Implementation of the Surface Management Agency Dataset National Data Standard
9690 (HQ350) P
This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides instructions for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) state, district and field offices on the required implementation of the national data standard for the Surface Management Agency (SMA) geospatial dataset. The SMA National Data Standard establishes a consistent approach to inventorying, quantifying and managing Federal lands by their surface-managing agency. It also ensures that SMA information is accessible to both the public and the BLM in alignment with the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) Portfolio, as outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A16 Supplemental Guidance.
The Geospatial Data Act (GDA) of 2018, 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811, provides the legal framework for Federal geospatial data management, standards, and public access, including assigning to the Secretary of the Interior the chairmanship of the FGDC with the vice chairmanship assigned to the Director of OMB. GDA sections 2804 and 2805 mandate that covered agencies’ use of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) to ensure geospatial data from multiple sources is easily integrated and identifies NGDA data themes and Lead Covered Agency (LCA) responsibilities. The BLM is the NGDA Cadastre Theme LCA. Further, section 2808 requires the LCA to prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data and activities appropriate to the mission of the covered agency, in support of the strategic plan for the NSDI prepared under section 2804(c).
The purpose of the SMA National Data Standard is to:
- Provide a consistent format of Federal surface management data across all states.
- Track the status of all Federally managed lands.
- Maintain a national repository of Federal interest lands.
- Inform the public about which agencies manage specific portions of the Federal surface estate.
- Fulfill BLM’s responsibility to the FGDC.
- Populate the SMA data layer within the NGDA inventory. The SMA National Data Standard supports land management decisions regarding Federal interest lands by ensuring unified data collection and use across BLM and other agencies. This standard applies to all lands depicted in the SMA dataset. OMB Circular A-16 Revised (August 2, 2002) sections 4 and 5, direct Federal agencies to develop NSDI compliant standards in accordance with OMB Circular A-119. In addition, section 2806 of the GDA mandates the FGDC establish standards for each NGDA data theme.
The SMA National Data Standard will be implemented based on business and technology requirements. On publication of this IM, policies and tools for compliance with the implementation strategy will be provided to the BLM state SMA data stewards and staff.
Mission.
Once the SMA National Data Standard is published, all BLM offices must utilize this data standard for update and maintenance of all SMA geospatial representation. This IM supports the BLM’s mission by streamlining internal processes and providing the public with clear information on the location, uses, and restrictions of Federally managed lands in cooperation with GDA covered agencies. Its primary purpose is to identify the managing agency for each area, enabling geographic acreage calculations in conjunction with the legal acreage or official survey record and facilitating activities such as paying permit fees, obtaining licenses, and understanding applicable laws, regulations, and access restrictions.
The goals of this data standard policy are to:
- Collect and maintain SMA data in a polygon feature class.
- Ensure a consistent metadata for SMA across all datasets.
- Establish a common national schema that all offices will use for SMA data.
- Provide a central repository for SMA data, ensuring that relevant datasets are accessible to the public.
- Create a more efficient workflow from field to national offices with less manual work to create the national dataset.
This IM is effective immediately.
The policy has minimal budgetary impact. Many BLM State Offices use a similar data standard; therefore, impact will be limited to shifting from current data standard to a consistent national standard. Processing efficiency for BLM geospatial operations is also expected to improve due to standardized data submissions from BLM State Offices.
The Act of April 25, 1812, established the General Land Office (GLO) within the Department of Treasury to “superintend, execute and perform, all such acts and things, touching or respecting the public lands of the United States …” The Act also required GLO to maintain land records including survey plats, books, original entries, patents, case files and related data. The GLO’s responsibilities were transferred to the Department of the Interior (DOI) upon the latter’s establishment with the Act of March 3, 1849. The President’s Reorganization Plan 3 of 1946 (60 Stat. 1097) established the BLM in the DOI by combining the GLO and U.S. Grazing Service and transferred GLO’s responsibilities to the BLM.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date inventory records is essential to ensure proper documentation of findings, including narratives, maps, photographs, and other relevant information. OMB Circular A-16 Revised, section 8a(2), requires agencies to collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve spatial information such that the resulting data, information, or products can be readily shared with other Federal agencies and non-Federal users, and promote data integration between all sources.
Currently, each State Office has its own data standard for SMA data. Development of a national data standard for SMA will provide a unified method of collecting and storing data to assist all BLM offices and the public. The goal of the SMA National Data Standard is to provide consistent and uniform SMA data across all states resulting in consistency in Federal land management decisions involving surface land use and restrictions.
Public Land Survey System Dataset and Surface Management Agency Procedures Handbook, H-9690, pp. 1-2 through 2-2.
If you have any questions regarding this IM, please contact Sonja (Suzie) Sparks, BLM Chief Cadastral Surveyor, [email protected], (307) 275-5014.
The BLM Energy, Minerals and Realty Management Directorate and the Headquarters Division of Enterprise Geospatial Services coordinated with multiple BLM State Offices on the preparation of this IM.