coastal_bluff_hazards

Citation:

Citation Information:

Originator: Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)
Publication Date: 2/13/09
Title: coastal_bluff_hazards
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: vector digital data
Series Information:

Series Name: Coastal bluff maps and Coastal landslide hazard maps
Issue Identification: Printed map citation for individual quadrangles listed in the author, pubdate, title, and source fields in associated attribute table.

Publication Information:

Publication Place: Augusta ME
Publisher: Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS)

Other Citation Details: Full citation for coastal bluffs hazard data includes the author, date, title, and source fields in the associated attribute table.
Online Linkage: http://megis.maine.gov/catalog/

Description:

Abstract:
COASTAL_BLUFF_HAZARDS contains line data describing the shoreline type and relative stability of bluffs along a section of the Maine coast mapped at a 1:24,000 scale, from the Maine Geological Survey. A bluff is defined as a steep shoreline slope formed in sediment (loose material such as clay, sand, and gravel) that has three feet or more of vertical elevation just above the high tide line. Shoreline segments are classified as either being bluff, non-bluff, or unmapped or undetermined. Bluffs are classified as either (1) ledge (exposed bedrock outcrops); (2) armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.); (3) salt marsh; (4) beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment; or (5), unmapped or undetermined. The relative stability of a buff face is classified as being either (1) not a bluff, (2) stable, (3) unstable, (4) highly unstable, or (5) unmapped or undetermined. This classification is based on observed features that reflect recent activity on the bluff face.
The landslide hazard is given by line data describing the internal stability of sediment bluffs along Maine's shoreline. The landslide hazard is classified by one of the following: (1) the bluff is the site of a past historical or photo interpreted landslide; (2) the bluff has an elevated risk of a landslide based on field observation; (3) the bluff has an elevated risk of a landslide based on aerial photo interpretation, but needs field assessment; (4) there is no landslide potential; or (5) the landslide potential is unmapped or undetermined.

Purpose: This data can help identify shorelines with increased risk of coastal erosion or landslides.

Time Period of Content:

Time Period Information:

Range of Dates/Times:

Beginning Date: 2002
Beginning Time: Unknown
Ending Date: 2009
Ending Time: Unknown

Currentness Reference: publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency: Irregular

Spatial Domain:

Bounding Coordinates:

West Bounding Coordinate: -70.889381
East Bounding Coordinate: -67.617967
North Bounding Coordinate: 44.808252
South Bounding Coordinate: 43.056075

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme Keyword Thesaurus: Maine GIS Thesaurus - Theme
Theme Keyword: geology
Theme Keyword: coastal
Theme Keyword: surficial deposits
Theme Keyword: landforms
Theme Keyword: coastal processes
Theme Keyword: erosion/sedimentation
Theme Keyword: landslide
Theme Keyword: hazard
Theme Keyword: 24000
Theme Keyword: bluffs
Theme Keyword: geomorphology
Theme Keyword: shoreline
Theme Keyword: slope stability

Theme:

Theme Keyword Thesaurus: ISO Keywords Thesaurus
Theme Keyword: geoscientificInformation

Place:

Place Keyword Thesaurus: Maine GIS Thesaurus - Place
Place Keyword: Maine
Place Keyword: USA

Stratum:

Stratum Keyword Thesaurus: GCMD Keyword

Stratum:

Stratum Keyword Thesaurus: GCMD Keyword Thesaurus
Stratum Keyword: land surface

Access Constraints: Secondary distribution by permission only.
Use Constraints:
Users must assume responsibility in determining the usability of this data for their purposes. User must include full citation (author, pubdate, title, and source fields in associated attribute table) for the coastal bluffs data when using the data in printed or digital form.
Point of Contact:

Contact Information:

Contact Organization Primary:

Contact Organization: Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Address:

Address Type: mailing address
Address: 22 State House Station
City: Augusta
State or Province: ME
Postal Code: 04333-0022
Country: USA

