new jersey geospatial forum preserved lands/open space task force a methodology to develop and...
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New Jersey Geospatial ForumPreserved Lands/Open Space Task Force
A Methodology to Develop and Maintain a Comprehensive Database of Preserved Lands and
Other Open Spaces in New Jersey
Tanya Nolte, NJ Conservation FoundationBrian Embley, The Nature Conservancy
Paul Caris, NJ Department of Environmental ProtectionDouglas M. Schleifer, NJ Office of Information Technology, Office of GIS
Yelena Pikovskaya, NJ Office of Information Technology, Office of GIS
Preserved Lands/Open Space Task Force
The Preserved Lands/Open Space Task Force was established by the New Jersey Geospatial Forum* Executive Committee for the purpose of creating a methodology for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive database for preserved lands and other open spaces in New Jersey (PL/OS Database).
The primary purpose for this database is to inform various planning efforts for government agencies and other organizations involved in the preservation and management of these lands for public benefit.
*NJ Geospatial Forum is a statewide users group and the coordinating body for geospatial technology activities throughout New Jersey.
One of the many functions of the Forum is to form task forces based on issues or activities of importance to the Forum membership.
https://njgin.state.nj.us/OIT_NJGF/index.jsp
In order to meet the goal – to develop and maintain a preserved lands/open space database for New Jersey – the Preserved Lands/Open Space Task Force has to fulfill the following objectives:•Examine various methodologies to map preserved lands and other open spaces. •Define categories of preserved lands/open space within a statewide context. •Identify core and optional attribute information, and develop database schema. •Define a comprehensive process for the development and maintenance of a preserved lands/open space dataset in New Jersey.
Task Force Objectives and Structure
For that purpose the Task Force was structured into the following subgroups:•Research•Categories and Definitions•Attributes•Methodology
Research
Research was conducted on methodologies used by several federal and state agencies, universities and non-profit organizations throughout the nation that collect preserved lands/open space data.
The purpose of the research was to educate the task force and determine best practices, based on the experiences of agencies, institutions and organizations, to aggregate information, and develop and maintain databases.
The most instructive and useful programs were:•The Protected Areas Database of the U.S., or PAD-US (USGS GAP project)•The Nature Conservancy Enterprise Conservation Data Program•California Protected Areas Database (CPAD)•Massachusetts GIS Protected and Recreational OpenSpace Schema (MassGIS)•New Hampshire GRANIT (Geographically Referenced Analysis & Information Transfer System)• Vermont Conserved Lands Database•NY State Environmental Conservation Lands•The NJ Highlands Council Land Preservation and Stewardship Program
The results revealed a variety of approaches to inventory creation and mapping. Major findings answered the following basic questions.
1.What are the methods of capturing information?
There are two main approaches for mapping lands: property ownership (land stewardship), or combining this method with the natural resources delineation (environmental). As a qualitative or quantitative characteristic of a mapped unit, a protection status category (or level of protection) was often attributed.
2. How are the datasets structured?
For structuring the NJ PL/OS database model, the key components of the PAD-US database - its geometric structure and core attributes – were taken as an example.
Research (cont.)
Research (cont.)
3. How are easements handled?
Some programs capture fee simple lands only, and plan to track easements in a separate database (PAD-US and CPAD), or later in the same database (NY State).
Other programs include easements in their open space data sets: TNC, all the New England states, and NJ Highlands.
Easements are differently classified: •by primary use (Conservation, Agricultural, or other) - MassGIS and Highlands;•by legal restrictions and/or ownership - NH and Vermont .
4. What is the base mapping unit?
The programs collecting information on fee simple lands use Tax Parcel as a minimum mapping unit. The programs tracking easements regard base map unit smaller than parcel, because an easement boundary can split a parcel.
5. What is a character of polygon boundaries?Easements very often are surveyed carefully, and their boundaries are natural,
while parcel-base polygons have administrative boundaries of properties. Also, some programs such as NJ Highlands make their own land delineation. In this cases land boundaries are environmental as well.
