boundaries). The Entity-Attribute section of this metadata describes these components in greater detail.