NSC_2018BAS_AttachmentD_2018 BAS Respondent Guides

NSC_Attachment_D_2018 BAS Respondent Guides.pdf

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) & Boundary Validation Program (BVP)

NSC_2018BAS_AttachmentD_2018 BAS Respondent Guides

OMB: 0607-0151

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Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Respondent Guide: Digital
Instructions for Participating in the 2018 Boundary and Annexation Survey
Revised as of December 14, 2017

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

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Table of Contents
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement......................................................................................iv
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. v
A.
B.
C.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey ......................................................................................... v
What’s New for the 2018 BAS? .................................................................................................... v
Key Dates for BAS Respondents .................................................................................................. v

Part 1:

Digital BAS Requirements ....................................................................................... 6

1.1
1.2

Digital BAS Participation Requirements ....................................................................................... 6
BAS Informational and Tutorial Videos ......................................................................................... 6

Part 2:

Topological Relationships and Spatial Accuracy .................................................. 7
Topological Relationships in MAF/TIGER .................................................................................... 7
GIS and Spatial Accuracy ............................................................................................................. 8
Census Bureau Topology Training Video ................................................................................... 10

Part 3:
Part 4:

Census Bureau Provided Shapefiles .....................................................................11
Census Bureau Geocoding ....................................................................................12

4.1
4.2

MAF Structure Point Geocoding ................................................................................................. 12
Address Range Geocoding ......................................................................................................... 13

Part 5:

Updating the Census Bureau Shapefiles...............................................................14

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13

General File Setup Guidelines .................................................................................................... 14
Changing the Map Projection ..................................................................................................... 14
Boundary Changes ..................................................................................................................... 14
Annexations and Deannexations ................................................................................................ 15
Boundary Corrections ................................................................................................................. 15
New Incorporations ..................................................................................................................... 16
Disincorporations ........................................................................................................................ 16
Geographic Corridors ................................................................................................................. 17
Geographic Offsets ..................................................................................................................... 18
Linear Feature Updates .............................................................................................................. 19
Area Landmarks, Hydro Areas, and Point Landmarks ............................................................... 20
Reviewing Changes to the Census Bureau Shapefiles .............................................................. 24
Additional Review Information .................................................................................................... 28

Appendices .............................................................................................................................39
Data Dictionary ................................................................................................ A-1
2018 Digital BAS Example Process 1 ............................................................. B-1
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4
B.5
B.6
B.7
B.8

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles ....................................................................................... B-1
Local Data ................................................................................................................................. B-1
Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS .................................................................................................. B-1
Extracting Incorporated Place or MCD Data from Census Shapefiles ..................................... B-2
Creating Change Polygons Using Symmetrical Difference ...................................................... B-5
Creating Change Polygons Using Union .................................................................................. B-6
Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons ........................................................................... B-8
Renaming and Finalizing Change Polygons ........................................................................... B-10

C.1
C.2
C.3
C.4
C.4.1
C.4.2
C.4.3
C.4.4
C.4.5
C.4.6

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles ....................................................................................... C-1
Local Data ................................................................................................................................. C-1
Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS .................................................................................................. C-1
Creating and Splitting Linear Features ..................................................................................... C-2
Creating New Linear features ................................................................................................... C-2
Adding Attribute Data To New Linear Features ........................................................................ C-4
Splitting Linear Features ........................................................................................................... C-4
Selecting Lines and Creating Change Polygons ...................................................................... C-6
Attributing Change Polygons .................................................................................................... C-7
Exporting Change Polygons ..................................................................................................... C-9

2018 Digital Example Process 2 ..................................................................... C-1

MTFCC Descriptions — Complete List........................................................... D-1
Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page i

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: BAS Naming Conventions. ........................................................................................................... 11
Table 2: Annexations and Deannexations .................................................................................................. 15
Table 3: Boundary Corrections .................................................................................................................. 15
Table 4: New Incorporations
.................................................................................................................. 16
Table 5: Disincorporations
.................................................................................................................. 17
Table 6: Geographic Corridors .................................................................................................................. 18
Table 7: Geographic Offsets
.................................................................................................................. 19
Table 8: Linear Feature Updates ................................................................................................................ 19
Table 9. Address Ranges
.................................................................................................................. 20
Table 10: Landmarks and Hydro Areas ...................................................................................................... 21
Table 11: Area Landmark MTFCC Codes .................................................................................................. 21
Table 12: Point Landmarks
.................................................................................................................. 22
Table 13: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCC Codes ................................................................................ 23
Table 14: Change Polygons
.................................................................................................................. 29
Table 15: Whole Entity Polygons ................................................................................................................ 29
Table 16: Optional Files
.................................................................................................................. 30
Table 17: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile ................................................................................... A-1
Table 18: County Subdivisions Shapefile ................................................................................................. A-2
Table 19: Incorporated Place Shapefile .................................................................................................... A-3
Table 20: Consolidated City Shapefile ...................................................................................................... A-4
Table 21: Edges Shapefile
................................................................................................................ A-5
Table 22: Area Landmark Shapefile ......................................................................................................... A-6
Table 23: Hydro Area Shapefile ................................................................................................................ A-6
Table 24: Point Landmark Shapefile ......................................................................................................... A-7
Table 25: Geographic Offset Shapefile ..................................................................................................... A-7
Table 26: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization ............................................................................................ B-1
Table 27: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization ............................................................................................ C-1
Table 28: MTFCC List
................................................................................................................ D-1

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Page ii

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Road Representing 3 Types of Boundaries ................................................................................... 7
Figure 2. Typological Integration of Four Classes ........................................................................................ 8
Figure 3. Overlay of Four Feature Classes ................................................................................................... 9
Figure 4. GIS Place Boundary Does Not Follow Road Feature.................................................................... 9
Figure 5. MSP Method of Geocoding .......................................................................................................... 12
Figure 6. Address Range Method of Geocoding......................................................................................... 13
Figure 7. Geographic Corridor Created ...................................................................................................... 17
Figure 8. Geographic Corridor Not Created ................................................................................................ 17
Figure 9. Cadastral Data
.................................................................................................................. 18
Figure 10. Same Data Edited to Census Requirements ............................................................................. 18
Figure 11. A Boundary Correction to Park A............................................................................................... 20
Figure 12. Boundary Corrections Not Snapped to Existing Linear Features .............................................. 24
Figure 13. Annexation Created without Snapping to Centerlines ............................................................... 25
Figure 14. Small Saptial Correction Not Incorporated ................................................................................ 25
Figure 15. Small Spatial Correction Not Accepted...................................................................................... 26
Figure 16. Large Boundary Corrections ...................................................................................................... 26
Figure 17. New Road Features, Not Added to Existing Road .................................................................... 27
Figure 18. New Road Features, Correctly Added ....................................................................................... 27
Figure 19. Selecting and Zipping Return Files ............................................................................................ 31
Figure 20. Naming the Zip File .................................................................................................................. 31
Figure 21. SWIM Account Registration ....................................................................................................... 33
Figure 22. SWIM Login Window ................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 23. Welcome Screen with Upload History ....................................................................................... 34
Figure 24. Geographic Partnership Program Selection Window ................................................................ 34
Figure 25. Geographic Level Selection Window ......................................................................................... 35
Figure 26. Geographic Entity Selection Window......................................................................................... 35
Figure 27. File Upload Screen .................................................................................................................. 36
Figure 28. File Browser Dialog Box ............................................................................................................ 36
Figure 29. Entering Comments into the File Upload Window ..................................................................... 37
Figure 30. Thank You Screen .................................................................................................................. 37
Figure 31. Suggested Map Symbolization ................................................................................................ B-2
Figure 32. Filtering Data
................................................................................................................ B-3
Figure 33. Export Data Window ................................................................................................................ B-4
Figure 34. Finalizing the Merge Process .................................................................................................. B-4
Figure 35. Finalizing the Symmetrical Difference Process ....................................................................... B-5
Figure 36. Finalizing the Union Process ................................................................................................... B-6
Figure 37. Locating the Union Shapefile ................................................................................................... B-7
Figure 38. Small Slivers That Should Be Deleted ..................................................................................... B-8
Figure 39. Polygons That Should Be Snapped to Roads or Rivers .......................................................... B-8
Figure 40. Suggested Map Symbolization ................................................................................................ C-2
Figure 41. Create Features Window ......................................................................................................... C-3
Figure 42. Snapping Toolbar ................................................................................................................ C-3
Figure 43. A Newly Created Linear Feature ............................................................................................. C-4
Figure 44. Linear Feature Selection Before Being Split ............................................................................ C-5
Figure 45. Linear Feature Selection After Being Split ............................................................................... C-5
Figure 46. Selecting the Linear Features of a Change Polygon ............................................................... C-6
Figure 47. Newly Created Place Feature .................................................................................................. C-7
Figure 48. Select All Change Types Formula ........................................................................................... C-9
Figure 49. Exporting Data
.............................................................................................................. C-10

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page iii

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a current valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for
conducting this collection comes from Title 13 Unites States Code (U.S.C.), Section 6
Paperwork Reduction Act.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0151. Public reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden
should be directed to:
Paperwork Reduction 0607-0151
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 4H177
Washington, DC 20233
The Census Bureau issued a Federal Register Notice to revise its confidentiality pledge
language to address the new cybersecurity screening requirements:
Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from
cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

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Page iv

INTRODUCTION
A.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts an annual survey called the Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas,
such as counties (and equivalent areas), incorporated places, minor civil divisions (MCDs),
federally recognized American Indian Areas (AIAs), including reservations, off-reservation trust
lands and tribal subdivisions, Hawaiian Homelands, and Alaska Native Regional Corporations
(ANRC). BAS also provides an opportunity for participants to review the names and geographic
relationships for these areas. Title 13, U.S.C., Section 6, authorizes this survey.
The Census Bureau uses the boundary information collected during the BAS to tabulate data for
the decennial and economic censuses, and to support the Population Estimates Program (PEP)
and the American Community Survey (ACS). Maintaining correct boundaries and boundary-tofeature relationships through the BAS helps ensure that the Census Bureau assigns the
appropriate population to each governmental unit (GU).
In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the BAS supports the
Census Bureau’s spatial data steward responsibilities for the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and the Geospatial One-Stop by updating the inventory and boundaries of
GUs.
In addition, the BAS is the source of up-to-date information on changes to the boundaries,
codes and names of incorporated places, MCDs, counties (and equivalent areas), Hawaiian
Homelands, ANRC, and federally recognized AIAs, which include reservations and offreservation trust lands used by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS), the National Map, and the
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Please visit the BAS program Web site at . For more information on the BAS, please view the “Introduction to BAS”
video series on the Census Bureau’s BAS Web site at

What’s New for the 2018 BAS?
The Geographic Partnership Support Desk (GPSD) is now fully functional and available to assist
with any questions respondents may have regarding BAS.
Redistricting data contacts participating in the Voting District Project (VTD) may submit boundary
updates for reconciliation with BAS contacts.

Key Dates for BAS Respondents

January 1, 2018 — All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported in the 2018 BAS.
March 1, 2018 — BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the
ACS and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected in
next year’s BAS materials.
May 31, 2018 — BAS boundary updates submitted by this date will be reflected in next year’s
BAS materials.

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Page v

PART 1: DIGITAL BAS REQUIREMENTS
1.1

Digital BAS Participation Requirements
All participants must have the ability to edit a Census Bureau shapefile. The Census Bureau
requires that entities update Census Bureau shapefiles with boundary and feature changes,
rather than submitting a shapefile from a local Geographic Information System (GIS).
All participants must provide current information for the BAS point of contact, the person
updating the shapefiles, and the highest elected official (HEO) for the entity.
All participants must provide legal documentation numbers and effective dates for all legal
boundary changes (annexations and deannexations).
Each non-legal boundary correction must contain proper update documentation according to
boundary correction guidelines listed below, or the Census Bureau will not make the correction
for this BAS cycle.

All participants must use the SWIM to submit their changes to the Census Bureau. Due to
security requirements, we cannot accept submissions via FTP, email or any protocol other than
the SWIM site (). If you indicated on your Annual Response
Form that you wished to receive the GUPS application, you will automatically receive the SWIM
URL and a registration token via email. The email should arrive 5 days after the Annual
Response is completed online (or 5 business days after the Census Bureau receives the paper
form). To access the SWIM, enter the following URL in a new browser window:
.

1.2

BAS Informational and Tutorial Videos

The Census Bureau created training videos to give BAS participants detailed instructions and
information on how to report and submit BAS changes. These videos are available on the BAS
Web site at: .
If there are any questions or concerns about the participation requirements, contact the Census
Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected].

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Page 6

PART 2: TOPOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SPATIAL
ACCURACY
The Geography Division of the Census Bureau is responsible for developing geographic
applications and executing related activities needed to support the Census Bureau in collecting
and disseminating census data. For more than twenty years, the Census Bureau’s Master
Address File and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Reference (MAF/TIGER)
System has been a critical resource for supporting the Census Bureau Geographic Partnership
Programs.
The following section will describe how the Census Bureau uses a topologically integrated
system and how this differs from traditional GIS, which use separate layers of data.

Topological Relationships in MAF/TIGER
At the Census Bureau, we describe topology as the relationship between different levels of
geography. MAF/TIGER is a geographic database in which the topological structures define the
location, connection, and relationships of streets, rivers, railroads, and other features. These
topological structures help define the geographic entities for which the Census Bureau tabulates
data.
Instead of having a separate layer for each feature class (roads, boundaries, etc.) all
MAF/TIGER information is stored in one layer or file. See Figure 1 and Figure 2 for samples of
topologically integrated files in MAF/TIGER.

Figure 1. Road Representing 3 Types of Boundaries

This example shows how a road in MAF/TIGER can also represent
a block boundary, place boundary and a school district boundary.

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Page 7

Figure 2. Typological Integration of Four Classes

This example shows the topological integration of four different
feature classes into one layer. One road feature represents not
only a road, but also a block boundary, place boundary, and a
school district boundary.

GIS and Spatial Accuracy
In a GIS, feature classes are often not topologically integrated: they are separated into
individual layers. When you overlay these layers in a GIS, there may be boundary
misalignments due to the nature of the data. These non-topologically integrated layers could
cause issues in MAF/TIGER. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show how files that are not topologically
integrated might appear in a GIS when overlaid.

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Page 8

Figure 3. Overlay of Four Feature Classes

This example shows an overlay of four different feature classes.
Notice how the topological relationship is compromised. The block,
place, and school district boundaries, which are supposed to follow
the road feature, are no longer aligned with the road in several
locations.

Figure 4. GIS Place Boundary Does Not Follow Road Feature

This example shows a situation where a local GIS place boundary
does not follow a road feature. Assuming that the boundary follows
the road feature, changing the Census Bureau place boundary to
match the local file exactly and become misaligned (see arrows)
would dissolve the topological relationship in MAF/TIGER.
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Page 9

The spatial differences between local GIS data and the Census Bureau’s topologically
integrated file are often very small (less than ten feet) and can create boundary-to-feature
relationship issues for the Census Bureau. Part 5: Updating the Census Bureau Shapefiles,
Section 5.12 provides instructions on how to review digital submissions for small spatial
boundary corrections. It also lists some of the potential consequences of making spatial
boundary corrections that dissolve the topological relationships present in MAF/TIGER.
You may find examples of suggested methods for correctly making boundary changes in
Appendix B and Appendix C.

Census Bureau Topology Training Video
The Census Bureau created a video on the subject of topology and why topology is important to
the BAS. For more information, please go to
where you can watch the video.
o

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Page 10

PART 3: CENSUS BUREAU PROVIDED SHAPEFILES
Please download shapefiles from the BAS Web site at:
in
order to review your boundaries and submit changes.
The Census Bureau provides entity layers in ESRI shapefile format for download via the BAS
Web site. Regardless of the number of geographic entity polygon based shapefiles each
participant downloads and edits, there is only one shapefile for the linear feature network for
each county. See Table 1 for the names of the shapefiles.
Table 1: BAS Naming Conventions.
Geographic Entity Type

Shapefile Naming Convention

County

PVS_18_v2_county_.shp

Minor Civil Division

PVS_18_v2_mcd_.shp

Incorporated Place

PVS_18_v2_place_.shp

Consolidated City

PVS_18_v2_concity_.shp

Edges (Roads, Rail, Hydro, etc.)

PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Area Landmarks

PVS_18_v2_arealm_.shp

Point Landmarks

PVS_18_v2_pointlm_.shp

Hydro Area

PVS_18_v2_water_.shp

Geographic Offsets / Corridors

PVS_18_v2_offset_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state FIPS code and three-digit county FIPS code.

All shapefiles provided by the Census Bureau are in the following unprojected geographicbased coordinate system:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Geographic Coordinate System – North American Datum 1983 (GCS NAD83)
Angular Unit: Degree (0.017453292519943299)
Prime Meridian: Greenwich (0.000000000000000000)
Datum: D_North_American_1983
Spheroid: GRS_1980
Semi-major Axis: 6378137.000000000000000
Semi-minor Axis: 6356752.314140356100000000
Inverse Flattening: 298.257222101000020000

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Page 11

PART 4: CENSUS BUREAU GEOCODING
Geocoding is how the Census Bureau codes population to geographic entities. There are two
primary methods of geocoding used by the Census Bureau. Both of these involve coding an
address to a spatial polygon, but one uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, while
the other uses address ranges.

4.1

MAF Structure Point Geocoding

A field worker stands in front of a house or living quarters, and records the physical location with
a GPS device (Figure 5). Usually, the GPS point should fall very close to the front door of the
house. However, since GPS points were collected in the field, real-world obstacles like locked
fences, poor satellite reception, or even aggressive dogs might sometimes prevent the worker
from gaining access to the front door. In these circumstances, the worker may have to take the
GPS coordinate from the sidewalk or side of the road.

Figure 5. MSP Method of Geocoding

MAF Structure Point (MSP) method of geocoding. Notice that it is
occasionally not possible for the field worker to go all the way to the
front door, due to unforeseen circumstances, like the fence or the
dog shown above. Thus, the MSP (represented here by the red
pins) can sometimes fall within the road or the road right-of-way.

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4.2

Address Range Geocoding

When no MSP is available, the Census Bureau codes houses and living quarters according to a
potential range of addresses associated with the adjacent stretch of road (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Address Range Method of Geocoding

When it is not possible to collect an MSP, houses are geocoded
according to their placement along a range of potential addresses
along that road. Since the address has a relationship with the road,
boundaries placed on front lot lines will lead to mis-geocoding
unless an offset flag is used.
While the two methods of geocoding differ greatly, both rely heavily on the integrated nature of
MAF/TIGER. These geocoding methods are affected by the way streets and boundaries are
represented in relation to one another. This interdependence between streets, boundaries, and
geocoding means that Census Bureau representations of legal boundaries may sometimes
differ from other representations (e.g., in local or state GIS). This is especially true regarding
geographic corridors and offsets that follow road right of ways (or the front lot lines of parcels).
In both of the examples above, delineating a boundary along the front lot line will tend to
increase the risk of incorrect geocoding. As a result, using the road centerline as a boundary is
the safer method.

When completing a BAS submission in which a road or road right-of-way is owned or
maintained by a place but the adjacent housing is not, the respondent should use the
centerline of the road (not the front lot-line) as the boundary whenever possible. If local
or state law requires the use of the front lot line boundary, the respondent must explicitly
designate the polygon(s) between the road centerline and the front-lot boundary as a
corridor or an offset (see Section 5.4 and Section 5.5 of this document for more
details).
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Page 13

PART 5: UPDATING THE CENSUS BUREAU SHAPEFILES
Census Bureau shapefiles can be updated to reflect boundary and/or linear feature changes
that have occurred since the last BAS update. Please go to Appendix B and Appendix C and
watch the Digital BAS demonstration video series at for more examples.
Note: If there are problems with the processing of returned files, the Census Bureau will email a
feedback document requesting clarification of any issues. If the problem cannot be resolved before
the project deadline, the changes in question will not be made during the current BAS.

5.1

General File Setup Guidelines

After downloading the shapefiles from the PVS download page, follow these procedures before
beginning actual updates:
•
•
•

5.2

Open the downloaded .ZIP file to verify its contents.
Copy the shapefiles into a directory on a server/hard drive.
Open the shapefiles with GIS software.

Changing the Map Projection

Census Bureau files are in GCS NAD83 format and can be projected into any local coordinate
system/projection. Most GIS software packages will allow users to transform file coordinate
systems and projections. For example, if using ArcView to update files, activate and utilize
ArcView’s Projection Utility Wizard extension. If using ArcGIS, use its Project tool in
ArcToolbox. MAF/TIGER shapefile extracts contain defined projection information in the *.prj
file. ArcView and ArcGIS access the *.prj file for projection information so there is no need to
define these parameters before changing the file coordinate systems.
When updates are complete, participants may submit the boundary shapefile using any local
coordinate system/projection if the shapefile contains a .prj file or spatial reference materials
such as metadata.

5.3

Boundary Changes

In order to update MAF/TIGER, participants must create a separate change polygon layer for
each updated entity type (county, MCD, place). Please create change polygons in relation to the
current MAF/TIGER boundary.

Appendix B and Appendix C provide two examples for creating annexation,
deannexation, boundary correction, new incorporation, geographic corridor, and
geographic offset change polygons. Review any boundary change polygons before
submitting them (Section 5.8).
If you need additional shapefiles, please contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or
[email protected].

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Page 14

5.4

Annexations and Deannexations

The Census Bureau will accept annexations and deannexations from counties, MCDs, and
incorporated places. Each annexation or deannexation change polygon must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 2. The Census Bureau
will snap any annexation or deannexation to a MAF/TIGER feature when it exists within thirty
feet of that feature.
Note: Enter the name of the jurisdiction annexing or deannexing the area in the NAME field.
Table 2: Annexations and Deannexations
DOCU

AREA

NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

(Not
Required in
GA)

(Required
in GA)

Annexation

X(‘A’)

* See Note

Deannexation

X(‘D’)

* See Note

RELATE

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

Note: Area in acres is required for Georgia, and requested for all other areas.

5.5

Boundary Corrections

The Census Bureau will also accept specific boundary corrections from counties, MCDs, and
incorporated places. As with annexations and deannexations, the participant must create
individual change polygons for each boundary correction. Each boundary correction must also
have the required attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 3, or
the Census Bureau will reject them.
Note: Enter the name of the jurisdiction the boundary correction is for in the NAME field.
Table 3: Boundary Corrections

Boundary Correction
(Add Area)
Boundary Correction
(Remove Area)

NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

AREA

RELATE

X(‘B’)

X(‘IN’)

X(‘B’)

X(‘OUT’)

The Census Bureau uses a topologically integrated database. As a result, the Census Bureau
cannot process all types of boundary corrections for inclusion in MAF/TIGER. The following are
types of boundary corrections that the Census Bureau will accept, process, and update or reject
during the current BAS.

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The Census Bureau will accept and process properly documented boundary corrections during
the current BAS cycle that spatially interact with (abut) other BAS legal changes (annexation,
deannexation, corridor, offset) and meet both of the following two conditions:
•
•

In situations where the existing boundary has been digitized incorrectly or appears in the incorrect
location due to Census Bureau activities; and
Where the overall shape of the geographic entity is maintained and no feature-to-boundary
relationships are dissolved.

The Census Bureau will reject boundary corrections:
•
•

•
•

•

Along county boundaries unless there is a written agreement between the two counties that
documents the correct location of the boundary;
Between adjacent incorporated places or adjacent MCDs unless the county submitting the
changes is part of a consolidated county agreement or there is a written agreement between the
two incorporated places or MCDs;
That dissolves boundary-to-feature relationships (roads, rivers, railroads, etc.) if the difference is
less than thirty feet;
Which are greater than one square mile, or not contiguous with the rest of the entity boundary.
These boundary corrections may be part of annexations that were never reported to the Census
Bureau. If they are previously unreported boundary changes, please include effective dates and
legal documentation numbers for these changes; and
That have a width of less than thirty feet over the entire polygon.

Note: Remember that the Census Bureau will snap any entity boundary correction to a MAF/TIGER
feature when it exists within thirty feet of that feature.

5.6

New Incorporations

County participants may submit new incorporations for incorporated places and MCDs through
Digital BAS. As with other change types, an individual change polygon must be created for each
new incorporation and possess the required attributes and the corresponding change type field
must be populated (see Table 4).
Note: Enter the name of the new jurisdiction in the NAME field. For required documentation for new
incorporations, contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected].
Table 4: New Incorporations
NAME

CHNG_TYPE

New
X
X(‘E’)
Incorporation
(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

5.7

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

AREA

RELATE

Disincorporations

County participants may submit disincorporations through Digital BAS. As with other change
types, an individual change polygon for each disincorporation and must possess the required
attributes and the corresponding change type must be populated.

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Page 16

Table 5: Disincorporations

Disincorporation

NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

X(‘X’)

AREA

RELATE

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

5.8

Geographic Corridors

The Census Bureau geocodes addresses based on the street centerline. If the geocoding of
these addresses would result in the assignment of population to the incorrect geographic entity,
participants should create a geographic corridor.
A geographic corridor is an area that includes only the road right-of-way and does not contain
any structures addressed to either side of the street. Figure 7 shows a corridor created where
the incorporated place owns the right-of-way but the housing units are not included in the
incorporated place (shown in color).
Figure 8 shows that the right-of-way belongs in the unincorporated area, while the housing units
are included in the incorporated place (shown in color). This is important for some cities
because they are portraying that the city is not responsible for road maintenance. This is not
relevant for Census Bureau tabulations and is not easy to depict in the MAF/TIGER. This type of
corridor should not be included in a BAS response.

Figure 7. Geographic Corridor Created
Figure 8. Geographic Corridor Not Created

The image on the left (Figure 7) shows that a geographic corridor
should be created to allow for proper geocoding of homes. The
image on the right (Figure 8) shows that the geographic corridor
should not be created and features should be snapped to the street
centerline.
The Census Bureau will accept new geographic corridors. Please create individual change
polygons for each new geographic corridor. Each change polygon must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 6. In the NAME field,
enter the name of the jurisdiction. In the RELATE field, indicate whether the change is adding
IN or taking OUT (removing) the corridor.

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Table 6: Geographic Corridors

Geographic
Corridor

NAME

CHNG_TYPE

X(‘C’)

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

AREA

RELATE
X(’IN’, ‘OUT’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

5.9

Geographic Offsets

A geographic offset is an area claimed by a geographic entity that is only on one side of a road
and does not include structures addressed to that side of the road.
The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral
(parcel-based) right-of-way mapping. The Census Bureau bases their maps on spatial data that
is topologically integrated. This makes the maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient.
Snapping an entity boundary to the centerline wherever applicable will help to establish more
accurate population counts. If a boundary is the front lot line, the Census Bureau strongly
prefers that the boundary be snapped to the road. If a boundary is at the rear of a lot, then
please depict it as such. Figure 9 depicts a cadastral (parcel-based) boundary map and
Figure 10 shows how the boundary should be reported when sent to the Census Bureau.

Figure 9. Cadastral Data
Figure 10. Same Data Edited to Census Requirements

On the left in Figure 9 is an example of cadastral data. Figure 10
on the right, is the same area shown edited to conform to census
requirements.

The Census Bureau will accept new geographic offsets. Please create individual change
polygons for each new geographic offset. Each change polygon must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 7. In the NAME field,
enter the name of the jurisdiction. In the RELATE field, indicate whether the change is adding
IN or taking OUT (removing) the area represented as an offset.

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Table 7: Geographic Offsets

Geographic
Offset

NAME

CHNG_TYPE

X(‘F’)

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

AREA

RELATE
X (’IN’,
‘OUT’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

The Census Bureau has included an “offset” shapefile in the BAS materials
(PVS_yy_v2_offset_.shp), so that your jurisdiction can be checked for any existing
corridors or offsets. While the Census Bureau prefers that you do not create new offsets, (see
above), this information can be helpful in determining if current boundaries are correct.

5.10

Linear Feature Updates

5.10.1 Adding, Deleting, Renaming, and Recoding Linear Features
The Census Bureau will accept linear feature modifications when needed. Please submit linear
feature updates in a separate linear feature update layer. Each linear feature update must have
the required attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 8. In the
TLID field, preserve the existing TLID for the feature.
Table 8: Linear Feature Updates
CHNG_TYPE

TLID

Add Feature

X(‘AL’)

Delete Feature

X(‘DL’)

Rename Feature

X(‘CA’)

Recode Feature

X(‘CA’)

FULLNAME

MTFCC

X
X

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

Note: A list of MTFCC codes can be found in Appendix B.

5.10.2 Linear Feature Update Guidelines
•
•
•

If a road, subdivision, etc. is missing from the Census Bureau’s feature network, add the
feature(s) and provide the name and MTFC;
If a feature that does not exist is in the Census Bureau’s feature network, delete the feature; and
If a feature is in the incorrect location in the Census Bureau’s feature network, delete the feature
and re-add it in the correct location. Only do this if the feature is very far off or in the wrong
position relative to boundaries or other features.

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5.10.3 Address Range Updates
The Census Bureau accepts address range data as part of the linear feature update layer. As
with other linear feature updates, address ranges must have the required attributes and
corresponding change type populated. As existing address ranges cannot be shown in our
outgoing shapefiles, we recommend that participants generally only add address ranges to new
features (see Table 9).
Table 9. Address Ranges
CHNG_TYPE

Address
Ranges

FULLNAME

X(‘CA’)

MTFCC

LTOADD

RTOADD

LFROMADD

RFROMADD

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

5.11

Area Landmarks, Hydro Areas, and Point Landmarks

5.11.1

Area Landmark/Hydro Area Updates

The Census Bureau accepts updates to area landmarks and hydro areas in a similar manner to
legal boundary changes. However, area landmarks and hydro areas are not legal entities, so no
documentation or effective dates are required.
In order to submit area landmark and hydro area updates, create a separate change polygon
layer. Updates to area landmarks and hydro areas include:
•
•
•
•

Boundary corrections (adding and removing area);
Creating a new area landmark or hydro area;
Removing an area landmark or hydro area; and
Name changes.

Figure 11. A Boundary Correction to Park A

Each area landmark or hydro area update must have the required attributes and corresponding
change type populated. In the AREAID field, preserve the existing AREAID for the feature (refer
to Table 10).
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Table 10: Landmarks and Hydro Areas

Boundary Correction
(Add Area)
Boundary Correction
(Remove Area)

FULLNAME

CHNG_TYPE

RELATE

X(‘B’)

X(‘IN’)

X(‘B’)

X(‘OUT’)

Delete Landmark

MTFCC

X
X
X

X(‘D’)

Change Landmark Name

X(‘G’)

New Landmark

X(‘E’)

AREAID

X
X

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

The examples in Appendix B and Appendix C provide information on how to create change
polygons. While the sample processes are written for legal boundary changes, the same
methods apply for creating change polygons for area landmarks and hydro areas. When adding
new area landmarks or hydro areas, only add the following types of areas:

•
•
•
•
•
•

Water bodies;
Glaciers;
Airports;
Cemeteries;
Golf courses; and
Parks.

The Census Bureau cannot add other types of areas at this time (although some may already
exist in MAF/TIGER). The following are acceptable MTFCC codes for new area landmarks or
hydro areas:
Table 11: Area Landmark MTFCC Codes
MTFCC

Description

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051
H2081
C3023
K1231
K1235
K1236
K1237
K2110
K2180
K2181
K2182
K2183
K2184
K2185

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MTFCC

Description

K2186
K2187
K2188
K2189
K2190
K2424
K2540
K2457
K2561
K2582

County Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
County Subdivision Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public, independent park, commission, etc.)
Marina
University or College
Airport – Area Representation
Golf Course
Cemetery

The Census Bureau prioritizes boundary changes to legal areas in order to meet ACS, PEP,
and BAS deadlines. Therefore, there may be delays in incorporating area landmark and
hydrographic area changes to MAF/TIGER. Please do not resubmit any changes that were sent
during the previous year’s BAS. We are working on incorporating those changes, and they will
be reflected in the next year’s BAS materials.

5.11.2

Point Landmark Updates

The Census Bureau accepts updates to point landmarks. Please submit point landmark updates
as a separate point landmark update layer. Updates to point landmarks include:
•
•
•

Adding a new point landmark;
Deleting an existing point landmark; and
Renaming a point landmark.

Each point landmark update must have the required attributes and corresponding change type
populated. In the POINTID field, preserve the existing POINTID for the feature.
Table 12: Point Landmarks

New Point Landmark
Delete Point Landmark
Change Name

FULLNAME

CHNG_TYPE

MTFCC

X(‘E’)
X(‘D’)
X(‘G’)

POINTID
X
X

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

The Census Bureau cannot make the following point landmark changes due to Title 13 privacy
concerns. Do not include any of the following types of landmarks in the point landmark changes
file.

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Table 13: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCC Codes
MTFCC
K1100
K1121
K1122
K1223
K1226
K1227
K1228
K1229
K1232
K1233
K1234
K1235
K1241
K1251
K1299
K2100
K2197
K2300
K2361
K2362
K2363
K2364
K2366
K2464
K2500
K2564

Description
Housing Unit Location
Apartment Building or Complex
Rooming or Boarding House
Trailer Court or Mobile Home Park
Housing Facility/Dormitory for Workers
Hotel, Motel, Resort, Spa, Hostel, YMCA, or YWCA
Campground
Shelter or Mission
Halfway House/Group Home
Nursing Home, Retirement Home, or Home for the Aged
County Home or Poor Farm
Juvenile Institution
Sorority, Fraternity, or College Dormitory
Military Group Quarters
Other Group Quarters Location
Governmental
Mixed Use/Other Non-residential
Commercial Workplace
Shopping Center or Major Retail Center
Industrial Building or Industrial Park
Office Building or Office Park
Farm/Vineyard/Winery/Orchard
Other Employment Center
Marina
Other Workplace
Amusement Center

The Census Bureau also cannot delete or modify any point landmarks imported from the USGS
GNIS database. Changes submitted for the following types of landmarks may be left
unchanged:
•
•
•
•
•

K2451 (Airport);
K2582 (Cemetery);
C3022 (Summit or Pillar);
C3081 (Locale or Populated Place); and
C3061 (Cul-de-sacs).

The Census Bureau prioritizes boundary changes to legal areas in order to meet ACS, PEP,
and BAS deadlines. Therefore, there may be delays in incorporating point landmark changes to
MAF/TIGER. Please do not resubmit any changes that were sent during the previous year’s
BAS. We are working on incorporating those changes, and they will be reflected in the next
year’s BAS materials.

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5.12

Reviewing Changes to the Census Bureau Shapefiles

Please review all changes to ensure that they are intentional and correct. The video series
“Introduction to the Digital BAS” can be found on the Web site at:
. The videos have
information on many of the topics below.

5.12.1

Boundary-to-Feature Relationships

Please review all changes to ensure that the correct boundary-to-feature relationships are being
created or maintained. The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal
boundaries on cadastral (parcel-based) right-of-way mapping; however, the Census Bureau
bases maps on spatial data that is topologically integrated. Therefore, snap boundaries to street
centerlines (or rivers, railroads, etc.) wherever applicable. This will help establish a more
accurate population count for entities.
The following examples show situations where boundary changes should be snapped to
existing linear features. The Census Bureau will snap boundary changes to any linear feature
within thirty feet.

Figure 12. Boundary Corrections Not Snapped to Existing Linear Features

These boundary corrections are not snapped to existing linear
features in MAF/TIGER. Both boundary corrections should be
snapped to centerlines or population may be assigned to incorrect
entities.

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Figure 13. Annexation Created without Snapping to Centerlines

This is an example of an annexation created without snapping to
existing centerlines in MAF/TIGER. Unless the boundary is
snapped to centerlines, some of the population may be assigned to
an incorrect entity.
The Census Bureau will not accept boundary corrections that dissolve the current relationship
between an existing boundary and linear feature, without specific instruction that the relationship
is incorrect. The Census Bureau will not incorporate any boundary corrections that create thirty
feet or less of gap or overlap between the existing linear feature and boundary into MAF/TIGER.
See below for examples of changes that will not be accepted.

Figure 14. Small Saptial Correction Not Incorporated

Small spatial boundary corrections would dissolve the relationship
with the river. These boundary corrections will not be incorporated
into MAF/TIGER.

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Figure 15. Small Spatial Correction Not Accepted

Small spatial boundary corrections would dissolve the boundary-tofeature relationship with multiple streets. Incorporating these
changes would affect the population counts for the area. Therefore,
the Census Bureau will not accept these small boundary
corrections.

5.12.2

Large Boundary Corrections

The Census Bureau will not accept large boundary corrections to an entity without the
appropriate legal documentation numbers and effective dates. These large boundary
corrections may be legal boundary changes that occurred in the past and were never reported
to the Census Bureau. Please submit the appropriate legal documentation number and effective
date so that the changes may be incorporated into MAF/TIGER.

Figure 16. Large Boundary Corrections

Without the appropriate documentation, the Census Bureau will not
accept large boundary corrections.

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Note: There may be a few instances when large boundary corrections need to be made because of
incorrect digitizing or where the boundary appears in the incorrect location due to other Census
Bureau activities.

5.12.3

Including Required Attribute Information

It is important to review each change polygon and confirm that the correct attribute information
is included. Without the correct attribute information, the Census Bureau will be unable to
process and incorporate the changes into MAF/TIGER. See Section 5.3 for the required
attribute information and corresponding change type codes.

5.12.4

Including Appropriate Metadata (Projection Information)

It is important that the appropriate projection information is included. Each update layer
submitted should contain a *.prj file so that the Census Bureau can convert the projection back
to GCS_NAD83. If the GIS being used cannot create a *.prj file, include the projection
information in metadata. This is critical for the Census Bureau to be able to process the file and
incorporate the updates into MAF/TIGER.

5.12.5

Linear Feature Updates

Please review linear feature changes to ensure that they align with the features currently in
MAF/TIGER.
If linear feature changes do not align with current MAF/TIGER linear features, the Census
Bureau may not incorporate the submitted updates.

Figure 17. New Road Features, Not Added to Existing Road
Figure 18. New Road Features, Correctly Added

The image on the left (Figure 18) shows new road features added
to the existing feature network, but not connected to existing road
features. The image on the right (Figure 19) shows the correction
connecting the new roads to the existing road features.

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5.13

Additional Review Information

The Census Bureau will not make any boundary change that affects adjacent legal entities
without the appropriate documentation. Please review any change polygons that affect adjacent
entities to determine if they are intentional, legal changes.
Note: Census Bureau will snap any annexation, deannexation, or boundary correction to a MAF/TIGER
feature when it exists within thirty feet of that feature. This helps maintain the boundary-to-feature
relationships in MAF/TIGER and will ensure correct housing tabulation counts for entities.

5.13.1

Submitting Digital Data

If a participant is reporting changes to the BAS, the Census Bureau requires that each
participant submit at least one shapefile (change polygons). The total number of layers
submitted depends on what types of changes are reported. The following is a list of change files
that may need to be submitted:
Change Polygon Layers (County, Minor Civil Division, Incorporated Place, and Consolidated
City)
•
•

These layers consist of the changes that the Census Bureau needs to make to entities; and
A layer of change polygons should be created for each level of geography (county, MCD,
place, etc.) that changes are being submitted for.
Whole Modified Entity Layer (County, Minor Civil Division, Incorporated Place, and
Consolidated City)

•

These layers should only contain the complete and current boundary for the entity being
updated; and
• A whole entity layer should be created for each level of geography that change polygons are
being created for.
Local Government Feature Network and Boundary Layers (optional)
•

These layers will help the Census Bureau resolve any questionable change polygons and
establish the correct boundary-to-feature relationships.
Feature Update Layer (only if there are feature (road, river, railroad, etc.) additions, deletions,
name changes, recodes, or address range updates)

• Include a linear feature update layer with only feature segments requiring a correction.
Area/Hydro Landmark Update Layer
•

An area/hydro landmark update layer should be submitted only if there are area and/or hydro
landmark updates.
Point Landmark Update Layer

•

A point area landmark update layer should be submitted only if there are point landmark
updates.
BAS Contact Text File (if the BAS point of contact (the person that receives the BAS Annual
Response Email) has changed);

•
•

This can be updated online at:
; and
This update should include this information:
o

First Name;

Last Name;

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5.13.2

Department;

Position;

Shipping Address;

City;

State;

ZIP Code;

Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx;

FAX: xxx-xxx-xxxx;

Email;

HEO Term Expires: xx/xxxx; and

HEO Term Length: x years.

Change Polygon Naming Conventions

The following table provides change polygon naming conventions for county submissions,
county subdivisions, incorporated places, and consolidated cities. The change polygon layer
naming conventions: represents your BAS entity ID, found on the BAS Annual
Response email or online from this link: .
Table 14: Change Polygons
Participant

Changes Submitted For:

Shape file Naming Conventions

County

bas18__changes_county

County

Minor Civil Division

bas18__changes_cousub

County

Incorporated Place

bas18__changes_incplace

Minor Civil Division

bas18__changes_cousub

Incorporated Place

bas18__changes_incplace

Consolidated City

bas18__changes_concity

5.13.3

Whole Entity Polygon Naming Conventions

The following table provides the whole entity polygon naming conventions for consolidated
county submissions, county subdivisions, incorporated places, and consolidated cities. The
whole entity polygon layer naming conventions: represents your BAS entity ID, found
on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link: .
Table 15: Whole Entity Polygons
Participant:

Changes Submitted For:

Shapefile Naming Conventions

County

bas18__WholeEntity_county

County

Minor Civil Division

bas18__WholeEntity_cousub

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Participant:

Changes Submitted For:

Shapefile Naming Conventions

County

Incorporated Place

bas18__WholeEntity_incplace

Minor Civil Division

bas18__WholeEntity_cousub

Incorporated Place

bas18__WholeEntity_incplace

Consolidated City

bas18__WholeEntity_concity

5.13.4

Linear Feature, Area Landmark/Hydro Area, and Point Landmark
Updates

The following table provides the update layer naming conventions for the edges, area landmark,
and point landmark update layers (not required). The naming conventions for the edges, area
landmark, and point landmark update layers: represents your BAS entity ID found on
the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link: .
Table 16: Optional Files
Participant:

Changes Submitted For:

Shapefile Naming Conventions

All Participants

Edges

bas18__LN_Changes

All Participants

Area / Hydro Landmarks

bas18__Alndk_Changes

All Participants

Point Landmarks

bas18__Plndk_Changes

5.13.5

Compressing the Digital Files

The SWIM requires all BAS returns to be zipped prior to submission. Please compress ALL
update materials (including change polygon shapefiles, whole entity shapefiles, linear feature
updates, landmark updates, local government feature network and boundary layers, and the text
or other file with your updated BAS contact information).
Navigate to the directory with the shapefiles.
Note: Centerline files or any additional information that may be helpful for Census to process your file is
optional. One example where this would be helpful is if a particular polygon was not snapped to a
river or road because the boundary does not follow the river or road.
Select all files and right click on the selection.
Select WinZip, and then Add to Zip file.

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Figure 19. Selecting and Zipping Return Files
Note: Versions of WinZip may vary so the interface may be slightly different. Software other than WinZip
(e.g., 7zip) may be used to zip the return files.

In the Add window, in the Add to archive field, type the filename in the proper naming
convention: bas__return and then click Add.

Note: Look for the basID number on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link:
.

Figure 20. Naming the Zip File

Check the folder where the zip file was saved to verify that it was created properly. If the zip file
is correct, then the return file is ready for submission.

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Note: If you require assistance in preparing or zipping the BAS return files, please call the Census
Bureau at 1-800-972-5651.

5.13.6

Submitting Digital Files via SWIM

The Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) is a one-stop location for submitting your geographic
program files to the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau now requires that all BAS participants
use the Census Bureau’s SWIM for submitting update materials.
Do not send your submission as an email attachment, as we cannot accept them due to the
security policy at the Census Bureau.
The Census Bureau will email the BAS contact a SWIM registration token and digital
submission instructions five days after the BAS contact responds to the BAS Annual Response
indicating that they have changes to report. To respond online, please fill out the online form at
. The five-day waiting period
will give the Census Bureau staff time to update the BAS contact record if necessary so that the
email reaches the right person.
Current SWIM Users
If you are a participant in another Census Bureau partnership program, or participated in a previous
BAS year, and already have a SWIM account, you may use your current account to submit files for the
BAS. You do not need to set up a new account.

This token is good for one personal account within the SWIM. Once you have registered for an
account in SWIM, you will no longer need the token to login into the system. If you require
additional individual SWIM accounts within your organization, please contact the Census
Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or email [email protected]. Moreover, if you are a participant for
other Census Bureau geographic programs, you only need one SWIM account to submit files for
all geographic programs.
At this time, SWIM only accepts ZIP files. Please zip all your update materials (e.g., spatial
updates and other relevant update documents) into one ZIP file for your entity’s submission, and
follow the instructions listed below:
In a web browser, go to .
Login:
a) New Users: You must have a registration token to create a new account. (Please see above).
Once you have your token, please sign-up by clicking the ‘Register Account’ button.
Registration is self-serve, but does require the new user to enter a registration token to
validate their rights to the system.
b) Existing Users: If you already have a registered account from a previous BAS year, please
login with your user credentials.

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Figure 21. SWIM Account Registration

Figure 22. SWIM Login Window

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If you have submitted files before, the SWIM lists them on the startup screen upon login. Click
'Start New Upload' to continue.

Figure 23. Welcome Screen with Upload History
On the next screen, select the “Boundary Annexation Survey (BAS) option as the geographic
partnership program, and click ‘Next’ to continue.

Figure 24. Geographic Partnership Program Selection Window

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On this screen, you will select a geographic level. This is the geography type of your agency
(e.g., if you are a county government submitting data, select county. If an incorporated place,
then select place...etc.). Click 'Next' to continue.

Figure 25. Geographic Level Selection Window
Use the drop-down selectors to find the name of your geographic entity. These options
dynamically update based on the geography type selected from the previous screen. Click ‘Next’
to continue.

Figure 26. Geographic Entity Selection Window

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On the file upload screen, please click on the ‘+ Add file', and a file browser dialog will appear.

Figure 27. File Upload Screen
In the file browser dialog box, select the ZIP file you would like to upload. Please be aware that
the SWIM Web site only accepts ZIP files. Click 'Open' to continue.

Figure 28. File Browser Dialog Box

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At this time, you may enter any comments that you wish to include with your file. Click 'Next' to
upload your submission.

Figure 29. Entering Comments into the File Upload Window

The final screen will be a ‘Thank You’ screen confirming receipt of your file submission. If you do
not see this screen, or you encounter any issues during this upload process, please contact the
Census Bureau.

Figure 30. Thank You Screen

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5.13.7

Additional Information

The Census Bureau recommends using Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
codes to identify entities such as counties, minor civil divisions, and incorporated places. Using
a standard coding scheme facilitates the digital exchange of data.
The Census Bureau includes these codes are in the BAS shapefiles. Online, you can find the
codes at . If there are any questions
or problems, contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected].
Due to limited staff, the Census Bureau may not be able to make all updates this year. The
Census Bureau will prioritize updates in the following order: legal changes, boundary
corrections, linear feature changes, and landmark changes. The earlier the Census Bureau
receives a submission, the greater the chance that the Census Bureau will be able to make all
of the updates. Only submit changes that occurred on or before January 1, 2018. The Census
Bureau will not be able to make any updates effective after this date until next year’s BAS.

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APPENDICES

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DATA DICTIONARY
Table 17: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUNTYNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county or equivalent feature

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD code

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description code

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

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Table 18: County Subdivisions Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUSUBFP

String

FIPS 55 county subdivision code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

COUSUBNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county subdivision

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

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Table 19: Incorporated Place Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

PLACEFP

String

FIPS 55 place code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

String

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing and entity

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

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Table 20: Consolidated City Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

CONCITYFP

String

FIPS 55 place code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

String

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Acreage of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

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Table 21: Edges Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

TLID

Double

Permanent edge ID

TFIDL

Double

Permanent face ID (left)

TFIDR

Double

Permanent face ID (right)

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FIDELITY

String

Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary
has changed through spatial enhancement

FULLNAME

String

Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier,
direction, and feature type

SMID

String

Spatial Theta ID

SMIDTYPE

String

SMIDTYPE code

BBSPFLG

String

Redistricting data project participant’s submitted request
of an EDGE for selection as a block boundary

CBBFLG

String

Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a
block boundary

BBSP_2020

String

New BBSP flag

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of linear feature update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

LTOADD

String

Left To address

RTOADD

String

Right To address

LFROMADD

String

Left From address

RFROMADD

String

Right From address

ZIPL

String

Left zip code

ZIPR

String

Right zip code

EXTTYP

Char

Extension type

MTUPDATE

Date

Date of last update to the edge

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Table 22: Area Landmark Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Area landmark name

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

AREAID

String

Object ID

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for area landmarks

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area landmark update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

BAG

String

Block area grouping

Table 23: Hydro Area Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for hydrography area

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Hydro landmark name

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of hydro area update

HYDROID

String

Object ID

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

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Table 24: Point Landmark Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

POINTID

String

Object ID

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for point landmarks

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Point landmark name

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of point landmark update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

Table 25: Geographic Offset Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

TFID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

OFFSET

String

Geographic Offset / Corridor Flag

ADDEXCLUDE

String

Address Exclusion Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

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2018 DIGITAL BAS EXAMPLE PROCESS 1
B.1

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles

When downloading shapefiles for the 2018 BAS, shapefiles will begin with the prefix
(e.g., PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp). Throughout this guide, Census Bureau uses the
prefix of bas_2018, but the PVS files are exactly the same.
Copy the data to a hard drive/server, and unzip the data to ensure that the correct data was
downloaded. For an incorporated place, these layers are critical:
•
•

PVS_18_v2_place_.shp
PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state code and three-digit county code.

The shapefiles should include the home county/counties as well as all adjacent counties
(if necessary).
Note: The Census Bureau suggests that participants make an extra copy of the data as an emergency
backup.

B.2

Local Data

The minimum data necessary is a jurisdiction polygon shapefile showing only the outer
boundary or boundaries. Local parcel files are not acceptable for this method. If each
jurisdiction’s boundaries are contiguous, the file should contain only one polygon for each entity;
if some of the entities within the jurisdiction are non-contiguous, they may be saved as a multipart polygon or consist of one polygon for each disjointed part. Other local data layers that may
be helpful if available include centerline data, hydrological, railroad, or other linear feature data,
and imagery.

B.3

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS

The following are suggestions for symbolizing Census data in ArcGIS. For the Edges layer,
symbolize the linear features by grouping like MTFCC codes (codes sharing the same first
character). See Table 26.
Table 26: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization
MTFCC 1st Character

Linear Feature Type

Hydrology

Non-Visible Feature (boundary)

Railroad

Road

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Symbol

Page B-1

B.3.1 Symbolizing Geographic Areas
Symbolize the place layer using Fill Color of RGB (255, 235, 190) with no outline.
Note: County participants with many adjacent incorporated places may want to use different colors to
distinguish one place from another.

Figure 31. Suggested Map Symbolization

B.4

Extracting Incorporated Place or MCD Data from Census
Shapefiles

Note: County participants submitting county boundary changes can skip this step. Use the
PVS_yy_v2_county_ shapefile which only contains the county boundary. Counties
submitting for multiple incorporated places or MCDs skip ahead to Section B.4.3.

B.4.1.

Filtering the Data
In ArcMap, click Selection and then click Select by Attributes.
In the Select By Attributes window:
•
•
•
•
•
•

From the Layer dropdown, select PVS_yy_v2_{place|mcd}_.
Double click “NAME”
Left click the = button
Click the Get Unique Values button
In the list, locate and double click the name of the entity (It will appear in the formula).
Click OK

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Figure 32. Filtering Data

B.4.2.

Exporting the Data to a New Shapefile
In the Table of Contents, right click the Incorporated Place or MCD layer, select Data, and then
click Export Data.
In the Export Data window:
•
•
•

From the Export dropdown, choose Selected Features.
In the Output feature class field, enter a location to save the shapefile.
Click OK.

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Figure 33. Export Data Window
Note: If the incorporated place spans more than one county, it will need to be exported from each
county’s place shapefile and merged. Follow the instructions in Section B.4.3 if the incorporated
place needs to merge, otherwise skip to Section B.6.

B.4.3.

Merging Multipart Place Data
In ArcToolbox, double-click Data Management Tools, then double-click General, and then
double-click Merge.
In the Merge window:
•

Next to the Input Datasets field, click the arrow and select each layer. (Or use the Browse
button to the right of the field to find the layers.)

•

In the Output Dataset field, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

•

Name the shapefile Export_Output_Final or Merged, or anything easy to find/remember.

Click OK.

Figure 34. Finalizing the Merge Process

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B.5

Creating Change Polygons Using Symmetrical Difference

Note: If you do not have an ArcInfo license, you may have to use the Union operation rather than the
Symmetrical Difference operation. See Section B.6 if this is the case.
1. In ArcToolbox, double-click Analysis Tools, then double-click Overlay, and then double-click
Symmetrical Difference.
2. In the Symmetrical Difference window:

•

In the Input Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select the layer created in
Section 4.

•

In the Update Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select the local government
boundary layer (your data).

•

In the Output Feature Class field, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.

Name the shapefile Differences_between_BAS_local, Differences1, or anything easy to
find/remember.

Click OK.

Figure 35. Finalizing the Symmetrical Difference Process

Note: This process creates a layer that contains all of the differences between Census Bureau and local
boundaries. However, the Symmetrical Difference tool creates multipart polygons that need to be
broken up and individually coded.
3. Turn on Editing (using the Editing dropdown in the Editor toolbar). Select all of the records in the
layer that was created in the Symmetrical Difference step.
4. On the Advanced Editing toolbar, click the Explode tool
separate record for each change.

. The layer will now contain a

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The created layer shows individual change polygons representing the differences
between the Census Bureau and local government entity boundaries. Please review
these differences and code them appropriately.
Skip to Section B.7, Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons.

B.6

Creating Change Polygons Using Union

Note: Use this method if you are a county reporting for incorporated places or MCDs. Also, use this
method if you do not have an ArcInfo license.
1. In ArcToolbox, double-click Analysis Tools, then double-click Overlay, and then double-click
Union.
2. In the Union window:
•
•

In the Input Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select
PVS_yy_v2_{place|mcd}_, and the local incorporated place or MCD layer.
In the Output Feature Class, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

•

Name the shapefile Export_Output_union, or Union, or anything easy to find/remember.

Click OK.

Figure 36. Finalizing the Union Process

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Page B-6

The union operation will create records that contain differences as well as areas that are
in common between the Census Bureau and local government boundary layers.
The next step is selecting and deleting the areas in common between the Census
Bureau and local government boundary layers.
3. On the Editor toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.
4. If a Start Editing window opens, in the top pane, click to highlight the union shapefile, and then
click OK.