Contact Voice Telephone: 207-287-2801

Data Set Credit:
Credit should be given to the data source and/or originator when data is transferred or printed. Source should be cited as: Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0022.
Native Data Set Environment: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.0.1770

Attribute Accuracy:

Attribute Accuracy Report:
Attribution of the data set was checked for data entry errors through a series of reviews that checked for inconsistencies with interpretation results. The coverage has been checked for label errors and attribution is complete.
Logical Consistency Report:
The coast as depicted on the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute (1:24,000) topographic quadrangles was used as the base for mapping different shoreline types, shoreline stability, and landslide hazard potential. Segments of the coast were coded as to shoreline type and stability and evidence of previous landslides on paper copies of quadrangle maps, and the data transferred to a digital coverage of the coastline, splitting and coding arc segments as needed. Some sections of shoreline mapped as stable may contain small areas that are unstable but are not able to be shown in this data set.
Positional Accuracy:

Horizontal Positional Accuracy:

Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report: The data were compiled on a 1:24,000 scale base with a horizontal accuracy +/- 40 feet or 12 meters.

Lineage:

Source Information:

Source Citation:

Citation Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Publication Date: multiple dates
Publication Time: Unknown
Title: (24k) USGS 1:24,000 scale quadrangles
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: map
Series Information:

Series Name: National Mapping Program Standard Series Topographic Maps
Issue Identification: USGS 7.5 Minute Map Series

Publication Information:

Publication Place: Reston VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other Citation Details: 24000 Publication date is unique to each quadrangle in the map series. Standard 7.5x7.5 minute quadrangles cover geographic areas of 49 to 71 square miles. 1 inch at map scale represents 2000 feet.
Online Linkage: http://mapping.usgs.gov/mac/maplists/howtoselectmaps.html

Source Scale Denominator: 24000
Type of Source Media: stable-base material
Source Time Period of Content:

Time Period Information:

Range of Dates/Times:

Beginning Date:
Beginning Time: Unknown
Ending Date: Unknown
Ending Time: Unknown

Source Currentness Reference: U.S. Geological Survey

Source Contribution: USGS 1:24,000 7.5' quadrangles used as mapping base

Source Information:

Source Citation:

Citation Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) (comp., ed.)
Publication Date: 1995
Publication Time: Unknown
Title: coast
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: vector digital data
Series Information:

Series Name: Maine GIS
Issue Identification: SDE server; Internet Data Catalog

Publication Information:

Publication Place: Augusta ME
Publisher: Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS)

Other Citation Details: 1:24000

Source Scale Denominator: 24000
Type of Source Media: online
Source Time Period of Content:

Time Period Information:

Range of Dates/Times:

Beginning Date: 1948
Beginning Time: Unknown
Ending Date: 1999
Ending Time: Unknown

Source Currentness Reference: source dates

Source Citation Abbreviation: coast
Source Contribution: Data, from the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) 1:24000 library layer COAST represents the Mean High Water (MHW) line, tidal rivers and salt water ponds of coastal Maine.

Process Step:

Process Description:
Geologists classified the coastal bluffs in this data set by observing the shoreline from small boats. Segments of the coast were coded as to shoreline type and stability on paper copies of quadrangle maps, and the data transferred to a digital coverage of the coastline, splitting and coding arc segments as needed.
The geologists then assigned one of the following categories to the type of shoreline seen below the high tide line: (1) ledge (exposed bedrock outcrops); (2) armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.); (3) salt marsh; or (4) beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment. The data set includes the shoreline type, including segments of the shoreline without significant coastal bluffs. Where significant bluffs were present, geologists noted various characteristics of the bluff face such as the slope of the bluff (steep to gentle), features on the bluff face indicating recent movement of material down the slope (slumped blocks of sediment, landslide scars, fallen trees), and the amount and type of vegetation (bare sediment, grass, shrubs, mature trees). From this information, geologists assessed the relative stability of each bluff face as being (1) stable, (2) unstable, or (3) highly unstable. This classification is based on observed features that reflect recent activity on the bluff face.

