geoscience

The National Science and Technology Center’s Division of Geographic Sciences provides technical and advisory services and support to BLM offices in all aspects of cartographic and photogrammetric data analysis and processing. Our professional staff includes cartographers with expertise in areas such as agencywide administrative map revisions and database updates, special mapping support to BLM programs, automated cartographic development, photogrammetric project design and analysis, and aerial photography support. We also maintain BLM’s aerial photography archive.

Cartographic Applications

We design and provide a variety of mapping products and services that are used by BLM offices to manage the land and by the general public for business and recreational pursuits.

We develop Bureauwide automated cartographic capabilities and assist BLM offices in the design of unique automated cartographic products to support local land management applications.

We revise the BLM corporate administrative maps series (1:100,000 and 1:500,000 scales). These unique maps portray all land ownership and other enhancements for the Western United States, excluding Alaska. They are used extensively within BLM offices and also sold to the public by BLM State Offices and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). We create and maintain the 1:100,000-scale digital database for wider programmatic utilization within BLM.

We design and produce cartographic data or maps that are unique or for special uses in support of BLM scientific investigations and programmatic requirements. Some of our products include the California Desert Access Guides, BLM wilderness maps, off-highway vehicle (OHV) maps, and recreation maps.

We provide digital raster document scanning services for BLM offices in 8-bit color with resolution up to 500 dpi. Image sizes up to 34" by 46" are available. Raster editing, vectorizing, and georeferencing services are also available.

Photogrammetric Applications

We provide photogrammetric services to assist customers in using aerial photographs to map and measure features on the earth's surface. We have the capability to plan and monitor aerial acquisitions, prescribe the required control, and perform the analysis to meet specific customer needs.

We compile large-scale topographic maps with 1- to 2-foot contour intervals. Both digital data and plotted information are provided to the customer. Some applications for BLM include support for engineering, hazmat, abandoned mine lands, and recreation sites; visual resource management assistance; off-highway vehicle route mapping; and close-range photogrammetry in support of programs such as paleontology.

We provide support for BLM programs in the identification and quantification of unauthorized uses associated with the public lands, such as trespass determinations (mineral/timber), cadastral boundary investigations, and road closures.

We serve as the technical focal point for BLM aerial photography planning. Our services include preparation of contract specifications, cost estimates, contract administration, and inspection services for BLM offices. We maintain the master catalog of BLM coverage with appropriate small-scale index maps. We ensure that BLM coverage is entered into the national database (USGS Aerial Photography Summary Record System).

We provide assistance to BLM offices and the public in obtaining copies of BLM aerial photography. We assist BLM customers in researching the availability of historical aerial coverage. We maintain the BLM aerial photography archive, which contains approximately 450,000 frames of BLM coverage. Since we maintain the official archive, we can provide “certification” of authenticity for any product created from original film as required to support litigation activities.