Figure 37. Locating the Union Shapefile
5. In ArcMap, in the Tools toolbar, click the Select Features

button.

•

Locate features on the map that the Census Bureau and the local government layers have in
common.

•

Select each feature individually, or click and hold the left mouse button and drag a box to
highlight the common features.

•

Press Delete.

•

Repeat these steps until only the features that have changed are left in the map.

6. Once all of the areas in common have been removed from the union shapefile, on the Editor
toolbar, click Editor, and then click Save Edits.
7. Select all of the remaining records in the layer that was created in the Union step.

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8. On the Advanced Editing toolbar, click the Explode tool
separate record for each change.

. The layer will now contain a

The new layer shows individual change polygons representing the differences between the
Census Bureau and the local government’s representation of the boundaries. Please review
these differences make sure they are coded appropriately. Continue to the next section for
instructions on reviewing and coding change polygons.

B.7

Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons

After the individual change polygons have been created, each must be reviewed and
appropriately coded. When reviewing the polygons, please refer to Section 5.3 in the main part
of this guide to look for polygons that should be deleted from your submission, as well as those
that should be snapped to nearby visible features to maintain boundary-to-feature relationships.

B.7.1

Examples

These examples show very small sliver polygons that should be deleted during review as they
eliminate boundary-to-feature relationships with a river (left) and a road (right). Furthermore,
these boundary corrections also are not located near legal changes or corridor/offset changes
(type ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘F’), so they should be removed from consideration.

Figure 38. Small Slivers That Should Be Deleted

These examples show polygons that should be snapped to rivers (left) or roads (right)

Figure 39. Polygons That Should Be Snapped to Roads or Rivers

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Page B-8

B.7.2

Attribute Information

Note: All updates MUST be attributed.

To begin updating attributes

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.

Annexations

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an annexation.
o
o

button and select the annexation polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for an annexation is A.

Deannexations

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a deannexation.
o
o

button and select the deannexation polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for an annexation is D.

Corridors

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a corridor.
o
o
o

button and select the corridor polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for a corridor changes is C.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding corridor area to the place or OUT if
the change is removing corridor area.

Offsets

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an offset.
o
o
o

button and select the offset polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for an offset change is F.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding offset area to the place or OUT if the
change is removing offset area.

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Boundary Corrections

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool
polygon.

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a boundary correction:
o
o
o

button and select the boundary correction

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for a boundary correction is B.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the boundary correction is adding area or OUT if the
boundary correction is removing area.

Note: If a county is reporting for adjacent incorporated places or MCDs, and a boundary correction to
one entity affects another, use RELATE = IN and NAME = . This is due to
the fact that RELATE = OUT leaves a question as to whether or not there should be a gap
between the two entities.

To finish updating attributes

•

B.8

Once all of the attribute changes have been made, in the ArcMap menu, click Editor, and then
click Stop Editing. (In the Save window, click Yes.)

Renaming and Finalizing Change Polygons

Renaming the shapefile

After creating and coding all change polygons, please rename the change polygon
layer prior to its submission to the Census Bureau. You must complete this
process for each level of geography (county, place, MCD) that has changes.

1. In ArcMap, open the ArcCatalog

tab.

2. In ArcCatalog, navigate to shapefile, right-click and select Rename.
3. Save the output shapefile in the proper naming convention:
bas18__changes_.
Note: You can find the basID numbers on the BAS Annual Response Email or online from this link:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/technical-documentation/code-lists.html
Note: See Section 5.13.5 for instructions on zipping updates.

Submitting the shapefile
The Census Bureau requires participants submit BAS return zip files using the Census
Bureau’s SWIM site. Please submit only the zip file. The SWIM is located at
https://respond.census.gov/swim. For instructions on how to use SWIM, you can find them in
Section 5.13.6 Submitting Digital Files via SWIM of the respondent guide.

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2018 DIGITAL EXAMPLE PROCESS 2
Note: This example uses an incorporated place. An MCD, county, or county reporting for incorporated
places and MCDs may use the same process.

C.1
•

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles
When downloading shapefiles for the 2018 BAS, shapefiles will begin with the prefix PVS
(e.g., PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp).

Copy the data to a hard drive/server, and unzip the data to ensure that the correct data was
downloaded. For an incorporated place, these layers are critical:

•
•

PVS_18_v2_place_.shp
PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state code and three-digit county code.

The shapefiles should include the home county/counties as well as all adjacent counties.

Note: The Census Bureau suggests that participants make an extra copy of the data as an emergency
backup. Contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected] with any
questions.

C.2

Local Data

The minimum data necessary is a shapefile showing your jurisdiction boundary or annexations
and deannexations. Other local data layers that may be helpful (if available) include centerline
data, hydrological, railroad, or other linear feature data, and imagery.

C.3

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS

The following are suggestions for symbolizing Census Bureau data in ArcGIS. For the
Edges layer, symbolize the linear features by grouping like MTFCC codes (codes sharing
the same first character). See Table 27.
Table 27: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization
MTFCC 1st Character…

Linear Feature Type

Hydrology

Non-Visible Feature (boundary)

Railroad

Road

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Symbol

Page C-1

Symbolizing Geographic Areas
Symbolize the place layer using Fill Color of RGB (255,235,190) with no outline.
Note: County participants with many adjacent incorporated places may want to use different colors to
distinguish one place from another.

Figure 40. Suggested Map Symbolization

C.4

Creating and Splitting Linear Features

C.4.1

Creating New Linear features

Some of the linear features needed to create change polygons may not exist in MAF/TIGER. It
may be necessary to create and split lines when forming changes. The existing and newly
created linear features will then be selected to define the boundary changes.
1. In ArcMap, right click the edges layer in the Table of Contents, click Selection, and then click
Make This The Only Selectable Layer, so that the edges layer is the only layer that can be
selected while editing.
2. In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.
3. In the Create Features window, highlight a non-visible boundary symbolization under the edges
layer: PVS_18_v2_edges_.

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Figure 41. Create Features Window
4. In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Snapping, then Snapping Toolbar.
5. On the snapping toolbar, ensure that Point, Vertex, Edge, and End Snapping are all enabled.
Drop down the Snapping menu, and ensure that Use Snapping is checked. Snapping will ensure
that newly created lines will follow existing MAF/TIGER linear features.

Figure 42. Snapping Toolbar
6. For any new boundary lines that do not follow existing edges, ensure that Line is suggested in
the Construction Tools pane (see Figure 41), and in the Editor toolbar, click the Straight
Segment Tool
button and draw new features on the map by clicking to create a line. Single
clicking will add vertexes to the line, and double-clicking will end the line and create the new
feature. Any new feature(s) will be highlighted.

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Page C-3

Figure 43. A Newly Created Linear Feature

C.4.2

Adding Attribute Data To New Linear Features

After creating new linear features:
1. In the Editor toolbar, click the Attributes

button.

2. In the Attributes window, in the MTFCC field, add the appropriate MTFCC code (it should default
to P0001, but can be changed if necessary).
•
•

Use P0001 if the feature is a non-visible political boundary.
If the feature is visible, see Appendix D for the appropriate codes.

Note: Each new feature must have an MTFCC code. If larger scale linear feature changes are going to
be submitted, it is best to create those in a separate layer.
Note: Click on Editor and then click Save Edits often so that work is not lost.
3. Once all lines are added, in the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Stop Editing (In the
Save window, click Yes.)

C.4.3

Splitting Linear Features

1. In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.
2. In the Editor toolbar, click the Edit Tool
button and select a linear feature that needs to be
split. The line will be highlighted when it is selected.
3. In the Editor toolbar, click the Split Tool

button. Click the line where it needs to be split.

The following examples display why it may be necessary to split lines when creating change
polygons.
The desired boundary change is indicated below. When selecting the lines to form the boundary
change, sections of the linear features that are not a part of the boundary update are included
(highlighted in blue).

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Figure 44. Linear Feature Selection Before Being Split

The existing linear features can be split to prevent unwanted line segments from being selected
as part of the boundary update.

Figure 45. Linear Feature Selection After Being Split
4. Once all necessary splits are made, in the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Save Edits.

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C.4.4

Selecting Lines and Creating Change Polygons

After creating and/or splitting any necessary linear features, select those that will be used to
form change polygons. Each change polygon must be created and coded separately.
Creating change polygons
1. If the Topology toolbar is not active, click the Customize menu, select Toolbars, and then select
Topology to activate it.
2. In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.
3. In the Create Features window, switch the highlighted feature to the place layer:
PVS_yy_v2_place_.
4. In the Editor toolbar, click the Edit Tool
button and select the linear features that comprise
the boundary of a change polygon (i.e. an annexation, deannexation, or incorrect area) by holding
the Shift key while clicking each linear feature segment.

Figure 46. Selecting the Linear Features of a Change Polygon
5. On the Topology toolbar, click the Construct Features
•

button.

In the Construct Features dialog box, click OK (the default Cluster Tolerance is
acceptable).

The polygon is now part of the incorporated place layer; however, it will not have any associated
attribute values (see the next section).

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Page C-6

Figure 47. Newly Created Place Feature

C.4.5

Attributing Change Polygons

After creating the change polygons, each must be correctly attributed so that the boundaries
can be appropriately updated in MAF/TIGER. Another option is to update the attributes for each
change polygon after creating all boundary changes. The following steps explain which
attributes are mandated for each type of boundary change.
Note: All updates MUST be attributed.

To begin updating attributes

•
•

In ArcMap, right click the place layer in the Table of Contents, click Selection, and then click
Make This The Only Selectable Layer, so that the place layer is the only layer that can be
selected while editing.
On the Editor Toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.

Annexations

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an annexation.

button and select the annexation polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an annexation is A.

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Deannexations
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes

•

In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a deannexation.
o
o

button and select the deannexation polygon.
button.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for an annexation is D.

Corridors
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes

•

In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a corridor.
o
o
o

button and select the corridor polygon.
button.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for a corridor changes is C.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding corridor area to the place or OUT if
the change is removing corridor area.

Offsets
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes

•

In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an offset.
o
o
o

button and select the offset polygon.
button.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for an offset change is F.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding offset area to the place or OUT if the
change is removing offset area.

Boundary Corrections
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool
polygon.

•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes

•

In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a boundary correction:
o
o
o

button and select the boundary correction

button.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.
The CHNG_TYPE for a boundary correction is B.
In the RELATE field, enter IN if the boundary correction is adding area or OUT if the
boundary correction is removing area.

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Page C-8

To finish updating attributes
•

Once all of the attribute changes have been made, on the Editor toolbar, click Editor, and then
click Stop Editing (in the Save window, click Yes).

C.4.6

Exporting Change Polygons

After creating and coding the change polygons, each level of geography (county, place, MCD)
that has changes must be exported to a separate change polygon layer.
1. In ArcMap, click Selection and then click Select by Attributes.
2. In the Select By Attributes window:
•
•
•

Set the Layer dropdown to the incorporated place layer: PVS_yy_v2_place_.
Set the Method dropdown to Create a new selection.
In the Select * FROM box, type one of the following formulas:
o

“CHNG_TYPE” < > ‘ ’ This equation would select all change polygons that have any
change type which have been created and coded.

“CHNG_TYPE” = ‘A’ OR “CHNG_TYPE” = ‘B’ OR… (etc.) This equation can be written to
select each change type for polygons that were created and coded.
Click OK

o
•

Figure 48. Select All Change Types Formula

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page C-9

After clicking OK, each change polygon that that has been created and coded should be
highlighted on the map and in the attribute table.
Optional: Open the attribute table and sort to verify that all change polygons with a change type code
were selected.

Exporting the selected change polygons
1. In the ArcMap Table of Contents, right-click on the incorporated place layer
(PVS_18_v2_place_), select Data, and then click Export Data.
2. In the Export Data window:
•
•

From the Export dropdown, choose Selected Features.
In the Output shapefile or feature class: field, browse to and select a location to save the
shapefile.
o

•

Name the shapefile bas8__changes_incplace.shp.
Click OK.

Figure 49. Exporting Data
Note: You can find the basID number on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link:
.
Note: See Section 5.13.5 for instruction on zipping updates.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page C-10

MTFCC DESCRIPTIONS — COMPLETE LIST
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the
Census Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau
MAF/TIGER products.
Table 28: MTFCC List
MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

C3022
C3023

Mountain Peak or
Summit
Island

C3024

Levee

C3026
C3027

Quarry (not water-filled),
Open Pit Mine or Mine
Dam

C3061

Cul-de-sac

C3062

Traffic Circle

C3066
C3067
C3071

Gate
Toll Booth
Lookout Tower

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

C3076

Windmill Farm

C3077

Solar Farm

C3078

Monument or Memorial

C3079
C3080

Boundary Monument
Point
Survey Control Point

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the
Earth’s surface.
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low
wetland [including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock,
isla, isle, key, moku and rock].
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water
feature to prevent overflow.
An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed
from the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by
vehicles for turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census
Bureau maps it only as a point feature.
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of
traffic at the meeting of roadways.
A movable barrier across a road.
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its
diameter, used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for
distribution activities.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the wind.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the sun.
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or
memorialize an event, person, or feature.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve
and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and
is used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.

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Page D-1

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation
and/or off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American
Indian areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are
members of or receiving governmental services from the
defining legal Alaska Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census
Bureau in consultation with federally recognized American
Indian tribes that have no current reservation, but had a former
reservation in Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a staterecognized American Indian tribe that does not currently have a
reservation and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe
that does not currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation
trust land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203).
There are twelve geographically defined ANRCs and they are
all within and cover most of the State of Alaska (the Annette
Island Reserve-an American Indian reservation-is excluded
from any ANRC). The boundaries of ANRCs have been legally
established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American
Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma
tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units
of self-government or administration that serve social, cultural,
and/or economic purposes for the American Indians on the
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a
federally recognized American Indian reservation and/or offreservation trust land, delineated by American Indian tribal
participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose of presenting
demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data.
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan
statistical areas that have a degree of economic and social
integration, as measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using whole counties and equivalents.

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical
Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

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Page D-2

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor
Civil Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated
Place

A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with
a population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that
have a degree of economic and social integration, as measured
by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New
England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a
subdivision of a New England City and Town Area containing
an urbanized area with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people.
The subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which
consists of 50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges
between 2,500 and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The
District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a
state for census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The
primary divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other
terms are used such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana,
and Municipio in Puerto Rico. This feature includes
independent cities, which are incorporated places that are not
part of any county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for
the reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this
feature are Minor Civil Division, Census County
Division/Census Subarea, and Unorganized Territory. This
feature includes independent places, which are incorporated
places that are not part of any county subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions
(barrios-pueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of
population. Incorporated places are generally designated as a
city, borough, municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances,
have no legal description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a
county or minor civil division, but one or more of the
incorporated places continues to function within the
consolidation. It is a place that contains additional separately
incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of
population and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated
place.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G4300

Economic Census Place

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400

Elementary School
District
Secondary School
District

The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some
types of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated
places, consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs),
minor civil divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of
MCDs or counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or
balance of MCD qualifies as an economic census place if it
contains 5,000 or more residents, or 5,000 or more jobs,
according to the most current data available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their
four-digit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For
example, block group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes
all blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census
tabulation block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more
islands, (2) have a perimeter entirely over water, (3) not
overlap, and (4) not cross the boundary of other tabulation
geographies, such as county or incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area,
such as a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but
sometimes by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation
block boundary does not cross the boundary of any other
geographic area for which the Census Bureau tabulates data.
The subtypes of this feature are Count Question Resolution
(CQR), current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist
for state equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no
representative. The subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th,
108th, 109th, and 111th Congressional Districts, plus
subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the upper or unicameral
chamber of a state governing body. The upper chamber is the
senate in a bicameral legislature, and the unicameral case is a
single house legislature (Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the lower chamber of a state
governing body. The lower chamber is the House of
Representatives in a bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as
precincts, wards, and election districts, established by state,
local, and tribal governments for the purpose of conducting
elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
elementary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
secondary grade-level educational services for residents.

G5410

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Page D-4

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G5420

Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation
Area (Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

A geographic area within which officials provide public
educational services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000
or more persons for which the Census Bureau provides
selected extracts of household-level data that are screened to
protect confidentiality.
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic
Analysis District (TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization
that the Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in
agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data,
municipios in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between
two nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water [includes bog, cienega,
marais and pocosin].
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm, bight,
cove and inlet].
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial
minerals were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on
the top or side of a mountain or mountainous area [includes ice
field and ice patch].
A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of
interlacing channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate
or drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to
serve as a waterway for watercraft [includes lateral].
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near
the home port pier.

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Page D-5

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention [including infirmary].
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention
centers, residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, administered
by a local (county, municipal, etc.) government.
An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal
government or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere
classified or administered by a government of unknown
jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for
those having a religious vocation.

K1235

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense
for use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned
area for the use of the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal, state,
local, or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space
to host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—
under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the
National Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of an
American Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
state government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
regional government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
county government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
minor civil division (town/township) government.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page D-6

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2188

K2191

Incorporated Place Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent
park, commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
municipal government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of
some other type of government or agency such as an
independent park authority or commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing
and distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of
such a facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station,
airport and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

K2453

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail
Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2189
K2190

K2457
K2458

A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported
by piles. This platform may provide access to ships and boats,
or it may be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip].
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or
where cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight,
and other commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and
exit airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census
blocks used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to
other modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for
taking off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page D-7

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

K2561
K2582

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or
Tourist Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

A building or group of buildings used as an institution for postsecondary study, teaching, and learning [including seminary].
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for
preschool, elementary or secondary study, teaching, and
learning [including elementary school and high school].
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest
that provides information or displays artifacts.

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

P0002

A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead [including burying ground
and memorial garden].
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and
mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground,
with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid
(e.g., crude oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for
conducting high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A man-made barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc.,
usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent
entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head,
headland, nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and
rimrock].
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either
public or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote
a Public Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly
borders Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline
represents the Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river)
flows into Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure
line separating the Inland water from the other class of water
represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and
forth over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.
The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water
for a water feature that exists year-round.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an areal
feature)
Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

The boundary between land and water (when water is present)
for a water feature that does not exist year-round.
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other
visible feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound area
landmarks, while many others separate water features from
each other (e.g., where a bay meets the ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad
traffic. Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of
a rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit,
monorails, streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically
inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are
not part of a road right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that
aerial tramways and streetcars (which may also be called
“trams”) are accounted for by other MTFCCs and do not belong
in R1052.
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways
within the interstate highway system or under state
management, and are distinguished by the presence of
interchanges. These highways are accessible by ramps and
may include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S.
Highway, State Highway or County Highway system. These
roads have one or more lanes of traffic in each direction, may
or may not be divided, and usually have at-grade intersections
with many other roads and driveways. They often have both a
local name and a route number.
Generally a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that
usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in
this feature class may be privately or publicly maintained.
Scenic park roads would be included in this feature class, as
would (depending on the region of the country) some unpaved
roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is
required. These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in
very rural areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars
and trucks belong in the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf
interchange. These roads are unaddressable and do not carry
a name in the MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that
provides access to structures along the highway. These roads
can be named and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series
of steps.

R1011

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline
Rail Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian
Trail
Stairway

S1710
S1720

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page D-9

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road

A service road that does not generally have associated
addressed structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at
the rear of buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained for
service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often
unnamed.
Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.

S1820

Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking
area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles,
being either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular
traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a
divided road.

Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2017.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital

Page D-10

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Respondent Guide: GUPS
Instructions for Using the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
Revised as of December 14, 2017

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

This page intentionally left blank.

Boundary and Annexation Survey: GUPS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles ............................................................................ 1

1.2

Getting Help ..................................................................................................................................... 2

1.3

BAS Help .......................................................................................................................................... 2

2.1.

Boundary Corrections ...................................................................................................................... 3

2.2.

Legal Boundary Changes ................................................................................................................ 3

2.3.

Reviewing Legal Boundaries ........................................................................................................... 3

2.4.

Requirements for Legal Boundary Changes .................................................................................... 4

2.5.

Reviewing Linear Features .............................................................................................................. 5

2.6.

Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas ..................................................................... 5

2.7.

Reviewing Point Landmarks ............................................................................................................ 7

3.1

Validating Updates ........................................................................................................................... 9

3.2

Submitting Files Through SWIM ...................................................................................................... 9

3.3

Submitting Files on DVD ................................................................................................................ 10

4.1

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................... 13

4.1

How to Install GUPS ...................................................................................................................... 14

5.1

How to Access BAS Shapefiles ..................................................................................................... 19

5.2

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from the Census Bureau’s BAS Website
(Recommended Method) ............................................................................................................... 20

5.3

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive ................................................. 32

5.4

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site ............................................................... 34

5.5

Use GUPS Interface....................................................................................................................... 37

Boundary and Annexation Survey: GUPS

5.6

Menu & Toolbars ............................................................................................................................ 41

5.7

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS .............................................................................. 63

6.1

How to Update Legal Boundaries .................................................................................................. 68

6.2

How to Update Linear Features ................................................................................................... 108

6.3

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas .......................................................... 114

6.4

How to Update Point Landmarks ................................................................................................. 127

6.5

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools ......................................................................... 130

6.6

Export a Printable Map................................................................................................................. 143

6.7

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit .................................................................................... 146

Set Layer Symbology ................................................................................................................... E-1
Change Label Display .................................................................................................................. E-3
Restoring Default Label Display Settings ..................................................................................... E-5
Using the Table of Contents Toolbar to Manage Layers ............................................................. E-6
Preset Views in the Manage Layer Visibility Table of Contents................................................... E-7

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Available Change Types by Entity Type ....................................................................... 3
Table 2: Acceptable MTFCCs for New Area Landmarks / Hydrographic Areas .......................... 6
Table 3: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCCs ............................................................................ 7
Table 4: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements .............................................................13
Table 5: Install the GUPS Application .......................................................................................14
Table 6: Start a New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site .....................................20
Table 7: Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to a Hard Drive .....................................32
Table 8: Download Shapefiles from ftp2 Site to a Hard Drive (State Users) ..............................34
Table 9: GUPS Main Page Elements ........................................................................................37
Table 10: Menu Tabs and Their Functions ................................................................................42
Table 11: Adjust Snapping Tolerances ......................................................................................46
Table 12: Standard Toolbar Buttons..........................................................................................49
Table 13: Identify a Feature on the Map ....................................................................................50
Table 14: Select/Deselect Features on the Map ........................................................................52
Table 15: Select Features by Querying the Attribute Table .......................................................55
Table 16: View Layer Attributes Using the Attributes Table .......................................................57
Table 17: Measure Distances, Area, and Angles on a Map .......................................................58
Table 18: Bookmark Locations on a Map ..................................................................................60
Table 19: BAS Toolbar Buttons .................................................................................................61
Table 20: Status Bar Elements..................................................................................................63
Table 21: Add Data Toolbar Buttons .........................................................................................63
Table 22: Load Shapefiles/Geodatabase Layers .......................................................................64
Table 23: Load Data from a Web Mapping Service ...................................................................65
Table 24: Add Imagery Files .....................................................................................................66
Table 25: Import a ZIP File Shared by Another User .................................................................66
Table 26: Record an Annexation ...............................................................................................68
Table 27: Recording a Deannexation ........................................................................................74
Table 28: Adding a New Legal Entity ........................................................................................79
Table 29: Record a Disincorporation .........................................................................................86
Table 30: Record an Annexation in an Adjacent County ...........................................................89
Table 31: Making a Boundary Correction ..................................................................................98
Table 32: Adding a Geographic Corridor .................................................................................101
Table 33: Adding a Linear Feature ..........................................................................................108
Table 34: Deleting a Linear Feature ........................................................................................110
Table 35: Restoring a Deleted Linear Feature .........................................................................111
Table 36: Changing the Attributes of a Linear Feature ............................................................112
Table 37: Creating a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ................................................116
Table 38: Deleting an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ......................................................119
Table 39: Adding Area to an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ............................................122
Table 40: Removing Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ...................................124
Table 41: Adding a Point Landmark ........................................................................................127
Table 42: Deleting a Point Landmark ......................................................................................128
Table 43: Changing the Attributes of a Point Landmark ..........................................................129
Table 44: Using the Geography Review Tool ..........................................................................130
Table 45: Reviewing Change Polygons ...................................................................................135
Table 46: Export a Printable Map ............................................................................................143
Table 47: Exporting Files to Share with Another User .............................................................146
Table 48: Exporting Files for Submission to the Census Bureau .............................................148
Table 49: Transmitting Files to the Census Bureau Using SWIM ............................................151
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Page v

Table 50: Reset Layer Symbology .......................................................................................... E-1
Table 51: Change Default Labeling ......................................................................................... E-3
Table 52: Restoring Default Labeling ...................................................................................... E-5
Table 53: Table of Contents Layers Toolbar Buttons .............................................................. E-7
Table 54: MAF/TIGER Feature Classification .......................................................................... F-1
Table 55: State Shapefiles Names ..........................................................................................G-1
Table 56: County Shapefiles Names .......................................................................................G-2
Table 57: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges)..................................................................... H-1
Table 58: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr) .................................................. H-2
Table 59: Census Block Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tabblock2010).............................................. H-3
Table 60: Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts) ...................................................... H-4
Table 61: American Indian Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial) ............................................... H-5
Table 62: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county) ................................ H-6
Table 63: County Subdivisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_mcd).................................................. H-7
Table 64: Incorporated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_place) .................................................. H-8

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. BAS Workflow
...................................................................................................... 1
Figure 2. GUPS Main Page Layout ...........................................................................................37
Figure 3. Close Table of Contents .............................................................................................39
Figure 4. Restore the Table of Contents ...................................................................................40
Figure 5. Managing Layer Visibility............................................................................................40
Figure 6. Menu and Toolbars ....................................................................................................41
Figure 7. Manage Layer Toolbar ...............................................................................................41
Figure 8. Standard Toolbar .....................................................................................................47
Figure 9. Sub-tool Markers .....................................................................................................47
Figure 10. BAS Toolbar
.....................................................................................................61
Figure 11. Status Bar
.....................................................................................................62
Figure 12. Add Data Toolbar .....................................................................................................63
Figure 13. Annexed Area Corridor and Unincorporated Area .................................................. B-2
Figure 14. Incorporated Area and Unincorporated Area .......................................................... B-2
Figure 15. Participant Responses ........................................................................................... B-2
Figure 16. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map ............................................................ B-3
Figure 17. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent to the Census Bureau ......... B-3
Figure 18. Place Boundary – Front Lot Line ............................................................................ B-4
Figure 19. Place Boundary – Rear Lot Line............................................................................. B-4
Figure 20. Table of Contents Layers Toolbar .......................................................................... E-6
Figure 21. Add Preset Layer ................................................................................................... E-7
Figure 22. Visibility Presets Dialog Box ................................................................................... E-8

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

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Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page viii

INTRODUCTION
The Boundary and Annexation Survey
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts an annual survey called the Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas,
such as counties (and equivalent areas), incorporated places, minor civil divisions (MCDs),
federally recognized American Indian Areas (AIAs), including reservations, off-reservation trust
lands and tribal subdivisions, Hawaiian Homelands, and Alaska Native Regional Corporations
(ANRC). The BAS also provides an opportunity for participants to review the names and
geographic relationships for these areas. Title 13, U.S.C., Section 6, authorizes this survey.
The Census Bureau uses the boundary information collected during the BAS to tabulate data for
the decennial and economic censuses, and to support the Population Estimates Program (PEP)
and the American Community Survey (ACS). Maintaining correct boundaries and boundary-tofeature relationships through the BAS helps ensure that the Census Bureau assigns the
appropriate population to each governmental unit (GU).
In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the BAS supports the
Census Bureau’s spatial data steward responsibilities for the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and the Geospatial One-Stop by updating the inventory and boundaries of
GUs.
In addition, the BAS is the source of up-to-date information on changes to the boundaries,
codes and names of incorporated places, MCDs, counties (and equivalent areas), Hawaiian
Homelands, ANRC, and federally recognized AIAs, which include reservations and offreservation trust lands used by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS), the National Map, and the
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Please visit the BAS program Web site at .
For more information on the BAS, please view the “Introduction to BAS” video series on the
Census Bureau’s BAS Web site at

What’s New for the 2018 BAS?
1. The Geographic Partnership Support Desk (GPSD) is now fully functional and available
to assist with any questions respondents may have regarding BAS.
2. Redistricting data contacts participating in the Voting District Project (VTDP) may submit
boundary updates for reconciliation with BAS contacts.

Key Dates for BAS Respondents
January 1, 2018—All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported in the 2018 BAS.
March 1, 2018—BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS
and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected in next
year’s BAS materials.
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Page ix

May 31, 2018—BAS boundary updates submitted by this date will be reflected in next year’s
BAS materials.

BAS State Agreements
The Census Bureau has established a number of agreements with states for reporting boundary
changes. Please visit the BAS State Agreements webpage within the BAS program Web site at
or call
(800) 972-5651 for information regarding state agreements.
Note: The Census Bureau can only establish BAS state agreements for states that require local
governments to report boundary changes to a state agency.

Legal Disputes
If the Census Bureau discovers that an area of land is in dispute between two or more
jurisdictions, the Census Bureau will not make any boundary corrections until the parties come
to a written agreement, or there is a documented final court decision regarding the dispute.
If you have questions concerning this, please contact the Census Bureau Legal Office at
301-763-9844.
For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at
the Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often complicated land issues require an
extended period of time for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the
current boundary in the database until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor’s office.

Respondent Guide Organization
This guide has been created for those who choose to participate in the survey using GUPS.
Those using their own GIS should consult the Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent
Guide: Digital available on the BAS Web site: . Those using paper maps should
consult the Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper. This guide is equipped
with shortcuts to subjects that respondents may want to jump to directly. To move directly to one
of these sections, click on the linked text.
This guide contains two parts:
Part 1: Provides an overview of BAS. It specifies the:
•

BAS Process and Workflow;

•

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles;

•

GUPS Help;

•

BAS Help;

•

Reviewing BAS Data (Information specific to the review and update of each type of
geographic entity);

•

Boundary Corrections (Including Legal Boundary Changes and Reviewing Legal Boundaries);

•

Reviewing Linear Features (Including Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas);

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page x

•

Reviewing Point Landmarks;

•

Validating Updates; and

•

Submitting Files Through SWIM and Submitting Files on DVD.

Part 2: Describes GUPS and gives step-by-step instructions (Action/Result in table
format) for how to:
•

How To Use GUPS application;

•

Requirements and installation;

•

How to Access BAS Shapefiles;

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page xi

•

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive;

•

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site;

•

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS;

•

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools;

•

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit; and

•

Submitting Your Files to the Census Bureau Through SWIM.

Note: In all the Action/Result tables, the action is ususally a command or action you need to perform and
the Result(s) of the action will be shown in italics. For example: if you click GUPS icon on your
desktop, the software should begin to run automatically.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page xii

BAS OVERVIEW
PROCESS AND WORKFLOW
Figure 1 below illustrates the three phases of the work to be completed for the BAS. The first
section in the diagram includes initial steps. The second section indicates the types of
geographic data that should be reviewed and updated. The final section lists the final steps to
validate and submit changes.

Figure 1. BAS Workflow

Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this guide are organized around the topical areas in the diagram and
provide needed program information and procedures, as well as relevant deadlines.
See Appendix A: BAS Contact Information and Resources for a list of contacts and helpful
program links.

1.1

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles

GUPS is available for installation two ways. GUPS software is available for download directly
from the BAS Web site . You can also request to receive GUPS software on
DVD, which will be shipped to you in a package containing the GUPS DVD, respondent guide,
and a read me text file.

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Page 1

Once you have installed GUPS on your computer, the BAS shapefiles can be imported from the
BAS Web site directly to the GUPS application. Instructions on how to load data into GUPS
appears in Section 5:: Using GUPS (Basics and Map Management), Error! Reference source
not found.. If you do not have Internet access, you may request shapefiles on DVD. To request
a data DVD, call 1-800-796-3748 or e-mail [email protected].

1.2

Getting Help

1.2.1

GUPS Help

Part 2: How To Use GUPS of this guide contains directions for how to use the tools available
within the GUPS application, as well as step-by-step instructions for how to carry out specific
shapefile updates (e.g., annexations and deannexations, adding and deleting features and
landmarks, etc.).
Embedded within the GUPS application (under the Help tab menu) are other resources,
including a short training video on how to submit a ZIP file through SWIM. Additional videos will
be provided on the BAS Web site as they become available. In addition, a Section 508compliant version of this guide is available there. The Help menu provides a link to both.
For supplemental information on functions within the GUPS that are specific to QGIS, a QGIS
user’s manual can be found at . The
QGIS manual offers particularly helpful information on several activities that are touched on in
this guide, but not described in detail, including working with user-provided data layers, creating
search expressions for attribute tables, and creating customized coordinate systems. For
questions concerning technical problems with the GUPS application, user support is available
via telephone (1-800-972-5651) and e-mail [email protected].

1.3

BAS Help

BAS participants may find the Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital
helpful. Although designed for experienced GIS users, it provides important information on
geocoding, topological relationships, and spatial accuracy relevant to Census shapefiles. This
guide can be downloaded at: .
The Census Bureau has also created a number of other BAS-related videos, including a helpful
one on the subject of topology and why topology is important to the BAS. To view these videos,
go to: .

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REVIEWING BAS DATA
The Census Bureau requests that you review and update all legal entities and boundaries within
your jurisdiction, including the new incorporation or disincorporation of legal entities, legal
boundary changes, and boundary corrections. You may also update linear features and
landmarks, including area landmarks, hydrographic areas, and point landmarks, although review
of these is optional.
To help conduct your review, the GUPS application will allow you to import and overlay your
own geospatial data layers with the Census Bureau shapefiles. You can import image files from
web mapping services, geodatabases, and also other file types. Steps to import the most
common types of user-provided data are provided in Section 0:
How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS.

2.1.

Boundary Corrections

2.2.

Legal Boundary Changes

Legal boundary changes are the result of legal actions (e.g., annexations), and documenting
such changes is the primary goal of the BAS. AIA Legal documentation (e.g., statute, federal
court decision, trust deed) must accompany all AIA legal boundary changes, while legal
boundary change submissions from incorporated places, MCDs, and counties must provide an
authorization number, such as a resolution or ordinance number.

2.3.

Reviewing Legal Boundaries

When reviewing legal boundaries, please examine the Census Bureau shapefiles for all legal
entities in your jurisdiction. These includes:
•

Incorporated places;

•

Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) such as towns, boroughs, and townships;

•

Counties (and county equivalents); and

•

Consolidated cities.

The Table 1 shows the specific changes allowed for each legal entity type.
Table 1: Available Change Types by Entity Type
Entity Type
Incorporated Place

Available Change Types
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

New Entity (New incorporation)
Deleted Entity (Disincorporation)
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page 3

Entity Type
Minor Civil Division (MCD)

County

Consolidated City

Available Change Types
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Geographic Offset
New Entity
Deleted Entity
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor
Geographic Offset
New Entity (New incorporation of place and MCD)
Deleted Entity (Disincorporation of place and MCD)
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor
Geographic Offset
New Entity (New incorporation of place and MCD)
Deleted Entity (Disincorporation of place and MCD)
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor
Geographic Offset

2.4.

Requirements for Legal Boundary Changes

2.4.1

Boundary Changes to Legal Entities

For a boundary change to an existing legal entity (or the new incorporation or disincorporation of
a legal entity) to be processed as a legal change, you must provide the legal documentation
number (e.g., law or ordinance number), effective date, and authorization type. You are not
required to submit paperwork documenting the change.
Note: Although additional documentation is not required, we do strongly encourage you to attach
supporting paperwork to your submission (you may do this directly in GUPS). The paperwork will
expedite our ability to reconcile and process any legal updates.

2.4.2

Boundary Changes to Legal Entities in Georgia and Indiana

Georgia: Any legal boundary change made to an incorporated place in the state of Georgia
must include: (1) the effective date, and (2) the acreage of the new entity. In addition, before
entering the change, you must ensure that all annexation/deannexation information has been
reported to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The DCA provides the Census Bureau
a list of the entities that reported boundary changes each year. Any legal boundary changes to
incorporated places not on this list will not be placed in the MAF/TIGER System. For additional
information, see: .

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page 4

Indiana: Per Indiana state law, counties must provide the legal boundary updates for townships.
For more information, refer to Indiana Code 36-6 Government of Townships at
. If you have questions about required
documentation for your particular jurisdiction, contact the Geography Division by phone at
1-800-972-5651 or by e-mail at [email protected].

2.5.

Reviewing Linear Features

It is important that Census Bureau data reflects the most recent linear features to ensure that
new or previously missed housing units located along these features are identified and located.
When reviewing linear features (edges layer) on the Census Bureau shapefiles, first determine
whether any features are missing or need to be deleted. Pay particular attention to areas that
have experienced recent population growth or construction activities, as these are the most
likely to possess new or altered linear features (e.g., new subdivisions, traffic circles converted
to straight ways, or privately maintained roads that serve as public streets, but exclude private
driveways).
You may also add attribute updates (e.g., name, class code, and address ranges) for selected
features. For a complete list of MAF/TIGER Feature Class Codes (MTFCCs), review
Appendix C MTFCC Descriptions.
To aid in the review of linear features, GUPS allows you to import local street centerline files,
hydrography layers, imagery, and other user-provided geospatial data for reference and
comparison against the Census Bureau data.
In your review, please note:
•

S1100 and S1200—If you add road features with an MTFCC of S1100 (Primary Road) or S1200
(Secondary Road), you must supply a feature name. As is the case for all road features, the
feature name should be a proper name or route number.

•

Spatial Inaccuracies—The Census Bureau will not process the wholesale spatial realignment of
features to enhance spatial accuracy. If a feature is in the incorrect location, delete the feature
and add it in the correct location. Take this action only if the feature is exceedingly spatially
inaccurate and/or the current location (with respect to other features and boundaries) affects the
tabulation of housing units to the correct geography, such as legal entities, census tracts, and
census blocks.

•

Address Range Changes—The Census Bureau accepts address range data as part of the linear
feature update layer. As with other linear feature updates, you must supply the required attributes
and corresponding change type for the update. In addition, because existing address ranges are
not shown in our outgoing shapefiles, we recommend that participants only add address ranges
to new features.

2.6.

Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas

The Census Bureau accepts updates to area landmarks and hydrographic areas in a similar
manner to legal boundary changes. However, area landmarks and hydro areas are not legal
entities, so no documentation or effective dates are required.
Allowable updates for area landmarks and hydrographic areas are:
•

Add new area landmark or hydrographic area;

•

Remove area landmark or hydrographic area;

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page 5

•

Change or add landmark name; and

•

Boundary corrections (add and remove area).

If you add a new area landmark or hydrographic area, please add only:
•

Water bodies;

•

Glaciers;

•

Airports;

•

Cemeteries;

•

Golf courses; and

•

Parks.

The Census Bureau cannot add other types of area landmark / hydrographic areas to the
MAF/TIGER System at this time (even though others may already exist in the database).
Table 2 shows the acceptable MTFCCs for new area landmarks or hydrographic areas.
Table 2: Acceptable MTFCCs for New Area Landmarks / Hydrographic Areas
MTFCC

Description

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051
H2081
C3023
K1231
K1235
K1236
K1237
K2110
K2180
K2181
K2182
K2183
K2184
K2185
K2186
K2187
K2188
K2189
K2190

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound
Glacier
Island
Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility
Juvenile Institution
Local Jail or Detention Center
Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm
Military Installation
Park
National Park Service Land
National Forest or Other Federal Land
Tribal Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
State Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Regional Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
County Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
County Subdivision Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public, independent park,
commission, etc.)
Marina
University or College
Airport – Area Representation
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2424
K2540
K2457
K2561
K2582

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Note: If adding an MTFCC K2457 (Airport – Area Representation) area landmark, please limit the
updates to major airports (major regional and international airports). The feature should show the
full extent of the airport facility, that is, do not limit the addition to simply the landing strips.

Area Landmark / Hydro Area Changes May Be Delayed
The Census Bureau prioritizes boundary changes to legal areas to meet ACS, PEP, and BAS
deadlines. Therefore, there may be delays in incorporating area landmark and hydrographic area
changes to the MAF/TIGER System. Please do not resubmit any changes that were sent during the
previous year’s BAS. We are working on incorporating those changes, and they will be reflected in the
next year’s BAS materials.

2.7.

Reviewing Point Landmarks

Because many of the point landmarks contained in the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER System
originate from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS),
which is the official gazetteer of point landmark names for the Federal Government, point
landmark updates are limited in the BAS. The Census Bureau cannot modify any point landmark
imported from the GNIS database. Thus, be aware that name changes or deletions submitted
for the following types of landmarks may be left unchanged:
•

K2451 (Airport or Airfield);

•

K2582 (Cemetery);

•

C3022 (Summit or Pillar); and

•

C3081 (Locale or Populated Place).

Also, due to Title 13 privacy concerns, any landmark with an MTFCC shown in Table 3 below
cannot be added to the MAF/TIGER System as a point landmark. The MAF/TIGER System no
longer maintains any point landmarks with these MTFCCs. Landmarks with these codes could
identify a residence or private business. Thus, it is also important not to add any of the point
landmark types shown in the table using alternative MTFCCs.
Table 3: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCCs
MTFCC

Description

K1100

Housing Unit Location

K1121

Apartment Building or Complex

K1122

Rooming or Boarding House

K1223

Trailer Court or Mobile Home Park

K1226

Housing Facility/Dormitory for Workers

K1227

Hotel, Motel, Resort, Spa, Hostel, YMCA, or YWCA

K1228

Campground

K1229

Shelter or Mission

K1232

Halfway House/Group Home

K1233

Nursing Home, Retirement Home, or Home for the Aged

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MTFCC

Description

K1234

County Home or Poor Farm

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1241

Sorority, Fraternity, or College Dormitory

K1251

Military Group Quarters

K1299

Other Group Quarters Location

K2100

Governmental

K2197

Mixed Use/Other Non-residential

K2300

Commercial Workplace

K2361

Shopping Center or Major Retail Center

K2362

Industrial Building or Industrial Park

K2363

Office Building or Office Park

K2364

Farm/Vineyard/Winery/Orchard

K2366

Other Employment Center

K2424

Marina

K2500

Other Workplace

K2564

Amusement Center

Point Landmark Changes May Be Delayed
The Census Bureau prioritizes boundary changes to legal areas to meet ACS, PEP, and BAS
deadlines. Therefore, there may be delays in incorporating point landmark changes to the MAF/TIGER
System. Please do not resubmit any changes that were sent during the previous year’s BAS. We are
working on incorporating those changes, and they will be reflected in the next year’s BAS materials.

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QUALITY CONTROL AND FILE SUBMISSION
3.1

Validating Updates

Once you have completed your BAS updates, you must complete a review of your change
polygons to ensure that:
1. The polygons have no unintended holes (e.g., you annexed several faces but missed a traffic
circle or small pond).
2. All boundary corrections meet a minimum size threshold (very small corrections cannot be
processed).
Validate Often
Validation tools in GUPS can be accessed at any time while you are working in the application. We
suggest you utilize them as you work to identify errors early and avoid extensive rework. Steps to use
the Geographic Review tool and the Review Change Polygons tool are included in Section 6.5: How
to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools.

3.2

Submitting Files Through SWIM

Prompt submission of updates is appreciated. It benefits the Census Bureau—allowing us to
review the files early, provide feedback, and avoid backups in file processing—and you—
guaranteeing your updates are recorded accurately and are reflected in the latest releases of
Census Bureau data products.
For those with Internet access, all BAS submissions must be made via the Secure Web
Incoming Module (SWIM). Due to security reasons, we cannot accept files sent via e-mail or
through our alternate ftp sites.
If you indicated on your “Annual Response Form” that you wished to receive the GUPS
application, you will automatically receive the SWIM URL and a registration token via e-mail.
The e-mail should arrive 5 days after the Annual Response is completed online (or 5 business
days after the Census Bureau receives the paper form).
The registration token allows you to establish a personal SWIM account. If you do not receive a
SWIM token after the amount of time specified, e-mail [email protected] or call
1-800-972-5651.
Once registered, you will no longer need the token to log into the system.
Current SWIM Users
If you are a participant in another Census Bureau partnership program, or participated in a previous
BAS year, and already have a SWIM account, you may use your current account to submit files for the
BAS. You do not need to set up a new account.

For step-by-step instructions to submit files through the SWIM, refer to Table 49. For those
without Internet access, see Section 3.3 below.

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3.3

Submitting Files on DVD

If you do not have Internet access, you may copy your ZIP file(s) to DVD for submission. The
DVD should be mailed to:
U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: BAS Returns, Bldg 63E
1201 East 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

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HOW TO USE GUPS
REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION
This section includes information needed to use GUPS. It offers a description of the GUPS
application and gives specific instructions (in the form of Step / Action tables) for how to use
GUPS to make BAS updates. Reminder: this guide is equipped with shortcuts to subjects that
respondents may want to jump to directly. To move directly to one of these sections, click on the
linked text.
Section 4: Requirements and installation
•

Getting Started - Lists the hardware and software requirements for GUPS and SWIM; and

•

How to Install GUPS - Provides instructions for installing the application.

Section 5: Using GUPS (Basics and Map Management)
•

How to Access BAS Shapefiles - Provides instructions to open GUPS, start a project, and load
shapefiles;

•

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from the Census Bureau’s BAS Website
(Recommended Method);

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•

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive;

•

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site;

•

Use GUPS Interface - Including the Menu, Toolbars, Table of Contents or Map Legend, and the
Map View area;

•

Menu & Toolbars - Offers instructions for using the tools available through the menu and toolbars;

•
•

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS;

•

How to Upload User-Provided Data Layers; and

•

How to Import a Shared ZIP Shapefile.

Section 6: Making BAS Updates in GUPS
•

How to Update Legal Boundaries - Gives instructions to make required and optional updates in
the application;

•

Adding a New Legal Entity (New Incorporation) and Deleting an Entity (Disincorporation)

•

Making a Boundary Update on a County Line

•

Making a Legal Boundary Change for a Consolidated City

•

Making a Boundary Correction (Add Area/Remove Area)

•

Adding a Geographic Corridor and How to Add a Geographic Offset

•

How to Update Linear Features;

•

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas;

•

How to Update Point Landmarks;

•

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools;

Provides instructions on How to

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•

Export a Printable Map; and

•

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit.

Section 7: Submitting Your Files to the Census Bureau Through SWIM
•

Provides instructions to submit files to the Census Bureau through SWIM.

4.1

Getting Started

Download GUPS from the BAS Web site at: . If you requested and received the
GUPS package, it should include a DVD containing the GUPS software, respondent guides, and
a readme text file.
Before beginning the installation, check your computer to verify that it has the capabilities need
to run GUPS (using Table 4 below).
GUPS is based on QGIS (formerly known as Quantum GIS), a free and open-source desktop
geographic information system application. You can learn more about QGIS at
. The GUPS application was developed for use in a desktop PC or
a network environment.
Table 4 lists the hardware and software requirements to install and run GUPS. Also included
are the software requirements to: (1) play training videos available within the application and (2)
submit files through the SWIM Web site.
Table 4: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware

Operating System

Browser

Disk Space Needed to
Run GUPS:

Windows:

Minimum Browser
Versions to Play Training
Videos:

2.0 GB
Disk Space Needed to
Store Shapefiles:
Shapefile sizes vary. To
view the size of your
shapefiles, select a file/
folder, right-click, and
choose Properties in the
drop-down menu. The
Files Properties box
opens and displays the
file/folder sizes. Select
multiple files/ folders in
the list to view their
properties via the same
method.

To run GUPS, users need one of the following
Windows operating systems:
•
•
•
•
•

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Apple Mac OS X:
Mac OS X users must secure a license for
Microsoft Windows and use a Windows
bridge. The suggested bridge software is Boot
Camp, which comes pre-installed on all Mac
computers. See instructions for using Boot
Camp at:
.

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•
•
•
•

Internet Explorer 9
Google Chrome 3
Mozilla Firefox 3.5
Apple Safari 4

Minimum Browser
Versions to Use SWIM:
•
•
•
•

Internet Explorer 8
Google Chrome 3
Mozilla Firefox 3.5
Apple Safari 4.1.3

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Hardware

Operating System

RAM:
• 4 GB recommended
minimum

Browser

Important Note: Since Boot Camp requires
you to restart your computer to set up the
bridge, be sure to print the instructions
provided at the URL above before you begin.

Depending on the Windows OS version, the GUPS dialog boxes may have a different
appearance than the screenshots contained in the user guide, although the content is the same.

4.1

How to Install GUPS

To install the GUPS application you must have Administrator privileges for your computer. If you
already have GUPS downloaded, please make sure you are using the most current version.
Compare the version on your computer with the one provided on the Census Bureau’s
installation DVD to acquire the latest version. To complete the installation, follow the steps in
Table 5: Install the GUPS Application.
Note: If you already have a version of GUPS installed, please check to make sure you are running the
latest version. Go to the GUPS tab and click the About GUPS option in the drop-down menu to
find the GUPS version number. If you are not running the latest version, download and follow the
setup instructions which will automatically uninstall the old version before it installs the latest
GUPS version.
Table 5: Install the GUPS Application
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the direct download link or place the
installation DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. For some users, a Windows protected
your PC pop-up box may appear.

To continue, click ‘More info’, then select ‘Run anyway?’.
Step 2

Other users may receive a user account control pop-up that asks, “Do you want to run this
file?”, “Do you want to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to make
changes to this computer?”, or a similar query. See an example below.

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Step

Action and Result

If you receive such a pop-up, click ‘Run’, ‘Yes’, ‘Allow’, or an option that allows you to
proceed. The software should begin to run automatically.
Step 3

If the software does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to your DVD
drive, and double-click on the file named Setup-7.0.0-x.bat.
Note: The name of this file may vary slightly, but it will be the only setup .bat file available.
If the software still does not run properly, contact your System Administrator for assistance.

Step 4

When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS Setup Wizard screen appears.

Before proceeding, close all other programs or applications you have open. Once other
programs and applications are closed, click the Next button.

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Step
Step 5

Action and Result
The License Agreement screen appears.

Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button to continue.
Step 6

The Choose Install Location screen opens. We recommend you install the application at
the default location (i.e., C:\Program files\QGISGUPS).

To begin the installation, click Next to continue.
Step 7

The Choose Components screen opens.

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Step

Action and Result

‘QGIS’ in the Select components to install field is grayed out since it is the default. You
do not need to select it, simply click Install to continue.
If you want to review a previous screen or reread the license agreement, click the Back
button (each screen contains this button). This returns you to the previous screen.
Step 8

The software should take between 5 and 10 minutes to install. When it is finished, the
Completing the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen opens.

Click the Finish button.
Step 9

After you click finish, the GUPS Install Setup: Completed screen opens showing the status
of the installation of GUPS on your computer. When completed, you click the close button
on the following screen.

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Step

Step 10

Action and Result

To complete the installation, click the Close button at the bottom of the GUPS Install
Setup: Completed Setup Wizard screen. Once the application installs, a QGIS icon
appears on your desktop.

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USING GUPS (BASICS AND MAP
MANAGEMENT)
After successfully installing GUPS, you are ready to start your BAS updates. There are three
ways to retrieve shapefiles when starting a new project:
•

From the Census Web site (loads directly into GUPS);

•

From DVD (if one was requested); and

•

From My Computer (if you downloaded them to your hardrive).

Table 6 shows the steps to open GUPS and start a new project using the Census Web site.
shows the same steps to open GUPS, but starts a new project using the Census provided DVD
or My Computer (downloaded Census shapefiles saved to your hard drive).

5.1

How to Access BAS Shapefiles

BAS shapefiles from the BAS Web site can be pulled directly into the application when working
in GUPS. Users can load the shapefiles as needed or load multiple county files at once. This is
the preferred method for loading the Census Bureau’s BAS Shapefiles into GUPS as it ensures
that required files are placed in the correct location for the application to access.
Another option for loading files is to download the shapefiles to your hard drive from the BAS
Web site (or from the Census Bureau ftp2 site), then import them into GUPS. BAS shapefiles
are also available for download from the BAS Web site here:
.
Instructions for how to download Census Bureau shapefiles to your hard drive appear in Table 6
and Error! Reference source not found.. Downloading files to your hard drive is not the preferred
method when working in GUPS, and should be used only when necessary (e.g., you need
additional data layers that GUPS does not automatically load and want to pull them in as userprovided data).
If you have requested to receive the shapefiles on DVD, you can also load the files directly into
GUPS from the DVD. Instructions for how to load shapefiles are contained in Table 6: Start a
New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site.
Whether the files are pulled from the BAS Web site or from the DVD, the GUPS application
unzips them and places them into a pre-established folder created on your computer’s home
directory during the installation process (C:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\BAS2018\shape). It then
displays them in the application. GUPS then manages the files for you. You do not need to take
any further action.
CAUTION!
Regardless of the source of the shapefiles, it is important that you DO NOT CHANGE any shapefile or
folder name. The files and folders must have the exact names given for the GUPS application to
recognize and load them.

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5.2

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from
the Census Bureau’s BAS Website (Recommended Method)

To open the GUPS application and begin your BAS updates, follow the steps in Table 6 below.
Before beginning, note that:
1. If you wish to practice using GUPS without committing the changes you make, simply exit the
system without saving. Before the system closes, it will give you the option to discard the
changes.
2. If you feel comfortable with the system, but you do not want to make all your changes in one
session, simply save your changes, then close the system. When you open GUPS later, it will
allow you to reopen the project and continue working.
Note: In all the Action/Result tables, the action is ususally a command or action you need to perform and
the Result(s) of the action will be shown in italics. For example: if you click the QGIS icon on your
desktop, the software should begin to run automatically.
Table 6: Start a New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Double-click the QGIS icon on your desktop.

The QGIS splash screen appears. (Note: QGIS is the open-source platform on which GUPS
is built.)

Step 2

Wait until the application loads (If you have an older computer, this may require a few
minutes). When the GUPS application has loaded, the GUPS main page opens and the
QGIS Tips! box appears.

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Step

Action and Result

Note: Since GUPS was built on the QGIS open-source platform, you may see references to
QGIS in several locations within the GUPS application.
Step 3

If you wish to view QGIS system tips, click the Next button to read the first tip. Thereafter use
the Previous and Next buttons to navigate within tips. If you do not wish to see tips again,
click the checkbox in the bottom left-hand corner that reads ‘I’ve had enough tips, don’t show
this on start up any more!’

Step 4

To begin a GUPS project, close the QGIS Tips! box by clicking the OK button. The box
closes and the Map Management dialog box opens, as shown below.