Landslide sites (LANDSLIDE = 'R', HAZARD = 'RPH') identified by the following: (1) Locations based on historical records and eyewitness accounts. In general, these earth movements have occurred in the last three centuries. (2) Locations based on interpretation of aerial photography.

Landslide risk areas (LANDSLIDE = 'Y', HAZARD = 'RF') identified by the following: (1) Observations from land corroborated with geomorphology observed on air photos, sediment types shown on surficial geologic maps, and both elevation above sea level and steepness of bluff slopes shown on topographic maps. Bluff sediments are usually muddy and twenty feet or more

Process Date: publication date of published map
Process Contact:

Contact Information:

Contact Organization Primary:

Contact Organization: Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Address:

Address Type: mailing address
Address: 22 State House Station
City: Augusta
State or Province: ME
Postal Code: 04333-0022
Country: USA

Contact Voice Telephone: 207-287-2801

Process Step:

Process Description:
Replaced arcs for the following Maine Geological Survey publications: 05-19 Coastal bluffs in the Bass Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-10)
05-21 Coastal bluffs in the Seal Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-6)
05-22 Coastal bluffs in the Southwest Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-26)
05-41 Coastal bluffs in the Hancock quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-12)
05-42 Coastal bluffs in the Sullivan quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 02-216)
06-63 Coastal bluffs in the Harrington quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-22)
06-66 Coastal bluffs in the Winter Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-26)
06-70 Coastal bluffs in the Bar Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 02-170)
and
05-24 Coastal landslide hazards in the Hancock quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-13)
05-32 Coastal landslide hazards in the Bass Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-11)
05-34 Coastal landslide hazards in the Seal Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-7)
05-35 Coastal landslide hazards in the Southwest Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-25)
05-37 Coastal landslide hazards in the Sullivan quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 01-545)
06-67 Coastal landslide hazards in the Winter Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-27)
06-71 Coastal landslide hazards in the Bar Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 01-499)

Added arcs for the following Maine Geological Survey publications:
05-47 Coastal bluffs in the Baker Island quadrangle, Maine
06-55 Coastal bluffs in the Wells quadrangle, Maine
06-57 Coastal bluffs in the Kennebunkport quadrangle, Maine
06-59 Coastal bluffs in the York Beach quadrangle, Maine
06-61 Coastal bluffs in the Addison quadrangle, Maine
06-64 Coastal bluffs in the Drisko Island quadrangle, Maine
06-68 Coastal bluffs in the Schoodic Head quadrangle, Maine
and
05-31 Coastal

Process Date: 20060710
Process Contact:

Contact Information:

Contact Organization Primary:

Contact Organization: Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Address:

Address Type: mailing address
Address: 22 State House Station
City: Augusta
State or Province: ME
Postal Code: 04333-0022
Country: USA

Contact Voice Telephone: 207-287-2801

Process Step:

Process Description:
Updated/replaced bluff/landslide arcs for the following MGS publications: 08-63, Coastal bluffs in the Pemaquid Point quadrangle, Maine (supersedes 02-202).
08-40, Coastal landslide hazards in the Pemaquid Point quadrangle, Maine (supersedes 01-531).

Process Date: 20090213

Process Step:

Process Description: Metadata imported.
Process Date: 20090218
Process Time: 09:15:46

Cloud Cover: 0

Direct Spatial Reference Method: Vector
Point and Vector Object Information:

SDTS Terms Description:

SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: String
Point and Vector Object Count: 25163

Horizontal Coordinate System Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude Resolution: 0
Longitude Resolution: 0

Geodetic Model:

Semi-major Axis: 0
Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 0

Vertical Coordinate System Definition:

Altitude System Definition:

Altitude Resolution: 0.000010
Altitude Encoding Method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

Detailed Description:

