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Public Land Survey (PLS) Control Points

This page last updated: 2004-01-09 15:33:28.0
Metadata created using Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines


Metadata Summary

Originator Minnesota DNR - Lands and Minerals Division
Abstract The PLS Control Point layer is a subset of the Control Point Inventory (CPI) database, consisting of section corners and some quarter section corners that were used to create the DNR Control Point Generated PLS layer. Section corner coordinates in CPI have been derived from a variety of sources, ranging from paper 7-1/2 Minute USGS quad maps to highly accurate modern ground surveys. Additional information regarding the Control Point Inventory, not included in this document, can be obtained through Larry Swenson in DNR?s Bureau of Engineering [651-297-3793].
Use Tips A companion section and half-section corner layer to pls_fortypy3.
Browse Graphic View a sample of the data.
Time Period of Content Date 1991
Currentness Reference Data is derived from sources dating continuously from mid-nineteenth century survey notes to results from current modern surveys.
Access Constraints None
Use Constraints Use of the data are constrained only by the DNR GIS Data License Agreement
Distributor Organization DNR-MIS
Ordering Instructions See Online Linkage or Distribution Contact
Online Linkage http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us


Full Metadata
Public Land Survey (PLS) Control Points

Go to Section:
1. Identification Information
2. Data Quality Information
3. Spatial Data Organization Information
4. Spatial Reference Information
5. Entity and Attribute Information
6. Distribution Information
7. Metadata Reference Information

 
Section 1 Identification Information   Top of page
Originator Minnesota DNR - Lands and Minerals Division
Title Public Land Survey (PLS) Control Points
Abstract The PLS Control Point layer is a subset of the Control Point Inventory (CPI) database, consisting of section corners and some quarter section corners that were used to create the DNR Control Point Generated PLS layer. Section corner coordinates in CPI have been derived from a variety of sources, ranging from paper 7-1/2 Minute USGS quad maps to highly accurate modern ground surveys. Additional information regarding the Control Point Inventory, not included in this document, can be obtained through Larry Swenson in DNR?s Bureau of Engineering [651-297-3793].
Use Tips A companion section and half-section corner layer to pls_fortypy3.
Purpose Registration/control for GIS database development efforts.
Time Period of Content Date 1991
Currentness Reference Data is derived from sources dating continuously from mid-nineteenth century survey notes to results from current modern surveys.
Progress In Work
Maintenance and Update Frequency
Spatial Extent of Data Minnesota
Bounding Coordinates -97.5
-89
49.5
43
Place Keywords Minnesota
Theme Keywords PLS, Public Land Survey, Control Points, location
Theme Keyword Thesaurus None
Access Constraints None
Use Constraints Use of the data are constrained only by the DNR GIS Data License Agreement
Contact Person Information Jill Bornes,
DNR-Lands & Minerals
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-1879
FAX: (651) 296-5939
E-mail:
Browse Graphic View a sample of the data.
Browse Graphic File Description
Associated Data Sets

 
Section 2 Data Quality Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Attribute Accuracy Source table PLS_CORNERPT3.PAT: Not specifically assessed.
Logical Consistency Data are topolocially correct using ARC/INFO 7.0.3.
Completeness All section corners within the data extent are included. Some half and quarter section corner locations have been eliminated.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy Source layer cornrpt3: Variable. At its least accurate, the coverage contains points that are derived from manual digitizing of PLS section corners from 1:24,000 scale, paper, USGS quadrangles (listed as GISMO and SECTIC-24K points). At its most accurate, the coverage contains points that were collected using GPS units operating at a sub-meter level of accuracy. The QA (quality assurance) field in the point attribute table of these coverages contains a numeric code that indicates the method of how the coordinate position of a point was determined. The ACCURACY and METHOD fields contain the text descriptions for the related QA codes that describes the accuracy limits and collection method of the point.
Vertical Positional Accuracy Source layer cornrpt3: Not Applicable
Lineage Attribute Lineage for source table PLS_CORNERPT3.PAT: The PLS Control Points are a subset of the Control Point Inventory (CPI), a database maintained by the DNR, Bureau of Engineering, Survey Section. A majority of the points in CPI came from the GISMO or SECTIC-24K control point data sets.
Source Scale Denominator Source layer cornrpt3: 24000
 
Section 3 Spatial Data Organization Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Native Data Set Environment ARC/INFO 7.0.3
Geographic Reference for Tabular Data Not Applicable
Spatial Object Type point
Vendor Specific Object Types point
Tiling Scheme county
 
Section 4 Spatial Reference Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Horizontal Coordinate Scheme UTM
Ellipsoid GRS1980
Horizontal Datum NAD83
Horizontal Units meters
Distance Resolution
Altitude Datum Not Applicable
Altitude Units Not Applicable
Depth Datum Not Applicable
Depth Units Not Applicable
Cell Width
Cell Height
Latitude Resolution
Longitude Resolution
UTM Zone Number 15
SPCS Zone Identifier
County Coordinate Zone Identifier
Coordinate Offsets or Adjustments Not Applicable
Map Projection Name Transverse Mercator
Map Projection Parameters Not Applicable
Other Coordinate System's Definition Not Applicable
 
Section 5 Entity and Attribute Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Entity and Attribute Overview Data Elements for Attribute Table PLS_CORNERPT3.PAT:

TOWN: Three digit township (tier) number

RDIR: Range direction

RANG: Two digit range number

GCDB_NUM: Locational reference system for every PLS corner in a township, which is unique only within each township. This numbering system is used by the Control Point Inventory and the Bureau of Land Management CMM software in processing the townships

QA: Quality Assurance. Three-digit number that relates the method of how the coordinate position of a point was determined. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory. (See fields ACCURACY and METHOD for related information.)

