Standard Operating Procedure - Collecting Data for NPS IMC

Purposes: 1) Define GIS data layers used in the creation of Harper's Ferry Center (HFC) brochure maps, 2) create NPS-GIS National coverage(s) in Decimal Degree NAD83, and 3) capture data to be used in the Interactive Map Center (http://maps.nps.gov/).

Derivative products include but were not limited to: 1st generation Data Base standard for each layer, data for posting to the NPS-GIS Data Clearinghouse, and base data for use by HFC for brochure cartographic products.

History: HFC creates NPS Brochure maps as cartographic products. Majorities of the source data used in the creation of the HFC brochures are from GIS sources that contain spatially referenced data. The spatial component of the data is lost during the cartographic rendering of the HFC Brochure product (i.e. data import into Adobe Illustrator). Several procedures were attempted to re-integrate a spatial component into HFC brochure map data. To date all attempts have been more costly than re-capture the data into a geographic information system from the original data source(s).

Software Used: ESRI ArcGIS 8.2, ArcView 3.x and Adobe Illustrator 11

1. HFC Park Brochure Maps and identification of data layers
   • Obtain copy of HFC maps, or other source material, in order to determine what features need to be obtained for the park. HFC Maps are located at http://www.nps.gov/hfc/carto (A secondary data source is http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/national_parks.html)
   • All data were downloaded from the website above and copied to CD-ROM as Adobe PDF and Illustrator (.ai) files.
   • NOTE: Many smaller parks were not currently available in the HFC map collection.
   • Each file (map) was reviewed in Adobe Illustrator and examined to identify their component data layers. 48 vector data layers and a raster shaded relief back drop were identified (see "Data Invntory.xls").

2. Search for existing "posted" data
   • Prior to creating new data the following website's were queried to see if NPS data were available for the 48 data layers.
   • For all National Parks:

   http://www3.nature.nps.gov/im/gis/ftp/ftparchive.cfm

   http://www.nps.gov/gis/available_data.htm

   • For Alaska National Parks:

   http://www.nps.gov/akso/gis/

3. Source Data for Data Capture (on screen digitizing)
   • DRG and DOQQ data on CD-ROM for each park unit were borrowed from Technical Information Center (TIC) in Denver, Co.
   • DRGs can be downloaded from http://www3.nature.nps.gov/im/gis/ftp/ftparchive.cfm by selecting a park and searching for quad data
   • DOQQs were obtained from the park or "checked out" from TIC at the Alameda Parkway NPS Building (contact: Jannette Wesley at 303-969-2131 or check out the catalog database at http://165.83.36.151/parksvc/dcat.nsf Logon: dcatread; Password: anybody)
   • CD's were obtained from Cultural Resources - GIS with existing Battlefield GIS data.
   • In a few cases where TIC did not have DOQQ's. Then DRG data was downloaded from Internet WWW & FTP sources.
4. Data Capture
   • There are two options for digitizing features into a national coverage.

   A) Data already exists: procedure - digitize directly into the national coverage. Use ArcMap or ArcView to heads-up digitize adding new features into that coverage. (ArcView 3.x to digitize it doesn't re-project on the fly so you have to change it in the View properties. ArcGIS 8.x, data should project on the fly, but was unable to get it to function properly.)

   • In ArcMap, add the national dataset layer to the map session.
   • Add any DOQQs or DRGs you are using as reference (backdrop) information.
   • The national dataset coverage needs to be in the same projection as the source DRG/DOQQ (i.e. UTM Zone 15 NAD83).
   • This is done by projecting the view in ArcMap. Select the correct zone dependent on the location of the park (for reference: http://www.dmap.co.uk/utmworld.htm. Datum is either NAD27 or NAD83. Check the metadata of the DRG for this information.

   In the view right click >Properties; select the Coordinate System tab. From here you can select the coordinate system to match the DRG/DOQQ you are digitizing off of. For example select Predefined > Projected Coordinate System > UTM > NAD 1983 > NAD 1983 UTM Zone 15N

   Select OK. The view is then projected to NAD 1983 UTM Zone 15N.