Entity Type:

Entity Type Label: coastal_bluff_hazards
Entity Type Definition: arc feature class
Entity Type Definition Source: ESRI

Attribute:

Attribute Label: BLUFF
Attribute Definition: Is the shoreline a bluff?
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: X
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: Y
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: bluff

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: N
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not a bluff

Attribute:

Attribute Label: B_AUTHOR
Attribute Definition: author(s) of the published coastal bluff open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: B_PUBCODE
Attribute Definition: Maine Geological Survey publication code/ordering number for the published coastal bluff open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: B_PUBDATE
Attribute Definition: publication date of the published coastal bluff open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: B_SOURCE
Attribute Definition: source for the published coastal bluff open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: B_TITLE
Attribute Definition: title of the published coastal bluff open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: COMMENT
Attribute Definition: comment, usually a reference to the source of the mapped landslide site
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 1001-1999
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: landslide determined from air photo (Novak 1990)
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source:
Novak, Irwin D. (1990) Air photo reconaissance of slope failures in the Presumpscot Formation, Cumberland County, Maine, Maine Geological Survey (Department of Conservation), Open-File Report 90-22, 4 p. (map, scale 1:50,000)
Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 2001-2099
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Smith (1990) - no landslide risk

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 2101-2499
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: previously documented historical landslides - various sources (newspapers, etc.)

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 2501-2599
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: photo interpreted potential landslide - author noted in comment

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 3001-3999
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: field visited, researched, landslide-prone bluff

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 5001-6999
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: photo interpreted potential landslide site; photo interpretation by Maine Geological Survey

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 7001-7999
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: photo interpreted former landslide site; photo interpretation by Maine Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute Label: GEOCODE
Attribute Definition: minor civil division (MCD) code of the town containing the shoreline segment
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: HAZARD
Attribute Definition: landslide hazard corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal landslide map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: X
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: NB
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: no landslide hazard - not a bluff

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: BN
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: no landslide hazard - bluff but no landslide potential

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: RPH
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: site of former landslide based on aerial photo interpretation or historical account

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: RF
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: landslide hazard - based on field observation

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: RA
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: potential landslide hazard based on aerial photo interpretation - needs further assessment

Attribute:

Attribute Label: LANDSLIDE
Attribute Definition: landslide code
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: X
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: N
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: no landslide potential

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: Y
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: landslide potential determined from bluff type and elevation

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: R
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: site of a former landslide; see the value of newrefid for basis of identification of the coastal segment as a landslide site

Attribute:

Attribute Label: L_AUTHOR
Attribute Definition: author(s) of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: L_PUBCODE
Attribute Definition: Maine Geological Survey publication code/ordering number for the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: L_PUBDATE
Attribute Definition: publication date of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: L_SOURCE
Attribute Definition: source for the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: L_TITLE
Attribute Definition: title of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: NAME
Attribute Definition: name of the town containing the shoreline segment
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: NEWREFID
Attribute Definition: basis of identifying the coastal segment as a landslide site
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: 1-1999
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: landslide determined from air photo (Novak 1990)

Attribute:

Attribute Label: OBJECTID
Attribute Definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute Definition Source: ESRI
Attribute Domain Values:

Unrepresentable Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute Label: STABILITY
Attribute Definition: relative bluff stability type corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal bluff maps
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: X
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: N
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not a bluff

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: S
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: stable

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: U
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: unstable

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: H
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: highly unstable

Attribute:

Attribute Label: Shape
Attribute Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute Definition Source: ESRI
Attribute Domain Values:

Unrepresentable Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute Label: Shape_Length
Attribute Definition: Length of feature in internal units.
Attribute Definition Source: ESRI
Attribute Domain Values:

Unrepresentable Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute Label: TILE
Attribute Definition: Maine Geological Survey GIS tile (derived from USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle name)
Attribute Definition Source: MGS

Attribute:

Attribute Label: TYPE
Attribute Definition: shoreline type corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal bluff maps
Attribute Definition Source: MGS
Attribute Domain Values:

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: X
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: N
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: L
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: ledge (greater than 50-percent exposed bedrock outcrops)

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: A
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.)