Research (cont.)
Research (cont.)
Distribution.
Most data sets are available for download on the web in gdb, shapefiles or pdf formats; some are distributed by request (The Natural Conservancy lands in NJ). Vermont’s data are distributed depending on database version (public, private, or full database). The distribution can be either open or strictly limited.
Details about the programs are located in the research.zip file under Preserved Lands/Open Space on the Current Task Forces Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Presentations page of the NJ Geospatial Forum web site at:
https://njgin.state.nj.us/OIT_NJGF/njgf_current_tf_mtg_mts.jsp
Categories and Definitions
Goals of the Categories and Definitions subgroup:
• develop a definition of “preserved land”
• define the categories of land to be included in the database
Categories and Definitions
First recommendation
Broaden the scope of Taskforce from:
Developing a database of Preserved Lands
Developing a database of Preserved Lands and other Open Space(i.e. open spaces that are not preserved) Lands.
Categories and Definitions
Definition of Preserved Land
Lands permanently protected for agricultural, conservation, historic/cultural, horticultural or recreation purposes via legal or legislative encumbrance. Protection of these lands can only be rescinded by legal or legislative action.
Examples of encumbrances include:• deed restrictions or easements• lands purchased with dedicated preservation trust fund dollars, etc.• Inclusion of lands on a Recreation & Open Space Inventory (ROSI) filed with the
Green Acres Program
Categories and Definitions
Categories of land use to be included in the database:
• Agricultural Lands• Conservation Lands• Historic / Cultural Lands• Horticultural Lands• Recreation Lands
In each of these 5 categories, if land is identified as Preserved, it will automatically be included.
Categories and Definitions
However, for other Open Spaces there are 2 criteria to help specify whether land will be included in the database:
•Ownership: public, private or non-profit
• Public access
Public Access
No Public Access
Public Access
No Public Access
Public Access
No Public Access
Public Access
No Public Access
Public Access
No Public Access
Public Access
No Public Access
Agricultural Land + + + + + + + + + - - -
Conservation Land
+ + + + + + + + + - + -
Historic / Cultural Properties
+ + + + + + + + + - + -
Horticultural + + + + + + + + + - + -
Recreation Land/Facilities
+ + + + + + + + + - - -
Preserved LandsOther Open Spaces
(Does not meet the definition of preserved)
Non-ProfitPrivately Owned
Privately Owned
Publicly Owned
Non-ProfitPublicly Owned
The PL/OS database has been designed for three major spatial components:
• Parcel based open space• Unit based open space• Encumbrances*
Database Tables and Feature Classes
Parcel based open space
Unit based open space
* Most encumbrances are easements and most easements do not cover entire parcels. The encumbrances table can be joined with parcels data to create a polygon feature class to identify the parcels the encumbrances are located within.
Database Structure
Attributes in a Database Structure (cont.)
Most information about open space is stored in the parcel-based open space table, with the Parcel ID (PAMS_PIN) used as the primary key to join to a parcels polygon feature class.
The basic mapping unit for Open Space architecture is a Tax Parcel.
PAMS_PIN field is also used to link to other tables with detailed characteristics.
Each database table has one or two key fields for joining to other tables (Parcel ID; OS_Unit ID, Encumbrance ID).
Attributes in a Database Structure (cont.)
Attributes
Detailed open space attributes based on PARCELS
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Parcel ID PAMS_PIN
Parcel ID code developed by NJOIT-OGIS (see NJ Parcel Mapping Standard). Underscores are used to concatenate county/municipality code, block number, lot number and, if provided, qualifier code.