Step 5

In the Map Management dialog box, use the drop-down menu next to the Program field to
select your program, ‘Boundary and Annexation Survey’. ‘Boundary and Annexation’
populates the field.

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Step

Step 6

Action and Result

In the Sub Program field, select ‘Boundary and Annexation Survey’.
In the State field, use the drop-down menu to select your state. The scroll bar to the right
allows you to move up and down the list of states.

This example uses Indiana.
Step 7

In the Working County field, use the drop-down menu to select the county for which you
wish to make updates.
This example uses Jefferson County, Indiana.

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Step

Action and Result

Independent City Users
Note that the Working County drop-down menu is sorted by FIPS code. Thus you must
search for your city’s code rather than assuming it will appear alphabetically. A portion of the
Working County drop-down list (we used the state State of Virginia for this example)
appears below, showing independent cities near the end of the list because their FIPS codes
are higher.

Step 8

After you select the working county or counties, GUPS asks you to specify the location from
which you want to pull the county’s (or county equivalent’s) shapefile. The Select Data
Folder, Directory or Location box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

GUPS will only ask you to specify a location the first time you open a county’s shapefile.
When you come back to work on the same county again, the shapefile will automatically load,
even if you made no changes in your first session.
Step 9

In the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box drop-down menu, select the location
from which you wish to pull the file. This example assumes the user is pulling the data from
the BAS Web site, so click on ‘Census Web’ in the drop-down menu.

Step 10

Once you click on ‘Census Web’, the shapefile for the county begins to load and progress is
displayed by a blue striped bar (color may vary), with the percentage of the upload completed
displayed to the right.

Step 11

Step 12

Once finished loading, the Map Management screen allows you to now enter the the entity
type.
In the Entity Type field drop-down menu, select the entity type you represent. The options
are ‘Consolidated City’, County’, ‘Minor Civil Division (MCD)’, ‘Place’, and ‘State’.
Note: The options you see may vary, depending on the entity types your state contains.
Independent city users should select ‘Place’.
This example assumes a ‘County’ user.

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Step

Step 13

Action and Result

After the entity type is selected, an Entity Name field appears. Since you selected the entity
type ‘County’, and you already named Jefferson County as your working county, GUPS
automatically fills the Entity Name field with ‘Jefferson County.’

If you select ‘Consolidated City’ as your Entity Type, the name of the consolidated citycounty government automatically fills the Entity Name field.
If you select ‘Place’ as your Entity Type, the Entity Name field is blank. A drop-down menu,
which lists all incorporated places within the working county, allows you to select your entity.
If you select ‘State’ as your entity type, the state you selected in the State field automatically
fills the Entity Name field.
Step 14

In all cases, a list of the counties in the state appears at the bottom of the Map Management
dialog box.
Adjacent counties (counties whose borders touch the working county) are highlighted in
yellow and checked.

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Step

Step 15

Action and Result

All checked counties will display in the Map View. Uncheck the box for any county you do not
wish to see.
To select additional counties to display (you may choose up to a total of 10 at once), check
the checkboxes next to them. Scroll down using the scroll bar to the right to see the full list of
counties.

Step 16

For this example, we select neighboring Clark and Jennings Counties. Check the checkboxes
next to these counties, then click the Open
Management dialog box.

Step 18

button at the bottom of the Map

As GUPS loads the data, it unzips and copies the files to a folder that was created on your
computer’s home directory during the installation process. It then pulls the file into the GUPS
application.
The data layers for Jefferson County appear in the Table of Contents and the maps for the
selected adjacent (or other selected counties) appear next to that for the working county in
Map View. In our example, as shown below, Map View displays the maps for Jennings and
Clark Counties next to that for Jefferson County.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 20

If for any reason shapefiles are missing from the location you chose in the Select Data
Folder, Directory or Location drop-down menu, or the files are corrupted and cannot be
loaded, you will receive an error message such as the one shown below.

Step 21

Click OK to return to the Map Management dialog box.

Step 22

You may try loading the file(s) from another location. Simply click the Open button at the
bottom of the Map Management box.
The Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box reopens, allowing you to select
another option for securing the files.

If you have trouble loading shapefiles using the ‘Census Web’ and ‘CD/DVD’ options, follow
the instructions in Error! Reference source not found. or Table 8 to download the files to
your computer from the BAS Web site or Census Bureau’s ftp2 site. Then pull them into
GUPS using the ‘My Computer’ option in the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location
drop-down menu. When you select ‘My Computer’ the Select directory screen opens.

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Step

Action and Result

On this screen, click on the My Computer icon in the left-hand corner.
Navigate to the location of the files you want to load, then select the files and click on the
Select button at the bottom of the Select directory screen. GUPS unzips and loads the files,
then moves them to the pre-established folder on your home directory.
Step 23

After working on a project, be sure to save before exiting. Otherwise your edits will be lost. To
save, click the Save icon on the Standard toolbar.

The Current edits pop-up box asks if you want to save the changes for all layers.

Click OK. The changes are saved.
Step 24

If you do not wish to save your changes, simply close the application (click the red X in the
upper right-hand corner of the main GUPS page). A Save? pop-up warning asks if you want
to save the project.

Click Discard not to save your project.

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Step
Step 25

Action and Result
To reopen a saved project, in the Map Management dialog box, click the down arrow next to
the Open Recent button. The drop-down menu opens with your project listed.

If you share a computer with other GUPS users, multiple project files may appear in the dropdown menu, as shown below. Here three separate users in Mississippi have created projects
on the same computer.

To identify which of the entries in the list represents your project, look at its number string.
This string comprises your BAS ID. Each BAS ID is 11 digits. The first digit indicates the
Entity Type (i.e., the user type) (0 = consolidated city; 1 = incorporated place; 2 = county; 3 =
MCD; and 7 = state). The next two digits are the state FIPS code. The following three digits
are the FIPS code for the working county (these digits are ‘000’ for incorporated places). The
final five digits are the FIPS code for the specific incorporated place, consolidated city, or
MCD that created the project (for counties, these digits are ‘00000’ since the county is
already identified in the string).
The number string,
reflects a project created by a Place user (for the
City of Lena) in Mississippi, where 1 = incorporated place; 28 = Mississippi FIPS code; 000 =
placeholder number for non-county entities (if the user were a county user this number would
be the FIPS code for Chickasaw County, or 155); and 40360 = the place FIPS code for Lena.
If you do not know the BAS ID information for your particular geography, it is available within
the Map Management dialog box. Below is an example for Hanover Township, an MCD in
Jefferson County, Indiana.

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Step

Step 26

Action and Result

Once you have identified the correct file to reopen, select it from the list. The map for the
project automatically loads and the layers show in the Table of Contents.
Census Bureau-defined default layers and view settings are loaded each time you start a
new project in GUPS.
If you change these settings for a project, when you save the project your new settings are
also saved. Thus, when you reopen the project, the Table of Contents and Map View
display the layers and the map according to the settings you were last using rather than
returning to the Census Bureau default settings.
To restore the default settings for a layer:
•

Click on the layer in the Table of Contents. A drop-down menu opens.

•

In the drop-down menu, select ‘GUPS Layer’. A submenu opens.

•

In the submenu, select ‘Load default style’ (see illustration below).

To reset the default settings for all layers, select ‘Load all default style.’

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Step

Step 27

Action and Result

When you reopen a project, also note that any previously selected adjacent (or other
selected) counties appear in cyan blue and remain checked. Other adjacent counties that
have not previously been selected appear in yellow and are also checked, as shown below.

You may load files for additional counties at this point if you wish.
Loading Multiple Files at Once
The limit to how many county datasets can be loaded at once is 11 (the working county plus
10 other counties). To load shapefiles for additional counties, after the first 10 are loaded:
•

Leave the same working county selected in the Working County field.

•

Uncheck the already loaded counties in the Map Management dialog box list.

•

Check the checkboxes for the additional counties (up to 10) that you wish to add.
Click the Open button and after the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box
opens, use the drop-down menu to select the source of the files. Repeat this process
as many times as needed.

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5.3

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard
Drive

Follow the steps in below to download the files from the BAS Web site to your hard drive.
Table 7: Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to a Hard Drive
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Enter the URL into your Internet browser. The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Partnership Shapefiles page opens.

Step 2

Under ‘2018 Partnership Shapefiles’, in the ‘Select a Geography’ drop-down box, select
the name of state your entity is located in from the drop-down list ‘. The [State Name]
Partnership Shapefile Batch Download page opens.

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Step
Step 3

Action and Result
To select the county(ies) you need, click the box next to it. You may select up to five (5)
counties at a time. Once you have selected the counties needed, hit the “Submit” button at
the bottom left hand side of the page.

A prompt to save the file(s) appears.

Step 4

Click the down arrow next to Save and select ‘Save As’ in the drop-down list. The Save As
dialog box appears, with the file appearing in the File Name field. If you selected more than
one county, a single ZIP file containing the selected counties is saved.

Step 5

In the Save As dialog box, select a location on your home directory to save the files.

Step 6

Click the Save button. The file(s) are saved in the location you selected.

Step 7

To obtain shapefiles for additional counties, repeat the download process as needed.

Step 8

When you select your geography in GUPS, the application asks you to specify the location
(‘CD/DVD’, ‘My Computer’, or ‘Census Web’) of your files. When you select ‘My Computer’,
GUPS asks you to select a directory. Navigate to the location where you saved the files
and select those you wish to upload. GUPS unzips and loads the files, then moves them to
the pre-established folder on your home directory.

Step 9

When the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box opens, use the drop-down menu
to select the location from which to pull the shapefiles. In this instance, we will load them
from a Census Bureau-provided DVD. To do so, insert the DVD into your DVD drive, then
select ‘CD/DVD’, as shown below.

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Step

Action and Result

The files for Clark and Jennings Counties begin to download and progress is displayed by
the blue striped bar (color may vary), with the progress percentage noted to the right.

Step 10

5.4

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site

If you are a state level user, or if you would like to download shapefiles for several counties at
one time to your hard drive, follow the steps in Table 8.
Table 8: Download Shapefiles from ftp2 Site to a Hard Drive (State Users)
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Using Internet Explorer (IE) or a web browser of your choice navigate to
. The ftp root at ftp2.census.gov main page opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Press ‘Alt’ and click the ‘View’ tab on the browser menu and select “Open FTP site in File
Explorer” to open the Census Bureau FTP site in Windows Explorer (sometimes called file
explorer). If using Windows Explorer, you do not need a username or password to access
the ftp2 site.

Step 3

After the Census Bureau FTP site has been opened in file explorer, click the ‘geo’ folder.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Within the ‘geo’ folder, click the ‘pvs’ folder.

Step 5

Select the state folder that contains the county(ies) for which you are downloading data.
The state folders are represented using two-digital state FIPS codes.

Step 6

There are several sets of shapefiles within each state directory. You will want to download
the most recent partnership shapefiles. These shapefiles are contained within a zip file
with the prefix partnership_shapefiles_18v2. Each zip file ends with a five-digit statecounty FIPS code (e.g., 08051) which represents the county for which you are
downloading data. Make sure to choose the filename with “18v2”, because the “18v1”
files are sometimes also available in the folders.

Step 7

Select the county or counties that you intend to download and copy to your local or
network drive. You may copy the files to any location you wish. When you select your
geography in GUPS, the application asks you to specify the location (‘CD/DVD’, ‘My
Computer’, or ‘Census Web’) of your files. When you select ‘My Computer’, GUPS asks
you to select a directory. Navigate to the location where you saved the files and select
those you wish to upload. GUPS unzips and loads the files, then moves them to the preestablished folder on your home directory.
If you have an ftp client software such as winscp or filezilla (or other) you may connect to
without a password. Enter ‘anonymous’ as your user name and
enter your e-mail address in place of a password.

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5.5

Use GUPS Interface

5.5.1

GUPS Main Page

Figure 2 shows the layout of the main GUPS page. This page contains all the tools needed for
making BAS updates. All work is completed from this page. Shown in the figure are the main
page elements. These include the:
1. Menu;
2. Table of Contents;
3. Map View (where the data displays);
4. Toolbars (Standard toolbar, BAS toolbar, and Add Layers toolbar); and
5. Status Bar (at bottom of page).

Figure 2. GUPS Main Page Layout

The purpose for each element on the main GUPS page is explained in Section 5.5.1 through
Section 5.7.1 describes in detail the individual components and specific functions of each
element.
Table 9: GUPS Main Page Elements
Page Element

General Function

The menu offers basic features such as settings and help; tools to manage the map
view and import user-provided data; important calculation, measurement, and
geoprocessing tools; and tools needed to make shapefile updates. Note that almost
all of the functions available from the menu are also available in the application’s
more conveniently located toolbars.

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Page Element

General Function

Table of
Contents

The Table of Contents shows the layers on the map for the county you selected.
The Table of Contents toolbar allows you to add or remove layers (or groups),
manage layer visibility, and filter the legend by map content

Map View

The Map View displays the data for the county you selected in the Map
Management dialog box.

Standard
Toolbar

Provides the navigation and other tools needed to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables.

BAS Toolbar

Gives the specific tools needed to make bas updates, view linear feature attributes,
review and validate changes, import and export zipped files, and print.

Manage Layers
Toolbar

Offers tools to import your own data. You may superimpose map layers in GUPS to
compare the features on your own maps with those on the Census shapefiles. Note:
although shown horizontally here, this toolbar appears aligned vertically to the left of
the Table of Contents in the GUPS application.

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Page Element

General Function

Status Bar

Displays information on the map scale, projection, and coordinates and allows you to
adjust the display.

5.5.2

Table of Contents and Map View

When you choose your program and geography in the Map Management dialog box, GUPS
automatically loads a set of default data layers (and default layer groups) defined by the Census
Bureau for the program you selected. As the map opens in Map View, the list of the preset
layers (already grouped) appears in the Table of Contents.
You will use the Table of Contents and the small toolbar appearing at its top to manage your
map view. Note that the Table of Contents and the Map View windows are interdependent.
Selections you make in the Table of Contents are immediately reflected on the map display.

Figure 3. Close Table of Contents

You can close the Table of Contents at any time to see more of the map (just click on the small
‘x’ in the upper right-hand corner).To restore the Table of Contents, click the View tab on the
Menu, select ‘Panels’ in the drop-down menu, click the arrow next to ‘Panel’ to open the
submenu, then click on ‘Layers’.

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Figure 4. Restore the Table of Contents

The Table of Contents will then reopen and display in its default position on the page.

5.5.3

Managing the Map View from Within the Table of Contents

Within the Table of Contents, you can manage layer visibility (i.e., determine what layers
display on the map), reorder data layers, and set new layer symbology.

5.5.3.1

Manage Layer Visibility

To add or remove layers from the map view:
•

Click the checkbox next to a layer to add it to the map view.

•

Uncheck the checkbox next to a layer to remove it from the view.

OR, Right-click the name of the layer and select ‘Remove’ in the drop-down menu.

Figure 5. Managing Layer Visibility

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5.5.3.2

Reorder Data Layers

In the Table of Contents, the order in which the layers are listed determines how the layers
display on the map. The layers at the top display on top of those below them. To change the
display order:
1. Left-click on the layer name.
2. Hold down the mouse button and drag the layer to the desired position in the list.
3. Release the mouse button to place the layer in its new position. The map display will then reflect
the new layer order in the Table of Contents.

5.5.3.3

Expand/Contract Table of Contents Menus

To expand or contract the menu for a layer or layer group:
•

Click on the ‘+’ sign to expand the group. When you click the ‘+’ sign next to the layer name
, the layer’s submenu opens:

•

5.6

When you click the ‘-’ sign next to the layer name, the submenu retracts:

Menu & Toolbars

The main Menu, the Standard toolbar, and the BAS toolbar are located at the top of the
GUPS page. These toolbars offer general GIS and system tools and allow you to make your
BAS updates.

Figure 6. Menu and Toolbars

The Manage Layer toolbar, the vertical toolbar located to the left of the Table of Contents
(shown here in a horizontal position) allows you to import user-provided data.

Figure 7. Manage Layer Toolbar
Note: Although the Menu is always located at the top of the page and cannot be moved, you may move
the toolbars to the location most convenient for you. For example, if you prefer that the Add Data
toolbar appear at the top of the page, you can drag it there. This allows you to expand the area
available for the Table of Contents and Map View.
•

As you work with the toolbars, hover your mouse over any toolbar button to see the name of the
tool it represents. You can also resize and reposition the toolbars by dragging them.

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•

The Menu, the Standard toolbar, and the BAS toolbar are described in the section below. The
Add Data toolbar is discussed in Section 0:

•

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS.

5.6.1

Menu Tabs

Table 10 below defines each of the tabs on the main Menu, provides an image of the
drop-down options for each, and describes each tab’s function.
Table 10: Menu Tabs and Their Functions
Tab
Project

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description
From the Project tab, you may save a project,
click on ‘Save as Image’ to create an image
file of the map in Map View, or exit the
application.
If you click ‘Save as Image’, GUPS allows you
to select a file type for the image (.png, .jpg,
.tif, etc.), name the file, and save it to any
location on your computer.

Edit

From the Edit tab, you may ‘Undo’ your last
action or ‘Redo’ the action (if you selected
‘Undo’ and then changed your mind).
Note: For ‘Undo’ to work, the correct layer
must be selected in the Table of Contents.
For example, if you added a linear feature in
the Edges layer, then closed the layer and
opened the Area Landmarks layer, ‘Undo’
will not delete the linear feature. You must
reselect the Edges layer to undo the linear
feature’s addition.
Note: You may undo multiple actions within a
layer (e.g., the addition of several linear
features) provided you have not yet saved.
Once you save an action, ‘Undo’ is disabled.

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Tab
View

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description
The View tab allows you to complete several
actions also available on the Standard
toolbar. Included are options for navigating
the map, identifying feature attributes,
measuring distance, and creating spatial
bookmarks to return to the same map view at
a later time.
From this location you can also:
•
•

•

Layer

Set what toolbars display.
Restore the Table of Contents if you
earlier closed it (click ‘Panels’ in the
drop-down menu, click the right
arrow, click ‘Layers’ in the Layers
down-menu).
Refresh the map to restore it to the
original map extent.

The Layer tab allows you to add and remove
layers from the map, open the layer attribute
table, set the map projection, or Coordinate
Reference System (CRS), and display or hide
layers.
Note: Many of these same functions are
more conveniently located on the Add Layers
toolbar and the small toolbar that sits at the
top of the Table of Contents.

Settings

The Settings tab allows you to customize the
CRS and map display options and set
snapping tolerances (see instructions below
this table).

Vector

The Vector tab provides access to several
Geoprocessing Tools, which allow you to
create buffers around features, overlay areas
so that you can create an intersection, union,
or symmetrical difference, merge features,
and perform other common geoprocessing
actions.

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Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

Raster

The Raster tab provides access to a
Calculator, which allows you to perform
calculations on the basis of existing raster
pixel values.

Web

The MetaSearch option takes you to a search
tool that uses another search engine’s data to
produce results from the Internet. You can
use the default services already loaded, or
add your own sites. The Help option takes
you to

Processing

Although available to GUPS users, the
options under the Processing tab are not
needed for Census Bureau geographic
program participation. The items under this
tab pertain to algorithms, creating models,
viewing the results of algorithms executed,
and history.

Help

The Help tab provides tools for understanding
QGIS (the open-source platform on which
GUPS was developed) and the GUPS
application itself. It also contains BAS contact
information, access to the online version of
this guide, training videos, and other
information. Clicking the About option will
bring up the latest version you have loaded on
your pc.

GUPS

The GUPS tab provides quick access to the
key tools also available on the Standard and
BAS toolbars, including those needed to

manage maps;
Click the ‘About GUPS’ option in the
drop-down menu to find the GUPS
version number. If you call for technical
support, you will need to supply this
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Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

number Here the version number is
5.11.0-1. The number you see will be
more recent.

make linear changes;

area feature changes;
review and validate your work;

import county ZIP files from other users, and
export maps;

and
add imagery.

Note on Snapping Tolerances
Snapping tolerances in GUPS are pre-defined by layer (e.g., the default tolerance for edges is set to
15 pixels). When making boundary corrections, you may want to adjust the snapping tolerances for a
layer or layers. To do this, follow the steps in Table 11.

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Table 11: Adjust Snapping Tolerances
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
In the Settings tab drop-down menu, click on ‘Snapping Options’.

The Snapping options dialog box opens.

Step 2

From the Snapping mode drop-down menu, select whether you want the tolerance
adjustment to apply only to the current layer or to all layers.

Step 3

From the Snap to drop-down menu, choose the snapping method.

Step 4

From the Tolerance drop-down menu, use the up and down arrows to select the value you
want and then select your units (map units or pixels) in the drop-down to the right.

Step 5

If you want to enable topological editing and/or snapping on an intersection, use the
checkboxes next to each.

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Step

Step 6

5.6.2

Action and Result

Click OK. The new snapping tolerances are set.

Standard Toolbar Buttons

The Standard toolbar provides the navigation tools to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables.

Figure 8. Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar actually includes several smaller toolbars. Each sub-toolbar is identified
by a series of small parallel lines that precede it.

Figure 9. Sub-tool Markers

The first sub-toolbar contains the Save button, Map Management button (opens the Map
Management dialog box), and the Search button. The second sub-toolbar provides tools for
viewing and navigating the map in Map View, and the third sub-toolbar allows you to identify,
select, and deselect features on the map, make measurements, create spatial bookmarks, and
work with the layers’ attribute tables.
You can move the location of the sub-toolbars. Simply left-click the parallel lines preceding the
sub-toolbar and while holding down the mouse, drag the sub-toolbar to the location you want.
Each button on the Standard toolbar and its purpose is defined in

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Table 12: below.

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Table 12: Standard Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Save

Saves the current GUPS project, including any user
changes to layer properties, projection, last viewed extent,
and layers added.

Map Management

Choose your geographic participant program in GUPS and
access the automatically loaded default map display
layers based on the program chosen.

GUPS Data
Settings

Warning! This tool deletes files and folders
permanelty! Change GUPSGIS data working directory
and clean GUPS project data.

Search the map by place, landmark, or street name and
zoom automatically to the feature.

Touch Zoom and
Pan

Designed for touchscreen computers. Allows you to zoom
and pan the map displayed in Map View using finger
gestures to increase or decrease the map scale.

Pan Map

Shifts the map in Map View without changing the map
scale. Click the button, then click a location on the map to
re-center the map to the clicked location.

Pan Map to
Selection

Shifts the map in Map View to the rows selected in the
attribute table for a selected feature. After selecting a
feature(s), click the button to re-center the map based on
the selected feature(s).

Zoom In

Displays the map in Map View at a larger scale. Click the
button, then click on the map at the location to which you
want to zoom.

Zoom Out

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale.

Zoom Full

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale and
zooms the map view to the full extent of the county.

Zoom to Selection

Zooms the Map View to the rows selected by query in the
attribute table for a feature(s). After selecting a feature(s)
on the map, click the button to view the feature(s) at a
greater map scale.

Zoom to Layer

Zooms the Map View to the layer selected in the Table of
Contents. After selecting the layer, click the button to
zoom to the layer’s extent.

Zoom Last

Zooms the Map View to the previous map extent.

Zoom Next

Zooms the Map View forward to the next map extent (if
you viewed the previous extent).

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Button

Name

Function / Description

Refresh

Displays Map View to initial full display.

Identify Features

Identifies geographic features. Click the button, then click
on a feature on the map to identify the feature at the
location.

Select Features
by Area or Single
Click

Allows the user to select layer features in the map window
with a single click, by dragging the cursor, or by drawing
graphics on the screen.

Deselect Features
from All Layers

Deselects selected features from all layers.

Select Features
Using an
Expression

Initiates an attribute table record request by querying the
table based on table fields and/or values in the fields.

Measure

Provides options to measure linear distance, area, and
angles on the map.

New Bookmark

Creates and names a spatial bookmark of the current map
view.

Show Bookmarks

Display all bookmarks created by the user.

Most of the sub-toolbar buttons defined above are straight-forward. Those related to features,
however, require further explanation. You will need these buttons to identify and select/deselect
features on the map and to view feature attributes. You will also need them to make
measurements and create spatial bookmarks.

5.6.2.1

Identify a Feature Using the Identify Features Button

To identify a feature on the map, follow the steps in Table 13 below.
Table 13: Identify a Feature on the Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Identify button on the Standard toolbar.

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Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Then right-click on the feature. The results will display in drop-down menus on the map.

To see all attributes for the feature, select ‘Show attribute table’ in the faces drop-down
menu.
Step 3

5.6.2.2

Alternately, click the Identify button, then left-click on the feature. The feature turns red (color
may vary) and the Identify Results screen opens under the Table of Contents, showing the
feature attributes. (Note that here we have dragged the screen from beneath the Table of
Contents so that it sits over the map.)

Select/Deselect Features Using the Select Features and Deselect
Features Buttons

The Select Features button gives you several ways to select features on the map. The
Deselect Features from All Layers button allows you to deselect features you previously
selected. Table 14 describes each of the feature selection methods, discusses when one might
be preferable over another, and explains how to deselect features.

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Table 14: Select / Deselect Features on the Map
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

To begin, click on the layer name in the Table of Contents for the layer in which you want to
select a feature. For example, if you want to select linear features, click on the ‘edges’ layer;
if you want to select faces, click on the ‘faces’ layer.

Step 2

Click once on the Select Features button on the Standard Toolbar.

Step 3

To select an edge or face on the map, click on it. In this example, we have selected ‘faces’ in
the Table of Contents and clicked on a face. The face selected turns cyan blue (color may
vary).

Step 4

To select more than one face, hold down the CTRL key while clicking on the additional faces
you wish to select. This method is suited to instances where you want to select faces that are
not contiguous, as shown below.

You can also select multiple features by simply clicking the Select Feature button, then
dragging your cursor over the features. This method is convenient when you want to select a
large number of contiguous faces or a large number of nearby linear features without having
to click each, one by one.
A Note on GUPS Tools
GUPS tools remain active until a different tool is selected. For example, if you use the Select
Features tool to choose faces for a new area landmark, then decide you would rather add a
new linear feature instead, you must click the Add Linear Feature tool before you click on
the map again. If you do not, the Select Features tool, still active, selects a face.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

To open other Select Features options, click on the down arrow to the right of the Select
Features button. The Select Features drop-down menu opens.

Step 6

The first option in the menu, ‘Select Feature(s)’, duplicates the functions available when you
click on the main button on the toolbar.

Step 7

The second option, ‘Select Features by Polygon’, allows you to draw a polygon on the map
to select features. To use this feature select it in the drop-down menu, then follow the steps
below.

Step 8

Left-click on the map where you want to begin the polygon. Drag your cursor to extend the
line to the point you want, left-click, then extend the line in a new direction. Continue until you
have a closed polygon, as shown below.

Step 9

When you are done, right-click. (This tells the system you have finished drawing). All faces
with an edge appearing within the polygon are highlighted in cyan blue.

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Step

Step 10

Action and Result

The third option, ‘Select Features by Freehand’, allows you to use your cursor to draw a
variety of shapes to select a face or faces.

To use this option, click on the map and use your cursor to draw any shape (polygon,
triangle, circle, etc.). If the shape does not cross any edges, the single face in which the
shape is drawn is selected and turns cyan blue. If the shape crosses several faces, all faces
whose edges are crossed are selected and turn cyan blue.
Note: This method is particularly useful when attempting to select a very small face. You
may draw a tiny triangle, for example, within a face to select it.
Step 11

The final option, ‘Select Features by Radius’, allows you to use your cursor to draw a circle
to define the features you want to select.

To use this tool, left-click on the map where you want to begin, then hold down the mouse
and drag the cursor outward to expand the circle. Release the mouse when you are done.
The feature(s) selected is(are) highlighted in cyan blue.
Step 12

You can either deselect polygons selected by holding and using the same selection option to
deselect by holding CTRL and retracing over the polygons, or deselect a feature or features
automatically by clicking the Deselect Features from All Layers button (next to the Select
Features button) once.

The selected features in all layers are deselected.

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5.6.2.3

Select Features by Querying the Attribute Table

Another method to select features is by querying the attribute table. To do so, follow the steps in
Table 15. In this example, we are querying the attribute table for the edges layer to locate and
select all linear features flagged as edges for block boundaries.
Table 15: Select Features by Querying the Attribute Table
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Select Features Using an Expression button on the Standard toolbar.

The Select by Expression window opens. The window has two tabs: Expression and
Function Editor.

Step 2

Under the Expressions tab, click the plus (‘+’) signs next to the items in the Functions field
to display their submenus.

Step 3

To build a query, click the ‘Fields and Values’ ‘+’ sign to open the list of choices. Then doubleclick on your choice. In this example, we will select ‘BBSP Flag’ to search for all features

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Step

Action and Result
flagged as edges for block boundaries. Once selected, “BBSP Flag” appears in the expression
pane, and a Load values field is added to the Fields pane at the bottom far-right corner.

Step 4

Select an operator from a full list by clicking the ‘+’ sign next to “Operators’ in the Functions
pane. OR If you need a commonly used operator such as equals, plus, or minus, click its
corresponding button in the row of buttons at the top of the Expression pane.

Step 5

In this example, we need the operator for equals. Double-click the ‘=‘ operator button. The
expression in the Expression pane now reads “BBSP Flag” =.

Step 6

To select a specific value for the field “BBSP Flag”, click either the all unique or 10 samples
button in the Load values field. The Values field above the buttons populates with all allowed
values.

Step 7

Select a value. We will select ‘4’ by double-clicking on it in the Values field list. The
expression changes to “BBSP Flag” = ‘4’.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 8
Double-click the Select by Expression
button just below the Load values field.
Then click Close. All edges marked with a BBSP Flag with a value of ‘4’ turn cyan blue (color
may vary) on the map.

5.6.2.4

View an Attribute Table for a Layer on the Map

To view an attribute table for a map layer, follow the steps in the table below.
Table 16: View Layer Attributes Using the Attributes Table
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click the layer in the Table of Contents. The drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

Click the ‘Open Attribute Table’ option in the drop-down menu. The Attribute table opens
showing all features in the layer and their attributes (e.g., name, MTFCCs, etc.). Each
column represents a separate attribute and each row an individual feature.

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Step

Step 3

5.6.2.5

Action and Result

To select a feature to view, click on the number on the far left of the row. To select multiple
features, click on the number of the row for the first feature you want to select, then press
the CTRL key. While holding the CTRL key down, click on the numbers for the other
individual rows you want to select. To select a range of features, click on the number for the
row showing the first feature you want to select, then press the SHIFT key. While holding
down the SHIFT key, click on the number for the last row you want to select.

Determine Distance, Area, and Angles on the Map

To measure the distance between two or more points, area, or an angle on a map, follow the
steps in Table 17.
Table 17: Measure Distances, Area, and Angles on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Measure button on the Standard toolbar.

The Measure button drop-down menu opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

To measure the distance between two points on the map, select ‘Measure Line’ in the dropdown menu. The Measure box opens.

Step 3

Zoom to the map location where you want to make the measurement. Then click on the
beginning point on the map and continue clicking on points until you reach the final point.
Right-click when you are done. The length of each segment of the line you drew, as well as the
total length of the line between the beginning point and the ending point, appear in the
Measure box.

Step 4

To measure area on the map, select ‘Measure Area’ in the drop-down menu. The Measure
box opens. When the box opens, left-click on the map to begin drawing a polygon around the
area you want to measure. Left-click when you reach each vertex of the polygon. When you
are finished, right-click. The area polygon encompasses appears in the Total field. Use the
drop-down to the right to see the area in other units of measure.

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Step

Action and Result

To begin a new measurement, click the New button.
Step 5

5.6.2.6

To measure an angle on the map, first select the ‘Measure Angle’ option in the drop-down
menu. Then left-click on the map to begin drawing the angle. Drag the mouse (but do not hold
down the mouse button) to create the first side of the angle. Then left-click. Drag the mouse
again (again without holding down the mouse button) to draw the second leg. The Angle box
opens showing the angle measurement.

Save Locations on a Map Using the Bookmark Button

To save geographic locations on your map and view them later, follow the steps in Table 18
below.
Table 18: Bookmark Locations on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Zoom to the location on the map in Map View that you wish to bookmark and click on the
New Bookmark button on the Standard toolbar.

The Geospatial Bookmarks box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Click on the row named ‘New Bookmark’bookmark’. Then backspace over ‘New
Bookmark’ bookmark’ and type in a descriptive name for the bookmark (255-character
limit). Click the Close button. The bookmark is added.

Step 3

To view and manage spatial bookmarks, click on the Show Bookmarks button on the
Standard toolbar. The Geospatial Bookmarks dialog box again opens.
To zoom to a bookmark, click on a bookmark name in the dialog box and then click the
Zoom to button.
To delete a bookmark, click on the bookmark name, then press the Delete button.
Bookmark names and coordinates cannot be edited from the Geospatial Bookmarks
dialog box.

5.6.3

BAS Toolbar Buttons

The BAS toolbar provides the BAS-specific functions needed to complete your review and
update activities, as well as to import and export zipped shapefiles.

Figure 10. BAS Toolbar

Each toolbar button is described in Table 19 below.
Table 19: BAS Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Add Linear
Feature

Add a new linear feature.

Delete Linear
feature

Delete an existing linear feature.

Split Linear
Feature

Split a linear feature. You may need to split a linear feature to accurately
reflect an entity’s location. This feature “splits” the original into two.

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Button

5.6.4

Name

Function / Description

Display All
Names

Displays all names for a street with multiple names assigned in the
MAF/TIGER System.

User Address
List

Import an address list (.csv, .txt, etc.) into GUPS.

Modify Linear
Feature
Attributes

Edit attributes of a selected linear feature.

Modify Area
Feature

Make updates to legal area (annexations, deannexations, boundary
corrections, etc.).

Show/Hide
Legend

Shows or hides the layer.

Geography
Review Tool

Review the attribute table for a layer.

Review Change
Polygons

Review change polygons in a layer and make corrections (reviews
change polygons for holes and minimum size).

Import County
ZIP

Import zipped Census Bureau shapefiles shared by another GUPS user.

Export to ZIP

Create the ZIP file containing all required data and shapefiles to be
submitted to the Census Bureau.

Print Map to File

Export a printable map in .pdf, .png, .tif, or jpeg format.

Add Point
Landmark

Add a new point landmark.

Edit Point
Landmark

Edit point landmark attributes.

Delete Point
Landmark

Delete an existing point landmark.

Status Bar

The Status bar at the bottom of the GUPS main page displays information about the map. It
allows you to adjust the map scale and see the mouse cursor’s coordinates on the map.

Figure 11. Status Bar

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Table 20 describes each element of the Status bar.
Table 20: Status Bar Elements
Item

Description
Allows you to toggle between the mouse’s coordinate position or the map view extents
as you pan and zoom in and out on the map.

Coordinate

Shows your current position in map coordinates (default is decimal degrees for GUPS)
as your map cursor is moved across the map.

Scale

Shows the current zoom level in the Map View. Can be changed by selecting one of the
predefined levels from the drop down, by typing in a new ratio, or using the scroll wheel
on your mouse.

Rotation

Shows the map rotation.

Render

Allows you to temporarily prevent layers from drawing by clicking the checkbox
immediately to the left of “Render.”
Clicking on the icon opens the projection properties for the current map.

5.7

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS

5.7.1

The Add Data Toolbar

To import your own imagery, geodatabase, shapefiles, web mapping service, or other data
layers into GUPS you will use the Add Data toolbar.

Figure 12. Add Data Toolbar

Although shown in a horizontal position here, the Add Data toolbar appears arranged vertically
to the left of the Table of Contents in GUPS. Its buttons are described in Table 21.
Table 21: Add Data Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Add Vector
Layer

Allows you to add shapefile and geodatabase files to your GUPS project.

Add Raster
Layer

Allows you to add raster datasets such as imagery.

Add PostGIS
Layer

Add PostGIS layer.

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Button

Name

Function / Description

Add SpatialLite
Layer

Add data from a SpatialLite database.

Add MS SQL
Layer

Add MS SQL 2008 Spatial data.

Add Oracle
Spatial Layer

Add a spatial layer from an Oracle database.

Add
WMS/WM(T)S
Layer

Add Web Mapping Services and Web Mapping Tile Services. Publicly
accessible and secured WMS services are supported.

Add WCS
Layer

Add Web Coverage Services, which provide access to raster data useful
for client-side map rendering.

Add WFS Layer

Add Web Feature Services.

New Shapefile
Layer
Add a new shapefile layer or new temporary scratch layer.

5.7.2

How to Upload User-Provided Data Layers

GUPS supports vector data in a number of formats, including those supported by the OGR
library data provider plugin, such as ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo MIF (interchange format), and
MapInfo TAB (native format). It also supports PostGIS layers in a PostgreSQL database and
SpatiaLite layers. Support for additional data types (e.g., delimited text) is provided by additional
data provider plugins.
Below are the steps to import the most commonly used data formats. To upload shapefile or
geodatabase data layers, follow the steps in the table below.
Note: You May Only Upload One User-Provided Data Layer at a Time. If you have multiple data
layers that you wish to upload, note that GUPS will only allow you to upload one layer at a time.
Table 22: Load Shapefiles/Geodatabase Layers
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Begin the upload. Click the Add Vector Layer
Add Vector Layer dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

In the Encoding drop-down menu, the default value is ‘System’. If you receive an error
message when opening your file, use the drop-down to select UTF-8. UTF-8 populates the
Encoding field.

Step 3

Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder where the shapefile or geodatabase is
saved on your computer.

Step 4

Left-click the file you want to upload, then click the Open button. The shapefile / geodatabase
is added to the Table of Contents and to the Map View window.

To load data from a web mapping service, follow the steps in Table 23 below.
Table 23: Load Data from a Web Mapping Service
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Begin the upload. Click the Add WMS/WM(T)S Layer button
The Add Layers from a WM(T)S Server dialog box opens.

on the Add Data toolbar.

Step 2

Select the web mapping service. Click the Layers tab, then click the New button under the
tab. The Create a new WMS Connection dialog box opens.

Step 3

In the Name field, type a name for the web mapping imagery service. In the URL field, type
the URL for the service. If the service requires a user name and password, type them in the
fields provided. Click OK. The service will be added to the drop-down menu for web mapping
services appearing just below the Labels tab.
Note: If you are working inside a firewall, you may be prompted to enter a user name and
password to obtain resources from outside the firewall.

Step 4

Select the imagery service you added in the drop-down menu. The available layers appear in
the ID/Name/Title/Abstract box.

Step 5

Click on the layer you want to display, then click the Add button. The WMS is added to the
map showing in Map View and to the Table of Contents.

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Step

Action and Result
When the WMS is added, it displays over the top of other layers you have selected for Map
View. To make it display below these layers, click on the WMS layer and, while holding down
the mouse button, drag it to the bottom of the Table of Contents.

If you do not have access to a web mapping service, have a poor Internet connection, or work
under a restrictive firewall, you can still add other types of imagery files to GUPS (e.g., a county
or state imagery dataset), one option for adding imagery may be the National Agricultural
Imagery Service (NAIP), supplied in web mapping service format by the U.S. Geological Survey.
To add imagery files, follow the steps in the Table 24 below.
Table 24: Add Imagery Files
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Click the Add Raster Layer
button on the Add Data toolbar. The Open a GDAL
Supported Raster Data Source dialog box opens.
Step 2

Navigate to the folder on your computer where the imagery file is stored.

Step 3

Select the file, then click Open. The file loads into GUPS.

5.7.3

How to Import a Shared ZIP Shapefile

If you want to import Census Bureau shapefiles already updated by another user, you may use
the Import Project ZIP File button (available both on the BAS toolbar and in the Map
Management dialog box), then follow the steps in Table 25 below.
Table 25: Import a ZIP File Shared by Another User
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Import Project ZIP File button in the upper left-hand corner of the Map
Management dialog box:

OR on the BAS toolbar:

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

The Open window opens.

Step 3

From this window, click on the ‘Computer’ icon (called ‘My Computer’ in some versions of
Windows) located in the far-left-hand pane.
When the list of directories opens, navigate to the location where the shared ZIP file is
located.

Step 4

Once you locate the file, click once on the file, then click the Open button.

The file loads into Map View.

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MAKING BAS UPDATES IN GUPS
The tables in this section provide step-by-step instructions for making BAS updates. The
examples assume you have read and understood the directions for opening GUPS and using
Map Management. If you do not yet feel comfortable with Map Management, please review the
contents of Section 5: Using GUPS (Basics and Map Management) before you begin making
updates. It is highly recommended to use a souce of imagery data when making any BAS
updates.
All examples shown here, although using real data, are purely fictitious. They are employed for
purposes of illustration only and do not indicate any actual geographic changes.

6.1

How to Update Legal Boundaries

6.1.1

Recording an Annexation

Follow the steps in Table 26 to record an annexation. The fictitious example in this table looks
at an incorporated place named Kissimmee, Florida. Kissimmee has annexed several parcels
previously outside its city limits.
Table 26: Record an Annexation
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the place (or other legal entity) that is annexing
area. Be sure that you have all layers you wish to see on the map checked in the Table of
Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click the drop-down area next to the Geography field, and select the entity type (here
‘Place’), from the drop-down menu. A list of all incorporated places in the county appears in
the Info list in the bottom portion of the dialog box.

Step 4

Double-click on the row in the list for the place that is making the annexation (here
‘Kissimmee city’). (Note: The list of places is short, but in some cases it can be long. Use the
scroll bar to the right of the list to move up and down the list, if needed.) Once you doubleclick on the row, the map zooms to the place selected.

Step 5

If the map does not zoom to a scale sufficient to make your changes, click on the Zoom in
button on the Standard toolbar.

Step 6

To select the faces you want to add to the place, click on the small down arrow next to the
Select Features button on the dialog box toolbar. The Select Features button drop-down
menu opens. In this example we will use the “radius” method to select the faces we want to
add to Kissimmee. Click on ‘Select Features by Radius’ in the menu.

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Step

Step 7

Action and Result

Next, go to the map and place your cursor where you want to add the faces.
To select a single face, simply drag the cursor outward in the center of the face. To select
multiple faces, drag the cursor across the edges that separate the faces. In this example, we
select seven faces. The faces selected turn cyan blue (color may vary).

Because all geographic areas consist of faces, you may need to “split” a face to accurately
reflect an entity’s boundary. To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the boundary’s
location (click on Table 33 for instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it the
appropriate MTFCC. This splits the original face into two faces. You can now select the face
you need to add to the new entity.
If you accidentally select a face you do not wish to include, you can use the Deselect
Features from All Layers option in the Select Feature(s) drop-down menu to clear the
selected faces from your screen and start over.

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Step

Step 8

Action and Result

Click the Add Area button on the dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature Choose Change Type pop-up box appears, and asks you to
choose your change type.

Step 9

Since this is an annexation, click the ‘Legal Change’ radio button, then click OK. The Create
Change Polygons dialog box opens, with the state and county FIPS codes, the place name,
and the Legal/Statistical Area Description (LSAD) already populated.

Step 10

Click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to open the calendar, then click on the
effective date for the annexation.

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Step

Action and Result

The selected date will populate the EFF_DATE field.
Step 11

Select an authority type for the annexation in the AUTHTYPE field drop-down menu.

Step 12

In the DOCU field, type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the
annexation or upload documentation for the change. To upload documentation, click the
folder icon next to the DOCU field.

The DOCU window opens.

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Step
Step 13

Action and Result
Click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in some Windows versions) to open
the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

Step 14

Select the appropriate directory in the list and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click
the file, then to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

The name of the document populates the DOCU field on the dialog box.

Step 15

Finally, select ‘Annexation’ in the drop-down menu for the CHNG_TYPE field.

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Step

Step 16

6.1.2

Action and Result

When you are finished, click OK. The added faces (once you save) turn tan in color on the
map (color may vary).

Recording a Deannexation

Follow the steps in Table 27 to record a deannexation. The fictitious example in this table uses
Sayre City, an incorporated place in Oklahoma.
Table 27: Recording a Deannexation
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the place (or other legal entity) that is
deannexing area. Be sure that you have all layers you wish to see on the map checked in the
Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Step 3

Action and Result

Click the arrow next to the Geography field, and select in the drop-down menu the entity
type from which you want to deannex area. In this example we are deannexing land from an
incorporated place, so we select ‘Place’.

Place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated places in the county
appears in the Info list in the bottom portion of the dialog box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click on the place name (Sayre city) in the list. The map zooms to Sayre.

Step 5

Zoom on the map to the location where the deannexation occurred. Then choose a method
for selecting the faces to be deannexed. In this example, in the drop-down menu for the
Select Features tool, click on the ‘Select Feature(s)’ option.

Step 6

Click on the face you want to select. If you want to select more than one face, depress the
CTRL key, and while holding the CTRL key down, click each face to be deannexed. The
selected face(s) turn cyan blue (colors may vary).

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Step

Action and Result
appropriate MTFCC. This splits the original face into two faces. You can now select the face
you need to add to the new entity.

Step 7

Click the Remove Area button on the dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type pop-up box appears, and asks you to
choose your change type.

Step 8

Since this is a legal deannexation, click the ‘Legal Change’ radio button, then click OK. The
Create Change Polygons dialog box opens.

Step 9

In the Create Change Polygons dialog box, click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE
field and, when the calendar opens, click on the date which the deannexation became
effective.

The date selected populates the EFF_DATE field.
Step 10

Select an authority type for the deannexation in the AUTHTYPE field drop-down menu.

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Step

Step 11

Action and Result

In the DOCU field, type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the
deannexation, or upload legal documentation for the change. To upload documentation, click
the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

When the DOCU window opens, click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in
some Windows versions) to open the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

Step 12

Select the appropriate directory and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click the file.
Then, to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

GUPS uploads the file and the file name appears in the DOCU field on the Create Change
Polygons dialog box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 13

In the CHNG_TYPE field drop-down menu, select ‘De-annexation’.

Step 14

When finished, click OK. The selected faces turn green on the map (color may vary).

6.1.3

Adding a New Legal Entity (New Incorporation)

Follow the steps Table 28 to add a new legal entity. In this example, we will add a fictitious
newly incorporated place in Michigan.
Table 28: Adding a New Legal Entity
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county where you want to add a new entity. Be sure that you have all
layers you wish to see checked in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

Click the drop-down arrow next to the Geography field, and select the entity type you want
to add from the drop-down menu. In this example we are adding a newly incorporated city,
so we select ‘Place’.

Place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated places in the county
appears in the Info list.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Zoom to the location where the new entity is located. To select the faces for the entity, leftclick once on the Select Features button on the dialog box toolbar.

Step 5

Then click on the map to select the face or faces.
If the entity includes only a single face, you may simply click once on the face to select it. If
the entity includes several contiguous faces, after clicking on the first face, depress the
CTRL key and while holding it down, left-click on each additional face to be added. The
selected faces turn cyan blue (colors may vary).

Note: You may also select faces (after clicking the Select Features button) by simply
dragging your cursor over the edges that mark their boundaries. Additional means of
selecting faces (by polygon, by freehand, and by radius) are discussed Table 14:
Select/Deselect Features on the Map.
Because all geographic areas consist of faces, you may need to “split” a face to accurately
reflect an entity’s boundary.
To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the boundary’s location (click on Table 33
for instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it the appropriate MTFCC. This splits the
original face into two faces. You can now select the face you need to add to the new entity.
Step 6

To record the new entity, click the Add Entity button on the dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature new entity dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Note: If you click the Add Entity button before selecting the faces, you will see a pop-up
box warning. Simply click OK and add the faces.

Since we have already selected faces, we do not see the pop-up warning.
Step 7

In the new entity dialog box, type the new legal entity name in the Name field.

Step 8

Next add the effective date for the legal change. Click on the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field and, when the calendar opens, click on the effective date.

The date selected populates the EFF_DATE field.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 9

Next, add the authority type using the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu.

Step 10

Finally, either type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the
new entity in the DOCU field, or upload documentation for the change. To upload
documentation, click the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

The DOCU window opens.

Step 11

Click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in some Windows versions) to
open the directory where you have saved your documentation.

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Step

Action and Result

Your directories display, as shown below.

Step 12

Select the appropriate directory in the list and navigate to the file you want to upload as
documentation, then click the file. The file name appears in the File name: field.
To upload the file, click the Open button.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 13

Once you have clicked the Open button, the name of the document appears in the DOCU
field.

Step 14

If you have completed all required fields, when you click OK, the faces for the new entity
turn purple on the map (colors may vary) and the name of the new entity appears in the list
of incorporated places in the Modify Area Feature dialog box.

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Step

Action and Result

Once the Census Bureau verifies the new entity, it will assign it a FIPS code.
The code preceding the new entity name in the list is not a FIPS code, and should not be
used for any official purpose. It is only a placeholder until the official FIPS code can be
assigned.
Step 15

To make additional changes to the map, simply make a new selection in the Modify Area
Feature dialog box Geography field and continue work. You may save your changes as
you go or wait until you have finished all work on the map. Saving as changes are
completed, however, is recommended to avoid losing work in the event of a power outage or
system interruption.
New Entity that Crosses a County Boundary
If the new entity crosses a county boundary, you must add the new entity in both counties
separately. After making the change in your working county, return to Map Management,
select the other county as the working county, and proceed to add the new entity in this
county as well. If the added entity crosses more than one county boundary, complete the
addition in each county affected.

6.1.4

Deleting an Entity (Disincorporation)

Follow the steps in Table 29 to record a disincorporation. In this example, we will show a
fictitious disincorporation for Minersville, Utah.
Table 29: Record a Disincorporation
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the entity you wish to delete. Be sure that you
have all layers you wish to see checked in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Step 3

Action and Result

Click the drop-down arrow next to the Geography field, and select ‘Place’ in the drop-down
menu.

Place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated places in the county
appears in the Info list.

Step 4

Click the entity in the list for which you want to show the disincorporation (here Minersville).
The map zooms to Minersville.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

Click the Delete button on the toolbar inside the Modify Area Feature dialog box.

A pop-up asks you ‘Are you sure you want to permanently delete this Area feature?’

Step 6

Click OK. The disincorporated entity turns green on the map (color may vary), and it is
removed from the list of incorporated places in the county.

Step 7

To make additional changes to the map, simply make a new selection in the Modify Area
Feature dialog box Geography field and continue work.

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Step

Action and Result
Deleted Entity that Crosses a County Boundary
If the deleted entity crosses a county boundary, you must delete the entity in both counties
separately. After making the change in your working county, return to Map Management,
select the other county as the working county, and proceed to delete the entity in this county
as well. If the deleted entity crosses more than one county boundary, complete the deletion in
each county affected.

6.1.5

Making a Boundary Update on a County Line

Users reporting on behalf of an incorporated place may make changes across county
boundaries for their place. The steps in Table 30 below provide an example for an annexation
by a place across a county boundary. The fictitious example uses Brooklyn Village, in Dane
County, Wisconsin. It has annexed land in adjacent Rock County.
Table 30: Record an Annexation in an Adjacent County
Step

Action and Result
Independent City Users: Users reporting for independent cities (cities independent of any
county and treated by the Census Bureau as county equivalents) should follow the steps
described below to show annexations / deannexations between the city and surrounding
counties. County Users: When updating a county boundary, you must switch the working
county to add / remove area located in the other county. To update a boundary, use the
instructions below, but in Step 6, select County instead of Place in the Geography drop-down
menu, and in Step 7, click in the Info list on the name of the county to which you want add or
remove the area.

Step 1

To show a boundary change that crosses a county boundary, you must change your working
county to the county in which the added faces are located. This example assumes that Dane
County is your working county and is already displayed in Map View. To switch the working
county:
Click the Map Management button on the Standard toolbar.

The Map Management dialog box opens showing the program, state, working county, entity
type, and entity name you earlier selected. A list of adjacent counties, highlighted in yellow,
displays near the bottom of the dialog box.

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Step

Step 2

Action and Result

To change the working county, click the down arrow for the Working County field to open
the drop-down menu and select Rock County from the list. Select County from the Entity
Type field.

The list of adjacent counties repopulates to show the counties adjacent to Rock County.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Unclick the checkbox for all counties except Dane. Then click the Open
button at
the bottom of the Map Management dialog box. A Save current project pop-up box asks if
you would like to save your current project.

Step 4

Click the Save button in order not to lose any changes you previously made to the Dane
County shapefile. The Map View displays both Dane and Rock Counties and the Table of
Contents displays the layers for the new working county (Rock County).

Step 5

To select the entity within Dane County to which you want to add the area that is within Rock
County, click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step
Step 6

Action and Result
In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type to which the annexed land
should be assigned. Because Brooklyn Village is an incorporated place, select ‘Place’.

A list of all incorporated places in both Rock and Dane Counties appears in the Info list at the
bottom of the dialog box. The list includes Brooklyn Village.

Step 7

Scroll down the list and click the row for ‘Brooklyn village’. The map zooms to the portion of
the county boundary where Brooklyn Village is located.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 8

Zoom in to the faces to be annexed, then click the Select Features button on the dialog box
toolbar once.

Step 9

Click the face on the map to be added, if there is only one. If you want to add additional
faces, hold down the CRTL key and continue to click on faces until you are done. The
selected faces turn a more vibrant yellow (color may vary).

To add the faces selected within Rock County to the incorporated place Brooklyn Village,
click the Add Area button on the dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Click the radio button next to ‘Legal Change’ to indicate that this is a legal boundary change.
Then click OK.
Step 11

The selected faces turn green (colors may vary) and the Create Change Polygons dialog
box opens. GUPS automatically fills the FIPS codes, name, and LSAD fields for Brooklyn
Village.

Step 12

Click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to select an effective date for the
annexation.

Step 13

Select an authority type for the annexation in the AUTHTYPE field drop-down menu.

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Step
Step 14

Action and Result
Type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the change, or
upload legal documentation. To upload a document, click on the folder icon to the right of the
DOCU field.

When the DOCU window opens, click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in
some Windows versions) to open the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

Step 15

Select the appropriate directory and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click the file.
Then, to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

The file name appears in the DOCU field in the Create Change Polygons box.

Step 16

Finally, use the CHNG_TYPE drop-down menu to select the type of legal change being
made, here an annexation.

Then click OK.
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Step
Step 17

Action and Result
Click the Save button on the Standard toolbar. The Current edits pop-up box asks if you
would like to save the changes to all layers.

Click OK. The changes are saved and the selected faces turn brown, as shown below.
(Note: If you now reopen the Dane County map, the faces will appear as part of Brooklyn
Village.)

