An Arc/Info coverage of the outer boundary of the New York State Adirondack Park. The data set was hand digitized from 1:24000 scale, 7.5 minute series planimetric, mylar original, New York State Department of Transportation maps. The digitized boundary was edgematched with older planimetric quadrangle delineations being snapped to newer adjacent quadrangles. The boundary was compared to the legal Park description (Environmental Conservation Law Section 9-0101); the "New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forests Adirondack Map" 1993 edition; a joint DEC/DOT 1:24000 scale mapping project to delineate original allotment lines (patents, townships, tracts, etc.) in Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties; and county Real Property Tax Maps. Where obvious discrepancies occurred, Adirondack Park Agency cartographers re-plotted the boundary at 1:24000 scale using visual reference points on the maps and then re-digitized. Certain sections of the boundary remain in question (see Notes.)
Digitizing -- Original mylar chronoflex 7.5 Minute Series Planimetric quadrangle maps, purchased from New York State Dept. of Transportation were digitized. The publication date of the 200 maps varied from mid-1960's to the mid-1980's. APA staff digitized maps on a Calcomp 9100 table into Arc/Info 5.0 on a Prime 4050, operating system Primos 22.0. Map transformation to UTM zone 18 occurred at digitizing setup. The maximum RMS error target was 0.003 inches. No actual RMS error value for each map setup was retained. Coverage tics at quadrangle corners were generated from data set "NYTM Coordinates 11/22/89" purchased from NYSDOT - Mapping Services Bureau, reputed to provide one tenth meter accuracy. All municipal boundary lines were digitized, including the Adirondack Park boundary. Arc nodes were digitized at line intersections, lines that appeared straight over long distances had vertices digitized at approximately five inch intervals. Arcs were digitized into one park coverage. Arc snap and node snap tolerances were set to five meters, intersect arcs set on. Editing -- The digitized boundaries were manually edgematched in Arcedit with older planimetric quadrangle delineations being snapped to newer, adjacent quadrangles. All polygons were closed regardless of the edge- match blunder. Where these errors occurred, vertices for long boundary were adjusted to straighten lines (reviewed with all available sources) between municipal boundary intersections. Polygon and arc topology were built, polygon labels were computer generated. The Adirondack Park boundary was reselected from the municipal boundary coverage to create a new separate coverage. Original arc nodes were removed in Arcedit by unsplitting all arcs. New nodes were placed to split the state boundary from the remaining park boundary. Two additional nodes were computer generated due to a 500 vertices per arc software limitation. One polygon label was computer generated, polygon and arc topology were built. An item called BND-CD was added to the arc attribute table to distinguish the state boundary from the remaining park boundary. The coverage was imported to a UNIX Data General workstation. The coverage map projection was defined. Quality Control -- Some boundary adjustments were made for sections noted under Notes as per review of additional source information.
Revisions made to data: Various revisions were made as per reviews cited.
Reviews applied to data: Spatial review of arcs for completeness and closure -- 199103, John W. Barge. Spatial review of arcs in comparison to ECL sec. 9-0101. (legal description of Adirondack Park boundary) -- ongoing as needed, John W. Barge. Spatial review of arcs in comparison to the DEC/DOT original allotment line maps -- 1991, John W. Barge Spatial review of arcs in comparison to County Tax Maps -- ongoing as needed, John W. Barge, Susan H. Parker.
Related spatial and tabular data sets and programs: New York State Adirondack Park Municipal Boundaries Arc/Info coverage. New York State Adirondack Park 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Boundaries Arc/Info coverage.
References cited: New York State Environmental Conservation Law Section 9-0101.
Notes: Certain sections of the delineated boundary remain in question. Known ambiguities exist in the towns of Pitcairn, St. Lawrence Co. Diana, Lewis Co.; Lake Luzerne, Warren Co.; and Altona and Saranac, Clinton Co. Ambiguities are resolved on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Adirondack Park Agency for further information.