NJ Parcel Mapping Standard Text
Open Space Unit ID OS_ID Unique ID of the entire open space unit Assigned unique ID Text
Open Space Unit Name OS_NAME Official name of the open space unit Unabbreviated name Text
Alternate Open Space Name OS_ALTNAME Alternate or locally known name of the open space unit Unabbreviated name Text
Open Space Sub-Unit Name(s) OS_SUBNAME Name(s) of distinct functional sub-unit(s) within the open
space unit Unabbreviated name(s) Text
Owner(s) Classification OS_OWNCLASS Land owner(s) classification
Federal; State; Regional; County; Municipal; Non-Profit; Private organization; Private individual; Unknown
Automated Text
Owner Name(s) OS_OWNNAME Land owner name(s), from deed Agency Master List Text/Drop down list
Managing Entity(ies) OS_MANAGE Agency(ies) responsible for managing the open space Agency Master List Text/Drop down list
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed open space attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Primary Use OS_USE NJDEP-Green Acres primary use of property Green Acres List Text/Drop down list
Agricultural Land OS_AGLand use is agriculture. Lands characterized by the production of crops, raising of livestock and other agricultural commodities.
y/n Text
Conservation Land OS_CON Land use is conservation. Lands characterized by the protection or management of natural resources. y/n Text
Historic/Cultural Land OS_HIST
Land use is historic/cultural. Lands characterized by historic/cultural sites that are included in, or meet the criteria for inclusion, in the National or NJ Register of Historic Places.
y/n Text
Horticultural Land OS_HORT
Land use is horticultural. Lands characterized by horticultural features such as botanical gardens, ornamental or decorative gardens, community gardens, arboretums, etc.
y/n Text
Recreation Land OS_RECLand use is recreation. Lands with indoor or outdoor facilities developed specifically for active or passive recreational purposes.
y/n Text
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed open space attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Access Type OS_ACCESS
Full Public Access - The entire property is open to the public for a scheduled amount of time on an annual basis. Entry may be free or an access fee may be required; Limited Public Access - Less than the entire property is open to the public for a scheduled amount of time on an annual basis. Entry may be free or an access fee may be required; Restricted Access - Authorized access only; Unknown - Access information unknown
Full Public; Limited Public; Restricted; Unknown
Text/Drop down list
Protection Status OS_PROSTATUS
Preserved - entire parcel protected by encumbrance; Partially preserved - less than the entire parcel protected by encumbrance; Unpreserved - entire parcel not protected by enbumbrance
Preserved; Partially preserved; Unpreserved
Text/Drop down list
Open Space Designation Date OS_DATE Date the land was designated as open space Date
Open Space Funding Source(s) OS_FUNDSRC Open space acquisition funding source(s) Agency Master List Text/Drop
down list
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed open space attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Municipality MUNI Municipality automatically entered by referencing county/municipality code from Parcel ID Automated
Text
County COUNTY County automatically entered by referencing county/municipality code from Parcel ID Automated
Text
Open Space Source Acres OS_ACRES Acres specified in deed or survey Double
GIS Acres OS_GISACRES Acres calculated by GIS software Double
Spatial Data OS_SPATIAL Georeferenced GIS or CAD data of open space Blob
Map Image OS_MAP Digital image of open space from site plan, survey, tax map or other source (e.g. pdf, jpg) Blob
Comments OS_COMMENTSAny comments from either the source or aggregator (e.g. any special circumstances regarding the ownership status of this property)
Text
Attributes (cont.)
Generalized attributes based on OPEN SPACE UNITS
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Open Space Unit ID UNIT_ID Unique ID of the entire open space unit Assigned unique ID Automated Text
Open Space Unit Name NAME Formal name of the open space unit Unabbreviated name Automated Text
Open Space Unit Label Name NAME_LABEL Abbreviated unit name for map labels Abbreviated name Automated Text
Open Space Sub-Unit Name(s) SUBNAMEName(s) of distinct functional sub-unit(s) within the open space unit
Unabbreviated name(s) Automated Text
Open Space Sub-Unit Label Name(s) SUBNAME_LABEL Abbreviated sub-unit name(s)
for map labels Abbreviated name(s) Automated Text
Owner Name(s) OWNNAME Land owner name(s) Agency Master List Automated Text
Owner(s) Classification OWNCLASS Land owner level classification
Federal; State; Regional; County; Municipal; Non-Profit; Private organization; Private individual; Joint; Unknown
Automated Text
Municipality/County Names MUNICOUNTY Municipality/County names of open space unit Automated Text
GIS Acres GISACRES Acreage calculated by GIS software Double
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed encumbrance attributes based on PARCELS
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Parcel ID PAMS_PIN
Parcel ID code developed by NJOIT-OGIS (see NJ Parcel Mapping Standard). Underscores are used to concatenate county/municipality code, block number, lot number and, if provided, qualifier code.