6.1.6

Making a Legal Boundary Change for a Consolidated City

Users who represent consolidated cities (i.e., cities that share a consolidated government with a
county or minor civil division) should follow the steps described in Table 30 in Section 6.1.5:
Making a Boundary Update on a County Line to show boundary changes between the city
and any county adjacent to it. To show boundary changes between the consolidated city itself
and the entity or entities with which it shares a government, proceed as any incorporated place
user would. That is, if you wish to annex land from another entity within the consolidated
government area, treat it as you would any annexation within a county.

6.1.7

Making a Boundary Correction (Add Area/Remove Area)

To make a boundary correction that adds or removes area from an entity, follow the steps in

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Table 31. In this fictitious example, a boundary correction is made to the city limits of Linwood,
Kansas.

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Table 31: Making a Boundary Correction
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the legal entity for which you want to add or
remove area. Be sure you have all layers you wish to see on the map checked in the Table
of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

Click the arrow next to the Geography field, and select in the drop-down menu the entity
type for which you want to add or remove area. In this example, we select ‘Place’. The Info
list populates with all incorporated places in the county for the geography chosen.

Step 4

Click on the row in the list for the place that is adding/removing area (here Linwood). The
map zooms to the place selected.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

Click the down arrow next to the Select Features button to select the face(s) to add or
remove for the boundary correction. The Select Features drop-down menu opens.

In this example, we are adding three small faces that are difficult to select, so we opt for
‘Select Features by Freehand’. This method allows us to place our cursor inside the first
face and draw a tiny line. The selected face turns cyan blue (colors may vary).

To select the other faces, press the CTRL key, and while holding it down, repeat the action
for the two remaining faces. All three faces turn color.

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Step

Action and Result
Note: To add area, the area must be outside the selected place. To remove area, the area
must be within the selected place.

Step 6

On the Modify Area Feature toolbar, click on the Add button (to add area to the entity) or
on the Remove button (to remove area from the entity).

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type pop-up box opens, and asks you to
choose your change type.

Step 7

Since we are not making a legal boundary change, but rather a boundary correction, click
the radio button next to ‘Boundary Correction’. Then click OK. The added faces turn green
on the map (color may vary) and are added to the legal entity boundary.

Removing area from a boundary is conducted following the same steps, the only difference
being that you click the Remove button on the Modify Area Feature toolbar. Once you
select the faces and click the Remove button, you see the same Modify Area Feature
Choose change type pop-up box, select ‘Boundary Correction’, and see the faces turn
green.

6.1.8

Adding a Geographic Corridor

The steps to add a geographic corridor are shown in Table 32. The fictitious example provided
uses Dupont, Indiana. The steps in this table show how the city would mark the annexation of a
geographic corridor along State Road 7, which in the example leads to a newly built golf course
that is part of the town.

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Table 32: Adding a Geographic Corridor
Step

Action and Result
Creating a geographic corridor requires two actions: first you must split the faces on either
side of the road (if edges do not already exist), then you must add the area.

Step 1

Load the data for the county (in this example, Jefferson County, Indiana).

Step 2

Pan to the location of the geographic corridor (here State Road 7).

Step 3

Click the Add Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 4

Left-click on the map at the beginning point of the first line and drag the cursor to create the
line marking the first half of the corridor. Left-click at the end of the line, then right-click to tell
GUPS you have finished drawing. The line appears on the map, and the Add Linear Feature
dialog box opens.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

A name is not required, but if you wish, type a name in the Name field, then select the
appropriate MTFCC code in the MTFCC drop-down list. In this example, we select ‘P0001 –
Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary’.

The MTFCC field populates with your selection.
Step 6

Click the OK button.

The line turns from purple to dark green (colors may vary) and the name, if you provided one,
is added to the map.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 7

Add a line on the opposite side of the road using the same instructions provided in Steps 4
through 6. (Note: You do not need to click the Add Linear Feature button again; it is still
active.) When you are finished, the map should display the two corridor faces you created, as
shown below.

Step 8

To add the area: click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 9

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type (in this case, ‘Place’). A list of
all incorporated places in Jefferson County (including Dupont) populates the Info list at the
bottom of the dialog box.

Step 10

Click on the row for Dupont in the list. The map zooms to the Town of Dupont.

Step 11

Pan to the location of the new corridor you drew on the map. Then click the Select
Feature(s) button on the small toolbar near the top of the Modify Area Feature dialog box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 12

Left-click inside one of the corridor faces, then drag your cursor across the road. When you
release the cursor the faces on either side of the road have been selected and turn cyan
blue.

Step 13

To record the corridor, click the Add button on the Modify Area Feature dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type dialog box opens.

Step 14

Click the radio button next to Corridor. A box opens giving an explanation of what a
geographic corridor is and asking if you want to proceed.
Click Yes. You are returned to the Modify Area Feature Choose change type box.

Step 15

Click the OK button at the bottom of the box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 16

The Review Change Polygons pop-up box opens and asks whether this is a legal change.

Step 17

If the geographic corridor is not part of a legal change, click No. The change is automatically
added as a boundary correction.
If the geographic corridor is a legal change, click Yes. The Create Change Polygons dialog
box opens.

Step 18

Click on the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to select an effective date for the
change.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 19

Use the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu to select an authority type.

Step 20

In the DOCU field, either type in the documentation number, or upload legal documentation
of the change. To upload a document, click on the folder icon, navigate to the directory where
the document is stored, and double-click the file. The file uploads to GUPS and the name of
the file appears in the DOCU field.

Step 21

In the CHNG_TYPE field, select ‘Corridor’ in the drop-down list. Corridor fills the
CHNG_TYPE field as shown in the screenshot above.

Step 22

Click OK. The faces marking the corridor turn green on the map (color may vary). The
corridor has been added.

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Step

6.1.9

Action and Result

Add a Geographic Offset

To create a geographic offset, follow the same steps as for a corridor, Table 32: Adding a
Geographic Corridor. The only difference is that geographic offsets are only on one side of the
road.

6.2

How to Update Linear Features

6.2.1

Adding a Linear Feature

Follow the steps in Table 33 to add a linear feature.
Table 33: Adding a Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the entity where you want to add a linear
feature. Be sure the edges layer is checked in the Table of Contents. Then zoom to the
location on the map where you want to add the feature.

Step 2

Click on the Add Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

Left-click the mouse at the starting point of the line (A) and continue to left-click the mouse
at each vertex (shape) point of the line. When you have completed the new line, right-click
the mouse (B). The right-click tells GUPS you are finished drawing.

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Step

Action and Result

The Add Linear Feature dialog box opens.

Step 4

Type the name of the new linear feature in the Name field if the feature is named; otherwise,
leave blank. Be sure when entering the feature name either to spell out the feature type
(e.g., street, road, avenue), or to select an approved abbreviation from the list provided in
Appendix D.

Step 5

In the MTFCC field drop-down menu, choose the appropriate code for the feature.

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Step
Step 6

Action and Result
Click the OK button
at the bottom of the Add Linear Feature dialog box. The
added linear feature and the name you assigned appear on the map.

Adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary – The GUPS will not allow one linear
feature to be placed over another. For example, if you attempt to add a road overlaying a
legal boundary line, a pop-up box will warn you ‘Added Line Overlays an Existing line’. If you
are adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary, follow the instructions for updating
linear feature attributes instead (for instructions click on Table 36). Once you select the
boundary edge that you want to add a street on top of, update the MTFCC in the Update
Attributes pop-up to one of the "S" class feature codes (e.g., S1400) and add a name in the
FULLNAME field.

6.2.2

Deleting a Linear Feature

To delete a linear feature, follow the steps in Table 34.
Table 34: Deleting a Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the entity where you want to delete a linear
feature. Be sure the edges layer is checked in the Table of Contents. Then zoom to the
location on the map where you want to delete the feature.

Step 2

Click on the Delete Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

Left-click the linear feature that you want to delete. In the example below, we clicked on an
unnamed road. The clicked linear feature turns cyan blue (color may vary) and the Delete
Linear Feature pop-up box appears, asking if you are sure you want to delete the feature.

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Step

Step 4

Action and Result

Click OK. The line is deleted in the attribute table. The cyan blue color is removed from the
line and the line now looks as it did originally.
When you delete a linear feature, it is not actually removed from the Census shapefile.
GUPS assigns a Delete Line flag to the feature in the attribute table, and the feature is later
processed for deletion when the Census Bureau receives the BAS file.
Note: If you have multiple linear features to delete, you may click the Delete Linear
Feature button on the toolbar once, then press CTRL and click each of the features you
want to delete. GUPS will delete all of the linear features selected. You may also drag your
cursor over multiple linear features to select them.

6.2.3

Restoring a Deleted Linear Feature

To restore a deleted linear feature, follow the steps in Table 35.
Table 35: Restoring a Deleted Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the deleted linear feature. Be sure the edges layer
is checked in the Table of Contents. Then zoom to the location on the map where the deleted
feature is located.

Step 2

Left-click on the deleted feature. The deleted feature turns cyan blue (color may vary) and the
Delete Linear Feature dialog box opens. The box asks you to confirm that you want to restore
the line.

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Step

Step 3

Action and Result

To restore the linear feature, click the OK button.

The Delete Line flag is removed from the attribute table and the line is restored.

6.2.4

Changing the Attributes of a Linear Feature

Follow the steps in Table 36 to change the attributes (e.g., the name, MTFCC, or address
range) of a linear feature.
Table 36: Changing the Attributes of a Linear Feature
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
If you plan to change the name of a linear feature, check first to see if it has an alternate
name. To do this, click the Display All Names button on the BAS toolbar.

Then click on the linear feature on the map. The selected feature turns cyan blue (color may
vary) and the Display All Names dialog box opens, showing the primary name in the Prim.
Name field and the alternate name, if one is present, in the Alt. Name field.

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Step

Action and Result

To see any additional alternate names, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Alt.
Name field. If no alternate name exists, ‘NULL’ appears in the Alt. name field.
Step 2

If you plan to provide an address range for a linear feature, check the checkbox next to >
direction in the Edges field in the Table of Contents. This activates the arrows that
indicate the FROM and TO nodes for line segments.

Step 3

Click on the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 4

Click the linear feature on the map with attributes you want to edit. The Modify Linear
Feature Attributes dialog box opens with the TIGER Line Feature ID (TLID) of the feature
selected. The FULLNAME field populates if the feature is named. If the feature is not
named, the field is blank. The MTFCC, LTOADD, RTOADD, LFROMADD, and
RFROMADD fields show the assigned values for each.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Update the FULLNAME field. If the field is blank, type in the new name. If the field is
already populated, highlight the existing name and hit the Delete key on your keyboard.
You may also backspace over the name to clear the field. Then type in the new name.

Step 6

If you need to correct the MTFCC code, click on the down arrow to the right of the field to
open the drop-down menu and select the correct MTFCC from the menu.

Step 7

Change the address range for the linear feature, if necessary. Type in potential address
ranges in the LTOADD (left to address); RTOADD (right to address); LFROMADD (left from
address); RFROMADD (right from address) fields based on the directional arrows. The
directional arrows show the origin node (FROM) and the end node (TO).

Step 8

Click Save button at the bottom of the Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog box.
The address ranges for all features are blank in the geographic partnership shapefiles
because the ranges are stored in tables separate from the shapefiles. You can provide
address ranges in these fields, but be aware that we may already have address ranges.
It is important to note which node is the FROM node and which is the TO node (based on
the red directional arrows) so that the address ranges are associated with the correct side
of the street and the correct census block.
Note: Provide potential address ranges for blocksides, such as 0-98, 100-198, etc., for
even parity and 1-99, 101-199, etc., for odd parity address ranges. Do not provide actual
address ranges.

6.3

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas

6.3.1

Adding a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

To create a new landmark or hydrographic area, follow the steps in

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Table 37. In this fictitious example, we will add a golf course in Jefferson County, Indiana,
located northwest of Dupont Town.

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Table 37: Creating a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county in which you want to add the new area landmark or
hydrographic area. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the Table of Contents.
Then zoom to the location on the map where you want to add the landmark or hydrographic
area.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’. ‘Area
Landmark/Area Hydrology’ populates the Geography field and a list of area landmarks and
hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

Step 4

Click on the yellow Select Feature(s) button on the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

Step 5

Then click on the first face on the map you wish to select. To select more than one face,
depress the CTRL key, and while holding it down, click on the additional faces. In this

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Step

Action and Result
example, we are selecting two faces, one on either side of Bear Creek. The selected faces
turn cyan blue (color may vary).

Step 6

Click on the Add Entity button on the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature box opens.

Step 7

In the Modify Area Feature box, type in the name of the new area landmark in the Full name
field.

Then select the appropriate code in the MTFCC field drop-down list, as shown below.

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Step

Step 8

Action and Result

Click OK. The faces selected for the new entity now display in purple (color may vary). The
name of the added landmark also appears within the change polygon on the map (see green
circle), and the name of the new entity appears in the Info list.

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Step

Action and Result

6.3.2

Deleting an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

To delete an area landmark or hydrographic area, follow the steps in Table 38.
Table 38: Deleting an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county in which you want to delete an area landmark or hydrographic area. Be
sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Step 3

Hint

Action and Result

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’. ‘Area
Landmark/Area Hydrography’ populates the Geography field and a list of area landmarks and
hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

To view all the area landmarks and hydrographic areas in the Info list, you may use the scroll bar located
to the far right-hand side of the Modify Area Feature dialog box.
To move up and down within the list, use the blue navigation arrows located on the small toolbar near the
top of the dialog box.

Step 4

In the Info list, click on the area landmark/hydrographic area you want to delete. The selected entry is
highlighted in the Info list and the map zooms directly to the selected feature.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

Click the Delete Area Feature button on the Modify Area Feature dialog toolbar.

A pop-up box opens and asks you to confirm that you want to delete the feature.

Step 6

To delete the area landmark/hydro area, click OK. The linear feature turns gray (color may vary) on the
map, and its name disappears from the Info list.

Step 7

Not ready to delete? If you change your mind about deleting the area landmark/hydro area, click Cancel.
You will be returned to the Modify Area Feature dialog.

Step 8

If you now decide to delete the area landmark/hydro feature, click on the feature name in the Info list. The
buttons will reactivate and you may click the Delete Area Feature button again.

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6.3.3

Adding Area to an Area Landmark or Hydrographic Area

Follow the steps in Table 39 to add area to an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 39: Adding Area to an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the area landmark or hydrographic area to which
you wish to add area. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the Table of
Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

Click the down arrow next to the Geography field and select ‘Area Landmark/Area
Hydrography’ in the drop-down menu. The selection populates the Geography field and a list
of area landmarks / hydro features in the county appears in the Info list.

Step 4

Click the row in the list for the area landmark/hydro area to which you want to add area. The
selected entity is highlighted in the Info list and the map zooms to its location.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

To select the face(s) you want to add to the area landmark, click the Select Feature button on
the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

Then click the face you want to add to the area feature. The added face turns cyan blue (color
may vary). (Note: To select more than one face, depress the CTRL key, and while holding it
down, click the other faces.)

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Step
Step 6

Action and Result
To add the face(s) selected, click the Add Area button on the Modify Area Feature dialog
box toolbar.

The selected face is added to the area landmark and turns the same color as the other face(s)
that make up the area landmark. The map also now shows the full extent of the area
landmark.

6.3.4

Removing Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

Follow the steps in Table 40 to remove area from an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 40: Removing Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the area landmark or hydrographic area from
which you wish to remove area. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the
Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

Step 4

Select the area landmark/hydro area from which you want to remove area. The selected
entity is highlighted in the Info list and the map zooms to its location. In this example, we
have chosen Indian Lake County Park.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

To select the face(s) you want to remove from the area landmark, click the Select Feature
button on the Modify Area Feature dialog box toolbar.

Then click on the first face you want to remove. To select additional faces, depress the
CTRL key, and while holding it down, click the additional faces.
Step 6

To remove the face(s) selected, click the Remove Area button on the Modify Area Feature
dialog box’s internal toolbar.

The selected face turns light green (color may vary) on the map and is removed from the
area landmark.

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Step

Action and Result
Because all geographic areas consist of faces, you may need to “split” a face to accurately
reflect an entity’s boundary. To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the
boundary’s location (click on Table 33 for instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it
the appropriate MTFCC. This splits the original face into two faces. You can now select the
face you need to add to the new entity.

6.4

How to Update Point Landmarks

6.4.1

Adding a Point Landmark

To add a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 41.
Table 41: Adding a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the county that contains the entity where you want to add the point
landmark. Be sure the point landmarks layer (pointlm_18077 in this example) is checked in
the Table of Contents. Then zoom to the location where you want to add the landmark.

Step 2

Click the Add Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

Click on the map where you want to add the point landmark. The Add Point Landmark
dialog box opens and a red X marks the location you selected.

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Step
Step 4

Step 5

Action and Result
Type in the name for the new point landmark in the FULLNAME: field. Then click the down
arrow next to the MTFCC: field to open the drop-down menu.

Select the MTFCC, then click the OK

button at the bottom of the box.

The map updates to show the added point landmark. In this case we added a traffic circle
and named it Buchanan Circle.

6.4.2

Deleting a Point Landmark

To delete a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 42.
Table 42: Deleting a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where you want to delete a point landmark. In this example, we
will delete the traffic circle named Buchanan Circle.

Step 2

Click the Delete Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

On the map, click on the point landmark you want to delete (Buchanan Circle). The Delete
Point Landmark dialog box opens, and asks if you are sure you want to delete the point
landmark.

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Step

Step 4

6.4.3

Action and Result

Click OK. The point landmark disappears from the map and from the attribute table.

Changing the Attributes of a Point Landmark

To change the attributes of a point landmark (e.g., its name, MTFCC), follow the steps in
Table 43.
Table 43: Changing the Attributes of a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where the point landmark is located and click on the landmark.
In this example, we will change the name of Buchanan Traffic Circle.

Step 2

Click on the Edit Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

On the map, click on Buchanan Circle. The Edit Point Landmark dialog box opens.

Step 4

To change the name, backspace over the name appearing in the FULLNAME: field, then type
in the new name. In this example, we will change the name to Marley Circle.

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Step
Step 5

6.5

Action and Result
Click OK. The new name of the point landmark appears on the map.

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools

GUPS provides two tools—the Geography Review tool and the Review Change Polygons
tool to help you review and validate the updates you have made in the system.

6.5.1

Geography Review Tool

The Geography Review tool filters the map layers based on various fields in the attribute table.
You can use this tool to check the changes you made to linear features, area landmarks, point
landmarks, and legal boundaries anywhere within a county (you may also view the attributes of
entities, features, landmarks, and boundaries you did not change). Note: Although this tool
allows you to review your changes, you cannot use it to edit them.
Instructions for how to use the Geography Review tool information appear in Table 44 below.
Table 44: Using the Geography Review Tool
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Geography Review button on the BAS toolbar.

The Geography Review Tool dialog box opens.

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Step
Step 2

Action and Result
In the Layer Name: field drop-down menu, select the data layer you want to view:

In this example, we selected the file “bas18_25510500000_55105_changes_alndk.” This
is the transaction data output file for the area landmark layer (note the word “changes” in
the file name to indicate the layer has been updated).
Step 3

Once you make your selection, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the attributes
for each area landmark you changed displayed in a separate row.

To see an area landmark on the map, click its row in the attribute table, then click the
Zoom button (the row is highlighted and the map automatically zooms to the landmark
selected, which is highlighted and shows changes made in cyan blue – colors may vary).

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

To view other area landmarks listed in the table rows, use the Previous Zoom and Next
Zoom buttons. The previous or next row highlights and the system zooms to the map for
that row.

Step 6

You may use the Search feature at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by
specific attributes (e.g., full name, MTFCC, change type, etc.).

Step 7

First, select the layer you want to view (in this example, we will select the county
subdivision layer).

For each feature changed for a county subdivision, the attributes of the changed feature
display in the table rows. Each column gives the name of the attribute.

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Step

Step 8

Action and Result

In the Column Name drop-down menu, select the attribute by which you want to filter.

In this example, we will select change type (CHNG_TYPE).
Step 9

Finally, in the Select drop-down, select the attribute value by which you want to filter, then
click the Search button. In this example, we will select ‘Boundary Correction’.

After you click Search, the attribute table is filtered to show the rows for all boundary
corrections made in the county subdivision layer.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 10

To view an individual boundary correction, click on its row and click the Zoom button.

Step 11

To return to the attribute table to see the full (unfiltered) county subdivision layer, click the
Refresh

button in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.

Note that when filtering the table by some attributes (e.g., state and county FIPS code or
MTFCC), no drop-down list appears from which to make a selection. This is because
some attribute codes are too numerous to make scrolling through a list practicable.
Instead you will receive a blank box in which you may type the search value. For example,
if you are filtering the area landmarks layer by MTFCC and want to see hospitals in the
layer, type in the MTFCC for hospitals (K1231), as shown below, then click Search.

6.5.2

Reviewing Change Polygons Tool

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Notes on Reviewing Change Polygons
You must run the Review Change Polygons tool before GUPS will export a file.
You must run the Review Change Polygons tool for each county in which you worked. For example,
if you made changes to your working county, but also made changes to an adjacent county when
annexing land for your county, you must run the change polygon check on both counties.

To use the Review Change Polygons tool, follow the steps in Table 45.
Table 45: Reviewing Change Polygons
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
In the Map Management dialog box, make sure the county for which you want to run the
check appears in the Working County field.

Once you click the Open button at the bottom of the dialog box and the map opens in Map
View, you are ready to run the Review Change Polygons check.
If you made changes in more than one county, you must run the check for each county in
which you worked. This means that after completing the check for one county you must
return to Map Management and select the additional county in which you worked as the
working county. Then run the check on it. Repeat this process until you have run the check
for all counties in which you made changes.
If you did not make any changes in another county, you need only run the check for your
county.
Step 2

Once you have loaded the working county, you are ready to begin the change polygons
review.
Click on the Review Change Polygons button on the BAS toolbar.

The Review Change Polygons dialog box opens just below the Table of Contents.

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Step

Action and Result

Note: This box can be dragged anywhere on your screen and docked.
Step 3

Use the Geography drop-down menu shown below to select the geography you want to
review. In this example, we have selected ‘MCD’.

Step 4

After you select an entity type, the Small Area Check and Find Holes buttons become
active and all change polygons for the entity type you selected appear in the Info list at the
bottom of the box.

Step 5

To check for small area change polygons, click the Small Area Check button. If all your
change polygons are of sufficient size, a pop-up box informs you of this.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

If you have small area polygons within an MCD in the working county, they appear in the Info
list with their acreage noted in the Area in Acres column. The Display All Changes button
also becomes active (this button allows you to toggle back to see all change polygons in the
list).

Step 7

To view a polygon on the map, click the row for the polygon in the Info list. The polygon is
highlighted and the map zooms to the location of the polygon.

Note in the illustration above, we moved the Review Change Polygons box to sit over the
map. As stated earlier, you may move the box anywhere on the page and dock it.
Step 8

To delete polygons that are too small (less than 500 square feet), click on the row for the
change polygon in the Info list. The Delete Change Polygon button appears.

Step 9

To delete the polygon, click the Delete Change Polygon button. A pop-up box asks if you
are sure you want to delete.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 10

Click the Yes button. The polygon is removed from the list, from the map, and from the
attribute table.

Step 11

Before the Small Area check is complete, you must repeat the steps above for each
geography type for which you created change polygons.

Step 12

Next, review your polygons for holes (that is, two or fewer small faces missed when creating
a change polygon). While still in the Review Change Polygons dialog box, select a
geography type from the Geography drop-down menu. For this example, we again selected
‘MCD’. A list of change polygons for MCDs in the county populates the Info list and the
Display All Changes button replaces the Small Area button (since you’ve already run this
check). The Find Holes buttons remains in its original location.

Step 13

Click on the row for the polygon in the Info list to see it on the map, then click the Find Holes
button. If no holes are present, a pop-up box informs you of this.

Step 14

If holes are found, a list of polygons with holes appears in the Holes Review box and the Fix
button activates at the bottom of the box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 15

To correct a change polygon, click on its row to highlight it. The map zooms to its location
and displays all holes in cyan blue (color may vary).

Step 16

Click the Fix button to repair the hole. The change polygon is corrected and the correction
displays on the map (i.e., the hole is changed to the same color as the remainder of the
polygon).

Step 17

Before the Find Holes check is complete, you must repeat the steps above for each
geography type for which you created change polygons.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 18

After you review for small areas and holes, you may also use the Review Change Polygons
tool to check the general accuracy of your change polygons. To do so, select your entity type
in the Geography drop-down menu. A full list of change polygons for the geography type
selected displays in the Info list.

Step 19

Click on the row for each polygon to see it on the map and review your changes.
If you notice a mistake on the map (e.g., you created a new incorporated place that was
supposed to have six faces, but you selected only five), click on the Modify Area Feature
button on the BAS toolbar and make the correction.

Step 20

To review boundary changes, select the entity type you want to review in the Geography
drop-down menu at the top of the Review Change Polygons dialog box. In this example, we
select ‘Place’. All boundary change polygons for the entity type selected populate the Info
list.
To review a boundary change, click on the change polygon in the list, then click the Legal
Entity Change button at the bottom of the Review Change Polygons dialog box, shown
below.

The map zooms to where the change was made and a box opens displaying the information
that you entered when you coded the change. Here, because the change was a boundary
correction, the effective date, authority type, and documentation fields are not filled.

If this change was mistakenly coded as a boundary correction, and should have been a legal
change instead, you may correct the error here. In this example we correct a change polygon
mistakenly coded as a boundary correction rather than an annexation.
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Step

Action and Result

Step 21

Click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to select an effective date for the
annexation.

Step 22

Use the drop-down menu for the AUTHTYPE field to select the authority type for the change.

Step 23

In the DOCU field, type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the
annexation, or upload legal documentation for the change. To upload documentation, click
the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

When the DOCU window opens, click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in
some Windows versions) to open the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

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Step

Action and Result

Select the appropriate directory and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click the file.
Then, to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

GUPS uploads the file and the file name appears in the DOCU field.
Step 24

Step 25
Step 26

Finally, in the CHNG_TYPE field drop-down menu, change ‘Boundary Correction’ to the
correct change type (‘Annexation’, ‘Corridor’, or ‘Offset’). Here we select ‘Annexation’.

Click the OK

button. The correction is made.

When you have completed all your reviews (for small areas, holes, and boundary changes)
for all entity types, and have made any corrections needed, click the Save
button on the
BAS toolbar. All corrections are saved. Your Review Change Polygons check is complete.

Step 27

If you made changes in more than one working county, return to Map Management, select
the additional county as your working county, and repeat the steps above. Repeat this
process as many times as needed until you have run the Review Change Polygons check
on all the counties in which you made changes.

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6.6

Export a Printable Map

GUPS allows you to generate printable maps in four formats (.pdf, .png., .tiff, and .jpeg). The
maps can be created in portrait or landscape view, on letter or ledger (legal) size paper, and at
various scales. To export a printable map from GUPS, follow the steps in Table 46.
Table 46: Export a Printable Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

The Print Map to File dialog box opens.

Step 2

In the Desired Map Titles section, type in a map title and sub-title.

Step 3

Under Page Orientation, click the radio button next to ‘Portrait’ or ‘Landscape’ to select the
map’s orientation on the page when printed.

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Step

Action and Result

The map orientation in the preview pane to the right changes to reflect your selection.

Portrait View (left) and Landscape View (right)
Step 4

Under Map Scale, click the appropriate radio button to select the map scale (you may use
your current map extent or set a fixed scale). To select a fixed scale, click the radio button
next to ‘Fixed Scale’, then click the down arrow to open the drop-down menu. In the dropdown list, click on the scale that you want.

Step 5

Under Desired Paper Size, click the radio button next to ‘Letter’ for 8½ by 11-inch paper or
the ‘Ledger’ button for 11 by 17-inch paper.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

When you are ready to export the file, under Export File Format, click the radio button next
to the desired format. You may export the file in .pdf, .png, .tiff, or .jpeg format.

Step 7

Click the Save button. The Map Export – Save Map As… window opens.

Note: GUPS automatically selected the “output” folder for BAS2018 as the save location.
This folder was created on your computer by the GUPS installer. If you want to save the file
to a different location, navigate to the location first before saving.
Step 8

After you have selected the location, type in the name you want to give the file, then click
Save.

Step 9

The file is saved and you receive a pop-up message confirming that the export is complete.

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Step
Step 10

6.7

Action and Result
To save the file, click OK. Your file is saved either in the default BAS2018 output location or
in the alternate location you specified. Here we saved the file in the default location.

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit

When creating ZIP files to export, you have two options—you may export the file to share with
another user or you may export the file for submission to the Census Bureau. In either case,
GUPS automatically names the output ZIP file for you. It packages all the files required by the
Census Bureau (including any documentation you uploaded) into the ZIP file and saves it in a
preset location created on your computer by during the installation process.
Important Note
If you make changes to more than one working county, you must export a separate ZIP file for each.

6.7.1

Exporting a File to Share

To export a file to share with another user, follow the steps in Table 47.
Table 47: Exporting Files to Share with Another User
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 2

After you click Export to Zip button, you may receive one of two results, depending on
whether you have validated your changes using the Review Change Polygons tool. If you
have not used the tool to check your work, the Export to ZIP pop-up box appears and lists
the specific checks that need to be run before you can export the file.

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Step

Action and Result

If you see this message, click the Cancel button and run the Review Change Polygons
check. Then repeat the initial export steps again.
Step 3

If you have already run the Review Change Polygon check, the Export to ZIP pop-up box
displays the status of the checks and the date and time they were made, as shown below.

Step 4

Look carefully at the run times listed. If you have made any additional changes after these
times, click Cancel and run the Review Change Polygons check again. Then repeat the
export steps.

Step 5

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

To prepare ZIP file to be shared with another user, select the “Share with Another Participant”
radio button. Click OK.
Step 6

The ZIP File Output dialog box opens. It informs you that the ZIP file was created and asks if
you want to view the folder.

Step 7

If you click Yes, the directory opens and displays the folder location where GUPS placed the
file. Note: GUPS automatically saves the file to an output folder that the GUPS installer
placed on your computer during the installation process.)

Step 8

You may now share the file with another user.

6.7.2

Exporting a File to Submit to the Census Bureau

To export a file to submit to the Census Bureau, follow the steps in Table 48.
Table 48: Exporting Files for Submission to the Census Bureau
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result
The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

Click the Export for Census radio button. Then click OK.
Step 2

After you click OK, you may receive one of two results, depending on whether you have
validated your changes using the Review Change Polygons tool. If you have not used the tool
to check your work, the Export to ZIP pop-up box appears and lists the specific checks that
need to be run before you can export the file.

Step 3

If you see this message, click the Cancel button and run the Review Change Polygons
check. Then repeat the initial export steps again.

Step 4

If you have already run the Review Change Polygon check, the Export to ZIP pop-up box
displays the status of the checks and the date and time they were made, as shown below.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

Look carefully at the run times listed. If you have made any additional changes after these
times, click Cancel and run the Review Change Polygons check again. Then repeat the
export steps.

Step 6

Otherwise, click OK. The GUPS User Contact Information dialog box opens up. Complete
the required fields and click OK.

The ZIP File Output dialog box opens. It informs you that the ZIP file was created and asks if
you want to view the folder.

Step 7

If you click Yes, the directory opens and displays the folder location where GUPS placed the
file. Note: GUPS automatically saves the file to an output folder that the GUPS installer placed
on your computer during the installation process.

Step 8

You are now ready to upload your file to the Census Bureau through the SWIM. See Section
7: on the next page.

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SUBMITTING YOUR FILES TO THE CENSUS
BUREAU THROUGH SWIM
To upload and transmit your update files to the Census Bureau, you must access your account
in the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM), as shown in
Table 49 below.
Note: If you already have a SWIM account, have your user name (e-mail address) and password
ready. If you do not have a SWIM account, have the 12-digit registration token provided by the
Census Bureau ready.
Table 49: Transmitting Files to the Census Bureau Using SWIM
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

If you are a participant in another Census Bureau partnership program and already have a
SWIM Account, access and enter your E-mail address
and Password. Then click the Login button. The Welcome screen opens. Go to Step 7.

Step 2

If you do not yet have a SWIM Account, have the 12-digit registration token provided to you by
the Census Bureau ready for your registration. You can register at
. Once the login screen opens, click the Register
Account button. The Account Registration screen opens.

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Step

Action and Result

All fields on the Account Registration screen are required. You will not be able to move to
the next screen until you have completed all fields.
Step 3

On the Account Registration screen, first, enter the 12-digit token provided by the Census
Bureau. Then enter your name, agency, and e-mail in the appropriate fields.

Step 4

Next, create a password. The passwords must meet the five criteria below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Step 5

It must be 8 characters in length
It must have at least one upper case character
It must have at least one lower case character
It must have at least one number
It must have at least one special character (valid special characters are: #, !, $, *, &, ?, ~).
Note: Commas in the special characters list are for spacing purposes only; the comma is
not a valid character for the password.

Set up a security question (click the arrow on the right of the Security Question box and
select a question in the drop-down list, then enter an answer in the Answer box). When you
have finished, click the Submit button. A screen opens to confirm that you have successfully
registered.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

On the Confirmation screen, click Login. You will return to the Llogin screen.

Step 7

On the Login screen, enter your e-mail and password then click the green Login button. The
Welcome screen opens. You will see the list of files you have previously uploaded, the
creation date of the file, the name of the file, and its corresponding zip size. If you need to
make modifications, click on the file you want to edit then select the Start Now Upload button.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 8

To begin an upload, click the Start New Upload button. A screen opens asking which
program for which you are reporting data. On this screen, click the Boundary Annexation
Survey (BAS) radio button, then click Next at the bottom of the screen.

Step 9

A screen opens asking “What type of BAS you are reporting for?” Click the radio button
next to the governmental unit for which you are reporting data, then click the Next button. In
this example, we will select County.

Step 10

A screen opens that allows you to select your state and the entity (in this case county) for
which you are reporting data. For the example, select North Carolina in the State field dropdown menu and the county in the County field drop-down menu. Then click the Next button.

Step 11

The Select a .ZIP file to upload screen opens. Choose a zip file to upload. Note: All files
must be a zip file. To upload a file, click the + Add File button on the screen.

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Step

Step 12

Action and Result

The Choose File to Upload window opens and allows you to navigate on your computer to
the ZIP file’s location.

Locate the ZIP file you want to upload then double-click it. Note: You can only add one file at
a time.
Step 13

Once the file upload is complete, the Status field shows ‘Success.’ The name of the file
appears in the File(s) field. To add another file, click the + Add File and the upload process
will repeat.
In this example, there are two files uploaded. One for an updated digital address list and one
for an updated shapefile.

Step 14

After you have uploaded the file(s), type any comments (including pertinent information about
data projection or supporting documentation for shapefiles) in the Comments field. Click
Next.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 15

The Thank You screen appears and confirms the receipt of your submission.

Step 16

To submit files for a different entity, click on the ‘Upload Form’ link in the phrase “You may
Log Out or return to the upload form, to submit more files.” This choice returns you to the
Welcome screen.
To log out, click on Log Out. The Census Bureau will acknowledge the receipt of the
uploaded file.
SWIM sessions deactivate after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Note: While working in SWIM, you may obtain help by clicking on the Help button on any
screen. When you click the button, a screen opens with links to help resources.

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APPENDICES

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BAS CONTACT INFORMATION AND
RESOURCES

Action/Question

Resource

Contact

Request shapefiles
on DVD

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

BAS materials
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

Legal boundary
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-301-763-1099
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 1-800-972-5652

Ask guidance on
areas under legal
dispute

Census
Call: 1-301-763-9844
Bureau Legal
Office

GUPS technical
support

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]
Be sure to have the number for the version of GUPS
you are running ready. To find this number, go to the
Help tab on the main Menu in GUPS and click ‘About
GUPS’ in the drop-down menu. A pop-up box will
provide you the number.

SWIM token
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

SWIM technical
support

Geography
Division

[email protected]

Submit output files
on DVD (if you do
not have Internet
access)

National
Processing
Center

Send to:
US Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: BAS Returns, Bldg 63E
1201 East 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

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TERMS
Areal Feature - is a prominent and identifying feature of a landscape significant enough to
warrant name recognition, such as a lake, park, school, military base, or cemetery, etc. This
type of feature class is only assigned to a face geometry. Any face can be assigned to multiple
features. For example, a water body can also be part of a park.
Edge - is a one-dimensional object (legacy 1-cell), bounded by two nodes: a start node and an
end node. Its geometry is distinguished by the coordinates of the start and end nodes, and
additional coordinates that are ordered and serve as vertices (or shape points) between the two
nodes. An edge is a primitive feature in the Oracle database.
Effects of having Edge features in the MAF/TIGER Database(MTDB):
•

Represents an invisible boundary line for various geometry, geographic and statistical data. and
can stand alone.

•

A linear feature always occupies the same space as an edge and there are attributes on an edge
that are only relevant when a linear feature exists.

Face - is a two-dimensional object (legacy 2-cell) bounded by two or more edges. Its boundary
includes not only the edges that separate it from other faces, but also any interior edges (twodimensional topological primitives) contained within the area of the face.
Geographic Area - is a demarcated area used for the collection and/or tabulation of Census
Bureau data.
Geographic Corridors - is an area that includes only a road (or other feature’s) right-of-way
and does not contain any structures. Figure 13. Annexed Area Corridor and Unincorporated
shows a corridor that has been created where an incorporated place annexed the road right-ofway, but not the housing units assigned to either side of the road (these belong instead to an
unincorporated area). If it is important to the incorporated place that its ownership and/or
maintenance of the road and/or its right-of-way be displayed on Census Bureau’s maps, a
geographic corridor should be created. However, the Census Bureau does not require places to
report rights-of-way: maintaining geographic corridors in a nationwide database is difficult and
impractical, and the right-of-way should only be included if it is crucial to the place, or if state or
local laws require it. The Census Bureau would actually prefer that the area simply not be
assigned to the place at all.
Figure 14. shows an example where the right-of-way belongs in an unincorporated area, while
the housing units along it are included in an incorporated place (shown in color). While depicting
this corridor may be important for local purposes, it is not relevant for Census Bureau
tabulations and is not easy to depict in the Census nationwide database. This type of corridor
should not be included in a BAS response.
Please note that the Census Bureau does not require places to display rights-of-way or road
maintenance corridors that do not contain or potentially contain housing or population. If local or
state law does not require depiction of these geographic features, the Census Bureau prefers
that they be left off BAS submissions. However, if it is necessary for the place to depict them,
then they must be submitted as a geographic corridor.

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Figure 13. Annexed Area Corridor and Unincorporated Area

Figure 13 - A corridor that has been created where an incorporated place annexed the road
right-of-way, but not the housing units assigned to either side of the road.

Figure 14. Incorporated Area and Unincorporated Area

Figure 14 - The right-of-way belongs in an unincorporated area, while the housing units along it
are included in an incorporated place.
To recap, when a participant has a case where a road right-of-way is legally included in the
boundary, but the adjacent parcels/houses are not, there are two options. You should either not
include the area in the place at all (Scenario A in Figure 15. Participant Responses), or
include it in the place and flag it as a corridor (Scenario C in Figure 15. Participant
Responses). What you should never do is include such areas within the place boundary without
flagging them as corridors (Scenario B in Figure 15. Participant Responses).

Figure 15. Participant Responses

Figure 15 – (A): The respondent did not include place ownership of the road or the right-of-way,
allowing houses along the road to be geocoded correctly. (B): The respondent chose to show
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place ownership of the road, but did not flag it as a corridor, causing houses along the road to
be incorrectly geocoded.(C): The respondent chose to show place ownership of the road, and
flagged that ownership as a corridor, allowing the houses to be geocoded correctly. Both A and
C are acceptable.

Geographic Offsets
A geographic offset is an area (either within or outside of a geographic entity) that is only on one
side of a road (unlike corridors, which involve both sides of the road) and does not include
structures addressed to that side of the road. Much of the same guidelines regarding corridors
also holds true for offsets.
The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral
(parcel-based) right-of-way mapping. Census Bureau maps are based on spatial data that is
topologically integrated which makes maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient. Using the
road centerline wherever possible will help to establish more accurate population counts. If a
boundary follows a front lot line, the Census Bureau strongly prefers that the road centerline be
used as the boundary. If a boundary is at the rear of a lot, then it should be depicted as such. If
it is unclear whether a particular line is a front lot line or something else, please contact the BAS
team for assistance. As a rule, if a house or building could not conceivably be built in the area
between the potential line and the centerline of the road, then the line can be considered a front
lot line. Figure 16. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map depicts a cadastral (parcelbased) boundary map and Figure 17. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent
to the Census Bureau shows how the boundary should be represented when it is sent to the
Census Bureau.

Figure 16. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map

Figure 17. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent to the Census Bureau

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Figure 18. Place Boundary – Front Lot Line
Figure 18 - Shows a situation in which the place boundary is along the front lot line. In this example, the
respondent must either use the road centerline as the boundary (preferred), or create an offset.

Figure 19. Place Boundary – Rear Lot Line
Figure 19 - The place boundary is on the rear lot line, so the respondent should of course not use the road
centerline or create an offset, but should rather digitize in a new boundary following the rear lot line.

The Census Bureau has included an “offset” shapefile in the BAS materials
(bas_2018_offset_.shp), so that your jurisdiction can be checked for any existing
corridors or offsets. While the Census Bureau prefers that new offsets are not created (see
above), this information can be helpful in determining if current boundaries are correct.
Linear Feature - is a single dimension feature (Road/Path, Hydro, Rail, or Miscellaneous) along
one or more edges.
Point Feature - is an isolated node not connected to an edge. The XY coordinate point is where
a structure resides. Point Feature structures include housing units and legacy point landmark of
public facilities such as libraries, police stations, schools, churches, malls, and some
monuments.

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MTFCC DESCRIPTIONS
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the
Census Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau
MAF/TIGER products.
MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

C3022
C3023

Mountain Peak or
Summit
Island

C3024

Levee

C3026

C3027

Quarry (not waterfilled), Open Pit Mine
or Mine
Dam

C3061

Cul-de-sac

C3062

Traffic Circle

C3066
C3067
C3071

Gate
Toll Booth
Lookout Tower

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

C3076

Windmill Farm

C3077

Solar Farm

C3078

C3080

Monument or
Memorial
Boundary Monument
Point
Survey Control Point

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

C3079

A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles
for turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census Bureau
maps it only as a point feature.
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of
traffic at the meeting of roadways.
A movable barrier across a road.
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its
diameter, used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for
distribution activities.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the wind.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the sun.
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize
an event, person, or feature.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve
and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is
used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated
Tribal Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area
Alaska Native
Regional Corporation

A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation
and/or off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American
Indian areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are
members of or receiving governmental services from the
defining legal Alaska Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census
Bureau in consultation with federally recognized American
Indian tribes that have no current reservation, but had a former
reservation in Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a staterecognized American Indian tribe that does not currently have a
reservation and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe
that does not currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation
trust land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are
twelve geographically defined ANRCs and they are all within
and cover most of the State of Alaska (the Annette Island
Reserve-an American Indian reservation-is excluded from any
ANRC). The boundaries of ANRCs have been legally
established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American
Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma
tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units
of self-government or administration that serve social, cultural,
and/or economic purposes for the American Indians on the
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a
federally recognized American Indian reservation and/or offreservation trust land, delineated by American Indian tribal
participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose of presenting
demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data.
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan
statistical areas that have a degree of economic and social
integration, as measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using whole counties and equivalents.

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical
Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New
England City and
Town Area
New England City and
Town Metropolitan
and Micropolitan
Statistical Area

A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with a
population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that
have a degree of economic and social integration, as measured
by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together
with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic
and social integration with that core, as measured by
commuting. Defined using Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New
England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a
subdivision of a New England City and Town Area containing an
urbanized area with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The
subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which
consists of 50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges
between 2,500 and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The
District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a
state for census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The
primary divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other
terms are used such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana,
and Municipio in Puerto Rico. This feature includes independent
cities, which are incorporated places that are not part of any
county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the
reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature
are Minor Civil Division, Census County Division/Census
Subarea, and Unorganized Territory. This feature includes
independent places, which are incorporated places that are not
part of any county subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions
(barrios-pueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of population.
Incorporated places are generally designated as a city, borough,
municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances, have no legal
description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a
county or minor civil division, but one or more of the
incorporated places continues to function within the
consolidation. It is a place that contains additional separately
incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of
population and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated
place.

G3210

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor
Civil Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated
Place

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G4300

Economic Census
Place

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative
District (Upper
Chamber

G5220

State Legislative
District (Lower
Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400

Elementary School
District
Secondary School
District
Unified School District

The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some
types of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated places,
consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs), minor
civil divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of MCDs
or counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or balance of
MCD qualifies as an economic census place if it contains 5,000
or more residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most
current data available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their
four-digit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For
example, block group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes
all blocks numbered from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census
tabulation block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands,
(2) have a perimeter entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4)
not cross the boundary of other tabulation geographies, such as
county or incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area,
such as a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but
sometimes by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation
block boundary does not cross the boundary of any other
geographic area for which the Census Bureau tabulates data.
The subtypes of this feature are Count Question Resolution
(CQR), current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House
of Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state
equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The
subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and
111th Congressional Districts, plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber
of a state governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a
bicameral legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house
legislature (Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from
which members are elected to the lower chamber of a state
governing body. The lower chamber is the House of
Representatives in a bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as
precincts, wards, and election districts, established by state,
local, and tribal governments for the purpose of conducting
elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
elementary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
secondary grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public
educational services for all grade levels for residents.

G5410
G5420

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation
Area (Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

H2081

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/
Sound
Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel
Location

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/
Urgent Care Facility

A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000 or
more persons for which the Census Bureau provides selected
extracts of household-level data that are screened to protect
confidentiality.
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic
Analysis District (TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization
that the Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in
agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data,
municipios in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between two
nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water [includes bog, cienega, marais
and pocosin].
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm, bight,
cove and inlet].
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial
minerals were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on
the top or side of a mountain or mountainous area [includes ice
field and ice patch].
A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa,
branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of
interlacing channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate
or drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to
serve as a waterway for watercraft [includes lateral].
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the
home port pier.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention [including infirmary].

H2053
H2060

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Page C-5

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention
centers, residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, administered
by a local (county, municipal, etc.) government.
An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal
government or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the
confinement of adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere
classified or administered by a government of unknown
jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for
those having a religious vocation.

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other
Religious Group
Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or
Other Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense
for use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned
area for the use of the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal, state,
local, or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space
to host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—
under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the National
Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of an
American Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
state government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
regional government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
county government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
minor civil division (town/township) government.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2188

Incorporated Place
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Private Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
(quasi-public,
independent park,
commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2189
K2190

K2191
K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation
Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

K2453

Train Station, Trolley
or Mass Transit Rail
Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2457
K2458
K2459
K2460

Helicopter Landing
Pad

An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing
and distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of
such a facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station,
airport and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported
by piles. This platform may provide access to ships and boats,
or it may be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip].
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or
where cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight,
and other commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and
exit airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census
blocks used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other
modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for
taking off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

K2561
K2582

Museum, Visitor
Center, Cultural
Center, or Tourist
Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031
L4110

Aerial Tramway/Ski
Lift
Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary

A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead [including burying ground
and memorial garden].
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and
mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground,
with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid
(e.g., crude oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for
conducting high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A man-made barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc.,
usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent
entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head,
headland, nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and
rimrock].
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either
public or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a
Public Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline
represents the Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river)
flows into Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure
line separating the Inland water from the other class of water
represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and
forth over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

P0002

Perennial Shoreline

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water
boundary, boundary of
an areal feature)
Railroad Feature
(Main, Spur, or Yard)

The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water
for a water feature that exists year-round.
The boundary between land and water (when water is present)
for a water feature that does not exist year-round.
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other
visible feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound area
landmarks, while many others separate water features from
each other (e.g., where a bay meets the ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad
traffic. Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a
rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to
mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a
road right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that
aerial tramways and streetcars (which may also be called
“trams”) are accounted for by other MTFCCs and do not belong
in R1052.
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways
within the interstate highway system or under state
management, and are distinguished by the presence of
interchanges. These highways are accessible by ramps and
may include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway,
State Highway or County Highway system. These roads have
one or more lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be
divided, and usually have at-grade intersections with many other
roads and driveways. They often have both a local name and a
route number.
Generally a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that
usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in
this feature class may be privately or publicly maintained. Scenic
park roads would be included in this feature class, as would
(depending on the region of the country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is
required. These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in
very rural areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars
and trucks belong in the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf
interchange. These roads are unaddressable and do not carry a
name in the MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that
provides access to structures along the highway. These roads
can be named and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.

R1011

R1051

Carline, Streetcar
Track, Monorail, Other
Mass Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline
Rail Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road,
City Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian
Trail

S1710

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780
S1820

Private Road for
service vehicles
(logging, oil fields,
ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road
Bike Path or Trail

A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series
of steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated
addressed structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the
rear of buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained for
service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often
unnamed.

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.
The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles,
being either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular
traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a
divided road.

Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2017.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page C-10

STANDARD STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

ALLEY
ANEX
ARCADE
AVENUE
BAYOU
BEACH
BEND
BLUFF
BLUFFS
BOTTOM
BOULEVARD
BRANCH
BRIDGE
BROOK
BROOKS
BURG
BURGS
BYPASS
CAMP
CANYON
CAPE
CAUSEWAY
CENTER
CENTERS
CIRCLE
CIRCLES
CLIFF
CLIFFS
CLUB
COMMON
COMMONS
CORNER
CORNERS
COURSE
COURT
COURTS
COVE
COVES
CREEK
CRESCENT
CREST
CROSSING
CROSSROAD
CROSSROADS
CURVE
DALE
DAM
DIVIDE

ALY
ANX
ARC
AVE
BYU
BCH
BND
BLF
BLFS
BTM
BLVD
BR
BRG
BRK
BRKS
BG
BGS
BYP
CP
CYN
CPE
CSWY
CTR
CTRS
CIR
CIRS
CLF
CLFS
CLB
CMN
CMNS
COR
CORS
CRSE
CT
CTS
CV
CVS
CRK
CRES
CRST
XING
XRD
XRDS
CURV
DL
DM
DV

Boundary and Annexation Survey: GUPS

Page D-1

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

DRIVE
DRIVES
ESTATE
ESTATES
EXPRESSWAY
EXTENSION
EXTENSIONS
FALL
FALLS
FERRY
FIELD
FIELDS
FLAT
FLATS
FORD
FORDS
FOREST
FORGE
FORGES
FORK
FORKS
FORT
FREEWAY
GARDEN
GARDENS
GATEWAY
GLEN
GLENS
GREEN
GREENS
GROVE
GROVES
HARBOR
HARBORS
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWAY
HILL
HILLS
HOLLOW
INLET
ISLAND
ISLANDS
ISLE
JUNCTION
JUNCTIONS
KEY
KEYS
KNOLL
KNOLLS
LAKE

DR
DRS
EST
ESTS
EXPY
EXT
EXTS
FALL
FLS
FRY
FLD
FLDS
FLT
FLTS
FRD
FRDS
FRST
FRG
FRGS
FRK
FRKS
FT
FWY
GDN
GDNS
GTWY
GLN
GLNS
GRN
GRNS
GRV
GRVS
HBR
HBRS
HVN
HTS
HWY
HL
HLS
HOLW
INLT
IS
ISS
ISLE
JCT
JCTS
KY
KYS
KNL
KNLS
LK

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page D-2

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

LAKES
LAND
LANDING
LANE
LIGHT
LIGHTS
LOAF
LOCK
LOCKS
LODGE
LOOP
MALL
MANOR
MANORS
MEADOW
MEADOWS
MEWS
MILL
MILLS
MISSION
MOTORWAY
MOUNT
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINS
NECK
ORCHARD
OVAL
OVERPASS
PARK
PARKS
PARKWAY
PARKWAYS
PASS
PASSAGE
PATH
PIKE
PINE
PINES
PLACE
PLAIN
PLAINS
PLAZA
POINT
POINTS
PORT
PORTS
PRAIRIE
RADIAL
RAMP
RANCH
RAPID

LKS
LAND
LNDG
LN
LGT
LGTS
LF
LCK
LCKS
LDG
LOOP
MALL
MNR
MNRS
MDW
MDWS
MEWS
ML
MLS
MSN
MTWY
MT
MTN
MTNS
NCK
ORCH
OVAL
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PKWY
PKWY
PASS
PSGE
PATH
PIKE
PNE
PNES
PL
PLN
PLNS
PLZ
PT
PTS
PRT
PRTS
PR
RADL
RAMP
RNCH
RPD

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page D-3

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

RAPIDS
REST
RIDGE
RIDGES
RIVER
ROAD
ROADS
ROUTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHOAL
SHOALS
SHORE
SHORES
SKYWAY
SPRING
SPRINGS
SPUR
SPURS
SQUARE
SQUARES
STATION
STRAVENUE
STREAM
STREET
STREETS
SUMMIT
TERRACE
THROUGHWAY
TRACE
TRACK
TRAFFICWAY
TRAIL
TRAILER
TUNNEL
TURNPIKE
UNDERPASS
UNION
UNIONS
VALLEY
VALLEYS
VIADUCT
VIEW
VIEWS
VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA
WALK
WALKS

RPDS
RST
RDG
RDGS
RIV
RD
RDS
RTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHL
SHLS
SHR
SHRS
SKWY
SPG
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
SQ
SQS
STA
STRA
STRM
ST
STS
SMT
TER
TRWY
TRCE
TRAK
TRFY
TRL
TRLR
TUNL
TPKE
UPAS
UN
UNS
VLY
VLYS
VIA
VW
VWS
VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS
WALK
WALK

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page D-4

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page D-5

GUPS TOOLS
Set Layer Symbology
GUPS loads a default layer symbology established for each Census Bureau geographic
partnership program. You can change the default symbology to suit your preferences. To
change the default symbology for a layer in GUPS, follow the instructions in Table 50.
Table 50: Reset Layer Symbology
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click on the layer in the Table of Contents (in this example, we selected the Edges
layer). The Layers drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties screen opens.

Boundary and Annexation Survey: GUPS

Page E-1

Step
Step 3

Action and Result
In the left-hand pane, click on Style, then double-click the symbol you want to edit in the
layers list. In this example, we will double-click on ‘Roads, substr (“MTFCC, 1,1) = S1100’ to
select it.

The Rule Properties dialog box opens and the Label and Filter fields display the item
chosen. The Symbol pane shows the current symbology (yellow line).