ACCURACY: Accuracy limit for the point based upon collection method and practical knowledge, assuming proper procedures were followed when the point's coordinate was determined. (Relates to QA field-- e.g. QA = 111, indicates +/- .5 feet) This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory documentation

METHOD: General method of collection for the point. (Relates to QA field) This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory documentation

PROJECT: Internal DNR project name. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

POINT_NUM: Control Point Inventory point number, unique within an internal DNR project

MONUMENT: Listing of monument type, if in place. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

UPDATED: Date the database record was last updated. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

CERT: Tells whether the corner is certified or not. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

CERTBY: Explains who conducted the certification. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

DESCRIPT: Description of any pertinent geographic features related to the point, such as relationship of the point to roads, fences, etc. This information comes directly from the Control Point Inventory

YR: REDEFINEd, beginning at column 120. Contains the last two digits of the year

MO: REDEFINEd, beginning at column 122. Contains the two-digit month

DY: REDEFINEd, beginning at column 124. Contains the two-digit day

SOURCE: Where the information came from or who conducted the project

YEAR: Contains the four-digit year that the photo was taken

Entity and Attribute Detailed Citation
Value Domain for Data Element TOWN:
26-71, 101-168 = discreet values

Value Domain for Data Element RDIR:
0 = West
1 = East
2 = Township 58 1/2 (St. Louis Co.) and Range 42 1/2 (Roseau Co.)

Value Domain for Data Element RANG:
1-51 = Continuous values. All values are unique with the exception of 1 through 7, which are shared.

Value Domain for Data Element GCDB_NUM:

Value Domain for Data Element QA:

Value Domain for Data Element ACCURACY:
.5 feet = QA value = 111
2 feet = QA value = 131
20 feet * = QA value = 511 (*Doubled the stated accuracy of 1:12,000 USGS quads for possible digitizing.)
4 feet = QA value = 151
4 feet = QA value = 311
80 feet * = QA value = 531 (*Doubled the stated accuracy of 1:24,000 USGS quads for possible digitizing.)
unknown = QA value = 911

Value Domain for Data Element METHOD:
aerial photo/low precision GPS = QA values = 3xx
digitized = QA values = 5xx
survey = QA values = 1xx
unknown = QA values = 9xx

Value Domain for Data Element PROJECT:
GISMO-(two digit county number) = Digitized from USGS 1:24,000 quad maps in the early 1980's. (However, at that time an estimated 20%
GSMFX-(two digit county number) = Fix of a bad GISMO point. Coordinate for point was collected manually from the USGS 1:24,000 paper
Misc. = Others...
QADAD-(two digit county number) = Additional quarter section point (usually drawn as a red cross on the 1:24,000 quad) from the USGS p
SECTIC-(two digit county number) = Digitized from USGS 1:24,000 quad maps in 1992, as a sort of "update" for GISMO points that were ori

Value Domain for Data Element POINT_NUM:

Value Domain for Data Element MONUMENT:
AC = Aluminum Cap
BC = Brass Cap
CIM = Cast Iron Monument
DSM = Survey Marker
IP = Iron Pipe
IR = Iron Rod
Misc. text = Contact the DNR-Bureau of Engineering (651)296-2119
SFP = Steel Fence Post
SPK = Spike
ST = Stone
WP = Wood Post

Value Domain for Data Element UPDATED:

Value Domain for Data Element CERT:

Value Domain for Data Element CERTBY:

Value Domain for Data Element DESCRIPT:

Value Domain for Data Element YR:

Value Domain for Data Element MO:

Value Domain for Data Element DY:

Value Domain for Data Element SOURCE:
DNR MINS = Minnesota DNR-Division of Lands and Minerals
DNR SURV = Minnesota DNR-Bureau of Engineering, Survey Unit
LMIC = Land Management Information Center
Misc. = Others...
 
Section 6 Distribution Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Publisher Minnesota DNR - Division of Lands & Minerals
Publication Date 1995-06-01 00:00:00.0
Contact Person Information Hal Watson
GIS Database Specialist
DNR-MIS
500 Lafayette Road, Box 11
St. Paul, MN 55155-4011
Phone: (651) 297-2330
FAX: (651) 297-4946
E-mail:
Distributor's Data Set Identifier pls_cornerpt3
Distribution Liability The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the reuse of data provided herewith, regardless of its format or the means of its transmission. There is no guarantee or representation to the user as to the accuracy, currency, suitability, or reliability of this data for any purpose. The user accepts the data 'as is', and assumes all risks associated with its use. By accepting this data, the user agrees not to transmit this data or provide access to it or any part of it to another party unless the user shall include with the data a copy of this disclaimer. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for actual or consequential damage incurred as a result of any user's reliance on this data.
Transfer Format Name Shapefile
Transfer Format Version Number Not Applicable
Transfer Size 27
Ordering Instructions See Online Linkage or Distribution Contact
Online Linkage http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us
 
Section 7 Metadata Reference Information Top of full metadata Top of page
Metadata Date 2004-01-09 15:33:28.0
Contact Person Information Jill Bornes, GIS Specialist
DNR-Lands and Minerals
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-1879
FAX: (651) 296-5939
E-mail:
Metadata Standard Name Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines
Metadata Standard Version 1.2
Metadata Standard Online Linkage http://www.lmic.state.mn.us/gc/stds/metadata.htm



This page last updated: 2004-01-09 15:33:28.0