Template - Priority Action High Level Plan

Priority Action High Level Plan

FOR THE CADASTRAL FRAMEWORK

(Draft 10/26/99)

October, 1999

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Objective 1: FRAMEWORK DATA DEVELOPMENT

Produce multi-use geographic data through partnership efforts between government and private organizations.

Priority Action:

Complete a digital Framework for Washington including the cadastral (property ownership), hydrography (surface waters), transportation, ortho-imagery (corrected aerial photographs), and topography (elevation) data sets.

Facilitator: Carrie Wolfe

Description of the Cadastral Framework Project:

Many organizations, at all levels of government and private industry, need the same basic geographic information system (GIS) data for their business functions. Cadastral GIS data is one of the commonly needed themes of information. Cadastral data includes information about the geographic extent of the past, current, and future rights and interests in real property (e.g. ownership). The popularity of GIS cadastral data has grown, and many organizations now use and develop this information. Unfortunately, many resources are spent duplicating the same types of data sets. In other cases, organizations need cadastral GIS data but cannot afford the data collection costs. This environment of individual data development and use is redundant and inequitable. It also creates data sharing problems. Oftentimes, organizations need to share cadastral data in order to see various ownership together or to conduct regional or statewide analysis functions. This is usually a difficult task because data is often incompatible, inconsistent, and simply does not match up.

Approximately two years ago, the Cadastral Framework Project was initiated to respond to some of these issues. It was the first effort to begin to build the Framework for Washington. One reason for this, is that it is often considered to be the "backbone" for other data themes. It provides a basic geographic grid (i.e. township and range) that other themes must tie to. The project was approached in phases. The initial phase involved building a physical data model based on the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) Cadastral Data Content Standards, populating it with initial data, and distributing the data over the Internet to the framework partners. The second phase involved a pilot to develop a mechanism for framework partners to communicate back and forth to the Cadastral Framework (i.e. input or extract data) via the Internet. The next planned phase of the project will test those mechanisms with several state agencies and local government assessor offices. The effort will focus on improving and coordinating cadastral data business processes between state agencies and local assessor offices, in addition to producing improved public land ownership information within two pilot counties. A statewide integration plan will also be developed that lays the groundwork for statewide participation and long term support of the Cadastral Framework. Reducing the duplication of effort in cadastral data collection and maintenance and increasing data sharing capabilities will continue to be central goals in development efforts. Completion of the Cadastral Framework will benefit the entire community.

Potential Benefits:

Provide consistent data analysis capabilities across jurisdictions and organizations.

Spread data collection/maintenance costs across many organizations.

Increase opportunity for start-up GIS in resource-poor organizations (e.g. rural counties) by providing database templates, core data, and standard protocols for data sharing partnerships.
Improve access to data for public and private sectors.
Reduce time spent building databases allowing resources for applications development and other vital needs.
Provide better data for decision making and planning functions.
Share information among a network of GIS users through long term business partnerships.

Project Objectives:

Take advantage of concepts and procedures already established within the realm of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

Identify data providers and users of Washington Framework and incorporate their needs.

Make Framework data accessible to the public over the Internet for the least possible cost.

Ensure vertical integration between Framework data themes.
Collect and utilize the best available data for the Framework.
Provide a sustainable Framework data system that will endure and evolve over time.
Develop mechanisms to update and improve the Framework data as better information becomes available.
Ensure outreach to potential Framework partners and the general public.
Address and incorporate the business needs identified in the Strategic Plan.

Project Tasks and Estimated Effort: Major tasks that need to be completed to accomplish objectives and a high-level estimate of required effort.

Tasks	Estimated Effort Existing Resources
Task 1 Recruit Framework Theme Partners and develop a Project Charter
Task 2 Identify project funding sources for development and ongoing support	Note: Discussed taking Task 2 out and reflecting it in the Priority Project: Identify management strategies and funding for Framework data development, maintenance, and distribution.
Task 3 Define appropriate business process requirements
Task 4 Define minimum, common data and metadata requirements per theme Task 5 Address appropriate legal issues including data privacy issues
Task 6 Determine available partner data and implement appropriate data integration
Task 7 Define data distribution process including instructions, metadata, and cost support
Task 8 Identify and develop vertical integration (i.e. between framework data themes) methods
Task 9 Develop a long term business plan for Framework data theme sustainability

Potential Project Team Leader and Members:

Cadastral

Lead - Washington State Association of Counties, NACO, WADNR – Land Survey and Records

Members - Existing Cadastral Framework Partners, WCCS, LSAW - GIS Committee, County Assessors, County Surveyors, ACSM, ASPRS

Session Participants:

Shirley Lewis WA State Library

Larry Pearson Benton County

Steven Rush Hanford

Julie Krackstedt CTED

Dave Steele WADNR

Jim Hinthorne CWU

Kim Gleason Klickitat County

Gene Thorley USGS
George Spencer WSDOT

Joe Bowles WW Co. Engineers

Connie Krueger WW Co.