Step 4

Choose a new color from the Color drop-down menu, or select a different symbol for the layer
altogether by double-clicking any symbol in the Symbols in Group field. Click OK. The new
symbology will display in the Table of Contents and in Map View.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-2

Step

Action and Result

Change Label Display
You can change the default GUPS labeling display and also restore it to the original setting. To
change the default labeling for a layer, follow the steps in Table 51.
Table 51: Change Default Labeling
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right click on the layer (we have selected the edges layer) in the Table of Contents. The
Layers drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties dialog box opens.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-3

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

In the far left-hand pane, click Labels. The options to change the label display properties
open in the main window.

Step 4

To change the attribute field, click on the drop-down menu for ‘Label this layer with’ at the top
of the screen, and select the desired option.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-4

Step

Action and Result

Text style options allow you to change the font, style, size, color, transparency, type case,
and spacing of layer labels. Shown below are the drop-down options for style.

Restoring Default Label Display Settings
To restore the default labeling for a layer, follow the steps in Table 52.
Table 52: Restoring Default Labeling
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click on the layer you changed in the Table of Contents. The layer’s drop-down
menu opens.

Step 2

In this example, we have selected the Edges layer. In the drop-down menu, click on the
arrow to the right of ‘GUPS Layer’. Four options appear: ‘Load default style’, ‘Load all
default style’, ‘Load BBSP Edges style’, and ‘Load Low profile Edges style’.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-5

Step

Step 3

Action and Result

Select ‘Load default style’ to restore the selected layer’s original properties OR select ‘Load
all default style’ to reset ALL the layers to their original settings.

Using the Table of Contents Toolbar to Manage Layers
Using the buttons on the toolbar located at the top of the Table of Contents, you can add and
remove layers or groups, manage layer visibility, filter the legend by map content, expand or
contract all sections of the Table of Contents list at once, and group layers.
The Table of Contents Layers toolbar contains the items shown below in Figure 20.
Table 53: Table of Contents Layers Toolbar Buttons describes the function of each of the
buttons on the toolbar.

Figure 20. Table of Contents Layers Toolbar

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-6

Table 53: Table of Contents Layers Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Add Group

Allows you to organize layers in the Table of Contents
into groups.

Manage Layer
Visibility

Allows you to preset views in the Table of Contents.

Filter Legend by
Map Content

Removes from the Table of Contents display any layers
that are not currently in the Map View extent. This
feature ensures that the Table of Contents does not
contain entries for items not currently in the map view.

Expand All

Expands the Table of Contents menus (+) to display all
layers under each group’s menu.

Collapse All

Collapses the Table of Contents menus (-) to show only
groups.

Remove
Layer/Group

Allows you to remove a layer or group from the Table of
Contents.

Preset Views in the Manage Layer Visibility Table of Contents
You can add preset views
in the Table of Contents by clicking on the Manage Layer
Visibility button on the Table of Contents toolbar. You can choose to display a layer with specific
categorization and add this view to the Presets list.
To add a preset view click on the Manage Layer Visibility button and choose ‘Add Preset…’
from the drop-down menu.

Figure 21. Add Preset Layer

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-7

When the Visibility Presets pop-up appears, enter the name of the new preset and click OK.

Figure 22. Visibility Presets Dialog Box

Note: By clicking on the Manage Layer Visibility button, you can view the list of all preset views that
you have established and from which you can choose.

Add a Layer
Clicking on the Add Vector Layer button on the Add Data toolbar allows you to add shapefile
and geodatabase feature classes to your GUPS project. Instructions and accompanying
graphics are included in Section 5.7.1: The Add Data Toolbar.
Remove a Layer or Group
To remove a layer or group in the Table of Contents:
Left-click on the layer/group you want to remove, hold down the CTRL key, and click the
Remove a Layer or Group button. The layer/group is removed; or

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page E-8

MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION
Table 54: MAF/TIGER Feature Classification
M T FCC

FEATURE NAME

S1100

Interstate Highway or Primary Road with limited access

S1200

Primary Road without limited access, US Highway, State Highway, or County Highway,
Secondary and connecting roads

S1400

Local Neighborhood Road, Rural Road, City Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually along a limited access highway

S1710

Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

Private Road for service vehicles (logging, oil fields, ranches, etc.)

S1750

Private Driveway

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

R1011

Railroad Feature (Main, Spur, or Yard)

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track, Monorail, Other Mass Transit Rail

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail Line, Tram

P0001

Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Power Transmission Line

L4110

Fence Line

L4121

Ridge Line

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

K2451

Airport or Airfield

L4140

Property/Parcel Line

L4165

Ferry Crossing

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page F-1

SHAPEFILE NAMES
State Shapefile Names
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding to the state,
for example, “24” and is the abbreviation for the shapefile layer, describe in detail
below.
Table 55: State Shapefiles Names
Shapefile Layer
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal
2010 American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal

aial
aial2010

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical

aias

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal

aitsl

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical

aitss

Block Area Group
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area
Congressional Districts
Census Designated Place
Counties and Equivalent Areas
2010 Counties and Equivalent Areas

bag
cbsa
cd
cdp
county
county2010

Elementary School Districts

elsd

County Subdivisions - Legal

mcd

New England City and Town Areas

necta

Incorporated Places

place

2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts
State Legislative Districts Lower
State Legislative District Upper Chambers
State

puma2010
scsd
sldl
sldu
state

Tribal Block Groups

tbg

Tribal Census Tracts

tct

2010 Census Tracts

tracts2010

Urban Area
Unified School District State-Based

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

uac
unsd

Page G-1

County Shapefile Names
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding to
the state and county, for example, “24001” and is the abbreviation for the
shapefile layer, describe in detail below.
Table 56: County Shapefiles Names
Shapefile Layer

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal

aial

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical

aias

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal

aitsl

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical

aitss

Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC)

anrc

Area Landmark
Block Area Groups
Block Groups
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area

arealm
bag
bg
cbsa

Census County Division

ccd

Congressional Districts

Census Designated Place

cdp

Consolidated Cities

concity

Counties and Equivalent Areas

county

Census Tracts - Current
All Lines
Elementary School Districts
Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL)
County Subdivisions - Legal

curtracts
edges
elsd
hhl
mcd

New England City and Town Areas

necta

Offsets

offset

Incorporated Places

place

Point Landmarks
2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts

pointlm
puma2010
scsd

State Legislative Districts Lower

sldl

State Legislative Districts Upper

sldu

Subbarrios

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

submcd

Page G-2

Shapefile Layer
Census Blocks - Current
2010 Census Blocks

tabblock
tabblock2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Delineation

tad2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Zones

taz2010

Tribal Block Groups

tbg

Tribal Census Tracts

tct

2010 Census Tracts

tracts2010

Census Urban Areas

uac

Urban Growth Area

uga

Hydrography - Area

water

Unified School Districts

unsd

Relationship Tables
Address Ranges
Topological Faces (2-cells with all geocodes)
Topological Faces - Area Landmark Relationship
Topological Faces - Area Hydrography Relationship
Linear Feature Names - Fielded

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

addr
faces
areafaces
hydrofaces
allnames

Page G-3

SHAPEFILE LAYOUTS
Table 57: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

TLID

Double

Permanent edge ID

TFIDL

Double

Permanent face ID (left)

TFIDR

Double

Permanent face ID (right)

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FIDELITY

String

Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary
has changed through spatial enhancement

FULLNAME

String

Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier,
direction, and feature type

SMID

String

Spatial Theta ID

SMIDTYPE

String

SMIDTYPE code

BBSPFLG

String

Redistricting data project participant’s submitted request
of an EDGE for selection as a block boundary

CBBFLG

String

Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a
block boundary

BBSP_2020

String

New BBSP flag

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of linear feature update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

LTOADD

String

Left To address

RTOADD

String

Right To address

LFROMADD

String

Left From address

RFROMADD

String

Right From address

ZIPL

String

Left zip code

ZIPR

String

Right zip code

EXTTYP

Char

Extension type

MTUPDATE

Date

Date of last update to the edge

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-1

Table 58: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr)
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

OID

STRING

Object ID

TLID

INTEGER

TIGER Line ID

STATEFP

STRING

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

STRING

FIPS County Code

FROMHN

STRING

From House Number

TOHN

STRING

To House Number

SIDE

STRING

Side Indicator Flag

ZIP

STRING

5-digit ZIP Code

PLUS4

STRING

ZIP+4 Code

LFROMADD

STRING

Left From Address

LTOADD

STRING

Left To Address

RFROMADD

STRING

Right From Address

RTOADD

STRING

Right To Address

ZIPL

STRING

Left 5-digit ZIP Code

ZIPR

STRING

Right 5-digit ZIP Code

ZIP4L

STRING

Left ZIP+4 Code

ZIP4R

STRING

Right ZIP+4 Code

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-2

Table 59: Census Block Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tabblock2010)
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

BLKSZIND

String

Block Size Indicator

BLOCK

String

Block Number

BLOCKCE

String

Tabulation Block Number

BLOCKID

String

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census Tract
Code, Block Number
Census County FIPS code

COUNTYFP10

String

FIPS County Code

FID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

NCELIGBLE

String

New Construction Program eligible

PARTFLG

String

Part Flag Indicator

Shape

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

Census state FIPS code

STATEFP10

String

FIPS State Code

SUFFIX1CE

String

Census Block Suffix 1

SUFFIX2CE

String

Census Block Suffix 2

TRACTCE10

String

Census tract code

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-3

Table 60: Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts)
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

EFF_DATE

String

Effective Date or Vintage

FID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

String

Name

NEW_CODE

String

New Congressional District Code

RELATE

120

String

Relationship Description

Shape

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

TRACTCE

String

Census Tract Code

TRACTID

String

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census Tract Code

TRACTLABEL

String

Tract number used for LUCA geocoding

TRACTTYP

String

Tract Characteristic Flag

VINTAGE

String

Vintage updated with returned data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-4

Table 61: American Indian Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

AIANNHCE

String

Census AIANNH Code

AIANNHFSR

String

Flag Indicating Level of Recognition of an AIA

AIANNHNS

String

ANSI numeric identifier for AIA areas

Double

Acreage of Area Update

String

Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution,
L – Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

AREA
AUTHTYPE

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of Area Update

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 Class Code Describing an Entity

String

Indicates if Reservation, Trust Land, or both are
Present

String

FIPS County Code

120

String

Supporting Documentation

Date

Effective Date

Integer

Permanent Face ID

FORM_ID

String

(MTPS and Web BAS Only)

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional Status

Char

Justification

COMPTYP
COUNTYFP
DOCU
EFF_DATE
FID

JUSTIFY

150

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

NAME

100

String

AIA name

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with Translated LSAD

String

Part Flag Indicator

120

String

Relationship description

SHAPE

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the Data

PARTFLG
RELATE

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-5

Table 62: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUNTYNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county or
equivalent feature

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD code

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description code

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R –
Resolution, L – Local Law, S – State Level
Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-6

Table 63: County Subdivisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_mcd)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUSUBFP

String

FIPS 55 county subdivision code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

COUSUBNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county subdivision

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Digital Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-7

Table 64: Incorporated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_place)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

PLACEFP

String

FIPS 55 place code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

String

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing and entity

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey: GUPS

Page H-8

Digital - Quick Start - Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide
Initial Steps

1) Report that you are making updates by one of the following methods:
• Completing the Annual Response Form on the BAS Web site
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
• Call (800) 972-5651
• Email [email protected]
2) Obtain the following materials from the BAS Web site or DVD (if requested):
• Digital BAS Respondent Guide
• Digital BAS Quick Reference Guide
• BAS Partnership Shapefiles:
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/2018/geo/bas/2018bas-shapefiles.html
3) Review respondent guides and training videos
• Review the Digital BAS Respondent Guide, Quick Start Guide, and training
videos on the BAS website before beginning any boundary or linear feature
updates.

Boundary Review

1) Compare the Census Bureau’s representation of your government’s boundary
with the local representation of your boundary, and extract the differences
(change polygons). The differences can be extracted using one of the sample
methods in the Digital BAS Respondent Guide, or using another method of your
choosing.
2) Populate the applicable mandatory fields for each change polygon. The Census
Bureau may not be able to accept changes without the appropriate attribution or
documentation.
• NAME: Entity name (all changes)
• CHNG_TYPE: Type of area update; see tables (all changes)
• AUTHTYPE: Authorization type; see tables (all legal changes – annexations,
deannexations, new incorporations, disincorporations)
• DOCU: Supporting documentation (all legal changes)
• EFF_DATE: Effective date; if after Jan 1, changes will not be included in this
year’s ACS or PEP data (all legal changes)
• RELATE: Relationship description; IN or OUT (all boundary corrections)
3) BAS participants have the option, if they choose, to return linear feature (road,
railroad, hydro) and landmark updates. Review Digital BAS Respondent Guide for
more information on these types of changes.

Linear Feature Changes

CHNG_TYPE

Add Feature

Delete Feature

Rename/Recode Feature

Point Landmark Changes

CHNG_TYPE

New Landmark

Change Landmark Name

Delete Landmark

Geographic Area Changes

CHNG_TYPE

Annexation

Boundary Correction

Geographic Corridor

Deannexation

New Incorporation

Geographic Offset

Disincorporation

Authorization Types

AUTHTYPE

Ordinance

Resolution

Local Law

State Level Action

Other

Boundary Review – Quality Control

1) Verify that all mandatory fields are populated.
2) Verify that all legal changes (annexations, deannexations, new incorporations, and disincorporations) have appropriate legal
documentation, authorization types, and effective dates.
3) Verify that all boundary corrections less than thirty feet are not dissolving boundary to feature relationships (with roads,
railroads, hydrography, etc.)
4) Verify that all boundary changes are greater than thirty feet, unless they include housing units.

File Naming Conventions and Submission Prep

1) Name all return files (change polygons, linear feature updates, whole entity files, etc.) using the file naming conventions
outlined in the Digital BAS Respondent Guide. The table below contains examples of the file naming conventions.
2) Include important metadata information. It is critical that all return files have *.prj files
3) Include a text file with the BAS and HEO contact information, or update the contact information using the online Annual
Response Form.
4) Zip all return files together and name the file bas18__return.zip. should be replaced with your eleven digit
BAS ID code (e.g. bas18_20100100000_return.zip)

Changes Submitted For

Change Shapefile Naming Conventions

Whole Entity Shapefile Naming Conventions

County

bas18__changes_county

bas18__WholeEntity_county

Minor Civil Division

bas18__changes_cousub

bas18__WholeEntity_cousub

Incorporated Place

bas18__changes_incplace

bas18__WholeEntity_incplace

Consolidated City

bas18__changes_concity

bas18__WholeEntity_concity

Edges

bas18__LN_Changes

N/A

Area/Hydro Landmarks

bas18__Alndk_Changes

N/A

Point Landmarks

bas18__Plndk_Changes

N/A

Updates Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)

Return

1) Open a browser window and enter the SWIM URL: (https://respond.census.gov/swim/)
2) If you already have a SWIM account enter your Email address and Password - Skip to Step 4)
3) If you do not have a SWIM account click ‘Register Account’
• Enter the 12 digit token provided by Census
• Create a password following the five criteria below:
• It must be 8 characters in length
• It must have at least one upper case character
• It must have at least one lower case character
• It must have at least one number
• It must have at least one special character (valid characters are: #, !, $, &, ?, ~). Do not use commas since they are for
spacing purposes only
• Complete the registration information form
4) Login to SWIM
• Select Start New Upload button
• Select BAS radio Button
• Select your entity type (State, Place, County, County Subdivision, Tribal Area, or Concity)
• Select your state and county
• Select the Zip file to upload
• Click the + Add File button
• Double-click on the file you want to upload
• [Add additional files in the same manner]
• Add any additional information to the Comments field
• Logout

BAS Schedule and Deadlines
•

•
•

January 1 – All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be reported under the current BAS year.
Please note that the Census Bureau will accept changes legally effective after January 1 for inclusion in the shapefiles for
the next BAS year. However, these changes will not appear in this year’s American Community Survey (ACS) or Population
Estimates Program (PEP) data. Any change you submit that become effective after January 1 will be reflected in the
following year’s ACS and PEP data.
March 1 – You must submit changes by this date if you wish them to be included in this year’s ACS and PEP data. Changes
reported by March 1 will also be included in the BAS shapefiles for the next BAS year.
May 31 – This is the deadline for changes to be submitted for the current BAS year. Changes received between March 2 and
May 31 will be reflected in the shapefiles for the next BAS year. However, they will not appear in this year’s ACS or PEP
data.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau:
• Email: [email protected],
• Phone: 1-800-972-5651
• FAX: 1-800-972-5652

GUPS - Quick Start - Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide
Initial Steps

1) Report that you are making updates by one of the following methods:
• Completing the Annual Response Form on the BAS Web site: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
• Call (800) 972-5651
• Email: [email protected]
2) Obtain the following materials from the BAS Web site or DVD (if requested):
• GUPS – BAS Respondent Guide
• GUPS Quick Start – BAS Respondent Guide
• GUPS Software: www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/gups/.
Note: Those requesting the GUPS tool and data on DVD will receive a software and data disc in the mail.
3) Review respondent guides and training videos
• Review the GUPS – BAS Respondent Guide and Quick Start guide on the BAS Web site before beginning any boundary or
linear feature updates. Training videos can be found in the ‘Help’ menu within the GUPS tool.

Download and Install GUPS
1)
2)
3)
4)

5)
6)
7)
8)

Download the GUPS tool from the BAS Web site to your computer.
Unzip the file and extract all contents of the unzipped package to a folder on your computer.
Click the Setup-7.0.0-X.bat to start the installation.
When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. Follow the instructions on the
Wizard and click the Next button.
The License Agreement screen will appear. Review the License Agreement and click I Agree button to continue the install
process.
The Choose Install Location screen will appear. The Browse button will allow you to choose the location where GUPS will be
installed. It is recommended that you install the application at the default location shown (C:\Program Files\QGIS GUPS).
Click Next to continue the install process.
The Choose Components screen will appear. The Select Components to Install box will be greyed out as it is the default.
Click Install to continue.
The software should take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the install. When the install is complete the Completing the QGIS
GUPS Setup Wizard screen will appear. To complete the install, click the Finish button at the bottom of the screen.
Note: The software should run automatically for those requesting a DVD. If it does not, please navigate to your DVD drive
and begin with Step 3, above).

Start New BAS Project
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Double-click the QGIS icon on your desktop [GUPS splash screen appears].
Click Close (X) on QGIS Tips screen.
[Map Management dialog page opens].
Use dropdown box for Program to select Boundary and Annexation Survey 2018.
Use State dropdown box to select your state.
Use Working County dropdown box to select the county you wish to update.
Use the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dropdown box to select the location from which you want to pull the
county’s shapefiles (Options: Census-provided DVD, My Computer or the Census Partnership website).
8) From the Entity Type dropdown box select the entity you represent (County, MCD, Place or State).
9) Once selected, a list of adjacent counties will appear highlighted (Uncheck any counties you do not want to appear on the
Map View)
• If adjacent counties are selected, load their shapefiles from the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dropdown box.
• Files load and you are ready to make updates.

Perform Geographic Review/Updates

1) Use the BAS Module in GUPS for the following updates:
• Add, delete, and modify legal entities (Counties [and equivalent areas], Minor Civil Divisions, Incorporated Places, and
Consolidated Cities).
• Add, delete, and modify linear features (Roads, Railroads, and Hydrology).
• Add, delete, and modify area landmarks and hydrographic areas.
• Add, delete, and modify point landmarks.
• Provide address data for newly annexed areas.

Perform Quality Control

1) Use the validation tools provided in GUPS to review your changes before returning updates to the Census Bureau:
• Review Change Polygon Tool.
• Geography Review Tool.

Create Return Zip Files

1) Select Export to Zip icon on the BAS Toolbar.
2) From the Select Output Type dialog box select Export for Census button to create a file to return to the Census Bureau. Click
the Share with Another Participant button if you would prefer.
3) Click OK.
4) A window opens showing the location of the of the output file on your local system. This is the file that you will return to
the Census Bureau in the next steps.

Return Updates Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)

1) Open a browser window and enter the SWIM URL: (https://respond.census.gov/swim/).
2) If you already have a SWIM account enter your Email address and Password - Skip to Step 4).
3) If you do not have a SWIM account click ‘Register Account’.
• Enter the 12 digit token provided by Census.
• Create a password following the five criteria below:
o It must be 8 characters in length.
o It must have at least one upper case character.
o It must have at least one lower case character.
o It must have at least one number.
o It must have at least one special character (valid characters are: #, !, $, &, ?, ~). Do not use commas since they are
for spacing purposes only.
• Complete the registration information form.
4) Login to SWIM
• Select Start New Upload button.
• Select Bounday and Annexation Survey (BAS) radio Button.
• Select your entity type (State, Place, County, County Subdivision, Tribal Area, or Concity).
• Select your state and county.
• Select the Zip file to upload.
• Click the + Add File button.
• Double-click on the file you want to upload.
• [Add additional files in the same manner].
• Add any additional information to the Comments field.
• Logout.

BAS Schedule and Deadlines
•

•
•

January 1 – All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be reported under the current BAS year.
Please note that the Census Bureau will accept changes legally effective after January 1 for inclusion in the shapefile s for
the next BAS year. However, these changes will not appear in this year’s American Community Survey (ACS) or Population
Estimates Program (PEP) data. Any change effective after January 1 will be reflected in the following year’s ACS and PEP
data.
March 1 – You must submit changes by this date if you wish them to be included in this year’s ACS and PEP data. Changes
reported by March 1 will also be included in the BAS shapefiles for the next BAS year.
May 31 – This is the deadline for changes to be submitted for the current BAS year. Changes received between March 2 and
May 31 will be reflected in the shapefiles for the next BAS year. However, they will not appear in this year’s ACS or PEP
data.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau:
• Email: [email protected],
• Phone: 1-800-972-5651
• FAX: 1-800-972-5652

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Respondent Guide: Paper
Instructions for Participating in the 2018 Boundary and Annexation Survey
Revised as of November 30, 2017

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

This page intentionally left blank

Table of Contents
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement .......................................................................... v
Introduction .................................................................................................................. vi
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey ..............................................................vi
What’s New for the 2018 BAS? .........................................................................vi
Key Dates for BAS Respondents .......................................................................vi
BAS State Agreements ..................................................................................... vii
Legal Disputes .................................................................................................. vii
Respondent Guide Organization ....................................................................... vii

Part 1:

Completing the BAS Forms ........................................................................... 1

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5

Forms Included in the BAS Package ................................................................. 1
Name or Type Changes ..................................................................................... 1
Contact information ............................................................................................ 1
Legal Boundary Changes .................................................................................. 1
Other Changes .................................................................................................. 1

Part 2:

Reviewing and Updating the BAS Maps ....................................................... 2
Maps Included in the BAS package ................................................................... 2
Requesting Additional Maps .............................................................................. 2
General Guidelines for Reviewing and Updating BAS Maps ............................. 2
Census Bureau Geocoding ................................................................................ 3
Legal Boundary Changes .................................................................................. 5

Part 3:

Delineating New Tribal Subdivisions .......................................................... 10

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13

Tribal Subdivision Program Procedures........................................................... 10
Updating Existing Tribal Subdivisions .............................................................. 10
Tribal Subdivision Documentation ................................................................... 11
Feature Modifications....................................................................................... 11
Modifying Locations of Streets ......................................................................... 11
Annotating Address Range .............................................................................. 15
Point Landmarks .............................................................................................. 16
Area Landmarks .............................................................................................. 16
Geographic Corridors and Offsets ................................................................... 17
County Review and Consolidations ................................................................. 20
Public Land Survey System ............................................................................. 21
New Incorporations .......................................................................................... 21
Disincorporations ............................................................................................. 21

Part 4:

Signing Updated Maps and Returning BAS Materials ............................... 22

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Appendices .................................................................................................................. 23
Additional Documentation of Changes Forms ........................... A-1
A1
A2
A3
A4

Places .............................................................................................................A-1
Counties and Equivalent Areas ......................................................................A-2
Minor Civil Divisions ........................................................................................A-3
Reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Land ................................................A-4
MTFCC Descriptions .................................................................... B-1
Reading A Map .............................................................................. C-1

C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6

Scales ............................................................................................................ C-1
Compass Rose .............................................................................................. C-2
Legend ........................................................................................................... C-2
Index Maps .................................................................................................... C-3
Inset Maps ..................................................................................................... C-4
Parent Maps .................................................................................................. C-5

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page iii

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Shared Boundary ............................................................................................. 2
Figure 2. MSP Method of Geocoding .............................................................................. 3
Figure 3. Address Range Method of Geocoding ............................................................. 4
Figure 4. Correctly Annotating a Legal Boundary Change .............................................. 5
Figure 5. Correctly Annotating an AIA Trust Land ........................................................... 6
Figure 6. Annotating a Legal Boundary Change ............................................................. 7
Figure 7. Annotating a Legal Change to an Incorporated Place ...................................... 7
Figure 8. Annotating a Boundary Correction to an Incorporated Place Boundary ........... 8
Figure 9. Recording New Tribal Subdivision Information............................................... 10
Figure 10. Modifying a Street Feature No Boundary Movement ................................... 11
Figure 11. Modifying a Street Feature with Boundary Movement .................................. 12
Figure 12. Adding an MTFCC Code When Adding a New Street .................................. 12
Figure 13. Correcting a Street Name............................................................................. 13
Figure 14. Adding Street Name Features in a Congested Area When Deleting Streets 13
Figure 15. Deleting a Street Feature ............................................................................. 14
Figure 16. Adding Unnamed Road Features ................................................................. 14
Figure 17. Adding Cul-de-sac and Circle Features ....................................................... 15
Figure 18. Adding Street Feature/Annotating with Name and Address Breaks ............. 15
Figure 19. Adding a Point Landmark ............................................................................. 16
Figure 20. Adding an Area Landmark............................................................................ 17
Figure 21. Geographic Offset and Geographic Corridor ................................................ 17
Figure 22. Where the Right-of-way Belongs in the Unincorporated Area ...................... 18
Figure 23. Housing Units in the Unincorporated Area ................................................... 18
Figure 24. Indicating a Geographic Corridor by Using a Red Pencil ............................. 19
Figure 25. The Place Boundary is Along the Front Lot Line .......................................... 20
Figure 26. The Place Boundary is on the Rear Lot Line ................................................ 20
Figure 27. Depicting a Geographic Offset on a Paper Submission ............................... 20
Figure 28. BAS Paper Map Signature Box .................................................................... 22
Figure 29. Bar Scale
........................................................................................... C-1
Figure 30. Large Scale Map ........................................................................................ C-1
Figure 31. Compass Rose........................................................................................... C-2
Figure 32. Legend Describing What Each Symbol Means .......................................... C-2
Figure 33. Map Depicting Multiple Features Concurrently........................................... C-3
Figure 34. Index Map
........................................................................................... C-4
Figure 35. An Inset Map as it is Displayed on the Index Map...................................... C-5
Figure 36. Inset Maps
........................................................................................... C-5
Figure 37. The Parent Map ......................................................................................... C-6
Figure 38. The Key to Adjacent Sheets ....................................................................... C-6
Figure 39. The Sheet Location within Entity key ......................................................... C-7

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page v

INTRODUCTION
A.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts an annual survey called the Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas,
such as counties (and equivalent areas), incorporated places, minor civil divisions (MCDs),
federally recognized American Indian Areas (AIAs) — including reservations, off-reservation
trust lands and tribal subdivisions, Hawaiian Homelands, and Alaska Native Regional
Corporations (ANRC). BAS also provides an opportunity for participants to review the names
and geographic relationships for these areas. Title 13, U.S.C., Section 6, authorizes this survey.
The Census Bureau uses the boundary information collected during the BAS to tabulate data for
the decennial and economic censuses, and to support the Population Estimates Program (PEP)
and the American Community Survey (ACS). Maintaining correct boundaries and boundary-tofeature relationships through the BAS helps ensure that the Census Bureau assigns the
appropriate population to each governmental unit (GU).
In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the BAS supports the
Census Bureau’s spatial data steward responsibilities for the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and the Geospatial One-Stop by updating the inventory and boundaries of
GUs.
In addition, the BAS is the source of up-to-date information on changes to the boundaries,
codes and names of incorporated places, MCDs, counties (and equivalent areas), Hawaiian
Homelands, ANRC, and federally recognized AIAs, which include reservations and offreservation trust lands used by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS), the National Map, and the
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Please visit the BAS program Web site at .
For more information on the BAS, please view the “Introduction to BAS” video series on the
Census Bureau’s BAS Web site at

What’s New for the 2018 BAS?
1. The Geographic Partnership Support Desk (GPSD) is now fully functional and available
to assist with any questions respondents may have regarding BAS.
2. Redistricting data contacts participating in the Voting District Project (VTD) may submit
boundary updates for reconciliation with BAS contacts.

Key Dates for BAS Respondents

January 1, 2018 — All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported in the 2018 BAS.
March 1, 2018 — BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the
ACS and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected in
next year’s BAS materials.
Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page vi

May 31, 2018 — BAS boundary updates submitted by this date will be reflected in next year’s
BAS materials.

BAS State Agreements

The Census Bureau has established a number of agreements with states for reporting boundary
changes. Please visit the BAS State Agreements webpage within the BAS program Web site at
or call
(800) 972-5651 for information regarding state agreements.
Note: The Census Bureau can only establish BAS state agreements for states that require local
governments to report boundary changes to a state agency.

Legal Disputes

If the Census Bureau discovers that an area of land is in dispute between two or more
jurisdictions, the Census Bureau will not make any boundary corrections until the parties come
to a written agreement, or there is a documented final court decision regarding the dispute.
If you have questions concerning this, please contact the Census Bureau Legal Office at
301-763-9844.
For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at
the Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often complicated land issues require an
extended period of time for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the
current boundary in the database until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor’s office.

Respondent Guide Organization

This guide has been created for those who choose to participate in the survey using paper
maps.
This guide contains four parts:
Part 1: Provides an Overview of BAS. It specifies the:
•
•
•
•
•

Forms used to verify legal names, status, contact information, and previous legal boundary
changes for BAS;
BAS-1 for Incorporated Places
BAS-2 for Counties and Equivalent Areas
BAS-3 for Minor Civil Divisions (MCD)
BAS-5 for American Indian Reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Land

Part 2: Provides Information on Reviewing and Updating BAS Maps:
•
•
•
•

Request Additional Maps
Guidelines for Reviewing and Updating BAS Maps;
Census Bureau Geocoding;
Legal Boundary Changes (How to Draw, Changes Involving Coincident Features, Boundary
Corrections; Tribal Subdivisions)

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page vii

Part 3: Describes the Procedures for Delineating New Tribal Subdivisions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Tribal Subdivision Program Procedures;
Updating Existing Tribal Subdivisions;
Tribal Subdivision Documentation;
Feature Modifications;
Modify Locations of Streets (Adding, Deleting, Naming);
Correcting Street Names;
Annotating Address Range (Adding Address Ranges);
Point Landmarks and Area Landmarks;
Geographic Corridors and Offsets;
County Review and Consolidations;
Public Land Survey System;
New Incorporations; and
Disincorporations

Part 4: Describes the Procedures for Returning BAS Materials

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page viii

PART 1: COMPLETING THE BAS FORMS
1.1

Forms Included in the BAS Package

The forms in the BAS package should be used to verify legal names, legal status, contact
information, previous legal boundary changes submitted to the Census Bureau, and to
document any recent or missing legal boundary changes. There are four types of forms:
1. BAS-1 for Incorporated Places
2. BAS-2 for Counties and Equivalent Areas
3. BAS-3 for Minor Civil Divisions (MCD)
4. BAS-5 for American Indian Reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Land

1.2

Name or Type Changes

Please verify that the legal names and legal status of the GU or AIA are accurate. Make any
necessary corrections by crossing out the error and clearly printing the correct information.
Provide an effective date for name, type, or status changes. County participants should verify
the list of active and inactive entities within their counties.

1.3

Contact Information

Please verify that the Census Bureau has the most recent BAS, HEO, or TC contact information
for the GU or AIA. Fill in any missing or incorrect information, especially blank e-mails. If the
primary address of the BAS contact, HEO, or TC is a PO Box, provide the Census Bureau with
a physical address that can be used for the delivery of maps. Contact changes or updates may
also be provided to the Census Bureau throughout the year by e-mail to [email protected].

1.4

Legal Boundary Changes

Please record all legal boundary changes in the Documentation of Changes section of the BAS
form. Include legal boundary changes that occurred prior to January 1 of the current survey
year if they do not appear on the current BAS maps. Please include legal authorization, such as
a local ordinance or resolution number, and the effective date of the legal action. If additional
pages are needed to record legal changes, a copy of the Documentation of Changes is provided
in the appendix.

1.5

Other Changes

Please indicate if there are any boundary corrections or feature updates that need to be made
on the BAS maps. This will assist the Census Bureau in identifying and accounting for any
updates made to the maps.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 1

PART 2: REVIEWING AND UPDATING THE BAS MAPS
Maps Included in the BAS package
The Census Bureau mails an index map showing the entire GU or AIA, along with more detailed
individual map sheets. Index maps are provided as a reference to help locate a map sheet. GUs
and AIAs with more than 30 map sheets receive only an index map and the map sheets that
show the legal boundary. Entities that require more than 30 boundary ring map sheets receive
only the index map.

Requesting Additional Maps
If you only received an index map for a county, incorporated place, MCD, or AIA where
boundary changes or feature updates need to be made, call (800) 972-5651 or e-mail
[email protected] to request an individual map sheet or a full set of maps. Do not make
updates on the index map.

General Guidelines for Reviewing and Updating BAS Maps
1. Colored pencils are provided in the package. The red pencil should be used to indicate
legal boundary changes and non-legal boundary corrections for all counties, places,
MCDs, and AIAs. The purple pencil should be used to indicate feature changes or
corrections. The blue pencil should be used by AIAs to add or modify tribal
subdivisions.
2. Compare the BAS maps to a local source for an entity (e.g., a local plat map, or a
county assessor’s dataset). Update the map(s) if the boundaries shown do not correctly
depict the boundaries in effect as of January 1st of the survey year.
3. You may also provide annexations and deannexations from previous years in addition
to providing updates as of January 1st. However, the Census Bureau does require legal
documentation when submitting these vintage legal updates.
4. The maps show boundaries for multiple legal and statistical boundaries. If an entity’s
legal boundaries are coextensive with another boundary, the symbols on the map will
alternate. In the figure below, the county shares a boundary with an incorporated place
and Census Designated Place (CDP); therefore, the symbols on the map alternate
between county, incorporated place, and CDP.

Figure 1. Shared Boundary

The combined line represents a county, incorporated place and
CDP boundary.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 2

Census Bureau Geocoding
Geocoding is how the Census Bureau codes population to geographic entities. There are two
primary methods of geocoding used by the Census Bureau. Both of these involve coding an
address to a spatial polygon, but one uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, while
the other uses address ranges.

2.4.1

GPS Physical Location Geocoding

A field worker stands in front of a house or living quarters, and records the physical location with
a GPS device (Figure 2). Usually, the GPS point should fall very close to the front door of the
house. However, since this is a field operation, real-world obstacles like locked fences, poor
satellite reception, or even aggressive dogs might sometimes prevent the worker from gaining
access to the front door. In these circumstances, the worker may have to take the GPS
coordinate from the sidewalk or side of the road.

Figure 2. MSP Method of Geocoding

Notice in Figure 2. MSP Method of Geocoding that it is
occasionally not possible for the field worker to go all the way to the
front door, due to unforeseen circumstances, like the fence or the
dog shown above. Thus, the MSP (represented here in Figure 2 by
the red pins) can sometimes fall within the road or the road right-ofway.

2.4.2

Address Range Geocoding

When no Master Address File (MAF) structure point (MSP) is available, the Census Bureau
codes houses and living quarters according to a potential range of addresses associated with
the adjacent stretch of road (Figure 3).
Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 3

Figure 3. Address Range Method of Geocoding

While the two methods of geocoding differ greatly, both rely heavily on the integrated nature of
the MAF/Topologically Integrated Geographic encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System. The
representation of streets and boundaries relative to one another impacts these geocoding
methods. This interdependence between streets, boundaries, and geocoding means that
Census Bureau representations of legal boundaries occasionally differ from other
representations (e.g., in local or state GIS). This is especially true regarding geographic
corridors and offsets that follow road right of ways (or the front lot lines of parcels). In both of the
examples above, delineating a boundary along the front lot line will tend to increase the risk of
incorrect geocoding. Using the road centerline as a boundary eliminates these potential errors,
improving accuracy.

2.4.3

Completing a BAS Submission Using the Centerline of the Road

When completing a BAS submission in which a road or road right-of-way is owned or
maintained by a place or AIA but the adjacent housing is not, the respondent should use the
centerline of the road (not the front lot-line) as the boundary whenever possible. If local or state
law requires the use of the front lot line boundary, the respondent must explicitly designate the
polygon(s) between the road centerline and the front-lot boundary as a corridor or an offset (see
Section 3.9 of this document for more details).

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 4

Legal Boundary Changes
Legal boundary changes are the result of legal actions (e.g., annexations), and documenting
such changes is the primary goal of the BAS. AIA legal documentation (e.g., statute, federal
court decision, trust deed) must accompany all AIA legal boundary changes, while legal
boundary change submissions from incorporated places, MCDs, and counties must provide an
authorization number, such as a resolution or ordinance number 1.

2.5.1

How to Draw Legal Boundary Changes

The following figures illustrate the correct way to draw legal boundary changes on BAS maps.
•
•
•
•

Using the red pencil provided, cross out the portion of the boundary that is no longer current with
a string of “Xs”.
Draw the new boundary line(s) ensuring the boundary is closed.
Add the ordinance number or other legal identifier of the action authorizing the change, along with
the effective date of each annexation or de-annexation that is drawn on the map.
Record all legal changes in the Documentation of Changes section of the BAS form.

Figure 4. Correctly Annotating a Legal Boundary Change
With the red pencil and record the changes in the Documentation of
Changes section of the BAS form.

Legal boundary changes from the State of Georgia are the exception: a state statute requires participants to include
acreage, and the Census requests that the respondent includes an authorization number.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 5

Figure 5. Correctly Annotating an AIA Trust Land

Correctly annotate an AIA trust land and record the change in the
Documentation of Changes section of the BAS form. The original
reservation is not deleted and therefore does not require a string of
X’s.

2.5.2

Boundary Changes Involving Coincident Features

The following figures illustrate how to adjust a boundary that is coincident with
(i.e., follows exactly) a feature, such as a river or street. In this case, the feature location is
correct, but the boundary location is incorrect.
•
•
•
•

Using the red pencil, cross out the portion of the boundary that is no longer current using a string
of “Xs” inside circles.
Draw the updated boundary.
Add the authorization number or other identifier of the action authorizing the change along with
the effective date of each addition or deletion.
Record all legal changes in the Documentation of Changes section of the BAS form.

If both the boundary and feature need to be moved, cross out the incorrect boundary with a
string of red “Xs” and then draw a red line representing the new location of the boundary and
road.
Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8 below illustrate how to make a correction to the boundary
where an associated feature moves along with the boundary. If these changes are the result of
an annexation or deannexation, include the authorization number and effective date.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 6

Figure 6. Annotating a Legal Boundary Change

Annotating a legal boundary change coincident with a river feature,
where the river location does not change, but the boundary does.
The legal change is also recorded in the Documentation of
Changes.

Figure 7. Annotating a Legal Change to an Incorporated Place

Annotating a legal change to an incorporated place boundary
coincident with a road feature, where only the boundary moves to
the new location. The street feature location is correct, but the
boundary location is incorrect.

2.5.3

Boundary Corrections

A boundary correction is the adjustment of a boundary to correct an error in how the Census
Bureau depicts an existing boundary. Boundary corrections should follow the general shape of
the existing boundary. Legal documentation is not required when submitting a boundary
correction to the Census Bureau. Boundary corrections also do not need to be reported on the
BAS form.
Figure 8 illustrates how to complete a boundary correction.
Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 7

•
•
•

Using the red pencil, cross out the incorrect boundary with a string of “X”s.
Add a line showing the correct boundary.
Print the letters BC inside the change to identify the update as a boundary correction rather than
a legal change.

Figure 8. Annotating a Boundary Correction to an Incorporated Place Boundary

2.5.4

Tribal Subdivisions

The Census Bureau considers any type of unit of self-government or administration in tribal
areas as a tribal subdivision. A tribe may submit only one type of subdivision, even if it has
more than one type of distinct administrative area that could qualify as a tribal subdivision
(e.g., tribal election districts, tribal water districts, or health service areas with different
boundaries). The Census Bureau recognizes two types of tribal subdivisions, active (A) or
inactive (I):
•
•

Active subdivisions are defined as having a functioning government, with elected officials, that
provides programs and services.
Inactive subdivisions have no functioning government or elected officials and receive services
solely from the tribe.
a) Some examples of areas submitted as tribal subdivisions are:
•

Areas used by a tribe for the election of tribal government officials (e.g., districts or precincts
used for the election of tribal council members).

•

Areas used by a tribal government for tax purposes.

•

Areas used by a tribal government for the provision of general services or specified services,
such as:
o

Water districts;

Health service areas;

Emergency service delivery areas (911, fire, and/or police); or

Grazing districts or range units.

Historical or traditional areas recognized by a tribal government.

o Sub-reservation tribal community governments.
b) Keep the following criteria in mind when defining tribal subdivisions:
•

Tribal subdivisions should cover all, or most, of a tribe’s land base.

•

The delineation of tribal subdivisions is restricted to the area contained within reservations
and/or associated off-reservation trust lands.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 8

•

There is no minimum population threshold for a tribal subdivision.

•

A tribal subdivision may be noncontiguous.

•

Tribes may designate only one type of tribal subdivision. If a tribe has more than one level of
tribal subdivision within its land base, the Census Bureau recommends delineating
subdivisions corresponding to the lowest geographic level (those geographic areas
containing the smallest area) of the tribe’s administrative hierarchy.

•

Tribal subdivisions should not be based solely on land ownership or other cadastral areas,
nor should they consist of divisions based on the U.S. public land survey system of
townships, ranges, and sections, if these areas have no governmental or administrative
function for a tribe.

•

The following descriptions can be appended to chosen subdivision names (e.g., Red Rock
Community):
o

District.

Community.

Area.

Chapter.

Segment.

Administrative Area.

Addition.

County District.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 9

PART 3: DELINEATING NEW TRIBAL SUBDIVISIONS
3.1

Tribal Subdivision Program Procedures

If this is the first time that tribal subdivisions are being provided to Census:
•

Using the blue pencil, please add the boundaries on the BAS map(s).

Note: If a full set of BAS maps has not been sent, please request them by calling the Census Buraus’s
BAS team at (800) 972-5651.
•
•
•

Please note: each tribal subdivision must be labeled on each map sheet with its name (e.g.,
“District 3,” “Arlee District,” “White Rock Chapter,” “Parmelee Community”).
Record the names, type, and status of each subdivision in the Tribal Names and Status
Documentation section of the BAS-5 form.
If a tribal subdivision boundary follows a visible feature such as a stream, road, or fence line,
please be sure to indicate that on the BAS map. Add the visible feature the boundary follows if it
is not already shown on the map.

Figure 9. Recording New Tribal Subdivision Information

Depicting a new tribal subdivision and recording the information in
the Tribal Names and Status Documentation section of the BAS
form.

3.2

Updating Existing Tribal Subdivisions

If tribal subdivisions were delineated during a prior survey, they are symbolized on the enclosed
BAS maps by a dashed pentagon-shaped gold line.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 10

Before adding/or revising tribal subdivision boundaries on the enclosed map(s):
•
•

Using the red pencil, please note any changes to the boundary of the land base on the map(s).
Using the blue pencil, please add and/or revise the boundaries of the tribal subdivisions on the
enclosed BAS map(s).

Note: The names and types (active or inactive) of tribal subdivisions are listed in the Tribal Names and
Status Documentation section of the BAS-5 form. This information should be reviewed and
updated.

3.3

Tribal Subdivision Documentation

New tribal subdivisions and name changes to existing tribal subdivisions require documentation,
regardless of whether they are being delineated for the first time, or being added to those
previously reported. This documentation should be in the form of a tribal resolution or a tribal
constitution. Include a copy of this documentation with your BAS maps and BAS-5 form when
returning these materials to the Census Bureau.
Corrections to the Census Bureau’s depiction of tribal subdivision boundaries or names do not
require documentation.
If there are any questions or if additional maps are needed, please contact the Census Bureau’s
BAS team at the telephone number shown on the enclosed BAS-5 form.

3.4

Feature Modifications

The primary purpose of the BAS is to collect legal boundary information. However, please also
submit feature (e.g. streets, rivers) updates and modifications occurring near or coincident with
a legal boundary through the BAS. Feature modifications that are internal to the boundary of an
incorporated place, county or MCD will be accepted, but are not required as part of the BAS.

3.5

Modifying Locations of Streets

The following figures illustrate how to correct the location of a street feature:
•
•
•

Using the purple pencil, please cross out the incorrect feature location with “Xs”.
Please draw the feature in the correct location.
Please print the name of the feature along the length of the feature (as shown in the Figure 10
and Figure 11).

Figure 10. Modifying a Street Feature No Boundary Movement

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 11

In this example the street location moves, but the boundary does
not.

Figure 11. Modifying a Street Feature with Boundary Movement

In this example both the street location and the boundary move.

The Census Bureau recently completed a nationwide program to improve the positional
accuracy of all streets and other features that appear in the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER
System. It is not necessary to make small positional corrections on the BAS maps; correct only
those streets that are incorrectly located, mislabeled or distorted. Additionally, new streets may
be added, and nonexistent streets may be deleted.

3.5.1

Adding, Deleting, and Naming Streets

When adding missing streets, new streets, and alternate street names:
•
•
•
•

Please use the purple pencil to draw the feature and its name on the map.
Where possible, please provide the address range for any new streets.
Please provide the MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code (MTFCC) (Appendix B) for all new streets
(Figure 12).
Alternate street names may be written in parentheses below the primary street name.

Figure 12. Adding an MTFCC Code When Adding a New Street

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 12

Note: Due to the difficulty of showing multiple names for the same street, only the primary street name is
shown on BAS maps. Please note that, even though alternate street names are not shown on the
maps, they do exist in our database. For example, US Hwy 30 may be locally known as Main St.,
but on the BAS map, only US Hwy 30 will be displayed; however, within our MAF/TIGER System,
both names are listed. If you have reported an alternate street name in the past, you do not have
to report it to us again.

3.5.2
•
•

When Correcting Street Names:
Using the purple pencil, please draw a line through the incorrect street name.
Please print the correct street name along the feature.

Figure 13. Correcting a Street Name.

Note: If an area of the map is too congested to add all feature names, please number each feature and
list this number and the corresponding feature name in the map margin or in an uncongested spot
close to the feature’s actual location (Figure 14). Do not repeat numbers on a map sheet.

Figure 14. Adding Street Name Features in a Congested Area When Deleting Streets

Note: Delete street features only if they are nonexistent, or impassable. Do not delete a street because
the local jurisdiction is not responsible for maintaining it.
•
•

Using the purple pencil, please mark the beginning and end of the base feature to be deleted with
hatch (//) marks perpendicular to the feature as shown below.
Cross-out what is to be removed using a string of “Xs”.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 13

Figure 15. Deleting a Street Feature

3.5.3
•

When Naming Streets:
Using the purple pencil, please label any unnamed streets on the maps.
o

Label any unnamed private roads with PR; and

Examples of private roads are driveways and unnamed roads in commercial or industrial
parks.

Figure 16. Adding Unnamed Road Features

3.5.4

Adding a Cul-De-Sac or Circle

When adding a cul-de-sac or circle:
•

Using the purple pencil, please draw the feature.
o

Cul-de-sacs are entirely paved, and should be drawn as a solid dot; and

Circles have an area of unpaved ground within them, and should be drawn as an unfilled
circle.
Print the name of the associated street leading to the cul-de-sac or circle.
o

•

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 14

Figure 17. Adding Cul-de-sac and Circle Features

3.6

Annotating Address Range

Addresses are stored in the Census Bureau spatial database as potential address ranges. The
BAS maps show the break in the potential address range created where a street is bisected by
a boundary. These address range breaks are shown because it is important that the Census
Bureau assign the correct addresses to each governmental unit.
Note: Some streets on the BAS maps do not display address breaks due to space considerations.

Add address ranges on both ends of the street only if one of the following circumstances exists:
1. A road where house numbers, street names and/or addresses were added or deleted;
2. A street was added that crosses a boundary; or
3. The address ranges created by a boundary are incorrect on the map.

3.6.1

When Adding Address Ranges:

Using the purple pencil, please add in the address ranges, providing the lowest and/or highest
possible addresses where the road intersects a boundary (Figure 18).

Figure 18. Adding Street Feature/Annotating with Name and Address Breaks

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 15

3.7

Point Landmarks

BAS maps display a select number of point landmarks (e.g., mountain peaks). Point landmarks
can be updated through the BAS, but are not required.
Acceptable point landmark feature updates include mountain peaks or summits, libraries, city
halls, community centers and police stations. Airports, parks, schools, golf courses, museums,
and cemeteries may be submitted as point landmarks or area landmarks.
Features that contain residences or private business should not be added as point landmarks or
area features (e.g. hotels, campgrounds, retirement homes, farms).
The BAS maps also include select point landmarks (e.g. airports, cemeteries, summits) taken
from USGS topography maps and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. These
landmarks represent the official federally recognized name and will not be removed or updated
without USGS verification.
When adding a point landmark:
•
•

Using the purple pencil, place a solid dot at the location of the point landmark.
Print the name of the landmark next to the dot.

Figure 19. Adding a Point Landmark

3.8

Area Landmarks

The BAS maps display a select number of area landmarks (e.g., lakes). Like point landmarks,
area features can be updated through the BAS, but are not required.
Acceptable area landmark updates include water bodies, swamps, quarries, national parks or
forests. Airports, parks, schools, golf courses, museums, and cemeteries may be submitted as
area landmarks or point landmarks.
Features that contain residences or private business should not be added as point landmarks or
area features (e.g. hotels, campgrounds, retirement homes, farms).
When adding an area landmark:
•
•

Using the purple pencil, draw the area landmark boundary in the correct location.
Print the name of the landmark inside or next to the feature.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 16

Figure 20. Adding an Area Landmark

3.9

Geographic Corridors and Offsets

A geographic corridor is an area that only includes road surface and right-of-way and does not
contain any structures addressed to either side of the street. A geographic offset is an area
claimed by a geographic entity that is only on one side of a road and does not include structures
addressed to that side of the road.

Figure 21. Geographic Offset and Geographic Corridor

The image on the left illustrates a geographic offset, designated by
red diagonal lines. The offset is part of the incorporated place
(green area). However, the dwelling units are counted outside of
the incorporated place. The image on the right illustrates a
geographic corridor (Co Rd, south of Samples Rd) and a
geographic offset (Co Rd, north of Samples Rd). The geographic
corridor and offset are both part of the incorporated place (yellow
area), but dwelling units are not.

3.9.1

Geographic Corridors

Figure 21 shows a corridor that has been created where the incorporated place or AIA owns the
right-of-way, and wishes for that ownership to be displayed on the Census Bureau’s maps, but
the housing units are not included in the incorporated place or AIA (shown in color). Without a
corridor, the housing units along this road would be incorrectly geocoded into the incorporated
place or AIA. Thus, if it is important to the place or AIA that its ownership and/or maintenance of
the road and/or its rights-of-way be displayed on Census’ maps, a geographic corridor should
be created. However, the Census does not require places and AIAs to report rights-of-way:

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 17

maintaining geographic corridors in a nationwide database is not essential to the mission of the
Census Bureau and the right-of-way should only be included if it is crucial to the place or AIA, or
if state or local laws require it.
Figure 22 below shows a case where the right-of-way belongs in the unincorporated area, while
the housing units in Figure 23 are included in the incorporated place (shown in color). While
depicting this corridor may be important for local purposes, it is not relevant for Census Bureau
tabulations because no house can be built in a road right-of-way. This type of corridor should
not be included in a BAS response.
Please note that the Census Bureau does not require places or AIAs to display rights-of-way or
road maintenance corridors that do not contain or potentially contain housing or population. If
local or state law does not require depiction of these geographic features, the Census Bureau
prefers that they be left off BAS submissions. If it is necessary for the place or AIA to depict
them, they must be submitted as a geographic corridor.

Figure 22. Where the Right-of-way Belongs in the Unincorporated Area
Figure 23. Housing Units in the Unincorporated Area

Geographic corridors can be provided to the Census Bureau if the centerline representation
results in addresses being assigned to the wrong entity. However, geographic corridors should
only be created if the addresses along the street do not belong to your governmental unit. To
indicate a geographic corridor on your map, use the red pencil to draw a line on each side of the
road. Mark the beginning and end of each line with perpendicular hatch marks. Write the letters
“GC” beside each line (Figure 24). To remove a geographic corridor or offset, use the red pencil
to mark the beginning and end of the corridor or offset with perpendicular hatch marks and write
“remove GC.”

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 18

Figure 24. Indicating a Geographic Corridor by Using a Red Pencil

To indicate a geographic corridor on your BAS return, use the red
pencil to draw a line on each side of the road. Mark the beginning
and end of each line with perpendicular hatch marks. Write the
letters “GC” beside each line.

3.9.2

Geographic Offsets

The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral
(parcel-based) right-of-way mapping. The Census Bureau bases their maps on spatial data that
is topologically integrated. This makes the maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient.
Delineating an entity boundary on the centerline wherever applicable will help to establish more
accurate population counts. If a boundary is on the front lot line adjacent to a road on the map,
the Census Bureau strongly prefers that the boundary be delineated on the road centerline
already shown on the map. If a boundary is on the rear or side lot line, then it should be
depicted as such. If it is unclear whether a particular line is a front lot line or something else,
please contact the BAS team for assistance. Generally, if a house or other building could not
conceivably be built in the area between the potential line and the centerline of the road, then
the line can be considered a front lot line.
Figure 25 shows a situation in which the place boundary is along the front lot line. In this
example, the respondent must either delineate the boundary on the road centerline, or create an
offset. In Figure 26, the place boundary is on the rear lot line, so the respondent should not
delineate it on the road centerline or create an offset; instead, the respondent should delineate a
new edge that actually follows the rear lot line.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 19

Figure 25. The Place Boundary is Along the Front Lot Line
Figure 26. The Place Boundary is on the Rear Lot Line

To indicate a geographic offset on your map, use the red pencil to draw a line parallel to the
road, along which you want the offset to be created. Mark the beginning and end of the line with
perpendicular hatch marks. Write the letters “OFF” on the side of the road where the geographic
offset exists (Figure 27).

