new jersey geospatial forum preserved lands/open space task force a methodology to develop and...

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


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.


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 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.


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.)


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.)



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.)



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


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


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.


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.)


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.)



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.)



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


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.


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


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.


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?

new jersey geospatial forum preserved lands/open space task force a methodology to develop and...

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mapping lands

nj plos database model

padus database

nj geospatial forum

new jersey geospatial

database version public