Abstract

The State of Montana Boundary Framework Dilemma
Track: State and Local Government
Author(s): Erin Geraghty

The State of Montana's GIS Bureau began an effort in 2006 to create a statewide Government Unit (Boundaries) Framework Layer. Three issues faced by the Bureau will be examined: Montana Statute, technical requirements, and Federal/State duplication of efforts.

First, while conducting a Pilot Project a problem was discovered: Montana Statute was not being followed. Boundary Legal Descriptions are written legal documents depicting the delineation of a boundary. Legal Descriptions which are required by law, in most cases, were unavailable or flawed. What are/were the implications?

Secondly, technical issues needed to be addressed: How will data be collected? How will data be stored? Should a new Boundary Data Model be created? Should boundaries be incorporated into the existing Cadastral Model?

Finally, a duplication of efforts in collecting boundaries was discovered between the U.S. Census Bureau and the state. A partnership was examined to decrease, if not eliminate, the duplication of efforts.

Erin Geraghty
State of Montana ITSD GIS Bureau
101 N. Rodney Street
STE 2
Helena , Montana 59601
United States
Phone: 406-444-1550
Fax: 406-444-1255
E-mail: egeraghty@mt.gov