Figure 27. Depicting a Geographic Offset on a Paper Submission

3.10

County Review and Consolidations

Counties receive boundary information from the Census Bureau for all governmental units within
their county boundary. Counties should review the names and legal status of active and inactive
incorporated places and MCDs found on page 3 of the BAS-2 form.
•
•

Active entities are defined as having a functioning government, with elected officials, that
provides programs and services.
Inactive entities have no functioning government or elected officials, receive services solely from
the county, and should be reviewed by the county during BAS.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 20

Although it is not required, counties may update boundaries for incorporated places and MCDs
on the county BAS maps. The Census Bureau encourages counties to establish Consolidated
BAS agreements with local governments in order to consolidate resources, reduce the burden
on local governments, and avoid duplication of work. Under a Consolidated BAS agreement, the
county is responsible for reporting boundary changes to the Census Bureau. Participating local
governments would no longer receive an annual BAS package. One hundred percent
participation is not required and governments may opt out of the agreement at any time. Contact
the Census Bureau at for more information on participating in a
Consolidated BAS (CBAS) agreement or visit the Consolidated BAS website at

3.11

Public Land Survey System

Boundaries are often based on nonvisible features, such as Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
lines (i.e. township, section, range lines, etc.). The Census Bureau is currently working on a
program through which PLSS lines can be incorporated into the MAF/TIGER System. If any of
your entity’s existing or new boundaries are known to follow PLSS lines, you should designate
that on your BAS submission by writing “PLSS” in red pencil next to (and parallel to) the
appropriate boundary segments. In areas where the Census Bureau has obtained accurate
PLSS shapefiles, we will then be able to compare these lines to those shapefiles and ensure
accurate placement of the boundary.

3.12

New Incorporations

Newly incorporated places should provide the Census Bureau with:
•
•
•

3.13

A copy of the official new incorporation papers, including date of incorporation;
A map indicating the boundaries of the new incorporation; and
Contact information for the highest elected official and a contact for the BAS.

Disincorporations

Disincorporated entities should provide the Census Bureau with a copy of the official papers of
disincorporation, including the effective date.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 21

PART 4: SIGNING UPDATED MAPS AND RETURNING BAS
MATERIALS
For each map sheet that has changes, fill in the Signature Box on one copy of the map:
•
•

Print your name, your position, your telephone number, and the date; and
Sign your name in the Signature area.

Figure 28. BAS Paper Map Signature Box

Use the postage-paid envelope to return the set of signed maps and the BAS form to the
Census Bureau. You may also send an e-mail to [email protected] or fill out the Annual
Response form located at the following address
.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page 22

APPENDICES

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Page 23

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION OF CHANGES
FORMS
A1

Places

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page A-1

Counties and Equivalent Areas

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page A-2

Minor Civil Divisions

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page A-3

Reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Land

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Page A-4

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

C3022
C3023

Mountain Peak or
Summit
Island

C3024

Levee

C3026
C3027

Quarry (not water-filled),
Open Pit Mine or Mine
Dam

C3061

Cul-de-sac

C3062

Traffic Circle

C3066
C3067
C3071

Gate
Toll Booth
Lookout Tower

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

C3076

Windmill Farm

C3077

Solar Farm

C3078

Monument or Memorial

C3079
C3080

Boundary Monument
Point
Survey Control Point

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page B-1

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical
Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page B-2

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor
Civil Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated
Place

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page B-3

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G4300

Economic Census Place

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400

Elementary School
District
Secondary School
District

G5410

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Page B-4

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G5420

Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation
Area (Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page B-5

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

K1235

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

Page B-6

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2188

K2191

Incorporated Place Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent
park, commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

K2453

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail
Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2189
K2190

K2457
K2458

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

K2561
K2582

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or
Tourist Attraction
Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

P0002

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an areal
feature)
Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

R1011

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline
Rail Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian
Trail
Stairway

S1710
S1720

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road

S1820

Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

S1750

Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2016.

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READING A MAP
C1

Scales

A map is a paper or digital representation of an area. Naturally, the map is always smaller than
the area it represents, so nearly all maps are equipped with a scale, which depicts the ratio of
distance on the map to the actual distance on land. The scale can be designed any number of
ways, but two of the most common scales are ratio scales (Figure C1), which describe a ratio
between the map and the real world (e.g., 1: 24,000), and bar scales, which depict that
relationship graphically by displaying how much a certain distance on the map represents in the
real world (Figure C1). In other words, if a map has a ratio scale of 1: 24,000, it means that one
inch on the map represents 24,000 inches on the ground. (This works with any unit of
measurement, so long as the unit being used on the map is the same as – or properly converted
from – the unit being depicted on the ground.) Often a map will have both types of scale.

Figure 29. Bar Scale

The map from which this scale was taken has a ratio scale of
1:15,000. The bar scale shows distances in kilometers and miles.
A bar scale will often be a set length (e.g., one inch), and/or represent a set distance (e.g., one
mile). You can use the bar scale to determine distance on your map by using a ruler. Simply
place the ruler on the map to determine the distance on the map; then place the ruler along the
bar scale, which will show how much that distance represents on the ground.
Maps that display a small area, but with a relatively large amount of detail, are considered largescale maps (see Figure C2). A map that displays a large area, but shows less detail, is called a
small-scale map (see Figure C3). This is because the representative fraction of a large-scale
map (e.g., 1/7,500 or 1:7,500) is a larger fraction than that of a small-scale map (e.g., 1/250,000
or 1:250,000).

Figure 30. Large Scale Map

A large-scale map shows a greater amount of detail; this example
displays streets, parks, churches and restaurants.
Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Paper

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Compass Rose

All maps should have some sort of diagram depicting at least one – but sometimes all – of the
cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) that the map reader can use to orient the map.
This diagram is sometimes called a compass rose (see Figure C4). A compass rose can have
any number of designs, and north can be shown in any direction on the map, but most maps are
oriented with north at the top of the map. It is important to check the compass rose when
beginning to read a map, in order to determine the direction in which the map is oriented (i.e.,
which direction is at the top of the map).

Figure 31. Compass Rose

Legend

Because a map is a graphic representation of a real-world area, naturally, it is necessary, and
convenient, to symbolize real world features with representative symbols. These symbols can
take any form, so long as they are consistent within any individual map. In order to describe
what each symbol means, most maps have a legend (see Figure C5). The legend is typically
located on the side or bottom of the map – they can be anywhere, so long as they do not
obstruct the integral parts of the map. Typically, the legend will have a small example of each
symbol (e.g. a line, or a picture of a tent), and next to the symbol, in text, a brief description of
what is being depicted (e.g. “road”, or “campground”).

Figure 32. Legend Describing What Each Symbol Means

Sometimes a map needs to depict multiple features concurrently. This is because some lines
are the boundaries of multiple geographies at the same time (i.e. a county boundary can also be
a city boundary, a voting district boundary, and even a highway or river). Such instances can be
depicted in various ways, but Census Bureau maps depict coincident lines by alternating the
symbols for each type of line as shown in Figure C6 below. In other words, if a line is both a
county boundary (symbolized by a series of squares) and a city boundary (a series of circles),
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Page C-2

that boundary will be depicted as a series of alternating squares and circles for the length of the
concurrency.

Figure 33. Map Depicting Multiple Features Concurrently

In this case, the city and the county boundaries are coincident, and
run through the middle of the river.

In situations where higher-level geographies (e.g. national, state, county, or county
subdivisions) coincide, the Census Bureau’s maps display only the symbol of the highestranking of these boundaries. In other words, if a particular boundary is shared by both a state
and county, only the symbol representing the state boundary will be displayed.

Index Maps

In order to decide which map you need to use for your BAS submission, it is necessary to view
the entity as a whole, and choose the correct parent map sheet based on its location within the
entity. You can do this by referring to the index map (Figure 34), a relatively small-scale map
that shows the entire entity, and the location and number of all parent map sheets within that
entity. Each parent map sheet has a numerical locator which differentiates it from the other
parent map sheets associated with that entity. The numbering begins with the northern and
western-most parent map sheets, and continues left-to-right, in much the same pattern as words
in a book. By referring to the index map, you can then determine which parent map sheet(s) you
need to use for your BAS submission, and then access it based on its number on the index
map.

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Page C-3

Figure 34. Index Map

The Index Map sheet shows the location of all parent map sheets
and inset map sheets within an entity.

The index map is not appropriate for BAS submissions. Its purpose is as a reference or index of
parent maps, and it will not be accepted as a BAS submission.

Inset Maps

In some instances, in highly congested areas, even a parent map sheet provides insufficient
detail for BAS purposes. In such cases, rather than using a parent map, the area is depicted
within an inset map (Figure 36). This refers to a map with a very large scale, so that it displays
a smaller area than the parent map sheet, but with greater detail. On the index map, an inset
map is represented by a green outline, and is assigned a number preceded by a letter (i.e. A1,
A2, B1, etc.), as shown in Figure 35 on the next page. Inset maps are only found in areas with
a large number of features, and as such are used less often than parent maps.

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Page C-4

Figure 35. An Inset Map as it is Displayed on the Index Map

Figure 36. Inset Maps

Inset maps show areas of relative congestion at a large scale,
allowing a greater amount of detail.

Parent Maps

Many entities 2, such as incorporated places and counties, are too large to be shown on a single
map; that is, the scale is too small to allow the necessary details for BAS updates. Thus, it is
necessary to separate the entity into sections, each of which has its own map, called the parent
map sheet 3 (Figure 37). Thus, a single entity is often represented with numerous map sheets,
with each parent map sheet showing a small section of the entity. Each parent map is assigned

Entity refers to any local governmental unit, e.g. a county, incorporated place, or minor civil division.

3Within

the scope of BAS, the terms ‘map’ and ‘map sheet’ have the same meaning, and they are used
interchangeably throughout this document.

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Page C-5

a number, beginning with the number one and increasing progressively for each additional
parent map sheet (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). In this way, viewing and editing map sheets becomes
more manageable, and it becomes possible to depict an area with the level of detail necessary
to make changes or challenges. In most instances, the parent map is the one that should be
used for BAS submissions.

Figure 37. The Parent Map

The parent map sheet shows a section of an entity at a relatively
large scale.
In the bottom right-hand corner of the parent map sheet, there is a key to the parent map
sheet’s location in relation to adjacent map sheets as shown in Figure 37 above. A larger
example of this key is shown in Figure 39. This way, if you need to refer to an adjacent map
sheet, you can quickly determine which one you will need.

Figure 38. The Key to Adjacent Sheets

The key to adjacent sheets shows where the parent map sheet lies
in relation to adjacent sheets.
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Page C-6

Next to the key to adjacent sheets, there is a small outline of the entire entity (the inside of
which is colored yellow), and a blue outline of the parent map sheet. This key displays the
location of the map sheet in relation to the entity as a whole as is shown in Figure 39 below.

Figure 39. The Sheet Location within Entity key

The sheet location with entity key shows where the parent map
sheet is located within the entity to which it belongs.

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Page C-7

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS
Instructions for Using the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
Revised as of December 14, 2017

Silver Hill

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

This page intentionally left blank

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles ............................................................................ 1

1.2

Getting Help ..................................................................................................................................... 2

1.3

BAS Help .......................................................................................................................................... 2

2.1

Boundary Corrections ...................................................................................................................... 3

2.2

Legal Boundary Changes ................................................................................................................ 3

2.3

Reviewing Legal Boundaries ........................................................................................................... 3

2.4

Submitting Acceptable Documentation ............................................................................................ 4

2.5

Legal Disputes ................................................................................................................................. 5

2.6

Reviewing Linear Features .............................................................................................................. 5

2.7

Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas ..................................................................... 6

2.8

Reviewing Point Landmarks ............................................................................................................ 8

3.1

Validating Updates ......................................................................................................................... 10

3.2

Submitting Files Through SWIM .................................................................................................... 10

3.3

Submitting Files on DVD ................................................................................................................ 11

4.1

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................... 13

4.2

How to Install GUPS ...................................................................................................................... 14

5.1

How to Access BAS Shapefiles ..................................................................................................... 19

5.2

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from the Census Bureau’s BAS Web site
(Recommended Method) ............................................................................................................... 20

5.3

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive ................................................. 30

5.4

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site ............................................................... 32

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Page ii

5.5

Use GUPS Interface....................................................................................................................... 35

5.6

Menu & Toolbars ............................................................................................................................ 39

5.7

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS .............................................................................. 58

6.1

How to Update Legal Boundaries .................................................................................................. 63

6.2

How to Update Linear Features ..................................................................................................... 87

6.3

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas ............................................................ 93

6.4

How to Update Point Landmarks ................................................................................................. 103

6.5

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools ......................................................................... 106

6.6

How to Export a Printable Map .................................................................................................... 118

6.7

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit .................................................................................... 121

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page iii

Table 1: Available Change Types by Entity Type ........................................................................4
Table 2: Acceptable MTFCCs for New Area Landmarks / Hydrographic Areas ...........................7
Table 3: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCCs .............................................................................8
Table 4: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements .............................................................13
Table 5: Install the GUPS Application .......................................................................................14
Table 6: Start a New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site .....................................20
Table 7: Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to a Hard Drive .....................................30
Table 8: Download Shapefiles from ftp2 Site to a Hard Drive (State Users) ..............................32
Table 9: GUPS Main Page Elements ........................................................................................35
Table 10: Menu Tabs and Their Functions ................................................................................39
Table 11: Adjust Snapping Tolerances......................................................................................43
Table 12: Standard Toolbar Buttons .........................................................................................45
Table 13: Identify a Feature on the Map ....................................................................................47
Table 14: Select/Deselect Features on the Map ........................................................................48
Table 15: View Layer Attributes Using the Attributes Table .......................................................52
Table 16: Measure Distances, Area, and Angles on a Map .......................................................53
Table 17: Bookmark Locations on a Map ..................................................................................55
Table 18: BAS Toolbar Buttons .................................................................................................56
Table 19: Status Bar Elements..................................................................................................57
Table 20: Add Data Toolbar Buttons .........................................................................................58
Table 21: Load Shapefiles/Geodatabase Layers .......................................................................59
Table 22: Load Data from a Web Mapping Service ...................................................................60
Table 23: Add Imagery Files .....................................................................................................60
Table 24: Import a ZIP File Shared by Another User .................................................................61
Table 25: Add Land Area as Reservation or Off-reservation Trust Land ...................................63
Table 26: Record an Addition ....................................................................................................72
Table 27: Make a Boundary Correction .....................................................................................78
Table 28: Add a Geographic Offset ...........................................................................................81
Table 29: Add a Linear Feature.................................................................................................87
Table 30: Delete a Linear Feature.............................................................................................89
Table 31: Restore a Deleted Linear Feature .............................................................................90
Table 32: Changing the Attributes of a Linear Feature ..............................................................91
Table 33: Create a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area .....................................................93

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Table 34: Delete an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ...........................................................96
Table 35: Add Area to an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ...................................................99
Table 36: Remove Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area ......................................101
Table 37: Add a Point Landmark .............................................................................................103
Table 38: Delete a Point Landmark .........................................................................................104
Table 39: Change the Attributes of a Point Landmark .............................................................105
Table 40: Use the Geography Review Tool .............................................................................106
Table 41: Reviewing Change Polygons...................................................................................110
Table 42: Export a Printable Map ............................................................................................118
Table 43: Export Files to Share with Another User ..................................................................121
Table 44: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau ..................................................124
Table 45: Transmit Files to the Census Bureau Using SWIM ..................................................127
Table 46: Reset Layer Symbology .......................................................................................... E-1
Table 47: Change Default Labeling ......................................................................................... E-3
Table 48: Restoring Default Labeling ...................................................................................... E-5
Table 49: Table of Contents Layers Toolbar Buttons .............................................................. E-7
Table 50: MAF/TIGER Feature Classification.......................................................................... F-1
Table 51: State Shapefiles Names ..........................................................................................G-1
Table 52: County Shapefiles Names .......................................................................................G-2
Table 53: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges) .................................................................... H-1
Table 54: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr) .................................................. H-2
Table 55: Census Block Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tabblock2010).............................................. H-3
Table 56: Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts) ...................................................... H-4
Table 57: American Indian Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial) ............................................... H-5
Table 58: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county) ................................ H-6
Table 59: County Subdivisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_mcd) ................................................. H-7
Table 60: Incorporated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_place) .................................................. H-8

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Page v

Figure 1. Tribal BAS Workflow ....................................................................................................1
Figure 2. GUPS Main Page Layout ...........................................................................................35
Figure 3. Close Table of Contents.............................................................................................37
Figure 4. Restore the Table of Contents ...................................................................................37
Figure 5. Managing Layer Visibility ...........................................................................................38
Figure 6. Menu and Toolbars ....................................................................................................39
Figure 7. Manage Layer Toolbar ...............................................................................................39
Figure 8. Standard Toolbar .......................................................................................................44
Figure 9. Sub-tool Markers........................................................................................................45
Figure 10. BAS Toolbar.............................................................................................................56
Figure 11. Status Bar ................................................................................................................57
Figure 12. Add Data Toolbar .....................................................................................................58
Figure 13. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map ............................................................ B-1
Figure 14. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent to the Census Bureau ......... B-1
Figure 15. Place Boundary – Front Lot Line ............................................................................ B-2
Figure 16. Place Boundary – Rear Lot Line............................................................................. B-2
Figure 17. Table of Contents Layers Toolbar .......................................................................... E-6
Figure 18. Add Preset Layer ................................................................................................... E-7
Figure 19. Visibility Presets Dialog Box ................................................................................... E-7

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PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a current valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for
conducting this collection comes from Title 13 United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 6
Paperwork Reduction Act.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0151. Public reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden
should be directed to:
Paperwork Reduction 0607-0151
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 4H177
Washington, DC 20233
The Census Bureau issued a Federal Register Notice to revise its confidentiality pledge
language to address the new cybersecurity screening requirements:
Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from
cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

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Page vii

Key Dates for BAS Respondents
January 1, 2018 — All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported in the 2018 BAS.
March 1, 2018 — BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the
ACS and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected in
next year’s BAS materials.

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Page viii

May 31, 2018 — BAS boundary updates submitted by this date will be reflected in next year’s
BAS materials.

BAS Process and Workflow;

•

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles;

•

GUPS Help;

•

BAS Help;

•

Reviewing BAS Data (Information specific to the review and update of each type of
geographic entity);

•

Boundary Corrections (Including Legal Boundary Changes and Reviewing Legal Boundaries);

•

Submitting Acceptable Documentation;

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Page ix

•

Reviewing Linear Features (Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas and Reviewing
Point Landmarks);

•

Validating Updates; and

•

Submitting Files Through SWIM and Submitting Files on DVD.

Part 2: Describes GUPS and gives step-by-step instructions (Action/Result in table
format) for how to:
•

How to Use GUPS application;

•

Requirements and installation;

•

How to Access BAS Shapefiles;

•

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive;

•

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site;

•

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS;

•

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools;

•

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit; and

•

Submitting Your Files to the Census Bureau Through SWIM.

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Page x

PART 1. BAS OVERVIEW
PROCESS AND WORKFLOW
Figure 1 below displays the three phases of the work to be completed for the Tribal BAS. The
first section in the diagram includes initial steps. The second section indicates the types of
geographic data that should be reviewed and updated. The final section lists the final steps to
validate and submit changes.

Figure 1. Tribal BAS Workflow

1.1

Receiving the GUPS Application and Shapefiles

GUPS is available for installation two ways. GUPS is available for download directly from the
BAS Web site . You can also request to receive GUPS on DVD, which will be shipped to you
in a package containing the GUPS DVD, respondent guide, and a read me text file.
Once you have installed GUPS on your computer, the BAS shapefiles can be imported from the
BAS Web site directly to the GUPS application. Instructions on how to load data into GUPS

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Page 1

appears in Section 5: Using GUPS (Basics and Map Management), Table 7: Download
Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to a Hard Drive. If you do not have Internet access, you
may request shapefiles on DVD. To request a data DVD, call 1-800-796-3748 or e-mail
[email protected].

1.2

Getting Help

1.2.1

GUPS Help

Part 2: How to Use GUPS of this guide contains directions for how to use the tools available
within the GUPS application, as well as step-by-step instructions for how to carry out specific
shapefile updates (e.g., annexations and deannexations, adding and deleting features and
landmarks, etc.).
Embedded within the GUPS application (under the Help tab menu) are other resources,
including a short training video on how to submit a ZIP file through SWIM. Additional videos will
be provided on the BAS Web site as they become available. In addition, a Section 508compliant version of this guide is available there. The Help menu provides a link to both.
For supplemental information on functions within GUPS that are specific to QGIS, a QGIS
user’s manual can be found at . The
QGIS manual offers particularly helpful information on several activities that are touched on in
this guide, but not described in detail, including working with user-provided data layers, creating
search expressions for attribute tables, and creating customized coordinate systems. For
questions concerning technical problems with the GUPS application, user support is available
via telephone (1-800-972-5651) and e-mail [email protected].

1.3

BAS Help

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Page 2

REVIEWING BAS DATA
The Census Bureau requests that you review and update all legal entities and boundaries within
your reservation/trust lands/tribal subdivisions, including the additions and deletions of land area
and boundary corrections. You may also update linear features and landmarks, including area
landmarks, hydrographic areas, and point landmarks, although review of these is optional.
To help conduct your review, the GUPS application will allow you to import and overlay your
own geospatial data layers with the Census Bureau shapefiles. You can import image files from
web mapping services, geodatabases, and also other file types. Steps to import the most
common types of user-provided data are provided in Section 5.7: How to Import UserProvided Data into GUPS.

2.1

Boundary Corrections

2.2

Legal Boundary Changes

2.3

Reviewing Legal Boundaries

The following can be updated through Tribal BAS:
•

Federal American Indian Reservations are areas that have been set aside by the United States
for the use of tribes, the exterior boundaries of which are more particularly defined in the final
tribal treaties, agreements, executive orders, federal statutes, secretarial orders, or judicial
determinations.

Trust lands may be located on or off a reservation; however, the Census Bureau tabulates data
only for off-reservation trust lands. Please do not submit on-reservation trust land because the
Census Bureau can only show the exterior reservation boundary.
•

Federal Off-Reservation Trust Lands are areas for which the United States holds title in trust
for the benefit of a tribe (tribal trust land) or for an individual American Indian (individual trust
land).

The Census Bureau does not identify fee land (or land in fee simple status) or restricted fee
lands as specific geographic areas.
•

Tribal Subdivisions are legal administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American
Indian reservations and off-reservation trust lands and are described as additions, administrative
areas, areas, chapters, county districts, communities, districts, or segments. These entities are
internal units of self-government or administration that serve social, cultural, and/or economic
purposes for the American Indians on the reservations and off-reservation trust lands.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page 3

•

Hawaiian Homelands are areas held in trust for Native Hawaiians by the state of Hawaii,
pursuant to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

•

Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRCs) were created pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) enacted in 1971 as a "Regional Corporation" and organized
under the laws of the state of Alaska to conduct both the for-profit and non-profit affairs of Alaska
Natives within a defined region of Alaska.

Table 1 below shows the specific changes allowed for each legal entity type.
Table 1: Available Change Types by Entity Type
Entity Type
Alaska Native Regional Corporation
(ANRC)
Hawaiian Home Land (HHL)

Reservation / Trust Land

Tribal Subdivision

2.4

Available Change Types
• Boundary Correction (add)
• Boundary Correction (remove)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

New Entity
Deleted Entity
Addition
Deletion
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor
Geographic Offset

• New Entity (No Land previously; Have Reservation land
and adding Trust Lands for first time, or Have Trust land
and are adding reservation for first time)
• Deleted Entity (changing from reservation to trust land or
trust land to reservation)
• Addition (adding to type of geography that already exists)
• Deletion (Deleting a portion of reservation or trust land)
• Boundary Correction (add)
• Boundary Correction (remove)
• Geographic Offset
•
•
•
•
•
•

Adding tribal subdivisions for first time
Deleting tribal subdivisions all together
Addition
Deletion
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)

Submitting Acceptable Documentation

The Census Bureau is responsible for depicting reservation and off-reservation trust land
boundaries but because the Census Bureau is not the authority on the boundaries, we require
documentation to update reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries.

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Page 4

The following changes require documentation:
•

New off-reservation trust land;

•

New reservation land;

•

Changes from off-reservation trust land to reservation land and changes from reservation land to
off-reservation trust land;

•

Large changes to existing off-reservation trust land;

•

Large changes to existing reservation land; and

•

Boundary corrections to off-reservation trust land or reservation land that do not follow the
general shape of the boundary.

For off-reservation trust land, the most common documentation is a trust deed or a letter from
the BIA. Documents should state that the land is “in trust” for your tribe.
For reservation land, documentation examples include (but are not limited to) federal register
notice, Act of Congress, Executive Order, or a new legal opinion issued by the BIA. When
submitting large boundary corrections to an existing reservation, please submit your reservation
document.
If you cannot locate your documentation, you can contact your regional BIA office to obtain
documentation. The Census Bureau will treat legal opinions issued in writing from the BIA as
documentation since the BIA is the authority on reservation and off-reservation trust land
boundaries. If the Census Bureau cannot interpret a document, such as a treaty, the Census
Bureau will contact the BIA for assistance.
If you have questions about documentation, please call the Census Bureau at
1-800-972-5651 or e-mail [email protected]. If you need to contact the BIA, please see
for contact information for your
regional office.

2.5

Legal Disputes

If the Census Bureau discovers that an area of tribal land is in dispute between two or more
jurisdictions, the Census Bureau will not make either annexations or boundary corrections until
the parties come to a written agreement, or there is a documented final court decision regarding
the matter/dispute. If you have questions concerning this, please contact the Census Bureau
Legal Office at 301-763-9844.
For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at
the Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often complicated land issues require an
extended period of time for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the
current boundary in the database until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor’s office.

2.6

Reviewing Linear Features

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likely to possess new or altered linear features (e.g., new subdivisions, traffic circles converted
to straight ways, or privately maintained roads that serve as public streets, but exclude private
driveways).
You may also add attribute updates (e.g., name, class code, and address ranges) for selected
features. For a complete list of MAF/TIGER Feature Class Codes (MTFCCs), review
Appendix C: MTFCC Descriptions.
To aid in the review of linear features, GUPS allows you to import local street centerline files,
hydrography layers, imagery, and other user-provided geospatial data for reference and
comparison against the Census Bureau data.
In your review, please note:
•

S1100 and S1200 – If you add road features with an MTFCC of S1100 (Primary Road) or S1200
(Secondary Road), you must supply a feature name. As is the case for all road features, the
feature name should be a proper name or route number.

•

Spatial Inaccuracies – The Census Bureau will not process the wholesale spatial realignment of
features to enhance spatial accuracy. If a feature is in the incorrect location, delete the feature
and add it in the correct location. Take this action only if the feature is exceedingly spatially
inaccurate and/or the current location (with respect to other features and boundaries) affects the
tabulation of housing units to the correct geography, such as legal entities, census tracts, and
census blocks.

•

Address Range Changes – The Census Bureau accepts address range data as part of the
linear feature update layer. As with other linear feature updates, you must supply the required
attributes and corresponding change type for the update. In addition, because existing address
ranges are not shown in our outgoing shapefiles, we recommend that participants only add
address ranges to new features.

2.7

Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas

Add new area landmark or hydrographic area;

•

Remove area landmark or hydrographic area;

•

Change or add landmark name; and

•

Boundary corrections (add and remove area).

If you add a new area landmark or hydrographic area, please add only:
•

Water bodies;

•

Glaciers;

•

Airports;

•

Cemeteries;

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•

Golf courses; and

•

Parks.

Description

H2030

Lake/Pond

H2040

Reservoir

H2041

Treatment Pond

H2051

Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2081

Glacier

C3023

Island

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1236

Local Jail or Detention Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm

K2110

Military Installation

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service Land

K2182

National Forest or Other Federal Land

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2188

Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2189

Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2190

Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public, independent park,
commission, etc.)

K2424

Marina

K2540

University or College

K2457

Airport – Area Representation

K2561

Golf Course

K2582

Cemetery

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2.8

Reviewing Point Landmarks

K2451 (Airport or Airfield);

•

K2582 (Cemetery);

•

C3022 (Summit or Pillar); and

•

C3081 (Locale or Populated Place).

Description

K1100

Housing Unit Location

K1121

Apartment Building or Complex

K1122

Rooming or Boarding House

K1223

Trailer Court or Mobile Home Park

K1226

Housing Facility/Dormitory for Workers

K1227

Hotel, Motel, Resort, Spa, Hostel, YMCA, or YWCA

K1228

Campground

K1229

Shelter or Mission

K1232

Halfway House/Group Home

K1233

Nursing Home, Retirement Home, or Home for the Aged

K1234

County Home or Poor Farm

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1241

Sorority, Fraternity, or College Dormitory

K1251

Military Group Quarters

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MTFCC

Description

K1299

Other Group Quarters Location

K2100

Governmental

K2197

Mixed Use/Other Non-residential

K2300

Commercial Workplace

K2361

Shopping Center or Major Retail Center

K2362

Industrial Building or Industrial Park

K2363

Office Building or Office Park

K2364

Farm/Vineyard/Winery/Orchard

K2366

Other Employment Center

K2424

Marina

K2500

Other Workplace

K2564

Amusement Center

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QUALITY CONTROL AND FILE SUBMISSION
3.1

Validating Updates

Once you have completed your BAS updates, you must complete a review of your change
polygons to ensure that:
1. The polygons have no unintended holes (e.g., you annexed several faces but missed a traffic
circle or small pond).
2. All boundary corrections meet a minimum size threshold (very small corrections cannot be
processed).
Validate Often
Validation tools in GUPS can be accessed at any time while you are working in the application. We
suggest you utilize them as you work to identify errors early and avoid extensive rework. Steps to
use the Geographic Review tool and the Review Change Polygons tool are included in Section
6.5: How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools.

3.2

Submitting Files Through SWIM

For step-by-step instructions to submit files through the SWIM, see Table 45. For those without
Internet access, see Section 3.3 below.

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3.3

Submitting Files on DVD

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PART 2. HOW TO USE GUPS
REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION
This section includes information needed to use GUPS. It offers a description of the GUPS
application and gives specific instructions (in the form of step-action tables) for how to use
GUPS to make BAS updates. Reminder: this guide is equipped with shortcuts to subjects that
respondents may want to jump to directly. To move directly to one of these sections, click on the
linked text.
Section 4: Requirements and installation
•

Getting Started - Lists the hardware and software requirements for GUPS and SWIM; and

•

How to Install GUPS - Provides instructions for installing the application.

Section 5: Using GUPS (Basics and Map Management)
•

How to Access BAS Shapefiles - Provides instructions to open GUPS, start a project, and load
shapefiles;

•

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from the Census Bureau’s BAS Web site
(Recommended Method);

•

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard Drive;

•

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site;

•

Use GUPS Interface - Including the Menu, Toolbars, Table of Contents or Map Legend, and the
Map View area;

•

Menu & Toolbars - Offers instructions for using the tools available through the menu and toolbars;

•

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS;

•

How to Upload User-Provided Data Layers; and

•

How to Import a Shared ZIP Shapefile.

Section 6: Making BAS Updates in the GUPS
•

How to Update Legal Boundaries - Gives instructions on Adding Land Area as Reservation or
Trust Lands for the First Time;

•

Adding (or Deleting) Land Area to an Existing Reservation or Existing Off-Reservation Trust
Land, and

•

Make a Boundary Correction (Add Area/Remove Area);

•

How to Update Linear Features;

•

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas;

•

How to Update Point Landmarks;

•

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools;

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•

Provides instructions on How to Export a Printable Map; and

•

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit.

Section 7: Submitting Your Files to the Census Bureau Through SWIM
•

Provides instructions to submit files to the Census Bureau through SWIM.

4.1

Getting Started

Download GUPS from the BAS Web site at: . If you requested and received the
GUPS package, it should include a DVD containing GUPS, respondent guides, and a readme
text file.
Before beginning the installation, check your computer to verify that it has the capabilities need
to run GUPS, (using Table 4 below)
GUPS is based on QGIS (formerly known as Quantum GIS), a free and open-source desktop
geographic information system application. You can learn more about QGIS at
. The GUPS application was developed for use in a desktop PC or
a network environment.
Table 4 lists the hardware and software requirements to install and run GUPS. Also included
are the software requirements to: (1) play training videos available within the application and (2)
submit files through the SWIM Web site.
Table 4: GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware

Operating System

Browser

Disk Space Needed to
Run GUPS:

Windows:

Minimum Browser
Versions to Play Training
Videos:

To run GUPS, users need one of the following
Windows operating systems:
•
•
•
•
•

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

•
•
•
•

Internet Explorer 9
Google Chrome 3
Mozilla Firefox 3.5
Apple Safari 4

Minimum Browser
Versions to Use SWIM:
•
•
•
•

Internet Explorer 8
Google Chrome 3
Mozilla Firefox 3.5
Apple Safari 4.1.3

Important Note: Since Boot Camp requires
you to restart your computer to set up the

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Hardware

Operating System

• 4 GB recommended
minimum

Browser

bridge, be sure to print the instructions
provided at the URL above before you begin.

Depending on the Windows OS version, GUPS dialog boxes may have a different appearance
than the screenshots contained in the user guide, although the content is the same.

4.2

How to Install GUPS

To install the GUPS application you must have Administrator privileges for your computer. If you
already have GUPS downloaded, please make sure you are using the most current version.
Compare the version on your computer with the one provided on the Census Bureau's
installation DVD to acquire the latest version. To complete the installation, follow the steps in
Table 5: Install the GUPS Application.
Note: If you already have a version of GUPS installed, please check to make sure you are running the
latest version. Go to the GUPS tab and click the About GUPS option in the drop-down menu to
find the GUPS version number. If you are not running the latest version, download and follow the
setup instructions which will automatically uninstall the old version before it installs the latest
GUPS version.

Table 5: Install the GUPS Application
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the direct download link or place the
installation DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. For some users, a Windows
protected your PC pop-up box may appear.

To continue, click ‘More info’, then select ‘Run anyway?’.
Step 2

Other users may receive a user account control pop-up that asks, “Do you want to run
this file?”, “Do you want to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to
make changes to this computer?”, or a similar query. See an example below.

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Step

Action and Result

If you receive such a pop-up, click ‘Run’, ‘Yes’, ‘Allow’, or an option that allows you to
proceed. The software should begin to run automatically.
Step 3

If the software does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to your
DVD drive, and double-click on the file named Setup-7.0.0-x.bat.
Note: The name of this file may vary slightly, but it will be the only setup .bat file
available.
If the software still does not run properly, contact your System Administrator for
assistance

Step 4

When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS Setup Wizard screen appears.

Before proceeding, close all other programs or applications you have open. Once other
programs and applications are closed, click the Next button.

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Step
Step 5

Action and Result
The License Agreement screen appears.

Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button to continue.
Step 6

The Choose Install Location screen opens. We recommend you install the application
at the default location (i.e., C:\Program files\QGISGUPS).

To begin the installation, click Next to continue.
Step 7

The Choose Components screen opens.

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Step

Action and Result

‘QGIS’ in the Select components to install field is grayed out since it is the default.
You do not need to select it, simply click Install to continue.
If you want to review a previous screen or reread the license agreement, click the Back
button (each screen contains this button). This returns you to the previous screen.
Step 8

The software should take between 5 and 10 minutes to install. When it is finished, the
Completing the QGIS Setup Wizard screen opens.

Click the Finish button.
Step 9

After you click finish, the GUPS Install Setup: Completed screen opens showing the
status of the installation of GUPS on your computer. When completed, you click the
close button on the following screen.

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Step

Step 10

Action and Result

To complete the installation, click the Close button at the bottom of the GUPS Install
Setup: Completed Setup Wizard screen. Once the application installs, a QGIS icon
appears on your desktop.

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USING GUPS (BASICS AND MAP
MANAGEMENT)
After successfully installing GUPS, you are ready to start your BAS updates. There are three
ways to retrieve shapefiles when starting a new project:
•

From the Census Web site (loads directly into GUPS);

•

From DVD (If one was requested); and

•

From My Computer (if you downloaded them to your hardrive)

Table 6 shows the steps to open GUPS and start a new project using the Census Web site.
Table 7 shows the same steps to open GUPS, but starts a new project using the Census
provided DVD or My Computer (downloaded Census shapefiles saved to your hard drive).

5.1

How to Access BAS Shapefiles

BAS shapefiles from the BAS Web site can be pulled directly into the application when working
in GUPS. Users can load the shapefiles as needed or load multiple county files at once. This is
the preferred method for loading the Census Bureau’s BAS Shapefiles into GUPS as it ensures
that required files are placed in the correct location for the application to access.
Another option for loading files is to download the shapefiles to your hard drive from the BAS
Web site (or from the Census Bureau ftp2 site), then import them into GUPS. BAS shapefiles
are also available for download from the BAS Web site here:
.
Instructions for how to download Census Bureau shapefiles to your hard drive appear in Table 6
and Table 7. Downloading files to your hard drive is not the preferred method when working in
GUPS, and should be used only when necessary (e.g., you need additional data layers that
GUPS does not automatically load and want to pull them in as user-provided data).
If you have requested to receive the shapefiles on DVD, you can also load the files directly into
GUPS from the DVD. Instructions for how to load shapefiles are contained in Table 6: Start a
New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site.
Whether the files are pulled from the BAS Web site or from the DVD, the GUPS application
unzips them and places them into a pre-established folder created on your computer’s home
directory during the installation process (C:\GUPSGIS\gupsdata\BAS2018\shape). It then
displays them in the application. GUPS then manages the files for you. You do not need to take
any further action.
CAUTION!
Regardless of the source of the shapefiles, it is important that you DO NOT CHANGE any shapefile or
folder name. The files and folders must have the exact names given for the GUPS application to
recognize and load them.

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5.2

How to Start a New Project Using GUPS to Import Data from
the Census Bureau’s BAS Web site (Recommended Method)

Table 6: Start a New Project Using Shapefiles from the BAS Web site
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Double-click the QGIS icon on your desktop.

The QGIS splash screen appears. (Note: QGIS is the open-source platform on which GUPS
is built.)

Step 2

Wait until the application loads (If you have an older computer, this may require a few
minutes). When the GUPS application has loaded, the GUPS main page opens and the QGIS
Tips! box appears.

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Step

Action and Result

Note: Since GUPS was built on the QGIS open-source platform, you may see references to
QGIS in several locations within the GUPS application.
Step 3

Step 4

To begin a GUPS project, close the QGIS Tips! Box by clicking the OK button. The box
closes and the Map Management dialog box opens, as shown below.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

In the Map Management dialog box, use the drop-down menu next to the Program field to
select your program, ‘Tribal Boundary and Annexation Survey’. ‘Tribal Boundary and
Annexation’ populates the field.

Step 6

In the Sub Program field, select ‘Tribal Boundary and Annexation Survey’.

Step 7

In the Entity Type field drop-down menu, select the entity type you represent. The options are
‘Alaska Native Regional Corporation’, ‘Hawaiian Homeland’, and Reservation/Trust Land’.

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Step

Action and Result

This example uses Reservation/Trust Land.
Step 8

Next select the Entity Name field drop-down. Since you selected the entity type
‘Reservation/Trust Land’ GUPS automatically provides a list of the Reservations and OffReservation Trust Lands. The scroll bar to the right allows you to move up and down the list
of reservations/trust lands.

Step 9

Once you have selected your entity from the drop-down menu, the Map Management screen
will provide you with a list of counties. The counties in which the selected entity already exists
will be at the top of the list and their corresponding check boxes will be ‘checked’. Adjacent
counties (counties whose borders touch the automatically selected county or counties) are
highlighted in YELLOW. Any previously selected counties will be highlighted in CYAN.
All checked counties will display in the Map View. Uncheck the box for any county you do not
wish to see.

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Step

Action and Result
To select additional counties to display (you may choose up to a total of 10 at once), check
the checkboxes next to them. Scroll down using the scroll bar to the right to see the full list of
counties.

1. Choose ‘Tribal Boundary and Annexation Survey’ from the Program drop-down
menu.
2. Choose your Entity Type from the drop-down menu.
Choose the Entity Name you want to update from the drop-down menu.
Step 10

Step 11

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Step

Action and Result

Step 12

Step 13

As GUPS loads the data, it unzips and copies the files to a folder that was created on your
computer’s home directory during the installation process.

Step 14

It then pulls the file into the GUPS application.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 15

Step 16

Click OK to return to the Map Management dialog box.

Step 17

If you have trouble loading shapefiles using the ‘Census Web’ and ‘CD/DVD’ options, follow
the instructions in Table 7 or Table 8 to download the files to your computer from the BAS
Web site or Census Bureau’s ftp2 site. Then pull them into GUPS using the ‘My Computer’
option in the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location drop-down menu. When you select
‘My Computer’ the Select directory screen opens.

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Step

Action and Result

After working on a project, be sure to save before exiting. Otherwise your edits will be lost. To
save, click the Save icon on the Standard toolbar.

The Current edits pop-up box asks if you want to save the changes for all layers.

Click OK. The changes are saved.
Step 18

Click Discard not to save your project.
Step 19

To reopen a saved project, in the Map Management dialog box, click the down arrow next to
the Open Recent button. The drop-down menu opens with your project listed.

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Step

Action and Result

If you share a computer with other GUPS users, multiple project files may appear in the dropdown menu, as shown below. Here three separate users in Karuk Reservation have created
projects on the same computer.

To identify which of the entries in the list represents your project, look at its number string.
This string comprises your BAS ID. Each BAS ID is 11 digits. The first digit indicates the Entity
Type (i.e., the user type) (4 = American Indian Area). The next two digits are the state FIPS
code and 99 is what BAS uses for all AIAs since they can cross state lines. The following four
digits are the TR code (the tribe code). The final four digits are the AIANNHCE/TA Code (the
tribal area code).
The number string,
reflects a project created by the Karuk Tribal
participant , where 4 = American Indian Area; 99 = state FIPS code used for tribal areas; 0117
= code for Karuk Tribe ; and 1760 = Karuk Reservation/Trust Land.
If you do not know the BAS ID information for your particular geography, it is available within
the Map Management dialog box. Below is an example for Karuk Tribe Karuk Reservation.

Step 20

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Step

Action and Result
If you change these settings for a project, when you save the project your new settings are
also saved. Thus, when you reopen the project, the Table of Contents and Map View display
the layers and the map according to the settings you were last using rather than returning to
the Census Bureau default settings.
To restore the default settings for a layer:
•

Click on the layer in the Table of Contents. A drop-down menu opens.

•

In the drop-down menu, select ‘GUPS Layer’. A submenu opens.

•

In the submenu, select ‘Load default style’ (see illustration below).

To reset the default settings for all layers, select ‘Load all default style.’

Loading Multiple Files at Once
The limit to how many county datasets can be loaded at once is 11 (the working county plus
10 other counties). To load shapefiles for additional counties, after the first 10 are loaded:
•

Leave the same working county selected in the Working County field.

•

Uncheck the already loaded counties in the Map Management dialog box list.

•

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5.3

Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to Your Hard
Drive

Follow the steps in Table 7 below to download the files from the BAS Web site to your hard
drive.

Table 7: Download Shapefiles from the BAS Web site to a Hard Drive
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Enter the URL into your Internet browser. The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Partnership Shapefiles page opens.

Step 2

Under ‘2018 Partnership Shapefiles’, in the ‘Select a Geography’ drop-down box, select
the name of state your entity is located in from the drop-down list '. The [State Name]
Partnership Shapefile Batch Download page opens.

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Step
Step 3

A prompt to save the file(s) appears.

Step 4

Step 5

In the Save As dialog box, select a location on your home directory to save the files.

Step 6

Click the Save button. The file(s) are saved in the location you selected.

Step 7

To obtain shapefiles for additional counties, repeat the download process as needed.

Step 8

When you select your geography in GUPS, the application asks you to specify the location
(‘CD/DVD’, ‘My Computer’, or ‘Census Web’) of your files. When you select ‘My Computer’,
GUPS asks you to select a directory. Navigate to the location where you saved the files and
select those you wish to upload. GUPS unzips and loads the files, then moves them to the
pre-established folder on your home directory.

Step 9

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Step

Action and Result

The files for Clark and Jennings Counties begin to download and progress is displayed by
the blue striped bar (color may vary), with the progress percentage noted to the right.

Step 10

5.4

Download Shapefiles from the Census Bureau ftp2 Site

If you are a state level user, or if you would like to download shapefiles for several counties at
one time to your hard drive, follow the steps in Table 8.

Table 8: Download Shapefiles from ftp2 Site to a Hard Drive (State Users)
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Using Internet Explorer (IE) or a web browser of your choice navigate to
. The ftp root at ftp2.census.gov main page opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Step 3

After the Census Bureau FTP site has been opened in file explorer, click the ‘geo’ folder.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Within the ‘geo’ folder, click the ‘pvs’ folder.

Step 5

Select the state folder that contains the county(ies) for which you are downloading data.
The state folders are represented using two-digital state FIPS codes.

Step 6

There are several sets of shapefiles within each state directory. You will want to download
the most recent partnership shapefiles. These shapefiles are contained within a zip file
with the prefix partnership_shapefiles_18v2. Each zip file ends with a five-digit statecounty FIPS code (e.g., 08051) which represents the county for which you are
downloading data. Make sure to choose the filename with "18v2", because the "18v1"
files are sometimes also available in the folders.

Step 7

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5.5

Use GUPS Interface

5.5.1

GUPS Main Page

Figure 2. GUPS Main Page Layout

The purpose for each element on the main GUPS page is explained in Section 5.5.1 through
Section 5.6.4 describes in detail the individual components and specific functions of each
element.
Table 9: GUPS Main Page Elements
Page Element

General Function

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Page Element

General Function

Table of
Contents

.
Map View

The Map View displays the data for the county you selected in the Map
Management dialog box.

Standard
Toolbar

Provides the navigation and other tools needed to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables.

BAS Toolbar

Gives the specific tools needed to make BAS updates, view linear feature attributes,
review and validate changes, import and export zipped files, and print.

Manage Layers
Toolbar

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Page Element

General Function

Status Bar

Displays information on the map scale, projection, and coordinates and allows you to
adjust the display.

5.5.2

Table of Contents and Map View

Figure 3. Close Table of Contents

Figure 4. Restore the Table of Contents

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The Table of Contents will then reopen and display in its default position on the page.

5.5.3

Managing the Map View from Within the Table of Contents

Within the Table of Contents, you can manage layer visibility (i.e., determine what layers
display on the map), reorder data layers, and set new layer symbology.

5.5.3.1

Manage Layer Visibility

To add or remove layers from the map view:
•

Click the checkbox next to a layer to add it to the map view.

•

Uncheck the checkbox next to a layer to remove it from the view.

OR, Right-click the name of the layer and select ‘Remove’ in the drop-down menu.

Figure 5. Managing Layer Visibility

5.5.3.2

Reorder Data Layers

5.5.3.3

Expand/Contract Table of Contents Menus

To expand or contract the menu for a layer or layer group:
•

Click on the ‘+’ sign to expand the group. When you click the ‘+’ sign next to the layer name
, the layer’s submenu opens:

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•

5.6

When you click the ‘-’ sign next to the layer name, the submenu retracts:

Menu & Toolbars

The main Menu, the Standard toolbar, and the BAS toolbar are located at the top of the
GUPS page. These toolbars offer general GIS and system tools and allow you to make your
BAS updates.

Figure 6. Menu and Toolbars

The Manage Layer toolbar, the vertical toolbar located to the left of the Table of Contents
(shown here in a horizontal position) allows you to import user-provided data.

As you work with the toolbars, hover your mouse over any toolbar button to see the name of the
tool it represents. You can also resize and reposition the toolbars by dragging them.

•

The Menu, the Standard toolbar, and the BAS toolbar are described in the section below. The
Add Data toolbar is discussed in Section 5.7: How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS.

5.6.1

Menu Tabs

Table 10 below defines each of the tabs on the main Menu, provides an image of the
drop-down options for each, and describes each tab’s function.
Table 10: Menu Tabs and Their Functions

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Tab
Project

Drop-down Menu

Edit

View

The View tab allows you to complete several
actions also available on the Standard
toolbar. Included are options for navigating
the map, identifying feature attributes,
measuring distance, and creating spatial
bookmarks to return to the same map view at
a later time.
From this location you can also:
• Set what toolbars display.
• Restore the Table of Contents if you
earlier closed it (click ‘Panels’ in the
drop-down menu, click the right arrow,
click ‘Layers’ in the Layers down-menu).
• Refresh the map to restore it to the
original map extent.

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Tab
Layer

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description
The Layer tab allows you to add and remove
layers from the map, open the layer attribute
table, set the map projection, or Coordinate
Reference System (CRS), and display or hide
layers.
Note: Many of these same functions are
more conveniently located on the Add Layers
toolbar and the small toolbar that sits at the
top of the Table of Contents.

Settings

The Settings tab allows you to customize the
CRS and map display options and set
snapping tolerances (see instructions below
this table).

Vector

Raster

The Raster tab provides access to a
Calculator, which allows you to perform
calculations on the basis of existing raster
pixel values.

Web

The MetaSearch option takes you to a search
tool that uses another search engine's data to
produce results from the Internet. You can
use the default services already loaded, or
add your own sites. The Help option takes
you to

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Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

Processing

Help

GUPS

The GUPS tab provides quick access to the
key tools also available on the Standard and
BAS toolbars, including those needed to

manage maps;

make linear changes;
Click the ‘About GUPS’ option in the
drop-down menu to find the GUPS
version number. If you call for technical
support, you will need to supply this
number Here the version number is
5.12.1-0. The number you see will be
more recent.

area feature changes;
review and validate your work;

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Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

import county ZIP files from other users, and
export maps;

and
add imagery.

Note on Snapping Tolerances
Snapping tolerances in GUPS are pre-defined by layer (e.g., the default tolerance for edges is set to 15
pixels). When making boundary corrections, you may want to adjust the snapping tolerances for a layer
or layers. To do this, follow the steps in Table 11.

Table 11: Adjust Snapping Tolerances
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
In the Settings tab drop-down menu, click on ‘Snapping Options’.

The Snapping options dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

From the Snapping mode drop-down menu, select whether you want the tolerance
adjustment to apply only to the current layer or to all layers.

Step 3

From the Snap to drop-down menu, choose the snapping method.

Step 4

From the Tolerance drop-down menu, use the up and down arrows to select the value you
want and then select your units (map units or pixels) in the drop-down to the right.

Step 5

If you want to enable topological editing and/or snapping on an intersection, use the
checkboxes next to each.

Step 6

Click OK. The new snapping tolerances are set.

5.6.2

Standard Toolbar Buttons

The Standard toolbar provides the navigation tools to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables.

Figure 8. Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar actually includes several smaller toolbars. Each sub-toolbar is identified
by a series of small parallel lines that precede it.

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Figure 9. Sub-tool Markers

Name

Function / Description

Save

Saves the current GUPS project, including any user
changes to layer properties, projection, last viewed extent,
and layers added.

Map Management

Choose your geographic participant program in GUPS and
access the automatically loaded default map display
layers based on the program chosen.

GUPS Data
Settings

Warning! This tool deletes files and folders
permanelty! Change GUPSGIS data working directory
and clean GUPS project data.

Select Features
by Area or Single
Click

Allows the user to select layer features in the map window
with a single click, by dragging the cursor, or by drawing
graphics on the screen.

Search the map by place, landmark, or street name and
zoom automatically to the feature.

Touch Zoom and
Pan

Designed for touchscreen computers. Allows you to zoom
and pan the map displayed in Map View using finger
gestures to increase or decrease the map scale.

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Button

Name

Function / Description

Pan Map

Shifts the map in Map View without changing the map
scale. Click the button, then click a location on the map to
re-center the map to the clicked location.

Pan Map to
Selection

Shifts the map in Map View to the rows selected in the
attribute table for a selected feature. After selecting a
feature(s), click the button to re-center the map based on
the selected feature(s).

Zoom In

Displays the map in Map View at a larger scale. Click the
button, then click on the map at the location to which you
want to zoom.

Zoom Out

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale.

Zoom Full

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale and
zooms the map view to the full extent of the county.

Zoom to Selection

Zooms the Map View to the rows selected by query in the
attribute table for a feature(s). After selecting a feature(s)
on the map, click the button to view the feature(s) at a
greater map scale.

Zoom to Layer

Zooms the Map View to the layer selected in the Table of
Contents. After selecting the layer, click the button to
zoom to the layer’s extent.

Zoom Last

Zooms the Map View to the previous map extent.

Zoom Next

Zooms the Map View forward to the next map extent (if
you viewed the previous extent).

Refresh

Displays Map View to initial full display.

Identify Features

Identifies geographic features. Click the button, then click
on a feature on the map to identify the feature at the
location.

Deselect Features
from All Layers

Deselects selected features from all layers.

Measure

Provides options to measure linear distance, area, and
angles on the map.

New Bookmark

Creates and names a spatial bookmark of the current map
view.

Show Bookmarks

Display all bookmarks created by the user.

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5.6.2.1

Identify a Feature Using the Identify Features Button

To identify a feature on the map, follow the steps in Table 13.
Table 13: Identify a Feature on the Map
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Click the Identify button on the Standard toolbar.

Step 2

Then right-click on the feature. The results will display in drop-down menu on the map.

To see all attributes for the feature, select ‘Show attribute table’ in the faces drop-down menu.

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Step
Step 3

5.6.2.2

Action and Result
Alternately, click the Identify button, then left-click on the feature. The feature turns red (color
may vary) and the Identify Results screen opens under the Table of Contents, showing the
feature attributes. (Note that here we have dragged the screen from beneath the Table of
Contents so that it sits over the map.)

Select/Deselect Features Using the Select Features and Deselect
Features Buttons

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

Then click once on the Select Features button on the Standard Toolbar.

Step 3

To select an edge or face on te map, click on it. In this example, we have selected ‘faces’ in
the Table of Contents and clicked on a face. The face selected turns cyan (color may vary).

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Step

Step 4

Action and Result

To open other Select Features options, click on the down arrow to the right of the Select
Features button. The Select Features drop-down menu opens.

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Step

Action and Result
Note that when a menu option is selected, the button’s appearance changes.

Step 6

The first option in the menu, ‘Select Feature(s)’, duplicates the functions available when you
click on the main button on the toolbar.

Step 7

The second option, ‘Select Features by Polygon’, allows you to draw a polygon on the map
to select features. To use this feature select it in the drop-down menu, then follow the steps
below.

Step 8

Step 9

When you are done, right-click. (This tells the system you have finished drawing). All faces
with an edge appearing within the polygon are highlighted in cyan blue.

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Step

Step 10

Action and Result

The final option, ‘Select Features by Radius’, allows you to use your cursor to draw a circle
to define the features you want to select.

