Chesterfield Launches Online Mapping Site - CitizenGIS

Chestefield County launched a new online mapping application this month. Using ArcGIS Server and Silverlight the CitizenGIS site allows the public to view property, street, environmental, easement, utility, political, topographic,planning and special layer information. Additionally, political and school information is provided in text format. Three years of VBMP imagery (2002, 2007 and 2009)can be viewed. In a press release GIS Manager Nancy Parker stated "One of our goals was to make the online mapping features as intuitive as possible for users." My quick review of the site confirms they hit that goal dead on.

Elevation Framework Data - Kickoff

The Elevation Framework Initiative Action Team (FIAT) met May 20th in Charlottesville to start efforts to improve the quality and availability of elevation data in Virginia. Over 35 individuals, representing local governments, state and federal agencies, universities and the private sector, participated in person or by web conference. An overview was given by VGIN, the hosting agency. Dewberry gave an informative presentation on its LiDAR project for over 3,000 square miles of coastal Virginia. FEMA talked about the requirements and benefits of better elevation data to flood risk map modernization. Sanborn presented on LiDAR data analysis and visualization. USGS presented on the National Elevation Dataset and CLICK, the LiDAR information and data clearinghouse. I hope to make these presentations available in a later post after I receive them. The group settled on a business objective and started work on a charter and work plan. Stay tuned for future posts about the initiative.

Big Apple gets LiDAR Scan

A New York Times article published yesterday reports on a LiDAR flight designed to "yield the most detailed three dimensional picture of New York City to date." The article mentions numerous uses for the data including maps of solar energy potential and flood zones. Sanborn flew nine 6-hour missions at night from April 14 to April 30th at an altitude of 3,500 feet.

A quick update on the 2010 LiDAR projects for coastal Virginia - all 3,000+ square miles have been successlly flown in separate missions by Dewberry and Sanborn. Some preliminary data are expected in the next few months and we should be on schedule for final product deliveries before the end of the year. Thanks are due to USGS, The Nature Conservancy and the University of Virginia LTER project for providing the funds.