NJ Parcel Mapping Standard Text
Encumbrance ID ENC_ID Unique ID of the encumbrance Assigned unique ID Text
Agricultural Encumbrance ENC_AG Encumbrance specifies agricultural related uses y/n Text
Conservation Encumbrance ENC_CON Encumbrance specifies conservation related uses y/n Text
Historic/Cultural Encumbrance ENC_HIST Encumbrance specifies historic/cultural
related uses y/n Text
Horticultural Encumbrance ENC_HORT Encumbrance specifies horticultural related uses y/n Text
Recreation Encumbrance ENC_REC Encumbrance specifies recreation related uses y/n Text
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed encumbrance attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Protection Status ENC_PROSTATUS
Preserved - entire parcel protected by encumbrance; Partially preserved - less than the entire parcel protected by encumbrance
Preserved; Partially preserved Text/Drop down list
Protection Mechanism ENC_PROMECH Type of encumbrance Encumbrances Look-up table Text/Drop down list
Protection Funding Source(s) ENC_FUNDSRC Funding source(s) of encumbrance Agency Master List Text/Drop
down list
Access Type ENC_ACCESS
Public Access - The encumbrance allows for some level of regular public access; Restricted Access - Authorized access only; Unknown - Access information unknown
Public; Restricted; Unknown Text/Drop down list
Encumbrance Owner ENC_OWN Encumbrance owner name(s) shown on the deed Agency Master List Text/Drop
down list
Encumbrance Owner(s) Classification ENC_OWNCLASS Encumbrance owner(s) classification
Federal; State; Regional; County; Municipal; Non-Profit; Private organization; Private individual; Unknown
Automated Text
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed encumbrance attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Secondary right of enforcement ENC_SECROE Entity name with secondary right of
enforcement for encumbrance Agency Master List Text/Drop down list
Encumbrance Deed Name/Title ENC_NAME Encumbrance name from deed Text
Encumbrance Description ENC_DESC
Descriptive encumbrance information regarding location and configuration on the property, and size, as measured or by percentage of property (not metes and bounds)
Text
Encumbrance Designation Date ENC_DATE Date the encumbrance was designated Date
Municipality MUNI Municipality automatically entered by referencing parcel ID Automated Text
County COUNTY County automatically entered by referencing parcel ID Automated Text
Attributes (cont.)
Detailed encumbrance attributes based on PARCELS (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Encumbrance Acres ENC_ACRES Encumbered acres specified in deed or survey Double
GIS Acres ENC_GISACRES Acres calculated by GIS software Double
Spatial Data ENC_SPATIAL Georeferenced GIS or CAD data of encumbrance Blob
Map Image ENC_MAPDigital image of encumbrance from site plan, tax map or other source (e.g. pdf, jpg)
Blob
Deed/Survey Image ENC_DEED Digital image of deed and/or survey Blob
Comments ENC_COMMENTS
Any comments from either the source or aggregator (e.g. any special circumstances regarding the ownership status of the encumbrance)
Text
Attributes (cont.)
Open Space Information Tracking
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Parcel ID PAMS_PIN
Parcel ID code developed by NJOIT-OGIS (see NJ Parcel Mapping Standard). Underscores are used to concatenate county/municipal code, block number, lot number and, if provided, qualifier code.