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5.6.2.3

View an Attribute Table for a Layer on the Map

To view an attribute table for a map layer, follow the steps in Table 15.
Table 15: View Layer Attributes Using the Attributes Table
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click the layer in the Table of Contents. The layer drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

Step 3

To select a feature to view, click on the number on the far left of the row. To select multiple
features, click on the number of the row for the first feature you want to select, then press the
CTRL key. While holding the CTRL key down, click on the numbers for the other individual
rows you want to select. To select a range of features, click on the number for the row
showing the first feature you want to select, then press the SHIFT key. While holding down
the SHIFT key, click on the number for the last row you want to select.

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5.6.2.4

Determine Distance, Area, and Angles on the Map

To measure the distance between two or more points, area, or an angle on a map, follow the
steps in Table 16.
Table 16: Measure Distances, Area, and Angles on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Measure button on the Standard toolbar.

The Measure button drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

To measure the distance between two points on the map, select ‘Measure Line’ in the dropdown menu. The Measure box opens.

Step 3

Zoom to the map location where you want to make the measurement. Then click on the
beginning point on the map and continue clicking on points until you reach the final point.
Right-click when you are done. The length of each segment of the line you drew, as well as
the total length of the line between the beginning point and the ending point, appear in the
Measure box.

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Step

Step 4

Action and Result

To begin a new measurement, click the New button.
Step 5

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Step

5.6.2.5

Action and Result

Save Locations on a Map Using the Bookmark Button

To save geographic locations on your map and view them later, follow the steps in Table 17.
Table 17: Bookmark Locations on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Zoom to the location on the map in Map View that you wish to bookmark and click on the
New Bookmark button on the Standard toolbar.

The Geospatial Bookmarks box opens.

Step 2

Click on the row named ‘New bookmark’. Then backspace over ‘New bookmark’ and type
in a descriptive name for the bookmark (255-character limit). Click the Close button. The
bookmark is added.

Step 3

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5.6.3

BAS Toolbar Buttons

The BAS toolbar provides the BAS-specific functions needed to complete your review and
update activities, as well as to import and export zipped shapefiles.

Figure 10. BAS Toolbar

Each toolbar button is described in Table 18 below.
Table 18: BAS Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Linear
Feature

Add a new linear feature.

Delete Linear
feature

Delete an existing linear feature.

Split Linear
Feature

Split a linear feature. You may need to split a linear feature to accurately
reflect an entity’s location. This feature “splits” the original into two.

Display All
Names

Displays all names for a street with multiple names assigned in the
MAF/TIGER System.

User Address
List

Import an address list (.csv, .txt, etc.) into GUPS.

Modify Linear
Feature
Attributes

Edit attributes of a selected linear feature.

Modify Area
Feature

Make updates to legal area (annexations, deannexations, boundary
corrections, etc.).

Show/Hide
Legend

Shows or hides the layer.

Geography
Review Tool

Review the attribute table for a layer.

Review
Change
Polygons

Review change polygons in a layer and make corrections (reviews change
polygons for holes and minimum size).

Import
County ZIP

Import zipped Census Bureau shapefiles shared by another GUPS user.

Export to ZIP

Create the ZIP file containing all required data and shapefiles to be
submitted to the Census Bureau.

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Button

5.6.4

Name

Function/Description

Print Map to
File

Export a printable map in .pdf, .png, .tif, or jpeg format.

Add Point
Landmark

Add a new point landmark.

Edit Point
Landmark

Edit point landmark attributes.

Delete Point
Landmark

Delete an existing point landmark.

Status Bar

The Status bar at the bottom of the GUPS main page displays information about the map. It
allows you to adjust the map scale and see the mouse cursor’s coordinates on the map.

Figure 11. Status Bar

Table 19 below describes each element of the Status bar.
Table 19: Status Bar Elements
Item

Description
Allows you to toggle between the mouse’s coordinate position or the map view extents
as you pan and zoom in and out on the map.

Coordinate

Shows your current position in map coordinates (default is decimal degrees for GUPS)
as your map cursor is moved across the map.

Scale

Shows your current position in map coordinates (default is decimal degrees for GUPS)
as your map cursor is moved across the map.

Rotation

Shows the map rotation.

Render

Allows you to temporarily prevent layers from drawing by clicking the checkbox
immediately to the left of “Render.”
Clicking on the icon opens the projection properties for the current map.

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5.7

How to Import User-Provided Data into GUPS

5.7.1

The Add Data Toolbar

To import your own imagery, geodatabase, web mapping service, or other data layers into
GUPS you will use the Add Data toolbar.

Figure 12. Add Data Toolbar

Although shown in a horizontal position here, the Add Data toolbar appears arranged vertically
to the left of the Table of Contents in GUPS. Its buttons are described in Table 20.
Table 20: Add Data Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function/Description

Add Vector
Layer

Allows you to add shapefile and geodatabase files to your GUPS project.

Add Raster
Layer

Allows you to add raster datasets such as imagery.

Add PostGIS
Layer

Add PostGIS layer.

Add
SpatialLite
Layer

Add data from a SpatialLite database.

Add MS SQL
Layer

Add MS SQL 2008 Spatial data.

Add Oracle
Spatial Layer

Add a spatial layer from an Oracle database.

Add
WMS/WM(T)S
Layer

Add Web Mapping Services and Web Mapping Tile Services. Publicly
accessible and secured WMS services are supported.

Add WCS
Layer

Add Web Coverage Services, which provide access to raster data useful
for client-side map rendering.

Add WFS
Layer

Add Web Feature Services.

New
Shapefile
Layer

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Button

Name

Function/Description
Add a new shapefile layer or new temporary scratch layer.

5.7.2

How to Upload User-Provided Data Layers

GUPS supports vector data in a number of formats, including those supported by the OGR
library data provider plugin, such as ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo MIF (interchange format), and
MapInfo TAB (native format). It also supports PostGIS layers in a PostgreSQL database and
SpatiaLite layers. Support for additional data types (e.g., delimited text) is provided by additional
data provider plugins.
Below are the steps to import the most commonly used data formats. To upload shapefile or
geodatabase data layers, follow the steps in Table 21.
Note: You May Only Upload One User-Provided Data Layer at a Time. If you have multiple data
layers that you wish to upload, note that GUPS will only allow you to upload one layer at a time.

Table 21: Load Shapefiles/Geodatabase Layers
Step

Action and Result

Step 1
Begin the upload. Click the Add Vector Layer
Add Vector Layer dialog box opens.

button on the Add Data toolbar. The

Step 2

In the Encoding drop-down menu, the default value is ‘System’. If you receive an error
message when opening your file, use the drop-down to select UTF-8. UTF-8 populates the
Encoding field.

Step 3

Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder where the shapefile or geodatabase is
saved on your computer.

Step 4

Left-click the file you want to upload, then click the Open button. The shapefile / geodatabase
is added to the Table of Contents and to the Map View window.

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To load data from a web mapping service, follow the steps in Table 22.
Table 22: Load Data from a Web Mapping Service
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Begin the upload. Click the Add WMS/WM(T)S Layer button
The Add Layers from a WM(T)S Server dialog box opens.

on the Add Data toolbar.

Step 2

Select the web mapping service. Click the Layers tab, then click the New button under the
tab. The Create a new WMS Connection dialog box opens.

Step 3

Step 4

Select the imagery service you added in the drop-down menu. The available layers appear in
the ID/Name/Title/Abstract box.

Step 5

Click on the layer you want to display, then click the Add button. The WMS is added to the
map showing in Map View and to the Table of Contents.
When the WMS is added, it displays over the top of other layers you have selected for Map
View. To make it display below these layers, click on the WMS layer and, while holding down
the mouse button, drag it to the bottom of the Table of Contents.

Action and Result

Step 1
Click the Add Raster Layer
button on the Add Data toolbar. The Open a GDAL
Supported Raster Data Source dialog box opens.
Step 2

Navigate to the folder on your computer where the imagery file is stored.

Step 3

Select the file, then click Open. The file loads into GUPS.

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5.7.3

How to Import a Shared ZIP Shapefile

If you want to import Census Bureau shapefiles already updated by another user, you may use
the Import Project ZIP File button (available both on the BAS toolbar and in the Map
Management dialog box), then follow the steps in Table 24.
Table 24: Import a ZIP File Shared by Another User
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click the Import Project ZIP File button in the upper left-hand corner of the Map
Management dialog box:

OR on the BAS toolbar:

Step 2

The Open window opens.

Step 3

From this window, click on the ‘Computer’ icon (called ‘My Computer’ in some versions of
Windows) located in the far-left-hand pane.
When the list of directories
opens, navigate to the location where the shared ZIP file is located.

Step 4

Once you locate the file, click once on the file, then click the Open button.

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Step

Action and Result

The file loads into Map View.

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6.1

How to Update Legal Boundaries

6.1.1

Adding Land Area as Reservation or Trust Lands for the First Time

Follow the steps in Table 25 to add land as reservation or off-reservation trust land(s). In this
example, we will add a parcel of land as a fictitious newly acquired ‘off-reservation’ trust land for
the Spirit Lake Reservation (3935).
Table 25: Add Land Area as Reservation or Off-reservation Trust Land
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the entity where you want to add the new trust land(s). Be sure that you
have all layers you wish to see checked in the Table of Contents. It is recommended that you
check (turn on) all Tribal Layers.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Click the drop-down arrow next to the Geography field, and select the entity type you want to
add from the drop-down menu. In this example we are adding a Off-Reservation trust land, so
we select ‘Reservation/Trust Land’.

Reservation/Trust Land appears in the Geography field and prior to any changes, Spirit Lake
Reservation will be the only file that becomes available.

Step 4

Step 5

Then click on the map to select the face or faces.
If the entity includes only a single face, you may simply click once on the face to select it. If the
entity includes several contiguous faces, after clicking on the first face, depress the CTRL key
and while holding it down, left-click on each additional face to be added. The selected faces
turn cyan (colors may vary).

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Step

Action and Result

Note: You may also select faces (after clicking the Select Features button) by simply
dragging your cursor over the edges that mark their boundaries. Additional means of selecting
faces (by polygon and by radius) are discussed in Table 14 in Section 5.
Because all geographic areas consist of faces, you may need to “split” a face to accurately
reflect an entity’s boundary.
To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the boundary’s location (see Table 29 for
instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it the appropriate MTFCC. This splits the
original face into two faces. You can now select the face you need to add to the new entity.
Step 6

To record a new entity, click the Add Entity button on the dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature new entity dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

If you click the Add Entity button before selecting the faces, you will see a pop-up box
warning. Simply click OK and add the faces.

Since we have already selected faces, we do not see the pop-up warning.
Step 7

In the new entity dialog box, select the LSAD (Legal/Statistical Area Description) from the
drop-down list available. In this example, we will indicate that it is an ‘Off-Reservation Trust
Land (suffix)’ since a reservation already exists. If a reservation didn’t already exist, then the
LSAD should be ‘Trust Land (suffix)’. The term ‘Off-Reservation Trust Land’ or ‘Trust Land’ will
be added to the Entity Name, in this example, will be added to Spirit Lake Reservation.

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Step
Step 8

Action and Result
Next add the effective date for the legal change. Click on the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field and, when the calendar opens, click on the effective date.

The date selected populates the EFF_DATE field.

Step 9

Next, add the authority type using the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu. In this example we have
indicated the AUTHTYPE as a D-Deed.

Step 10

Finally, upload documentation for the change. For all changes that are more than cartographic
boundary corrections, documentation will need to be provided. To upload documentation, click
the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

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Step

Action and Result

The DOCU window opens.

Step 11

Click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in some Windows versions) to open
the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

Step 12

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Step

Action and Result

Step 13

Once you have clicked the Open button, the name of the document appears in the DOCU field

Step 14

Click the OK button.
Note: Red asterisks indicate required fields. You must complete required fields to move
forward. If you click OK and have not completed one or more required fields, GUPS will
prompt you to do so. Any required field not completed will highlight in red
If your reservation and/or trust lands contain more than 1 census tract, or more than 1
block group or more than one Tribal Subdivision – there are a few additional steps –
continue on to Step 15 below.

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Step

Action and Result
If not, and you have completed all required fields, when you click OK, the faces for the new
entity turn green on the map (colors may vary) and the name of the new entity appears on the
list in the Modify Area Feature dialog box. Skip to Step 16.

Once the Census Bureau verifies the new Trust Lands, it will assign it the same FIPS code as
the Reservation.
Step 15

If you have more than 1 census tract, block group or tribal subdivision, there are additional
steps to follow when adding area either as ‘reservation’ or ‘trust land’.
After clicking OK (in Step 14) if there is currently more than 1 tribal subdivision defined for the
Entity, a pop-up window will appear with a drop down menu to select which Tribal subdivision
(AITSL) the new area should be assigned too. In this example, the new Off-Reservation Trust
Land is being assigned to Wood Lake District (80).

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Step

Action and Result
Once a selection is made, if there is more than 1 Tribal Block Group (TBG), a new pop-up
window will appear with a drop-down menu to select which Tribal Census Tract/Tribal Block
Group to which the new area should be assigned. In this example, it is being assigned to the
adjacent area labled 3935T00100B.

Once the selection is made, you are returned to the Modify Area Feature menu and can
continue with additional changes to the boundaries. (Step 16)

Step 16

To make additional changes to the map, simply make a new selection in the Modify Area
Feature dialog box Geography field and continue work (refer back to Step 3 above). You
may save your changes as you go or wait until you have finished all work on the map. Saving
as changes are completed, however, is recommended to avoid losing work in the event of a
power outage or system interruption. Changes can be made to the reservation boundary, trust
land boundaries and tribal subdivision boundaries.

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6.1.2

Adding (or Deleting) Land Area to an Existing Reservation or
Existing Off-Reservation Trust Land

Follow the steps in Table 26 to record land being added to an existing reservation or existing
off-reservation trust lands. The fictitious example in the table looks at Kootenai Off-Reservation
Trust Lands.
Table 26: Record an Addition
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open in Map View the entity. Be sure that you have all layers you wish to see on the map
checked in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

Click the drop-down area next to the Geography field, and select the entity type (here
‘Reservation/Trust Land’), from the drop-down menu. A list of available entities appears in the
Info list in the bottom portion of the dialog box.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

Click on the row in the list for the entity that is making the addition (here ‘Kootenai OffReservation Trust Land’). (Note: Once you click on the row, the map zooms to the full extent
of the entity selected.)

Step 5

Click on the Zoom in button on the Standard toolbar to zoom into the area where the
addition is to be made.

Step 6

To select the faces you want to add to the off-reservation trust lands, click on the small down
arrow next to the Select Features button on the dialog box toolbar. The Select Features
button drop-down menu opens.
In this example we will use the “polygon” method to select the faces we want to add to
Kootenai Off-Reservation Trust Lands. Click on ‘Select Features by Polygon’ in the menu.

Step 7

Next, go to the map and place your cursor where you want to add the faces.

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Step

Action and Result
To select a single face, simply drag the cursor outward in the center of the face. To select
multiple faces, drag the cursor across the edges that separate the faces. In this example, we
select seven faces. The faces selected turn cyan (color may vary).

Because all geographic areas consist of faces, you may need to “split” a face to accurately
reflect an entity’s boundary. To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the boundary’s
location (see Table 29 for instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it the appropriate
MTFCC. This splits the original face into two faces. You can now select the face you need to
add to the new entity.
If you accidentally select a face you do not wish to include, you can use the Deselect
Features from All Layers option in the Select Feature(s) drop-down menu to clear the
selected faces from your screen and start over.

Step 8

Click the Add Area button on the dialog box toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type pop-up box appears, and asks you to
choose your change type.

Step 9

Since this is an addition (not a boundary correction), click the ‘Legal Change’ radio button,
then click OK. The Create Change Polygons dialog box opens.

Step 10

Click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to open the calendar, then click on the
effective date for the annexation.

The selected date will populate the EFF_DATE field.
Step 11

Select an authority type for the addition in the AUTHTYPE field drop-down menu.

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Step

Step 12

Action and Result

In the DOCU field, type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the
addition of the Off-Reservation Trust Lands or upload documentation for the change. To
upload documentation, click the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

The DOCU window opens.

Step 13

Click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’ in some Windows versions) to open
the directory where you have saved your documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

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Step

Step 14

Action and Result

Select the appropriate directory in the list and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click
the file, then to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

The name of the document populates the DOCU field on the dialog box.

Step 15

Finally, select ‘Addition or Added Area’ in the drop-down menu for the CHNG_TYPE field.

Step 16

When you are finished, click OK. The added faces (once you save) turn green in color on the
map (color may vary).
If you have more than 1 census tract, block group or tribal subdivision, there are additional
steps to follow when adding area either as ‘reservation’ or ‘trust land’.
Instructions can be found beginning in Table 25, Step 15.

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Step

6.1.3

Action and Result

Make a Boundary Correction (Add Area / Remove Area)

To make a boundary correction that adds or removes area from an entity, follow the steps in
Table 27. In this fictitious example, a boundary correction is made to the Karuk Off-Reservation
Trust land.
Table 27: Make a Boundary Correction
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your entity in Map View. Be sure you have all layers you wish to see on the map
checked in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

Click the arrow next to the Geography field, and select in the drop-down menu the entity
type for which you want to add or remove area. In this example, we select

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Step

Action and Result
‘Reservation/Trust Land’. The Info list populates with the entities for the geography that
was chosen at the beginning of the project.

Step 4

Click on the row in the list for the area for which area is being added/removed (here Karuk
off-Reservation trust land). The map zooms to the area selected.

Step 5

Click the down arrow next to the Select Features button to select the face(s) to add or
remove for the boundary correction. The Select Features drop-down menu opens.

In this example, we are adding two small faces that are difficult to select, so we opt for
‘Select Features by Freehand’. This method allows us to place our cursor inside the first
face and draw a tiny line. The selected face turns cyan (colors may vary).

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Step

Action and Result

To select the other face, press the CTRL key, and while holding it down, repeat the action
for the remaining face. Both faces turn color.

To add area, the area must be outside the selected entity. To remove area, the area must
be within the selected entity.
Step 6

On the Modify Area Feature toolbar, click on the Add button (to add area to the entity) or
on the Remove button (to remove area from the entity).

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type pop-up box opens, and asks you to
choose your change type.

Step 7

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Step

Action and Result

6.1.4

Add a Geographic Offset

The steps to add a geographic offset are shown in Table 28. The fictitious example provided
uses Karuk Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land. The steps in the table show how the
tribe would mark the addition of a geographic offset along Old Hwy 96 in order to ensure that
the houses that are addressed to the north side of that stretch of highway are not included
within the reservation/trust land boundary.
Table 28: Add a Geographic Offset
Step

Action and Result
To create a geographic offset requires two actions: first you must split the face (if an edge
does not already exist), then you must add the area.

Step 1

Load the data for the reservation (in this example, Karuk Reservation/Trust Land).

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Step

Action and Result

Step 2

Pan to the location of the geographic offset (here Old Hwy 96).

Step 3

Click the Add Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 4

Left-click on the map at the beginning point of the first line and drag the cursor to create the
line marking the offset distance from the highway. Left-click at the end of the line, then rightclick to tell GUPS you have finished drawing. The line appears on the map, and the Add
Linear Feature dialog box opens.

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Step
Step 5

Action and Result
Select the appropriate MTFCC code in the MTFCC drop-down list. In this example, we select
‘P0001 – Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary’.

The MTFCC field populates with your selection.
Step 6

Click the OK button.
The line turns from purple to dark green (colors may vary) and the name, if you provided one,
is added to the map.

Step 7

To add the area: click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 8

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type (in this case,
‘Reservation/Trust Land’). A list of the available options populates the Info list at the bottom
of the dialog box.

Step 9

Click on the row for Karuk Off-Reservation Trust Land in the list. The map zooms to the
Karuk Off-Reservation Trust Land.

Step 10

Pan to the location of the new offset you drew on the map. Then click the Select Feature(s)
button on the small toolbar near the top of the Modify Area Feature dialog box.

Step 11

Left-click inside the offset face, then drag your cursor across the road. When you release the
cursor the face on the north side of the road has been selected and turn cyan or yellow (color
may vary) to highlight.

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Step
Step 12

Action and Result
To record the offset, click the Add button on the Modify Area Feature dialog box toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature Choose change type dialog box opens.

Step 13

Click the radio button next to Offset. A box opens giving an explanation of what a geographic
offset is and asking if you want to proceed.

Click Yes. You are returned to the Modify Area Feature Choose change type box.
Step 14

Click the OK button at the bottom of the box.

Step 15

The Review Change Polygons pop-up box opens and asks whether this is a legal change.

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Step
Step 16

Action and Result
If the geographic offset is not part of a legal change, click No. The change is automatically
added as a boundary correction.
If the geographic offset is a legal change, click Yes. The Create Change Polygons dialog
box opens.

Step 17

Click on the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to select an effective date for the
change.

Step 18

Use the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu to select an authority type.

Step 19

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Step

Action and Result

Step 20

In the CHNG_TYPE field, select ‘Offset’ in the drop-down list. offset fills the CHNG_TYPE
field as shown in the screenshot above.

Step 21

Click OK. The face marking the offset turns green on the map (color may vary). The offset
has been added.

6.2

How to Update Linear Features

6.2.1

Add a Linear Feature

Follow the steps in Table 29 to add a linear feature.
Table 29: Add a Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

Click on the Add Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Left-click the mouse at the starting point of the line (A) and continue to left-click the mouse
at each vertex (shape) point of the line. When you have completed the new line, right-click
the mouse (B). The right-click tells GUPS you are finished drawing.

The Add Linear Feature dialog box opens.

Step 4

Type the name of the new linear feature in the Name field if the feature is named;
otherwise, leave blank. Be sure when entering the feature name either to spell out the
feature type (e.g., street, road, avenue), or to select an approved abbreviation from the list
provided in Appendix D.

Step 5

In the MTFCC field drop-down menu, choose the appropriate code for the feature.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6
Click the OK button
at the bottom of the Add Linear Feature dialog box.
The added linear feature and the name you assigned appear on the map.

Adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary – GUPS will not allow one linear
feature to be placed over another. For example, if you attempt to add a road overlaying a
legal boundary line, a pop-up box will warn you ‘Added Line Overlays an Existing line’. If
you are adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary, follow the instructions for
updating linear feature attributes instead (for instructions see Table 32). Once you select
the boundary edge that you want to add a street on top of, update the MTFCC in the
Update Attributes pop-up to one of the "S" class feature codes (e.g., S1400) and add a
name in the FULLNAME field.

6.2.2

Delete a Linear Feature

To delete a linear feature, follow the steps in Table 30.
Table 30: Delete a Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

Click on the Delete Linear Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

Left-click the linear feature that you want to delete. In the example below, we clicked on an
unnamed road. The clicked linear feature turns cyan (color may vary) and the Delete Linear
Feature pop-up box appears, asking if you are sure you want to delete the feature.

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Step

Step 4

Action and Result

Click OK. The line is deleted in the attribute table. The cyan color is removed from the line
and the line now looks as it did originally.
When you delete a linear feature, it is not actually removed from the Census shapefile.
GUPS assigns a Delete Line flag to the feature in the attribute table, and the feature is later
processed for deletion when the Census Bureau receives the BAS file.
Note: If you have multiple linear features to delete, you may click the Delete Linear
Feature button on the toolbar once, then press CTRL and click each of the features you
want to delete. GUPS will delete all of the linear features selected. You may also drag your
cursor over multiple linear features to select them.

6.2.3

Restore a Deleted Linear Feature

To restore a deleted linear feature, follow the steps in Table 31.
Table 31: Restore a Deleted Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

Left-click on the deleted feature. The deleted feature turns cyan (color may vary) and the
Delete Linear Feature dialog box opens. The box asks you to confirm that you want to restore
the line.

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Step
Step 3

Action and Result
To restore the linear feature, click the OK button.

The Delete Line flag is removed from the attribute table and the line is restored.

6.2.4

Change the Attributes of a Linear Feature

Follow the steps in Table 32 to change the attributes (e.g., the name, MTFCC, or address
range) of a linear feature.
Table 32: Changing the Attributes of a Linear Feature
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
If you plan to change the name of a linear feature, check first to see if it has an alternate
name. To do this, click the Display All Names button on the BAS toolbar.

Then click on the linear feature on the map. The selected feature turns cyan (color may
vary) and the Display All Names dialog box opens, showing the primary name in the Prim.
Name field and the alternate name, if one is present, in the Alt. Name field.

To see any additional alternate names, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Alt.
Name field. If no alternate name exists, ‘NULL’ appears in the Alt. name field.
Step 2

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Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Click on the Modify Linear Feature Attributes button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

If you need to correct the MTFCC code, click on the down arrow to the right of the field to
open the drop-down menu and select the correct MTFCC from the menu.

Step 7

Change the address range for the linear feature, if necessary. Type in potential address
ranges in the LTOADD (left to address); RTOADD (right to address); LFROMADD (left from

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Step

Action and Result
address); RFROMADD (right from address) fields based on the directional arrows. The
directional arrows show the origin node (FROM) and the end node (TO).

Step 8

6.3

How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas

6.3.1

Add a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

To create a new landmark or hydrographic area, follow the steps in Table 33. In this fictitious
example, we will add a golf course in Jefferson County, Indiana, located northwest of Dupont
Town.
Table 33: Create a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your project in Map View. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the Table
of Contents (found under the ‘State_Level’ layer). Then zoom to the location on the map
where you want to add the landmark or hydrographic area.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 3

Step 4

Click on the yellow Select Feature(s) button on the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

Step 5

Then click on the first face on the map you wish to select. To select more than one face,
depress the CTRL key, and while holding it down, click on the additional faces. In this
example, we are selecting two faces, one on either side of Bear Creek. The selected faces
turn cyan (color may vary).

Step 6

Click on the Add Entity button on the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result
The Modify Area Feature box opens.

Step 7

In the Modify Area Feature box, type in the name of the new area landmark in the Full name
field.

Then select the appropriate code in the MTFCC field drop-down list, as shown below.

Step 8

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Step

Action and Result

6.3.2

Delete an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

To delete an area landmark or hydrographic area, follow the steps in Table 34.
Table 34: Delete an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your project in Map View. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the
Table of Contents (found under the ‘State_Level’ layer).

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

Hint

To view all the area landmarks and hydrographic areas in the Info list, you may use the
scroll bar located to the far right-hand side of the Modify Area Feature dialog box.
To move up and down within the list, use the blue navigation arrows located on the small
toolbar near the top of the dialog box.

Step 4

In the Info list, click on the area landmark/hydrographic area you want to delete. The
selected entry is highlighted in the Info list and the map zooms directly to the selected
feature.

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

Click the Delete Area Feature button on the Modify Area Feature dialog toolbar.

A pop-up box opens and asks you to confirm that you want to delete the feature.

Step 6

To delete the area landmark/hydro area, click OK. The linear feature turns gray (color may
vary) on the map, and its name disappears from the Info list.

Step 7

Not ready to delete? If you change your mind about deleting the area landmark/hydro area,
click Cancel. You will be returned to the Modify Area Feature dialog box with the Delete
Area Feature button grayed out.

Step 8

If you now decide to delete the area landmark/hydro feature, click on the feature name in
the Info list. The buttons will reactivate and you may click the Delete Area Feature button
again.

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6.3.3

Add Area to an Area Landmark or Hydrographic Area

Follow the steps in Table 35 to add area to an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 35: Add Area to an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your project in Map View. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks’ layer is checked in the Table
of Contents (found under the ‘State_Level’ layer).

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
Step 3

Click the down arrow next to the Geography field and select ‘Area Landmark/Area
Hydrography’ in the drop-down menu. The selection populates the Geography field and a list
of area landmarks/hydro features in the county appears in the Info list.

Step 4

Click the row in the list for the area landmark/hydro area to which you want to add area. The
selected entity is highlighted in the Info list and the map zooms to its location.

Step 5

To select the face(s) you want to add to the area landmark, click the Select Feature button on
the Modify Area Feature toolbar.

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Step

Action and Result
Then click the face you want to add to the area feature. The added face turns cyan (color may
vary). (Note: To select more than one face, depress the CTRL key, and while holding it down,
click the other faces.)

Step 6

To add the face(s) selected, click the Add Area button on the Modify Area Feature dialog
box toolbar.

The selected face is added to the area landmark and turns the same color as the other face(s)
that make up the area landmark. The map also now shows the full extent of the area
landmark.

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6.3.4

Remove Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area

Follow the steps in Table 36 to remove area from an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 36: Remove Area from an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your project in Map View. Be sure the ‘Area_Landmarks' layer is checked in the
Table of Contents (found under the ‘State_Level’ layer).

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrography’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

Step 4

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Step

Step 5

Action and Result

To select the face(s) you want to remove from the area landmark, click the Select Feature
button on the Modify Area Feature dialog box toolbar.

Then click on the first face you want to remove. To select additional faces, depress the
CTRL key, and while holding it down, click the additional faces.
Step 6

To remove the face(s) selected, click the Remove Area button on the Modify Area Feature
dialog box’s internal toolbar.

The selected face turns light green (color may vary) on the map and is removed from the
area landmark.

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6.4

How to Update Point Landmarks

6.4.1

Add a Point Landmark

To add a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 37.
Table 37: Add a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Open your project in Map View. Be sure the ‘Point Landmark’ layer is checked in the Table
of Contents (found under the ‘State_Level’ layer).

Step 2

Click the Add Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

Click on the map where you want to add the point landmark. The Add Point Landmark dialog
box opens and a red X marks the location you selected.

Step 4

Type in the name for the new point landmark in the FULLNAME: field. Then click the down
arrow next to the MTFCC: field to open the drop-down menu.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5
Select the MTFCC, then click the OK

button at the bottom of the box.

The map updates to show the added point landmark. In this case we added a traffic circle and
named it Buchanan Circle.

6.4.2

Delete a Point Landmark

To delete a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 38.
Table 38: Delete a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where you want to delete a point landmark. In this example, we
will delete the traffic circle named Buchanan Circle.

Step 2

Click the Delete Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

On the map, click on the point landmark you want to delete (Buchanan Circle). The Delete
Point Landmark dialog box opens, and asks if you are sure you want to delete the point
landmark.

Step 4

Click OK. The point landmark disappears from the map and from the attribute table.

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6.4.3

Change the Attributes of a Point Landmark

To change the attributes of a point landmark (e.g., its name, MTFCC), follow the steps
in Table 39.
Table 39: Change the Attributes of a Point Landmark
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where the point landmark is located and click on the landmark.
In this example, we will change the name of Buchanan Traffic Circle.

Step 2

Click on the Edit Point Landmark button on the BAS toolbar.

Step 3

On the map, click on Buchanan Circle. The Edit Point Landmark dialog box opens.

Step 4

To change the name, backspace over the name appearing in the FULLNAME: field, then type
in the new name. In this example, we will change the name to Marley Circle.

Step 5

Click OK. The new name of the point landmark appears on the map.

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6.5

How to Use GUPS Review and Validation Tools

GUPS provides two tools—the Geography Review tool and the Review Change Polygons
tool to help you review and validate the updates you have made in the system.

6.5.1

Geography Review Tool

The Geography Review tool filters the map layers based on various fields in the attribute table.
You can use this tool to check the changes you made to linear features, area landmarks, point
landmarks, and legal boundaries anywhere within your project area (you may also view the
attributes of entities, features, landmarks, and boundaries you did not change). Note: Although
this tool allows you to review your changes, you cannot use it to edit them.
Instructions for how to use the Geography Review tool information appear in Table 40 below.
Table 40: Use the Geography Review Tool
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Geography Review button on the BAS toolbar.

The Geography Review Tool dialog box opens.

Step 2

In the Layer Name: field drop-down menu, select the data layer you want to view:

In this example, we selected the file “bas17_49901171750_99_changes_aial.” This is the
transaction data output file for the tribal areas layer (note the word “changes” in the file
name to indicate the layer has been updated).

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Step
Step 3

Action and Result
Once you make your selection, the attribute table for the layer opens, with the attributes for
each tribal area you changed displayed in a separate row.

If you cannot see all the columns in the attribute data table, drag the edge of the dialog box
outward to widen the view. You may also move the dialog box to another location by
clicking inside the box and dragging it. For example, this particular table consists of 24
fields (columns). You can expand the table or use the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen
to scroll right and left.
Step 4

To see a tribal area on the map, click its row in the attribute table, then click the Zoom
button (the row is highlighted and the map automatically zooms to the area selected, which
is highlighted and shows changes made in cyan – colors may vary).

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Step

Action and Result

Step 5

To view other Tribal Areas listed in the table rows, use the Previous Zoom and Next
Zoom buttons. The previous or next row highlights and the system zooms to the map for
that row.

Step 6

You may use the Search feature at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the table layers by
specific attributes (e.g., full name, MTFCC, change type, etc.).

Step 7

First, select the layer you want to view (in this example, we will select the AIAL (Tribal
Area) layer).

For each feature changed for a Tribal area, the attributes of the changed feature display in
the table rows. Each column gives the name of the attribute.

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Step
Step 8

Action and Result
In the Column Name drop-down menu, select the attribute by which you want to filter.

In this example, we will select change type (CHNG_TYPE).
Step 9

Finally, in the Select drop-down, select the attribute value by which you want to filter, then
click the Search button. In this example, we will select ‘Boundary Correction’.

After you click Search, the attribute table is filtered to show the rows for all boundary
corrections made in the AIAL (Tribal Area) layer.

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Step

Action and Result
To view an individual boundary correction, click on its row and click the Zoom button. To
return to the attribute table to see the full (unfiltered) county subdivision layer, click the
Refresh button

in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.

Note that when filtering the table by some attributes (e.g., state and county FIPS code or
MTFCC), no drop-down list appears from which to make a selection. This is because some
attribute codes are too numerous to make scrolling through a list practicable. Instead you
will receive a blank box in which you may type the search value. For example, if you are
filtering the area landmarks layer by MTFCC and want to see hospitals in the layer, type in
the MTFCC for hospitals (K1231), as shown below, then click Search.

6.5.2

Review Change Polygons Tool

The Review Change Polygons tool allows you to view the transactions created from the edits
you made to legal entities, as well as to area landmarks and hydrographic areas. You can
review the transaction polygons that represent boundary changes, as well as new
incorporations and disincorporations. The tool also allows you to make corrections to change
polygons.
Notes on Reviewing Change Polygons
You must run the Review Change Polygons tool before GUPS will export a file.
You must run the Review Change Polygons tool for each county in which you worked. For
example, if you made changes to your working county, but also made changes to an adjacent county
when annexing land for your county, you must run the change polygon check on both counties.

To use the Review Change Polygons tool, follow the steps in Table 41.
Table 41: Reviewing Change Polygons
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
In the Map Management dialog box, make sure the Tribal Area for which you want to run
the check appears in the Entity field.

Once you click the Open button at the bottom of the dialog box and the map opens in
Map View, you are ready to run the Review Change Polygons check.

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Step
Step 2

Action and Result
Once you have loaded the entity, you are ready to begin the change polygons review.
Click on the Review Change Polygons button on the BAS toolbar.

The Review Change Polygons dialog box opens just below the Table of Contents.

Note: This box can be dragged anywhere on your screen and docked.
Step 3

Use the Geography drop-down menu shown below to select the geography you want to
review.

Step 4

After you select an entity type, the Small Area Check and Find Holes buttons become
active and all change polygons for the entity type you selected appear in the Info list at
the bottom of the box.

Step 5

To check for small area change polygons, click the Small Area Check button. If all your
change polygons are of sufficient size, a pop-up box informs you of this.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

If you have small area polygons within the Reservation/Trust Land, they appear in the
Info list with their acreage noted in the Area in Acres column. The Display All Changes
button also becomes active (this button allows you to toggle back to see all change
polygons in the list).

Step 7

To view a polygon on the map, click the row for the polygon in the Info list. The polygon is
highlighted and the map zooms to the location of the polygon.

Note in the illustration above, we moved the Review Change Polygons box to sit over
the map. As stated earlier, you may move the box anywhere on the page and dock it.
Step 8

To delete polygons that are too small (less than 500 square feet), click on the row for the
change polygon in the Info list. The Delete Change Polygon button appears.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 9

To delete the polygon, click the Delete Change Polygon button. A pop-up box asks if
you are sure you want to delete.

Step 10

Click the Yes button. The polygon is removed from the list, from the map, and from the
attribute table.

Step 11

Before the Small Area check is complete, you must repeat the steps above for each
geography type for which you created change polygons.

Step 12

Next, review your polygons for holes (that is, two or fewer small faces missed when
creating a change polygon). While still in the Review Change Polygons dialog box,
select a geography type from the Geography drop-down menu. For this example, we
again selected ‘Reservation/Trust Lands’. A list of change polygons for
Reservations/Trust Lands populates the Info list and the Display All Changes button
replaces the Small Area button (since you’ve already run this check). The Find Holes
buttons remains in its original location.

Step 13

Click on the row for the polygon in the Info list to see it on the map, then click the Find
Holes button. If no holes are present, a pop-up box informs you of this.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 14

If holes are found, a list of polygons with holes appears in the Holes Review box and the
Fix button activates at the bottom of the box.

Step 15

To correct a change polygon, click on its row to highlight it. The map zooms to its location
and displays all holes in cyan (color may vary).

Step 16

Click the Fix button to repair the hole. The change polygon is corrected and the correction
displays on the map (i.e., the hole is changed to the same color as the remainder of the
polygon).

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Step

Action and Result

Step 17

Before the Find Holes check is complete, you must repeat the steps above for each
geography type for which you created change polygons.

Step 18

After you review for small areas and holes, you may also use the Review Change
Polygons tool to check the general accuracy of your change polygons. To do so, select
your entity type in the Geography drop-down menu. A full list of change polygons for the
geography type selected displays in the Info list.

Step 19

Step 20

To review a boundary change, click on the change polygon in the list, then click the Legal
Entity Change button at the bottom of the Review Change Polygons dialog box, shown
below.

The map zooms to where the change was made and a box opens displaying the
information that you entered when you coded the change. Here, because the change was

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Step

Action and Result
a boundary correction, the effective date, authority type, and documentation fields are not
filled.

If this change was mistakenly coded as a boundary correction, and should have been a
legal change instead, you may correct the error here. In this example we correct a change
polygon mistakenly coded as a boundary correction rather than an addition.
Step 21

Click the calendar icon next to the EFF_DATE field to select an effective date for the
addition.

Step 22

Use the drop-down menu for the AUTHTYPE field to select the authority type for the
change.

Step 23

In the DOCU field, type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing
the Addition, or upload legal documentation for the change. To upload documentation,
click the folder icon next to the DOCU field.

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Step

Action and Result
When the DOCU window opens, click on the icon for ‘My Computer’ (or simply ‘Computer’
in some Windows versions) to open the directory where you have saved your
documentation.

Your directories display, as shown below.

Select the appropriate directory and navigate to the file you want to upload. Click the file.
Then, to upload it, click the Open button at the bottom of the DOCU window.

GUPS uploads the file and the file name appears in the DOCU field.
Step 24

Step 25
Step 26

Finally, in the CHNG_TYPE field drop-down menu, change ‘Boundary Correction’ to the
correct change type (‘Annexation’, ‘Corridor’, or ‘Offset’). Here we select ‘Annexation’.

Click the OK button.

The correction is made.

When you have completed all your reviews (for small areas, holes, and boundary
changes) for all entity types, and have made any corrections needed, click the Save
button
on the BAS toolbar. All corrections are saved. Your Review Change
Polygons check is complete.

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6.6

How to Export a Printable Map

Action and Result
Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

The MapExport dialog box opens.

Step 2

In the Desired Map Titles section, type in a map title and sub-title.

Step 3

Under Page Orientation, click the radio button next to ‘Portrait’ or ‘Landscape’ to select the
map’s orientation on the page when printed.

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Step

Action and Result

The map orientation in the preview pane to the right changes to reflect your selection.

Portrait View (left) and Landscape View (right)
Step 4

Step 5

Under Desired Paper Size, click the radio button next to ‘Letter’ for 8½ by 11-inch paper or
the ‘Ledger’ button for 11 by 17-inch paper.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

When you are ready to export the file, under Export File Format, click the radio button next
to the desired format. You may export the file in .pdf, .png, .tiff, or .jpeg format.

Step 7

Click the Save button. The Map Export – Save Map As… window opens.

After you have selected the location, type in the name you want to give the file, then click
Save.

Step 9

The file is saved and you receive a pop-up message confirming that the export is complete.

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Step

Step 10

6.7

Action and Result

To save the file, click OK. Your file is saved either in the default BAS2018 output location or
in the alternate location you specified. Here we saved the file in the default location.

How to Export ZIP Files to Share/Submit

When creating export ZIP files, you have two options—you may export the file to share with
another user or you may export the file for submission to the Census Bureau. In either case,
GUPS automatically names the output ZIP file for you. It packages all the files required by the
Census Bureau (including any documentation you uploaded) into the ZIP file and saves it in a
preset location created on your computer by during the installation process.
Important Note
If you make changes to more than one working county, you must export a separate ZIP file for each.

6.7.1

Export a File to Share

To export a file to share with another user, follow the steps in Table 43.
Table 43: Export Files to Share with Another User
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

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Step
Step 2

Action and Result
After you click Export to Zip button, you may receive one of two results, depending on
whether you have validated your changes using the Review Change Polygons tool. If you
have not used the tool to check your work, the Export to ZIP pop-up box appears and lists
the specific checks that need to be run before you can export the file.

If you see this message, click the Cancel button and run the Review Change Polygons
check. Then repeat the initial export steps again.
Step 3

If you have already run the Review Change Polygon check, the Export to ZIP pop-up box
displays the status of the checks and the date and time they were made, as shown below.

Step 4

Look carefully at the run times listed. If you have made any additional changes after these
times, click Cancel and run the Review Change Polygons check again. Then repeat the
export steps.

Step 5

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

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Step

Action and Result

To prepare ZIP file to be shared with another user, select the “Share with Another Participant”
radio button. Click OK.
Step 6

The ZIP File Output dialog box opens. It informs you that the ZIP file was created and asks if
you want to view the folder.

Step 7

Step 8

You may now share the file with another user.

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6.7.2

Export a File to Submit to the Census Bureau

To export a file to submit to the Census Bureau, follow the steps in Table 44.
Table 44: Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Click on the Export to ZIP button on the BAS toolbar.

The Select Output Type dialog box opens.

Click the Export for Census radio button. Then click OK.
Step 2

Step 3

If you see this message, click the Cancel button and run the Review Change Polygons
check. Then repeat the initial export steps again.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 4

If you have already run the Review Change Polygon check, the Export to ZIP pop-up box
displays the status of the checks and the date and time they were made, as shown below.

Step 5

Look carefully at the run times listed. If you have made any additional changes after these
times, click Cancel and run the Review Change Polygons check again. Then repeat the
export steps.

Step 6

Otherwise, click OK. The GUPS User Contact Information dialog box opens up. Complete the
required fields and click OK.

The ZIP File Output dialog box opens. It informs you that the ZIP file was created and asks if
you want to view the folder.

Step 7

If you click Yes, the directory opens and displays the folder location where GUPS placed the
file. Note: GUPS automatically saves the file to an output folder that the GUPS installer placed
on your computer during the installation process.

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Step

Step 8

Action and Result

You are now ready to upload your file to the Census Bureau through the SWIM. See Section 7
on the next page.

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SUBMITTING YOUR FILES TO THE CENSUS
BUREAU THROUGH SWIM
To upload and transmit your update files to the Census Bureau, you must access your account
in the SWIM, as shown in Table 45 below.
Note: If you already have a SWIM account, have your user name (e-mail address) and password
ready. If you do not have a SWIM account, have the 12-digit registration token provided by the
Census Bureau ready.

Table 45: Transmit Files to the Census Bureau Using SWIM
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Step 2

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Step

Action and Result

All fields on the Account Registration screen are required. You will not be able to move to
the next screen until you have completed all fields.
Step 3

On the Account Registration screen, first, enter the 12-digit token provided by the Census
Bureau. Then enter your name, agency, and e-mail in the appropriate fields.

Step 4

Next, create a password. The passwords must meet the five criteria below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Step 5

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Step

Action and Result

Step 6

On the Confirmation screen, click Login. You will return to the Llogin screen.

Step 7

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Step

Action and Result

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

A screen opens that allows you to select your Tribal Area for which you are reporting data.
scroll through the drop-down menu and select the Tribal Area. Then click the Next button.

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Step

Action and Result

Step 11

The Select a .ZIP file to upload screen opens. Choose a zip file to upload. Note: All files
must be a zip file. To upload a file, click the + Add File button on the screen.

Step 12

The Choose File to Upload window opens and allows you to navigate on your computer to
the ZIP file’s location.

Locate the ZIP file you want to upload then double-click it. Note: You can only add one file at
a time.
Step 13

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Step

Action and Result

Step 14

After you have uploaded the file(s), type any comments (including pertinent information about
data projection or supporting documentation for shapefiles) in the Comments field. Click
Next.

Step 15

The Thank You screen appears and confirms the receipt of your submission.

Step 16

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX A. BAS CONTACT INFORMATION AND
RESOURCES

Action/Question

Resource

Contact

Request shapefiles
on DVD

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

BAS materials
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

Legal boundary
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-301-763-1099
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 1-800-972-5652

Ask guidance on
areas under legal
dispute

Census Bureau
Legal Office

Call: 1-301-763-9844

GUPS technical
support

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]
Be sure to have the number for the version of GUPS you
are running ready. To find this number, go to the Help tab
on the main Menu in GUPS and click ‘About GUPS’ in the
drop-down menu. A pop-up box will provide you the
number.

SWIM token
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
E-mail: [email protected]

SWIM technical
support

Geography
Division

[email protected]

Submit output files
on DVD (if you do
not have Internet
access)

National
Processing
Center

Send to:
US Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: BAS Returns, Bldg 63E
1201 East 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

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APPENDIX B. GEOGRAPHIC OFFSETS
Geographic Offsets
A geographic offset is an area (either within or outside of a geographic entity) that is only on one
side of a road (unlike corridors, which involve both sides of the road) and does not include
structures addressed to that side of the road. Much of the same guidelines regarding corridors
also holds true for offsets.
The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral
(parcel-based) right-of-way mapping. Census Bureau maps are based on spatial data that is
topologically integrated which makes maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient. Using the
road centerline wherever possible will help to establish more accurate population counts. If a
boundary follows a front lot line, the Census Bureau strongly prefers that the road centerline be
used as the boundary. If a boundary is at the rear of a lot, then it should be depicted as such. If
it is unclear whether a particular line is a front lot line or something else, please contact the BAS
team for assistance. As a rule, if a house or building could not conceivably be built in the area
between the potential line and the centerline of the road, then the line can be considered a front
lot line Figure 13. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map depicts a cadastral (parcelbased) boundary map and Figure 14. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent
to the Census Bureau shows how the boundary should be represented when it is sent to the
Census Bureau.

Figure 13. A Cadastral (Parcel-Based) Boundary Map

Figure 14. How a Boundary Should be Represented When Sent to the Census Bureau

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Figure 15. Place Boundary – Front Lot Line

Figure 15 - Shows a situation in which the place boundary is along the front lot line. In this
example, the respondent must either use the road centerline as the boundary (preferred), or
create an offset.

Figure 16. Place Boundary – Rear Lot Line

Figure 16 - The place boundary is on the rear lot line, so the respondent should of course not use
the road centerline or create an offset, but should rather digitize in a new boundary following the
rear lot line.
The Census Bureau has included an “offset” shapefile in the BAS materials
(bas_2018_offset_.shp), so that your jurisdiction can be checked for any existing
corridors or offsets. While the Census Bureau prefers that new offsets are not created (see
above), this information can be helpful in determining if current boundaries are correct..

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APPENDIX C. MTFCC DESCRIPTIONS
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the
Census Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau
MAF/TIGER products.
MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

C3022
C3023

Mountain Peak or
Summit
Island

C3024

Levee

C3026

C3027

Quarry (not waterfilled), Open Pit Mine or
Mine
Dam

A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the
Earth’s surface.
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low
wetland. [including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock,
isla, isle, key, moku and rock]
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.
An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed
from the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.

C3061

Cul-de-sac

C3062

Traffic Circle

C3066
C3067
C3071

Gate
Toll Booth
Lookout Tower

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

C3076

Windmill Farm

C3077

Solar Farm

C3078

Monument or Memorial

C3079
C3080

Boundary Monument
Point
Survey Control Point

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles
for turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census Bureau
maps it only as a point feature.
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of traffic
at the meeting of roadways.
A movable barrier across a road.
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its diameter,
used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for distribution
activities.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the wind.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from
the sun.
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize
an event, person, or feature.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve
and identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is
used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation and/or
off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American Indian
areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members
of or receiving governmental services from the defining legal
Alaska Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census Bureau
in consultation with federally recognized American Indian tribes
that have no current reservation, but had a former reservation in
Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a state-recognized
American Indian tribe that does not currently have a reservation
and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe
that does not currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation
trust land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are
twelve geographically defined ANRCs and they are all within and
cover most of the State of Alaska (the Annette Island Reserve-an
American Indian reservation-is excluded from any ANRC). The
boundaries of ANRCs have been legally established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American
Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units of selfgovernment or administration that serve social, cultural, and/or
economic purposes for the American Indians on the reservations,
off-reservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a
federally recognized American Indian reservation and/or offreservation trust land, delineated by American Indian tribal
participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose of presenting
demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan statistical
areas that have a degree of economic and social integration, as
measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and
social integration with that core, as measured by commuting.
Defined using whole counties and equivalents.

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical
Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New
England City and Town
Area
New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area
New England City and
Town Division

A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with a
population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that have
a degree of economic and social integration, as measured by
commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and
social integration with that core, as measured by commuting.
Defined using Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a
subdivision of a New England City and Town Area containing an
urbanized area with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The
subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which consists
of 50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges between
2,500 and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The
District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a state
for census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The
primary divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other terms
are used such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana, and
Municipio in Puerto Rico. This feature includes independent cities,
which are incorporated places that are not part of any county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the
reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature are
Minor Civil Division, Census County Division/Census Subarea,
and Unorganized Territory. This feature includes independent
places, which are incorporated places that are not part of any
county subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions
(barrios-pueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of population.
Incorporated places are generally designated as a city, borough,
municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances, have no legal
description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a
county or minor civil division, but one or more of the incorporated
places continues to function within the consolidation. It is a place
that contains additional separately incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of population
and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated place.
The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some types
of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated places,
consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs), minor civil
divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of MCDs or
counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or balance of MCD

G3210

G3220

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor
Civil Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated
Place
Economic Census
Place

G4300

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative
District (Upper
Chamber

G5220

State Legislative
District (Lower
Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400

Elementary School
District
Secondary School
District
Unified School District

G5410
G5420
G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION
qualifies as an economic census place if it contains 5,000 or more
residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most current
data available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their fourdigit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For example,
block group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes all blocks
numbered from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census tabulation
block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands, (2) have a
perimeter entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4) not cross the
boundary of other tabulation geographies, such as county or
incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area,
such as a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but
sometimes by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation
block boundary does not cross the boundary of any other
geographic area for which the Census Bureau tabulates data. The
subtypes of this feature are Count Question Resolution (CQR),
current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state
equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The
subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 111th
Congressional Districts, plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber of a
state governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a
bicameral legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house
legislature (Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the lower chamber of a state governing
body. The lower chamber is the House of Representatives in a
bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as precincts,
wards, and election districts, established by state, local, and tribal
governments for the purpose of conducting elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public elementary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public secondary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public educational
services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000 or
more persons for which the Census Bureau provides selected
extracts of household-level data that are screened to protect
confidentiality
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

ZIP Code Tabulation
Area (Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

H2081

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/
Sound
Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel
Location

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/
Urgent Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

H2053
H2060

K1235

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic
Analysis District (TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for
tabulating journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization that
the Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in
agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data,
municipios in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between two
nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water. [includes bog, cienega, marais
and pocosin]
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land. [includes arm, bight,
cove and inlet]
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial minerals
were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on the
top or side of a mountain or mountainous area. [includes ice field
and ice patch]
A natural flowing waterway. [includes anabranch, awawa, branch,
brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run]
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of interlacing
channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate or
drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to serve as
a waterway for watercraft. [includes lateral]
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the
home port pier.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention. [including infirmary]
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention centers,
residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement
of adult persons in lawful detention, administered by a local
(county, municipal, etc.) government.

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal
government or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement
of adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere classified or
administered by a government of unknown jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for those
having a religious vocation.

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other
Religious Group
Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or
Other Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Incorporated Place
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area
Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasi-

K2188

K2189
K2190

Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense for
use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned area for the
use of the National Guard.
A place used by members of government (either federal, state,
local, or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space to
host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—under
the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the National
Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of an
American Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a state
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
regional government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
county government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
minor civil division (town/township) government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of a
municipal government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a
cultural or natural resource and under the administration of some

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

K2191

public, independent
park, commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

other type of government or agency such as an independent park
authority or commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing
and distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of
such a facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station,
airport and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452

K2453

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail
Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

Museum, Visitor
Center, Cultural Center,
or Tourist Attraction

K2457
K2458

A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by
piles. This platform may provide access to ships and boats, or it
may be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft. [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip]
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or where
cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and
exit airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census
blocks used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other
modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for
taking off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for postsecondary study, teaching, and learning. [including seminary]
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for
preschool, elementary or secondary study, teaching, and learning.
[including elementary school and high school]
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest
that provides information or displays artifacts.

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

K2561
K2582

Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001

P0002

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead. [including burying ground
and memorial garden]
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and
mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with
pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid (e.g.,
crude oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for conducting
high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A man-made barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc.,
usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance,
to confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope. [including bluff, crag, head,
headland, nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and rimrock]
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either
public or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a
Public Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline represents
the Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river) flows into
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure line
separating the Inland water from the other class of water
represents the Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and forth
over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water
boundary, boundary of
an areal feature)

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

R1011

Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

R1051

Carline, Streetcar
Track, Monorail, Other
Mass Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline
Rail Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

S1720

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian
Trail
Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

Private Road for
service vehicles
(logging, oil fields,
ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use

A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad
traffic. Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a
rail yard.
Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to
mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a road
right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that
aerial tramways and streetcars (which may also be called “trams”)
are accounted for by other MTFCCs and do not belong in R1052
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways
within the interstate highway system or under state management,
and are distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These
highways are accessible by ramps and may include some toll
highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway,
State Highway or County Highway system. These roads have one
or more lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be
divided, and usually have at-grade intersections with many other
roads and driveways. They often have both a local name and a
route number.
Generally a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that usually
has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in this feature
class may be privately or publicly maintained. Scenic park roads
would be included in this feature class, as would (depending on
the region of the country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is required.
These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in very rural
areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks
belong in the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf
interchange. These roads are unaddressable and do not carry a
name in the MAF/TIGER System.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that provides
access to structures along the highway. These roads can be
named and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or
legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series of
steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated addressed
structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the rear of
buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained for
service, extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often
unnamed.