   • Add the NPS National boundary file, which can be used as a frame of reference for digitizing. The boundary file is useful for larger park units which span multiple USGS 15" quadrangles.
   • Under the Editor Tab>Start Editing (if you have data from multiple workspaces, select the workspace you wish to edit). Select coverage to edit under the Target Tab. All available coverages (those that you have added to the view) will be listed under the target tab along with the feature class (point, line or polygon).
   • To add new features select the Create New Feature button (pencil).
   • For point features, place the pencil over the feature to be added and click the mouse.
   • For line or polygon features, place the pencil over the feature and begin digitizing the feature. The line or polygon is ended with a double click.
   • When you have added a feature, click on the Attributes icon (a table), and enter all available attribute information.
   • While in editing mode, multiple features can be attributed. In the Display window, select the layer to which you need to add attributes. Right click>Open Attribute Table. Scroll to the appropriate Attribute Item and feature and enter attribute information. Features can be selected (highlighted) by selecting the row. Click on the gray square on the left of the attribute table.
   • When you have completed digitizing, Editor Tab>Save edits and Editor Tab>Stop editing.

   B) Create new data layer: procedure - create new coverage(s) for features you are adding which do not already exist (e.g. campsites, restrooms, ranger stations, etc.). Digitize all new features in the same projection of the reference (DRG/DOQQ) information by projecting the view in ArcMap or ArcView (See instructions above.)

   • In ArcCatalog create a new coverage in the appropriate workspace.
   • Select the workspace location to store the new coverage.
   • Create a new coverage, File>New>Coverage
   • Following steps enter a coverage name.
   • Define a projection interactively or by using the projection file from another coverage. Be sure to define a projection and datum. National coverages should be defined as Geographic, Decimal Degrees, NAD 1983.
   • Select a base feature class (point, line, or polygon).
   • Precision should be selected as Double. Click the Finish button.
   • Digitizing new features is same as for "1) Data already exists" above.
   • After creating a new national coverage, create an associated metadata file.
   Merging Coverages
   • If you have received or downloaded coverages from individual parks, they must be merged with the national coverages (if that feature coverage already exists).
   • Check the Info Table List to see if the national coverage exists or for any additional attribute fields. LAYER AND INFO TABLE.doc
   • If the coverage already exists match attribute fields in Arc or ArcTools
   Attributes must have the same name, width, output, type and number of decimals. Attributes must be in the same exact order. This is important when you are merging coverages with the National dataset.
   • Use the ArcToolbox, Under Data Management tools>Aggregate>Append Wizard
   • Select the coverages you wish to append. Select the feature class you want to append (point, line, polygon). Select and output coverage name.
   • Coverages must be in the same projection and have exactly the same attributes. ArcToolbox can also be used to project the coverage under Data Management Tools>Projections>Define Projection Wizard or Projection Wizard.
   • If the coverages do not have the same projection, the program will tell you so.
   • If the coverage attributes are not the same you will get an error. Go into Arc (command :items) or ArcTools and list the items for each coverage. Double check attribute order and parameters.
   • After the coverages have been merged check the new national coverage against the National boundary coverage to make sure that data is spatially accurate.
   • If the coverage did not exist, add it to the Info Table List (LAYER AND INFO TABLE.doc) and create metadata if necessary.
   • Merging can also be completed in ArcView if the files are shapefiles using the GeoProcessing Wizard extension.

5. Civil War Data sets
   • Data from individual parks (civil war data)
   • Data needs to be sorted and one must determine which layers are relevant to the Interactive Map Center project. Once those relevant layers have been selected, edit the attributes to match the existing national layers. If important attributes are not included in the national layer and can not be added to description fields, then new attributes can be added to the national layer.
   • National layers can be created if there is no existing layer that encompasses features received from the park.
   • If a new layer is added (or an existing layer's attributes are edited) add the layer and Table information to the Layer and Info Table document. Create metadata if necessary.

   LAYER AND INFO TABLE.doc

   Natl_meta.xml

   Natl_hist.xml

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