NJ Parcel Mapping Standard Text
Open Space Unit ID OS_ID Unique ID of the entire open space unit Assigned unique ID Text
Information Source OS_SRC Source of information Agency Master List Text/Drop down list
Information Source Date OS_SRCDATE Date of source of information Date
Aggregator OS_AGG Organization responsible for aggregating data Agency Master List Text/Drop
down list
Update Date OS_UPDATE Date of last data update Date
Attributes (cont.)
Encumbrances Information Tracking
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description Domain Field Type
Parcel ID PAMS_PIN
Parcel ID code developed by NJOIT-OGIS (see NJ Parcel Mapping Standard). Underscores are used to concatenate county/municipal code, block number, lot number and, if provided, qualifier code.
NJ Parcel Mapping Standard Text
Encumbrance ID ENC_ID Unique ID of the encumbrance Assigned unique ID Text
Information Source ENC_SRC Source of information Agency Master List Text/Drop down list
Information Source Date ENC_SRCDATE Date of source of information Date
Aggregator ENC_AGG Organization responsible for aggregating data Agency Master List Text/Drop
down list
Update Date ENC_UPDATE Date of last data update Date
Attributes (cont.)
Field Name Field Abbreviation Description
Agency/Organization/Institution Name ML_NAME Name of agency (non-
abbreviated)
Agency/Organization/Institution Acronym ML_ABBR Agency acronym or
abbreviation
Agency/Organization/Institution Owner Classification
ML_CLASS Agency classification
Agency/Organization/Institution Address ML_ADDRESS Fully spelled out address
Agency/Organization/Institution Phone Number ML_PHONE Phone number including area
code
Agency/Organization/Institution Website ML_WEBSITE Website URL
Protection Mechanism Acronym
Easement ESMT
Deed Restriction (non-easement) DEED
Transfer of Development Rights TDR
Pinelands Development Credits PDC
Recreation & Open Space Inventory ROSI
State Constitutional Provision SCP
State Statute SS
Federal Constitutional Provision FCP
Federal Statute FS
Agency/Organization/Institution Master List Table Encumbrances Type Lookup Table
Attributes (cont.)
Green Acres Primary Use Categories Lookup Table
Primary UseBEACHBOAT RAMP, DOCK OR MARINACAMPCANALCOMMUNITY OR CULTURAL CENTERCONSERVATION AREAENVIRONMENTAL CENTERESTUARYFAIRGROUNDFARMLAND PRESERVATIONFISH HATCHERYFISHING ACCESSFORESTGAME FARMGARDENSGOLFGREENWAYHISTORIC SITEHORSE FARM OR HORSEBACK RIDING
LAKE, POND OR RESERVOIRMUSEUMNATURAL AREANURSERYOFF ROAD VEHICLE PARKPARKPASSIVE RECREATIONPLAYGROUNDPOOLPRESERVERECREATION AREARECREATION CENTER OR COMPLEXRECREATIONAL FIELDSSTREAM CORRIDORTRAILWATERFRONTWILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAWILDLIFE REFUGEZOO
Methodology
Methodology Subgroup ObjectivesDetermine Data Products to be produced
• Database(s)• Feature Class(es)• Map Services Develop list of available data sources
• Federal agencies – NPS, USFWS, etc.• State agencies – Green Acres, SADC, SHPO,
Pinelands Comm., Highlands Comm., etc.• County & Municipal agencies – Planning,
Engineering, Parks & Rec., Open Space Comm., Historic Comm., etc.
• Non-Profits• Other Determine Data Development Process & Technology Needs
• Data Inventory• Data Input• Data Reconciliation• Data Management/Stewardship• Data Host
Determine Dataset Update Process
• Method• Applications/Tools• Schedule Identify Potential Agencies for Developing, Maintaining and Hosting Data
• State Agencies• Non-Profit Organizations• Academic Institutions Identify Potential Funding Sources
• NJDEP• PAD-US/other Federal• Non-Profits• Grants
Beyond Task Force Scope
ImplementationFundingOther?