Enumerated Domain:

Enumerated Domain Value: V
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: vegetated; salt marsh

Overview Description:

Entity and Attribute Overview: Attribute table for coastal arcs.

Distributor:

Contact Information:

Contact Organization Primary:

Contact Organization: (MEGIS) Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems

Contact Position: GIS Coordinator
Contact Address:

Address Type: mailing address
Address: State House Station 145
City: Augusta
State or Province: ME
Postal Code: 04333-0145
Country: USA

Contact Voice Telephone: (207) 624-7700
Contact Facsimile Telephone: (207) 287-3842
Hours of Service: Monday through Friday 0800 - 1700 EST

Distribution Liability:
Users must assume responsibility to determine the usability of this data for their purposes. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems, no warranty expressed or implied is made by MEGIS regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Neither the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems, nor any of its contributors, is liable for misuse of the data, for damage, for transmission of viruses, or for computer contamination through the distribution of these data sets.
Standard Order Process:

Digital Form:

Digital Transfer Information:

Format Name: ESRI Shapefile
Format Version Number: ARC Version 9.x
Format Specification: ArcView Shapefile Format
Format Information Content:
MEGIS has made all vector layers, in the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog, available in ESRI's ArcView shapefile format. A shapefile is a simple non-topological format that stores the geometry and attribute information for a set of geographic features as a set of vector (point, line, polygon) coordinates. Shapefiles draw quickly and directly in ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcExplorer. Shapefiles are a compatible data type for many other types of GIS software. Three files are fundamental to each shapefile: .shp stores the feature geometry (shape and location information); .shx stores the index of the feature geometry; .dbf a dBASE (TM) file stores the attribute information for the features. Other index files may be created to help speed analysis and query: these file formats are .sbn .sbx .ain .aix .fbn and .fbx. In addition you may find projection .prj, and metadata .xml, files associated with shapefiles.
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These data are available to Internet browsers for download from the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog. Data available from this website is in .zip compressed format. WinZip is a Windows based, PKZip-compatible compression utility. You will need a program like this to extract the data. A link to a trial copy WinZip software is available at http://megis.maine.gov/links/. If you are not already a GIS user, free software for viewing these files is available from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). See http://megis.maine.gov/links/ for a link to ArcExplorer 9.x .
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Format Name: ESRI Shapefile
Format Version Number: ARC Version 9.x
Format Specification: ArcView Shapefile Format
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MEGIS has made all layers, in the Internet Data Catalog, available in ESRI's ArcView shapefile format. A shapefile is a simple non-topological format that stores the geometry and attribute information for a set of geographic features as a set of vector (point, line, polygon) coordinates. Shapefiles draw quickly and directly in ArcView, ArcGIS, and ArcExplorer; an existing ARC/INFO coverage can be converted to a shapefile by export; other spatial data formats can be converted to shapefiles. Three files are created for each shapefile: .shp stores the feature geometry (shape and location information); .shx stores the index of the feature geometry; .dbf a dBASE (TM) file stores the attribute information for the features. Other index files may be created to help speed analysis and query: these file formats are .sbn .sbx .ain .aix .fbn and .fbx. In addition you may find projection .prj, and metadata .xml, files associated with shapefiles. CAUTION: When you edit an existing theme or shapefile you are creating a new version of a source; give your version a new name or a version identifier to reflect your edits. Be prepared to fully document your sources and to both quantify and qualify the edits you make in order to facilitate coordination with other data sources. PLEASE NOTE: conversion to shapefile format changes some characters ( # - .) to underscores; item names over 10 characters are truncated. An effort will be made over time to consider these limitations in item names, and to eliminate the use of these characters in Maine GIS data development. It should not be assumed that a conversion from shapefile back to coverage will produce the same data. The results of such a conversion are greatly improved by the use of PRECISION setting DOUBLE, DOUBLE and careful management of tolerances. Shapefiles tolerate overlapping features, coverages maintain these with correct attribution only if a REGIONS subclass is specified and retained.
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These data are available to Internet browsers for download from the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog. All data available from this website is in .zip compressed format. WinZip is a Windows based, PKZip-compatible compression utility. You will need a program like this to extract the data. A link to a trial copy WinZip software is available at http://megis.maine.gov/software.asp. If you are not already a GIS user, a link to free software for import and viewing of these files, Import71 and ArcExplorer from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), is available at http://megis.maine.gov/software.asp.
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Format Version Number: ARC Version 8.3
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Format Specification: ArcView Shapefile Format
Format Information Content:
MEGIS will soon make all data in the internet Data Catalog available in ESRI's ArcView shapefile format. This additional format will first be available for E911 data under the TOWNS tab. A shapefile is a simple non-topological format that stores the geometry and attribute information for a set of geographic features as a set of vector (point, line, polygon) coordinates. Shapefiles draw quickly and directly in ArcView; you can create your own data using the shapefile format; an existing ARC/INFO coverage can be converted to a shapefile; other spatial data formats can be converted to shapefiles. Three files are created for each shapefile: .shp stores the feature geometry (shape and location information); .shx stores the index of the feature geometry; .dbf a dBASE (TM) file stores the attribute information for the features. Other index files may be created to help speed analysis and query: these file formats are .sbn .sbx .ain .aix .fbn and .fbx. In addition you may find projection .prj, and metadata .xml, files associated with shapefiles. CAUTION: When you edit an existing theme or shapefile you are creating a new dataset or at least a new version of a dataset; give the dataset a new name or a version identifier to reflect your edits. Be prepared to fully document your sources and to both quantify and qualify the edits you make in order to facilitate coordination with other data sources. PLEASE NOTE: conversion to shapefile format changes some characters ( # - .) to underscores; item names over 10 characters are truncated. An effort will be made over time to consider these limitations in item names, and to eliminate the use of these characters in Maine GIS data development. It should not be assumed that a conversion from shapefile back to coverage would produce the same data file as found in the original coverage format. The results of such a conversion are greatly improved by the use of PRECISION setting DOUBLE, DOUBLE and careful management of tolerances.
Digital Transfer Option:

