Technical Resources

GIS - What's New

12/11/2008

GIS Skill Builder Updates

USDA-MI Section Maps

Provides instructions for accessing the USDA-MI section map PDF files (see "Geodata Updates" below.)

Geodata Updates

USDA-MI Section Maps

The page-size paper section maps traditionally available in each field office are being eliminated due to outdated photography as well as to reduce paper storage. As an alternative, PDF maps of each section in Michigan have been generated and are being housed on a centralized server at the State Office. All NRCS, FSA, RD, and SCD employees may access the maps at USDA-MI Section Maps. Users are encouraged to review the GIS Skill Builder for more detailed information.

Field Imagery Updates

Georeferencing of the FSA Legacy Master Photos has been completed for all 68 Lower Peninsula counties as well as Delta County in the Upper Peninsula. Due to cost considerations, the remaining UP counties will be completed on an as-needed basis only. NRCS-MI staff may contact Brent Stinson, State GIS Specialist, for details on completing additional counties.

As a reminder. this is the scanned FSA master photography from C2003, roughly georeferenced to overlay existing GIS data. While this imagery should not be used as a base for heads-up digitizing, it can be useful as a historical reference when performing HEL and wetland determinations.

The 35mm Slides scanning effort has completed 22 counties to date, with an additional 17 counties underway. This imagery consists of all of the available FSA 35mm compliance slides for each county, often dating back to the late 1970's. These slides are critical to the NRCS wetland determination process and are being digitally captured to prevent further deterioration Those interested in acquiring scanned 35mm slide data should contact Brent Stinson, NRCS State GIS Specialist.

Field Imagery Status Map

Common Land Unit Certification

FSA-MI has completed certification of the CLU data for all Michigan counties but one. Updates are provided automatically to MI field office GIS users. Please refer to the CLU Certification Status Map for certification updates.

Software Updates

ArcMap Service Packs

The latest NRCS-MI load of ArcMap 9.2 includes ArcMap Service Pack 4 (SP4). ESRI released SP5 in March of 2008 and SP6 in July of 2008. NRCS-MI opted to skip the wholesale installation of SP5 in order to reduce ITS workload. However, interoperability issues with Customer Service Toolkit have delayed CCE certification of SP6. It is anticipated that SP6 will be approved for installation on all workstations in the near future. A complete list of SP6 improvements may be found in this announcement on ESRI's website.

Training Updates

ESRI Virtual Campus

USDA has renewed the Virtual Campus agreement with ESRI, allowing continued access to self-paced, online, GIS training courses. The location of the website for NRCS personnel to use in signing up for an online course is now located at the NEDC website at: http://www.nedc.nrcs.usda.gov/catalog/ESRIVirtualCampus.html

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