Online Option:

Access Instructions: Anyone with an internet browser can view and download these data from the http address http://megis.maine.gov/catalog/. Please follow instructions on the website for the internet Data Catalog.

Digital Transfer Option:

Online Option:

Access Instructions: Where file size and internet access permit, data requests can be filled via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) from the ftp address ftp://ftp.state.me.us/.

Fees: Data may be downloaded from Maine GIS Data Catalog at no charge.
Turnaround: Data is available for immediate download from the Maine GIS Data Catalog.

Standard Order Process:

Non-digital Form: map
Fees:
MEGIS does some custom mapping, with available Maine GIS data, as time allows. If you have a custom mapping question please call the technical support line at (207) 287-6144 and ask about an estimate for your mapping needs.
Turnaround: 15 working days

Resource Description: Downloadable Data

Metadata Date: 2/13/2009
Metadata Review Date:
Metadata Future Review Date:
Metadata Contact:

Contact Information:

Contact Organization Primary:

Contact Organization: Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)
Contact Person: Director, Earth Resource Information

Contact Address:

Address Type: mailing address
Address: 22 State House Station
City: Augusta
State or Province: ME
Postal Code: 04333-0022
Country: USA

Contact Voice Telephone: 207-287-2801

Metadata Standard Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata Time Convention: local time
Metadata Extensions:

Online Linkage: http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
Profile Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Metadata Extensions:

Online Linkage: http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
Profile Name: ESRI Metadata Profile