S1710

S1750

Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.

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MTFCC

FEATURE CLASS

FEATURE CLASS DESCRIPTION

S1780
S1820

Parking Lot Road
Bike Path or Trail

S1830

Bridle Path

S2000

Road Median

The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles, being
either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a
divided road.

Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2017.

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APPENDIX D. STANDARD STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS

STREET NAME TYPE

STANDARD ABBREVIATION

ALLEY
ANEX

ALY
ANX

ARCADE
AVENUE
BAYOU
BEACH
BEND
BLUFF
BLUFFS
BOTTOM
BOULEVARD
BRANCH
BRIDGE
BROOK
BROOKS
BURG
BURGS
BYPASS
CAMP
CANYON
CAPE
CAUSEWAY
CENTER
CENTERS
CIRCLE
CIRCLES
CLIFF
CLIFFS
CLUB
COMMON
COMMONS
CORNER
CORNERS
COURSE
COURT
COURTS
COVE
COVES
CREEK
CRESCENT
CREST
CROSSING
CROSSROAD
CROSSROADS
CURVE
DALE

ARC
AVE
BYU
BCH
BND
BLF
BLFS
BTM
BLVD
BR
BRG
BRK
BRKS
BG
BGS
BYP
CP
CYN
CPE
CSWY
CTR
CTRS
CIR
CIRS
CLF
CLFS
CLB
CMN
CMNS
COR
CORS
CRSE
CT
CTS
CV
CVS
CRK
CRES
CRST
XING
XRD
XRDS
CURV
DL

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STREET NAME TYPE

STANDARD ABBREVIATION

DAM
DIVIDE
DRIVE
DRIVES
ESTATE
ESTATES
EXPRESSWAY
EXTENSION
EXTENSIONS
FALL
FALLS
FERRY
FIELD
FIELDS
FLAT
FLATS
FORD
FORDS
FOREST
FORGE
FORGES
FORK
FORKS
FORT
FREEWAY
GARDEN
GARDENS
GATEWAY
GLEN
GLENS
GREEN
GREENS
GROVE
GROVES
HARBOR
HARBORS
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWAY
HILL
HILLS
HOLLOW
INLET
ISLAND
ISLANDS
ISLE
JUNCTION
JUNCTIONS
KEY
KEYS
KNOLL

DM
DV
DR
DRS
EST
ESTS
EXPY
EXT
EXTS
FALL
FLS
FRY
FLD
FLDS
FLT
FLTS
FRD
FRDS
FRST
FRG
FRGS
FRK
FRKS
FT
FWY
GDN
GDNS
GTWY
GLN
GLNS
GRN
GRNS
GRV
GRVS
HBR
HBRS
HVN
HTS
HWY
HL
HLS
HOLW
INLT
IS
ISS
ISLE
JCT
JCTS
KY
KYS
KNL

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STREET NAME TYPE

STANDARD ABBREVIATION

KNOLLS
LAKE
LAKES
LAND
LANDING
LANE
LIGHT
LIGHTS
LOAF
LOCK
LOCKS
LODGE
LOOP
MALL
MANOR
MANORS
MEADOW
MEADOWS
MEWS
MILL
MILLS
MISSION
MOTORWAY
MOUNT
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINS
NECK
ORCHARD
OVAL
OVERPASS
PARK
PARKS
PARKWAY
PARKWAYS
PASS
PASSAGE
PATH
PIKE
PINE
PINES
PLACE
PLAIN
PLAINS
PLAZA
POINT
POINTS
PORT
PORTS
PRAIRIE
RADIAL
RAMP

KNLS
LK
LKS
LAND
LNDG
LN
LGT
LGTS
LF
LCK
LCKS
LDG
LOOP
MALL
MNR
MNRS
MDW
MDWS
MEWS
ML
MLS
MSN
MTWY
MT
MTN
MTNS
NCK
ORCH
OVAL
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PKWY
PKWY
PASS
PSGE
PATH
PIKE
PNE
PNES
PL
PLN
PLNS
PLZ
PT
PTS
PRT
PRTS
PR
RADL
RAMP

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Page D-3

STREET NAME TYPE

STANDARD ABBREVIATION

RANCH
RAPID
RAPIDS
REST
RIDGE
RIDGES
RIVER
ROAD
ROADS
ROUTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHOAL
SHOALS
SHORE
SHORES
SKYWAY
SPRING
SPRINGS
SPUR
SPURS
SQUARE
SQUARES
STATION
STRAVENUE
STREAM
STREET
STREETS
SUMMIT
TERRACE
THROUGHWAY
TRACE
TRACK
TRAFFICWAY
TRAIL
TRAILER
TUNNEL
TURNPIKE
UNDERPASS
UNION
UNIONS
VALLEY
VALLEYS
VIADUCT
VIEW
VIEWS
VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA

RNCH
RPD
RPDS
RST
RDG
RDGS
RIV
RD
RDS
RTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHL
SHLS
SHR
SHRS
SKWY
SPG
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
SQ
SQS
STA
STRA
STRM
ST
STS
SMT
TER
TRWY
TRCE
TRAK
TRFY
TRL
TRLR
TUNL
TPKE
UPAS
UN
UNS
VLY
VLYS
VIA
VW
VWS
VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS

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Page D-4

STREET NAME TYPE

STANDARD ABBREVIATION

WALK
WALKS
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

WALK
WALK
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

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Page D-5

APPENDIX E. GUPS TOOLS
Set Layer Symbology
GUPS loads a default layer symbology established for each Census Bureau geographic
partnership program. You can change the default symbology to suit your preferences. To
change the default symbology for a layer in GUPS, follow the instructions in Table 46.
Table 46: Reset Layer Symbology
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click on the layer in the Table of Contents (in this example, we selected the Edges
layer). The Layers drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties screen opens.

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Page E-1

Step
Step 3

The Rule Properties dialog box opens and the Label and Filter fields display the item
chosen. The Symbol pane shows the current symbology (yellow line).

Step 4

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Page E-2

Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right click on the layer (we have selected the edges layer) in the Table of Contents. The
Layers drop-down menu opens.

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties dialog box opens.

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Page E-3

Step

Action and Result

Step 3

In the far left-hand pane, click Labels. The options to change the label display properties
open in the main window.

Step 4

To change the attribute field, click on the drop-down menu for ‘Label this layer with’ at the top
of the screen, and select the desired option.

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Page E-4

Step

Action and Result

Text style options allow you to change the font, style, size, color, transparency, type case,
and spacing of layer labels. Shown below are the drop-down options for style.

Restoring Default Label Display Settings
To restore the default labeling for a layer, follow the steps in Table 48.
Table 48: Restoring Default Labeling
Step

Action and Result

Step 1

Right-click on the layer you changed in the Table of Contents. The layer’s drop-down
menu opens.

Step 2

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Page E-5

Step

Step 3

Action and Result

Select ‘Load default style’ to restore the selected layer’s original properties OR select ‘Load
all default style’ to reset ALL the layers to their original settings.

Using the Table of Contents Toolbar to Manage Layers
Using the buttons on the toolbar located at the top of the Table of Contents, you can add and
remove layers or groups, manage layer visibility, filter the legend by map content, expand or
contract all sections of the Table of Contents list at once, and group layers.
The Table of Contents Layers toolbar contains the items shown below in Figure 17.
Table 49 describes the function of each of the buttons on the toolbar.

Figure 17. Table of Contents Layers Toolbar

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Page E-6

Table 49: Table of Contents Layers Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

Add Group

Allows you to organize layers in the Table of Contents
into groups.

Manage Layer
Visibility

Allows you to preset views in the Table of Contents.

Filter Legend by
Map Content

Expand All

Expands the Table of Contents menus (+) to display all
layers under each group’s menu.

Collapse All

Collapses the Table of Contents menus (-) to show only
groups.

Remove
Layer/Group

Allows you to remove a layer or group from the Table of
Contents.

Preset Views in the Manage Layer Visibility Table of Contents
You can add preset views
in the Table of Contents by clicking on the Manage Layer
Visibility button on the Table of Contents toolbar. You can choose to display a layer with specific
categorization and add this view to the Presets list. To add a preset view click on the Manage
Layer Visibility button and choose ‘Add Preset…’ from the drop-down menu.

Figure 18. Add Preset Layer

When the Visibility Presets pop-up appears, enter the name of the new preset and click OK.

Figure 19. Visibility Presets Dialog Box

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Page E-7

Note: By clicking on the Manage Layer Visibility button, you can view the list of all preset views that
you have established and from which you can choose.

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Page E-8

APPENDIX F. MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION
Table 50: MAF/TIGER Feature Classification
M T FCC

FEATURE NAME

S1100

Interstate Highway or Primary Road with limited access

S1200

Primary Road without limited access, US Highway, State Highway, or County Highway,
Secondary and connecting roads

S1400

Local Neighborhood Road, Rural Road, City Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

Service Drive usually along a limited access highway

S1710

Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

Private Road for service vehicles (logging, oil fields, ranches, etc.)

S1750

Private Driveway

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

R1011

Railroad Feature (Main, Spur, or Yard)

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track, Monorail, Other Mass Transit Rail

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail Line, Tram

P0001

Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Power Transmission Line

L4110

Fence Line

L4121

Ridge Line

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

K2451

Airport or Airfield

L4140

Property/Parcel Line

L4165

Ferry Crossing

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page F-1

APPENDIX G. SHAPEFILE NAMES
State Shapefile Names
PVS_18_v2__.shp, where is the number corresponding to the state,
for example, “24” and is the abbreviation for the shapefile layer, describe in detail
below.
Table 51: State Shapefiles Names
Shapefile Layer
American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal
2010 American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal

aial
aial2010

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical

aias

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal

aitsl

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical

aitss

Block Area Group
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area
Congressional Districts
Census Designated Place
Counties and Equivalent Areas
2010 Counties and Equivalent Areas

bag
cbsa
cd
cdp
county
county2010

Elementary School Districts

elsd

County Subdivisions - Legal

mcd

New England City and Town Areas

necta

Incorporated Places

place

2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts
State Legislative Districts Lower
State Legislative District Upper Chambers
State

puma2010
scsd
sldl
sldu
state

Tribal Block Groups

tbg

Tribal Census Tracts

tct

2010 Census Tracts

tracts2010

Urban Area
Unified School District State-Based

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

uac
unsd

Page G-1

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Legal

aial

American Indian Areas (AIA) – Statistical

aias

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Legal

aitsl

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) - Statistical

aitss

Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRC)

anrc

Area Landmark
Block Area Groups
Block Groups
Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Statistical Area

arealm
bag
bg
cbsa

Census County Division

ccd

Congressional Districts

Census Designated Place

cdp

Consolidated Cities

concity

Counties and Equivalent Areas

county

Census Tracts - Current
All Lines
Elementary School Districts
Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL)
County Subdivisions - Legal

curtracts
edges
elsd
hhl
mcd

New England City and Town Areas

necta

Offsets

offset

Incorporated Places

place

Point Landmarks
2010 Public Use Microdata Areas
Secondary School Districts

pointlm
puma2010
scsd

State Legislative Districts Lower

sldl

State Legislative Districts Upper

sldu

Subbarrios

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

submcd

Page G-2

Shapefile Layer
Census Blocks - Current
2010 Census Blocks

tabblock
tabblock2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Delineation

tad2010

2010 Traffic Analysis Zones

taz2010

Tribal Block Groups

tbg

Tribal Census Tracts

tct

2010 Census Tracts

tracts2010

Census Urban Areas

uac

Urban Growth Area

uga

Hydrography - Area

water

Unified School Districts

unsd

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

addr
faces
areafaces
hydrofaces
allnames

Page G-3

APPENDIX H. SHAPEFILE LAYOUTS
Table 53: Edges Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_edges)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

TLID

Double

Permanent edge ID

TFIDL

Double

Permanent face ID (left)

TFIDR

Double

Permanent face ID (right)

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FIDELITY

String

Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary
has changed through spatial enhancement

FULLNAME

String

Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier,
direction, and feature type

SMID

String

Spatial Theta ID

SMIDTYPE

String

SMIDTYPE code

BBSPFLG

String

Redistricting data project participant’s submitted request
of an EDGE for selection as a block boundary

CBBFLG

String

Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a
block boundary

BBSP_2020

String

New BBSP flag

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of linear feature update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

LTOADD

String

Left To address

RTOADD

String

Right To address

LFROMADD

String

Left From address

RFROMADD

String

Right From address

ZIPL

String

Left zip code

ZIPR

String

Right zip code

EXTTYP

Char

Extension type

MTUPDATE

Date

Date of last update to the edge

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-1

Table 54: Address Ranges Attribute File (PVS_18_v2_addr)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

OID

STRING

Object ID

TLID

INTEGER

TIGER Line ID

STATEFP

STRING

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

STRING

FIPS County Code

FROMHN

STRING

From House Number

TOHN

STRING

To House Number

SIDE

STRING

Side Indicator Flag

ZIP

STRING

5-digit ZIP Code

PLUS4

STRING

ZIP+4 Code

LFROMADD

STRING

Left From Address

LTOADD

STRING

Left To Address

RFROMADD

STRING

Right From Address

RTOADD

STRING

Right To Address

ZIPL

STRING

Left 5-digit ZIP Code

ZIPR

STRING

Right 5-digit ZIP Code

ZIP4L

STRING

Left ZIP+4 Code

ZIP4R

STRING

Right ZIP+4 Code

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-2

Table 55: Census Block Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_tabblock2010)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

BLKSZIND

String

Block Size Indicator

BLOCK

String

Block Number

BLOCKCE

String

Tabulation Block Number

BLOCKID

String

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census
Tract Code, Block Number
Census County FIPS code

COUNTYFP10

String

FIPS County Code

FID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

NCELIGBLE

String

New Construction Program eligible

PARTFLG

String

Part Flag Indicator

Shape

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

Census state FIPS code

STATEFP10

String

FIPS State Code

SUFFIX1CE

String

Census Block Suffix 1

SUFFIX2CE

String

Census Block Suffix 2

TRACTCE10

String

Census tract code

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-3

Table 56: Census Tract Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_curtracts)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

EFF_DATE

String

Effective Date or Vintage

FID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

String

Name

NEW_CODE

String

New Congressional District Code

RELATE

120

String

Relationship Description

Shape

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

TRACTCE

String

Census Tract Code

TRACTID

String

TRACTLABEL

String

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census Tract
Code
Tract number used for LUCA geocoding

TRACTTYP

String

Tract Characteristic Flag

VINTAGE

String

Vintage updated with returned data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-4

Table 57: American Indian Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_aial)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

AIANNHCE

String

Census AIANNH Code

AIANNHFSR

String

Flag Indicating Level of Recognition of an AIA

AIANNHNS

String

ANSI numeric identifier for AIA areas

Double

Acreage of Area Update

String

Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution,
L – Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

AREA
AUTHTYPE

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of Area Update

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 Class Code Describing an Entity

String

Indicates if Reservation, Trust Land, or both are
Present

String

FIPS County Code

120

String

Supporting Documentation

Date

Effective Date

Integer

Permanent Face ID

FORM_ID

String

(MTPS and Web BAS Only)

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional Status

Char

Justification

COMPTYP
COUNTYFP
DOCU
EFF_DATE
FID

JUSTIFY

150

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

NAME

100

String

AIA name

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with Translated LSAD

String

Part Flag Indicator

120

String

Relationship description

SHAPE

String

Type of shape

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the Data

PARTFLG
RELATE

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-5

Table 58: County and Equivalent Areas Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_county)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUNTYNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county or
equivalent feature

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD code

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description code

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R –
Resolution, L – Local Law, S – State Level
Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-6

Table 59: County Subdivisions Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_mcd)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

COUSUBFP

String

FIPS 55 county subdivision code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

COUSUBNS

String

ANSI feature code for the county subdivision

LSAD

String

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-7

Table 60: Incorporated Place Shapefile (PVS_18_v2_place)
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

PLACEFP

String

FIPS 55 place code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

String

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 class code describing and entity

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L –
Local Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

DOCU

120

String

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

String

Record ID (GUPS only)

AREA

Double

Area of update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

NAME

100

String

Entity name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the data

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: GUPS

Page H-8

Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital
Instructions for Participating in the 2018 Boundary and Annexation Survey
Revised as of December 14, 2017
U.S. Department of Commerce

Silver Hill Reservation

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

This page intentionally left blank
.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................i
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement.....................................................................................vii
Introduction ............................................................................................................................viii
A.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey ......................................................................................................... viii

What’s New for the 2018 BAS? .................................................................................................................... viii

Key Dates for BAS Respondents ................................................................................................................... viii

BAS State Agreements.................................................................................................................................... ix

Legal Disputes................................................................................................................................................. ix

Part 1:

DIGITAL BAS REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................1

1.1

Digital BAS Participation Requirements .....................................................................................................1

1.2

Tribal Areas that can be Submitted through BAS .......................................................................................1

1.3

BAS Informational and Tutorial Videos ......................................................................................................3

Part 2:

Topological Relationships and Spatial Accuracy ................................................4

2.1.

Topological Relationships in MAF/TIGER ....................................................................................................4

2.2.

GIS and Spatial Accuracy ............................................................................................................................5

2.3.

Census Bureau Topology Training Video ....................................................................................................7

Part 3:

Census Bureau Provided Shapefiles ....................................................................8

Part 4:

Census Bureau Geocoding .................................................................................10

4.1

MAF Structure Point Geocoding ...............................................................................................................10

4.2

Address Range Geocoding ........................................................................................................................11

Part 5:

Updating the Census Bureau Shapefiles ...........................................................13

5.1

General File Setup Guidelines...................................................................................................................13

5.2

Changing the Map Projection ...................................................................................................................13

5.3

Boundary Changes ....................................................................................................................................13

5.4

Tribal Subdivisions ....................................................................................................................................19

5.5

Linear Feature Updates ............................................................................................................................20

5.6

Area Landmarks, Hydro Areas, and Point Landmarks ..............................................................................22

5.7

Reviewing Changes to the Census Bureau Shapefiles ..............................................................................27

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page vi

5.8

Additional Review Information.................................................................................................................33

5.9

Additional Information .............................................................................................................................46

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page ii

APPENDICES...........................................................................................................................47
Appendix A

Data Dictionary......................................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B

2018 Digital BAS – Example Process 1 ...................................................................................... B-1

B1.

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles ....................................................................................................... B-1

B2.

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS .................................................................................................................. B-1

B3.

Extracting AIA Data from Census Bureau Shapefiles .............................................................................. B-3

B4.

Merging Multipart AIA Data ................................................................................................................... B-5

B5.

Creating Change Polygons Using Symmetrical Difference...................................................................... B-6

B6.

Creating Change Polygons Using Union.................................................................................................. B-8

B7.

Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons ........................................................................................ B-10

B8.

Renaming and Finalizing Change Polygons........................................................................................... B-13

Appendix C

2018 Digital BAS Example Process 2......................................................................................... C-1

C.1

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles ....................................................................................................... C-1

C.2

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS .................................................................................................................. C-1

C.3

Creating and Splitting Linear Features ................................................................................................... C-2

C.4

Attributing Change Polygons .................................................................................................................. C-7

Appendix D

MTFCC Descriptions–Complete List ......................................................................................... D-1

Appendix E

Standard Street Type Abbreviations ........................................................................................ E-1

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page iii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: BAS Shapefile Naming Conventions ................................................................................................................. 8
Table 2: Additions and Deletions ................................................................................................................................. 15
Table 3: Boundary Corrections .................................................................................................................................... 15
Table 4: New Entities ................................................................................................................................................... 16
Table 5: Geographic Corridors ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Table 6: Geographic Offsets ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Table 7: Linear Feature Updates.................................................................................................................................. 20
Table 8: Address Range Updates ................................................................................................................................. 22
Table 9: Area Landmark/Hydro Area Updates............................................................................................................. 24
Table 10: New Landmark/Hydro Area MTFCC Codes .................................................................................................. 24
Table 11: Point Landmark Updates ............................................................................................................................. 26
Table 12: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCC Codes.................................................................................................... 26
Table 13: Change Polygon Naming Conventions ......................................................................................................... 35
Table 14: Whole Entity Polygon Naming Conventions. ............................................................................................... 35
Table 15: Optional Files ............................................................................................................................................... 37
Table 16: Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) Shapefile .............................................................................. A-1
Table 17: American Indian Areas - Legal (AIAL) Shapefile ......................................................................................... A-2
Table 18: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) Shapefile ................................................................................ A-3
Table 19: Edges Shapefile .......................................................................................................................................... A-4
Table 20: Area Landmark Shapefile ........................................................................................................................... A-5
Table 21: Hydro Area Shapefile ................................................................................................................................. A-5
Table 22: Point Landmark Shapefile .......................................................................................................................... A-6
Table 23: Geographic Offset Shapefile ...................................................................................................................... A-6
Table 24: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization ............................................................................................................... B-1
Table 25: Edges MTFCC Suggested Symbolization .................................................................................................... C-1
Table 26: MTFCC List ................................................................................................................................................. D-1

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page iv

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Road Representing 3 Types of Boundaries ..................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2. Typological Integration of Four Classes .......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3. Overlay of Four Feature Classes ..................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4. GIS Place Boundary Does Not Follow Road Feature ....................................................................................... 6
Figure 5. MSP Method of Geocoding .......................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 6. Address Range Method of Geocoding .......................................................................................................... 11
Figure 7. Geographic Corridor Created........................................................................................................................ 17
Figure 8. Geographic Corridor Not Created ................................................................................................................. 17
Figure 9. Cadastral Data .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Figure 10. Same Data Edited to Census Requirements ............................................................................................... 18
Figure 11. A Boundary Correction to Park A ................................................................................................................ 23
Figure 12. Boundary Correction Not Snapped to Existion Linear Features ................................................................. 28
Figure 13. Annexation Created without Snapping to Centerlines ............................................................................... 29
Figure 14. Small Saptial Correction Not Incorported................................................................................................... 29
Figure 15. Small Spatial Corretion Not Acepted .......................................................................................................... 30
Figure 16. Large Boundary Corrections ....................................................................................................................... 31
Figure 17. New Road Features, Not Added to Existing Road....................................................................................... 32
Figure 18. New Road Features, Correctly Added......................................................................................................... 32
Figure 19. Selecting and Zipping Return Files .............................................................................................................. 37
Figure 20. Naming the Zip File ..................................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 21. SWIM Account Registration ........................................................................................................................ 41
Figure 22. SWIM Login Window. ................................................................................................................................. 41
Figure 23. Welcome Screen with Upload History ........................................................................................................ 42
Figure 24. Geographic Partnership Program Selection Window ................................................................................. 43
Figure 25. Geographic Level Selection Window .......................................................................................................... 43
Figure 26. Geographic Entity Selection Window ......................................................................................................... 44
Figure 27. File Upload Screen ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Figure 28. File Browser Dialog Box .............................................................................................................................. 45
Figure 29. Entering Comments into the File Upload Window ..................................................................................... 45

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page v

Figure 30. Thank You Screen ....................................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 31. Suggested Map Symbolization.................................................................................................................. B-3
Figure 32. Filtering Data ............................................................................................................................................ B-4
Figure 33. Export Data Window................................................................................................................................. B-5
Figure 34. Finalizing the Merge Process .................................................................................................................... B-6
Figure 35. Finalizing the Symmetrical Difference Process ......................................................................................... B-7
Figure 36. Finalizing the Union Process ..................................................................................................................... B-8
Figure 37. Locating the Union Shapefile .................................................................................................................... B-9
Figure 38. Small Slivers That Should Be Deleted ..................................................................................................... B-10
Figure 39. Polygons That Should Be Snapped to Roads or Rivers ........................................................................... B-10
Figure 40. Create Features Window. ......................................................................................................................... C-3
Figure 41. Linear Feature Selection Before Being Split.............................................................................................. C-5
Figure 42. Linear Feature Selection After Being Split ................................................................................................ C-5
Figure 43. Selecting the Linear Features of a Change Polygon .................................................................................. C-6
Figure 44. Newly Created AIA Feature ...................................................................................................................... C-7
Figure 45. Select All Change Types Formula ............................................................................................................ C-11
Figure 46. Exporting Data. ....................................................................................................................................... C-12

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page vi

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA) unless that collection of information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Control Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for conducting this collection comes
from Title 13 Unites States Code (U.S.C.), Section 6.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0151. Public reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be
directed to:
Paperwork Reduction 0607-0151
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 4H177
Washington, DC 20233

The Census Bureau issued a Federal Register Notice to revise its confidentiality pledge language to
address the new cybersecurity screening requirements:
Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks
through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page vi

INTRODUCTION
A.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts an annual survey called the Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas,
such as counties (and equivalent areas), incorporated places, minor civil divisions (MCDs),
federally recognized American Indian Areas (AIAs), including reservations, off-reservation trust
lands and tribal subdivisions, Hawaiian Homelands, and Alaska Native Regional Corporations
(ANRC). BAS also provides an opportunity for participants to review the names and geographic
relationships for these areas. Title 13, U.S.C., Section 6, authorizes this survey.
The Census Bureau uses the boundary information collected during the BAS to tabulate data for the
decennial and economic censuses, and to support the the American Community Survey (ACS).
Maintaining correct boundaries and boundary-to-feature relationships through the BAS helps ensure
that the Census Bureau assigns the appropriate population to each governmental unit (GU).
In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the BAS supports the Census
Bureau’s spatial data steward responsibilities for the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and
the Geospatial One-Stop by updating the inventory and boundaries of GUs.
In addition, the BAS is the source of up-to-date information on changes to the boundaries, codes and
names of incorporated places, MCDs, counties (and equivalent areas), Hawaiian Homelands, ANRC, and
federally recognized AIAs, which include reservations and off-reservation trust lands used by the U.S.
Geological Survey’s (USGS), the National Map, and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Please visit the BAS program Web site at . For
more information on the BAS, please view the “Introduction to BAS” video series on the Census Bureau’s
BAS Web site at .

What’s New for the 2018 BAS?
1. The Geographic Partnership Support Desk (GPSD) is now fully functional and available to assist

with any questions respondents may have regarding BAS.
2. Redistricting data contacts participating in the Voting District Project (VTD) may submit

boundary updates for reconciliation with BAS contacts.

Key Dates for BAS Respondents

January 1, 2018 — All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported in the 2018 BAS.
March 1, 2018 — BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS and
PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected in next year’s BAS
materials.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page viii

May 31, 2018 — BAS boundary updates submitted by this date will be reflected in next year’s BAS
materials.

BAS State Agreements

The Census Bureau has established a number of arrangements with states for reporting boundary
changes. Please visit the BAS State Agreements webpage within the BAS program Web site at
or call (800) 9725651 for information regarding state agreements.
Note: The Census Bureau can only establish BAS state agreements for states that require local governments to
report boundary changes to a state agency.

Legal Disputes

If the Census Bureau discovers that an area of land is in dispute between two or more jurisdictions, the
Census Bureau will not make any boundary corrections until the parties come to a written agreement, or
there is a documented final court decision regarding the dispute. If you have questions concerning this,
please contact the Census Bureau Legal Office at 301-763-9844.
For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at the
Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often complicated land issues require an extended period
of time for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the current boundary in the
database until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor’s office.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital

Page ix

PART 1: DIGITAL BAS REQUIREMENTS
1.1

Digital BAS Participation Requirements

All participants must have the ability to edit a Census Bureau shapefile. The Census Bureau requires that
entities update Census Bureau shapefiles with boundary and feature changes, rather than submitting a
shapefile from a local Geographic Information System (GIS);

All participants must provide current contact information for the tribal BAS point of contact, the person
updating the shapefiles, and the tribal chair;

All participants must provide legal documentation (such as trust deeds and Federal Register Notice) and
effective dates for all legal boundary changes (new reservation land and/or off-reservation trust lands);

Each non-legal boundary correction must contain proper update documentation; and

All participants must use the SWIM to submit their changes to the Census Bureau. Due to security
requirements, we cannot accept submissions via FTP, email or any protocol other than the SWIM site
(). If you indicated on your Annual Response Form that you wished
to receive the GUPS application, you will automatically receive the SWIM URL and a registration token
via email. The email should arrive 5 days after the Annual Response is completed online (or 5 business
days after the Census Bureau receives the paper form). To access the SWIM, enter the following URL in a
new browser window: .

1.2

Tribal Areas that can be Submitted through BAS

The following can be updated through Tribal BAS:

•

Federal American Indian Reservations are areas that have been set aside by the United States for the use
of tribes, the exterior boundaries of which are more particularly defined in the final tribal treaties,
agreements, executive orders, federal statutes, secretarial orders, or judicial determinations.

Trust lands may be located on or off a reservation; however, the Census Bureau tabulates data only for
off-reservation trust lands. Please do not submit on-reservation trust land because the Census Bureau
can only show the exterior reservation boundary.

•

Federal Off-Reservation Trust Lands are areas for which the United States holds title in trust for the
benefit of a tribe (tribal trust land) or for an individual American Indian (individual trust land).

The Census Bureau does not identify fee land (or land in fee simple status) or restricted fee lands as
specific geographic areas.

•

Tribal Subdivisions are legal administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American Indian
reservations and off-reservation trust lands and are described as additions, administrative areas, areas,
chapters, county districts, communities, districts, or segments. These entities are internal units of selfgovernment or administration that serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for the American
Indians on the reservations and off-reservation trust lands.

•

Hawaiian Homelands are areas held in trust for Native Hawaiians by the state of Hawaii, pursuant to the
Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

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•

1.3

Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRCs) were created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) enacted in 1971 as a "Regional Corporation" and organized under the laws of the
state of Alaska to conduct both the for-profit and non-profit affairs of Alaska Natives within a defined
region of Alaska.

BAS Informational and Tutorial Videos

The Census Bureau created training videos to give BAS participants detailed instructions and information
on how to report and submit BAS changes. These videos are available on the BAS Web site at:
.
If there are any questions or concerns about the participation requirements, contact the Census Bureau
at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected]

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PART 2: TOPOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SPATIAL
ACCURACY
The Geography Division of the Census Bureau is responsible for developing geographic applications and
executing related activities needed to support the Census Bureau in collecting and disseminating census
data. For more than twenty years, the Census Bureau’s Master Address File/Topologically Integrated
Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System has become critical resources for supporting
the Census Bureau in its geographic activities.
The following section will describe how the Census Bureau uses a topologically integrated system and
how this differs from traditional GIS systems, which use separate layers of data.

2.1.

Topological Relationships in MAF/TIGER

At the Census Bureau, we describe topology as the relationship between different levels of geography.
MAF/TIGER is a geographic database in which the topological structures define the location, connection,
and relationships of streets, rivers, railroads, and other features. These topological structures help
define the geographic entities for which the Census Bureau tabulates data.
Instead of having a separate layer for each feature class (roads, boundaries, etc.) all MAF/TIGER
information is stored in one layer or file. See Figure 1 and Figure 2 for samples of topologically
integrated files in MAF/TIGER.

Figure 1. Road Representing 3 Types of Boundaries

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This example shows how a road in MAF/TIGER can also represent a block
boundary, American Indian Areas (AIAs) boundary and a school district
boundary.

Figure 2. Typological Integration of Four Classes

This example shows how four different feature classes are topologically
integrated into one layer. One road feature represents not only a road, but also
a block boundary, AIA boundary, and a school district boundary.

2.2.

GIS and Spatial Accuracy

In a GIS, feature classes are usually not topologically integrated: they are separated into layers. When
you overlay these layers in a GIS, there may be boundary misalignments due to the nature of the data.
These non-topologically integrated layers could cause issues in MAF/TIGER. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show
how files that are not topologically integrated might appear in a GIS when overlaid.
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Figure 3. Overlay of Four Feature Classes

This example shows an overlay of four different feature classes. Notice how the
topological relationship is compromised. The block, AIA, and school district
boundaries, which are supposed to follow the road feature, no longer align
with the road in several locations.

Figure 4. GIS Place Boundary Does Not Follow Road Feature

This example shows a situation where a local GIS AIA boundary does not follow
a road feature. Assuming that the boundary follows the road feature, changing
the AIA boundary to match the local file exactly, and become misaligned (see
arrows) would dissolve the topological relationship in MAF/TIGER.
The spatial differences between local GIS data and the Census Bureau’s topologically integrated file are
often very small (less than ten feet) and can create boundary-to-feature relationship issues for the
Census Bureau. Part 5: Updating the Census Bureau Shapefiles, Section 5.6 provides instructions on
how to review digital submissions for small spatial boundary corrections. It also lists some of the
potential consequences of making spatial boundary corrections that dissolve the topological
relationships present in MAF/TIGER. You may find examples of suggested methods for correctly making
boundary changes in
Appendix B and Appendix C.

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2.3.

Census Bureau Topology Training Video

The Census Bureau created a video on topology and why topology is important to the BAS. For more
information, please go to where you
can watch the video.

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PART 3: CENSUS BUREAU PROVIDED SHAPEFILES
Please download shapefiles from the Web site in order to review your boundaries and submit changes.
Please review and edit all applicable shapefiles. For example, if your tribe has new off-reservation trust
land to report, you would use the “aial” shapefile. If your tribe also had tribal subdivision updates, you
would use the “aial” shapefile and the “aitsl” shapefile. See Table 1 for the names of the shapefiles. The
Census Bureau provides entity layers in ESRI shapefile format for download via the Web site.
Note: Shapefiles are ‘county’ based so you will need to download all the counties in which the tribe has
reservation and/or ORLTs.
Table 1: BAS Shapefile Naming Conventions
Geographic Entity Type

Shapefile Naming Convention

Federal Reservations and Off-Reservation Trust Lands

PVS_18_v2_aial_.shp

Tribal Subdivision

PVS_18_v2_aitsl_.shp

ANRC

PVS_18_v2_anrc_.shp

Hawaiian Homeland

PVS_18_v2_hhl_.shp

Edges (Roads, Rail, Hydro, etc.)

PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Area Landmarks

PVS_18_v2_arealm_.shp

Point Landmarks

PVS_18_v2_pointlm_.shp

Hydro Area

PVS_18_v2_water_.shp

Geographic Offsets / Corridors

PVS_18_v2_offset_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state code and three-digit county code.

All shapefiles provided by the Census Bureau are in the following unprojected geographic-based
coordinate system:
•

Geographic Coordinate System – North American Datum 1983 (GCS NAD83)

•

Angular Unit: Degree (0.017453292519943299)

•

Prime Meridian: Greenwich (0.000000000000000000)

•

Datum: D_North_American_1983

•

Spheroid: GRS_1980

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•

Semi-major Axis: 6378137.000000000000000

•

Semi-minor Axis: 6356752.314140356100000000

•

Inverse Flattening: 298.25722210100002000

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PART 4: CENSUS BUREAU GEOCODING
Geocoding is how the Census Bureau codes population to geographic entities. There are two primary
methods of geocoding used by the Census Bureau. Both of these involve coding an address to a spatial
polygon, but one uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, while the other uses address ranges.

4.1

MAF Structure Point Geocoding

A field worker stands in front of a house or living quarters, and records the physical location with a GPS
device (Figure 5). Usually, the GPS point should fall very close to the front door of the house. However,
since this is a field operation, real-world obstacles like locked fences, poor satellite reception, or even
aggressive dogs might sometimes prevent the worker from gaining access to the front door. In these
circumstances, the worker may have to take the GPS coordinate from the sidewalk or side of the road.

Figure 5. MSP Method of Geocoding

MAF Structure Point (MSP) method of geocoding. Notice that it is occasionally
not possible for the field worker to go all the way to the front door, due to
unforeseen circumstances, like the fence or the dog shown above. Thus, the
MSP (represented here by the red pins) can sometimes fall within the road or
the road right-of-way.

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4.2

Address Range Geocoding

When no MSP Geocoding is available, the Census Bureau codes houses and living
quarters according to a potential range of addresses associated with the adjacent stretch
of road (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Address Range Method of Geocoding

When it is not possible to collect an MSP, houses are geocoded according to
their placement along a range of potential addresses along that road. Since the
address is being related to the road, boundaries placed on front lot lines will
lead to mis-geocoding unless an offset flag is used.
While the two methods of geocoding differ greatly, both rely heavily on the integrated nature of
MAF/TIGER. These geocoding methods are affected by the way streets and boundaries are represented
in relation to one another. This interdependence between streets, boundaries, and geocoding means
that Census Bureau representations of legal boundaries may sometimes differ from other
representations (e.g., in local or state GIS). This is especially true regarding geographic corridors and
offsets that follow road right of ways (or the front lot lines of parcels). In both of the examples above,
delineating a boundary along the front lot line will tend to increase the risk of incorrect geocoding. As a
result, using the road centerline as a boundary is the safer method.

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PART 5: UPDATING THE CENSUS BUREAU SHAPEFILES
Census Bureau shapefiles can be updated to reflect boundary and/or linear feature changes that have
occurred since the last Tribal BAS survey. Examples of these procedures can be found in Appendices B
and C and in the Digital BAS demonstration video series at
Note: If there are problems with the processing of returned files, the Census Bureau will email a feedback
document requesting clarification of any issues. If the problem cannot be resolved before the project
deadline, the changes in question will not be made during the current BAS.

5.1

General File Setup Guidelines

After downloading the shapefiles from the PVS download page, follow these procedures before
beginning actual updates:

•
•
•

5.2

Open the downloaded .ZIP file to verify its contents.
Copy the shapefiles into a directory on a server/hard drive.
Open the shapefiles with GIS software.

Changing the Map Projection

Census Bureau files are in GCS NAD83 format and can be projected into any local coordinate
system/projection. Most GIS software packages will allow users to transform file coordinate systems and
projections. For example, if using ArcView to update files, activate and utilize ArcView’s Projection
Utility Wizard extension. If using ArcGIS, use its Project tool in ArcToolbox. MAF/TIGER shapefile
extracts contain defined projection information in the *.prj file. ArcView and ArcGIS access the *.prj file
for projection information so there is no need to define these parameters before changing the file
coordinate systems.
When updates are complete, participants may submit the boundary shapefile using any local coordinate
system/projection if the shapefile contains a .prj file or spatial reference materials such as metadata.

5.3

Boundary Changes

In order to update MAF/TIGER, participants must create a separate change polygon layer for each
updated entity type (AIA, ANRC, tribal subdivision, or Hawaiian Homeland). Please create change
polygons in relation to the current MAF/TIGER boundary.
Appendix B and Appendix C provide two examples for creating annexation, deannexation, boundary
correction, new incorporation, geographic corridor, and geographic offset change polygons. Review any
boundary change polygons before submitting them (Section 5.7).
If you need additional shapefiles, please contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or
[email protected].
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5.3.1

Additions and Deletions

The Census Bureau will accept additions and deletions from AIAs, ANRCs, and Hawaiian Homelands,
such as new reservation lands and off-reservation trust lands. Each addition or deletion change polygon
must have the required attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 2. The
Census Bureau will snap any addition or deletion to a MAF/TIGER feature when it exists within thirty
feet of that feature.
Note: Enter the name of the jurisdiction (AIA, ANRC or Hawaiian Homeland) adding or deleting the area in the
NAME field.

Table 2: Additions and Deletions
NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

Addition

X(‘A’)

Deletion

X(‘D’)

RELATE

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

5.3.2

Boundary Corrections

The Census Bureau will also accept specific boundary corrections from AIAs, ANRCs, and Hawaiian
Homelands. As with new reservation lands and off-reservation trust lands, the participant must create
individual change polygons for each boundary correction. Each boundary correction must also have the
required attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 3, or the Census Bureau
will reject them.
Note: Enter the name of the jurisdiction that the boundary correction is for in the NAME field.

Table 3: Boundary Corrections
NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

DOCU

RELATE

Boundary Correction
(Add Area)

X(‘B’)

X(‘IN’)

Boundary Correction
(Remove Area)

X(‘B’)

X(‘OUT’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

The Census Bureau uses a topologically integrated database. As a result, the Census Bureau cannot
process all types of boundary corrections for inclusion into MAF/TIGER. The following are types of
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boundary corrections that the Census Bureau will accept, process, and update or reject during the
current BAS.
The Census Bureau will accept and process properly documented boundary corrections during the
current BAS that spatially interact with (abut) other BAS legal changes (annexation, deannexation,
corridor, offset) and meet both of the following two conditions:

•

In situations where the existing boundary has been digitized incorrectly or appears in the incorrect
location due to Census Bureau activities; and

•

Where the overall shape of the geographic entity is maintained and no feature-to-boundary relationships
are dissolved.

The Census Bureau will reject boundary corrections:

•

That dissolve boundary-to-feature relationships (roads, rivers, railroads, etc.) if the difference is less than
thirty feet;

•

Which are greater than one square mile, or not contiguous with the rest of the entity boundary. These
boundary corrections may be part of additions which were never reported to the Census Bureau. If so,
legal documentation should be provided; and

•

That have a width of less than thirty feet over the entire polygon.

Note: Remember that the Census Bureau will snap any entity boundary correction to a MAF/TIGER feature when
it exists within thirty feet of that feature.

5.3.3

New Tribal Subdivisions

AIA participants may submit new entities (tribal subdivisions) through Tribal Digital BAS. As with other
change types, an individual change polygon must be created for each new entity and possess the
required attributes and the corresponding change type field must be populated (see Table 4). Please see
Section 5.4 for more information about tribal subdivisions.
Note: Enter the name of the new jurisdiction in the NAME field.

Table 4: New Entities
NAME
X
New Entity

(subdivision
name)

CHNG_TYPE
X
(‘E’)

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

X
(date of tribal
resolution)

DOC

RELATE

X
X (‘R’)

(tribal resolution
number)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

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5.3.4

Geographic Corridors

The Census Bureau geocodes addresses based on the street centerline. If the geocoding of these
addresses would result in the assignment of population to the incorrect geographic entity, participants
should create a geographic corridor.
A geographic corridor is an area that includes only the road right-of-way and does not contain any
structures addressed to either side of the street. Figure 7 shows a corridor created where the AIA owns
the right-of-way but the housing units are not included within the AIA (shown in color). Without a
corridor, the housing units along this road would be included in the AIA.
Figure 8 shows that the right-of-way belongs in the unincorporated area, while the housing units are
included in the AIA (shown in color). This is important for some entities because they are portraying that
the entity is not responsible for road maintenance. This is not relevant for Census Bureau tabulations
and is not easy to depict in the Census Bureau’s nationwide database. This type of corridor should not
be included in a BAS response.

Figure 7. Geographic Corridor Created
Figure 8. Geographic Corridor Not Created

The image on the left (Figure 7) shows that a geographic corridor should be
created to allow for proper geocoding of homes. The image on the right (Figure
8) shows that the geographic corridor should not be created and features
should be snapped to the street centerline.
The Census Bureau will accept new geographic corridors. Please create individual change polygons for
each new geographic corridor. Each change polygon must have the required attributes and
corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 5. In the NAME field, enter the name of the
jurisdiction. In the RELATE field, indicate whether the change is adding IN or taking OUT (removing) the
corridor.
Table 5: Geographic Corridors
NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

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DOC

AREA

RELATE

Page 17

Geographic
Corridor

X(‘C’)

X(‘IN’, ‘OUT’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

5.3.5

Geographic Offsets

A geographic offset is an area claimed by a geographic entity that is only on one side of a road and does
not include structures addressed to that side of the road.
The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral (parcelbased) right-of-way mapping. The Census Bureau bases their maps on spatial data that is topologically
integrated. This makes the maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient. Snapping an entity boundary
to the centerline wherever applicable will help to establish more accurate population counts. If a
boundary is the front lot line, Census Bureau strongly prefers
that the boundary be snapped to the road. If a boundary is at the rear of a lot, then please depict it as
such. Figure 9 depicts a cadastral (parcel-based) boundary map and Figure 10 shows how the boundary
should be reported when sent to the Census Bureau.

Figure 9. Cadastral Data
Figure 10. Same Data Edited to Census Requirements

On the left in Figure 9 is an example of cadastral data. Figure 10 on the right, is
the same area shown edited to conform to census requirements.
The Census Bureau will accept new geographic offsets. Please create individual change polygons for
each new geographic offset. Each change polygon must have the required attributes and corresponding
change type populated, as seen in Table 6. In the NAME field, enter the name of the jurisdiction. In the
RELATE field, indicate whether the change is adding IN or taking OUT (removing) the area represented
as an offset.
Table 6: Geographic Offsets
NAME

CHNG_TYPE

EFF_DATE

AUTHTYPE

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DOCU

AREA

RELATE

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Geographic
Offset

X(‘F’)

X(‘IN’, ‘OUT’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

Census Bureau has included an “offset” shapefile in the BAS materials (PVS_18_v2_offset_.shp),
so that your jurisdiction can be checked for any existing corridors or offsets. While the Census Bureau
prefers that you do not create new offsets, (see above), this information can be helpful in determining if
current boundaries are correct.

5.4

Tribal Subdivisions

Tribes may submit the boundaries for one type of administrative area within their reservation(s) and/or
off-reservation trust lands (land base) for inclusion in MAF/TIGER. The Census Bureau will consider any
type of unit of self-government or administration as a “tribal subdivision.” Tribal subdivisions should
cover all, or most, of the tribe’s land base. If a tribe has more than one type of distinct administrative
area that could qualify as a tribal subdivision (such as tribal election districts, tribal water districts, or
health service areas with different boundaries), the tribe may submit only one type of subdivision. Tribal
subdivisions can be considered either active (A) or inactive (I). Active subdivisions are defined as having
a functioning government with elected officials that provide programs and services. Inactive subdivisions
have no functioning government or elected officials and receive services solely from the tribe. Some
examples of areas submitted as tribal subdivisions are:

•

Areas used by a tribe for the election of tribal government officials (such as districts or precincts used for
the election of tribal council members).

•
•

Areas used by a tribal government for tax purposes.

•
•

5.4.1

Areas used by a tribal government for the provision of general services or specified services, such as:
o

Water districts;

Health service areas;

Emergency service delivery areas (such as 911, fire, and/or police); or

Grazing districts or range units.

Historical or traditional areas recognized by a tribal government.
Local tribal community governments.

Criteria for Defining Tribal Subdivisions

•

The delineation of tribal subdivisions is restricted to the area contained within reservation(s) and/or
associated off-reservation trust lands (land base).

•
•
•
•

There is no minimum population threshold for a tribal subdivision.
Tribal subdivisions should cover all, or most, of the tribe’s land base.
A tribal subdivision may be discontinuous.
A tribe may designate only ONE type of tribal subdivision. If a tribe has more than one level of tribal
subdivisions within its land base, the Census Bureau recommends delineating subdivisions corresponding

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to the lowest geographic level (those geographic areas containing the smallest area) of the tribe’s
administrative hierarchy.

•

Tribal subdivisions should not be based solely on land ownership or other cadastral areas, nor should they
consist of divisions based on the U.S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) of townships, ranges, and sections,
if these areas have no governmental or administrative function for your tribe.

•

Some examples of descriptors for tribal subdivisions are:

5.4.2

District;

Community;

Area;

Chapter;

Segment;

Administrative Area;

Addition; and

County District.

Updating Tribal Subdivisions

Tribal Subdivisions are updated in a similar manner to boundary changes (such as additions or
deletions). In order to submit tribal subdivision updates, please create a separate tribal subdivision
change polygon layer. Updates that can be made to tribal subdivisions include additions, deletions,
boundary corrections (adding and removing area), and creating new tribal subdivisions. Please note that
all tribal subdivision updates (additions, deletions, name changes, and new entities), with the exception
of boundary corrections, require a tribal resolution. Table 7, Table 8, and Table 9 displays the required
attributes for each of the change types. Review the example processes in Appendix B and Appendix C
for information on how to create change polygons. Change polygons for tribal subdivisions may be
created in the same manner as for reservations and off-reservation trust lands.

5.5

Linear Feature Updates

5.5.1

Adding, Deleting, Renaming, and Recoding Linear Features

The Census Bureau will accept linear feature modifications when needed. Please submit linear feature
updates in a separate linear feature update layer. Each linear feature update must have the required
attributes and corresponding change type populated, as seen in Table 7. In the TLID field, preserve the
existing TLID for the feature.
Table 7: Linear Feature Updates
Ysn;r 7u

CHNG_TYPE

Add Feature

X(‘AL’)

Delete Feature

X(‘DL’)

TLID

FULLNAME

MTFCC

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Ysn;r 7u

CHNG_TYPE

TLID

FULLNAME

Rename Feature

X(‘CA’)

Recode Feature

X(‘CA’)

MTFCC

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

Note: A list of MTFCC codes can be found in Appendix D.

5.5.2

Linear Feature Update Guidelines

•

If a road, subdivision, etc. is missing from the Census Bureau’s feature network, add the feature(s) and
provide the name and MTFCC.

•
•

If a feature does not exist and is in the Census Bureau’s feature network, delete the feature.

5.5.3

If a feature is in the incorrect location in the Census Bureau’s feature network, delete the feature and readd it in the correct location. Only do this if the feature is very far off or in the wrong position relative to
boundaries or other features.

Address Range Updates

The Census Bureau accepts address range data as part of the linear feature update layer. As with other
linear feature updates, address ranges must have the required attributes and corresponding change
type populated. As existing address ranges cannot be shown in our outgoing shapefiles, we recommend
that participants generally only add address ranges to new features.

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Table 8: Address Range Updates
CHNG_TYPE
Address
Ranges

FULLNAME

MTFCC

LTOADD

X(‘CA’)

RTOADD

LFROMADD
X

RFROMADD
X

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field)

5.6
5.6.1

Area Landmarks, Hydro Areas, and Point Landmarks
Area Landmark/Hydro Area Updates

The Census Bureau accepts updates to area landmarks and hydrographic areas in a similar manner to
legal boundary changes. However, area landmarks and hydro areas are not legal entities, so no
documentation or effective dates are required.
In order to submit area landmark and hydro area updates, create a separate change polygon layer.
Updates to area landmarks and hydro areas include:

•
•
•
•

Boundary corrections (adding and removing area);
Creating a new area landmark or hydro area;
Removing an area landmark or hydro area; and/or
Changing the name.

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Figure 11. A Boundary Correction to Park A

This Example Shows a Boundary Correction to Park A. See Appendices B and C
for more information on creating change polygons for area landmark and
hydro areas.

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Each area landmark or hydro area update must have the required attributes and corresponding change
type populated. In the AREAID field, preserve the existing AREAID for the feature.

Table 9: Area Landmark/Hydro Area Updates
FULLNAME

CHNG_TYPE

RELATE

X(‘B’)

X(‘IN’)

X(‘B’)

X(‘OUT’)

Boundary Correction
(Add Area)
Boundary Correction
(Remove Area)
Delete Landmark

MTFCC

AREAID

X(‘D’)

X
X

Change Landmark Name

X(‘G’)

New Landmark

X(‘E’)

(Note: ‘X’ = Required Field).

The examples in Appendix B and Appendix C provide information on how to create change polygons.
While the sample processes are written for legal boundary changes, the same methods apply for
creating change polygons for area landmarks and hydro areas. When adding new area landmarks or
hydro areas, only add the following types of areas:

•
•
•
•
•
•

Water bodies;
Glaciers;
Airports;
Cemeteries;
Golf courses; and
Parks.

The Census Bureau cannot add other types of areas at this time (although some may already exist in the
database). The following are acceptable MTFCC codes for new area landmarks or hydro areas:
Table 10: New Landmark/Hydro Area MTFCC Codes
MTFCC

Description

H2030*

Lake/Pond

H2040*

Reservoir

H2041*

Treatment Pond

H2051*

Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2081*

Glacier

C3023

Island

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MTFCC

Description

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1236

Local Jail or Detention Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm

K2110

Military Installation

K2180*

Park

K2181

National Park Service Land

K2182

National Forest or Other Federal Land

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2188

Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2189

Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2190

Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public, independent park,
commission, etc.)

K2424

Marina

K2540

University or College

K2457*

Airport – Area Representation

K2561

Golf Course

K2582*

Cemetery

*May not be edited.

Due to heavy workloads for boundary changes to legal areas, changes to area landmarks and
hydrographic areas may not be added to the database until after the next year’s BAS materials are
created. It may take two BAS cycles in order to see these changes reflected in the materials.

5.6.2

Point Landmark Updates

The Census Bureau accepts updates to point landmarks. Please submit point landmark updates as a
separate point landmark update layer. Updates to point landmarks include:

•
•
•

Adding a new point landmark;
Deleting an existing point landmark; and
Renaming a point landmark.

Each point landmark update must have the required attributes and corresponding change type
populated. In the POINTID field, preserve the existing POINTID for the feature.

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Table 11: Point Landmark Updates
FULLNAME

CHNG_TYPE

MTFCC

X(‘E’)

New Point Landmark
Delete Point Landmark
Change Name

POINTID

X(‘D’)

X(‘G’)

The Census Bureau cannot make the following point landmark changes due to Title 13 privacy concerns.
Do not include any of the following types of landmarks in the point landmark changes file.
Table 12: Restricted Point Landmark MTFCC Codes
MTFCC

Description

K1100

Housing Unit Location

K1121

Apartment Building or Complex

K1122

Rooming or Boarding House

K1223

Trailer Court or Mobile Home Park

K1226

Housing Facility/Dormitory for Workers

K1227

Hotel, Motel, Resort, Spa, Hostel, YMCA, or YWCA

K1228

Campground

K1229

Shelter or Mission

K1232

Halfway House/Group Home

K1233

Nursing Home, Retirement Home, or Home for the Aged

K1234

County Home or Poor Farm

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1241

Sorority, Fraternity, or College Dormitory

K1251

Military Group Quarters

K1299

Other Group Quarters Location

K2100

Governmental

K2197

Mixed Use/Other Non-residential

K2300

Commercial Workplace

K2361

Shopping Center or Major Retail Center

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MTFCC

Description

K2362

Industrial Building or Industrial Park

K2363

Office Building or Office Park

K2364

Farm/Vineyard/Winery/Orchard

K2366

Other Employment Center

K2464

Marina

K2500

Other Workplace

K2564

Amusement Center

The Census Bureau also cannot delete or modify any point landmarks imported from the USGS GNIS
database. Changes submitted for the following types of landmarks may be left unchanged:

•
•
•
•
•

K2451 (Airport);
K2582 (Cemetery);
C3022 (Summit or Pillar);
C3081 (Locale or Populated Place); and
C3061 (Cul-de-sacs).

Due to heavy workloads for boundary changes to legal areas, changes to point landmarks may not be
added to the database until after the next year’s BAS materials are created. It may take two BAS cycles
in order to see these changes reflected in local materials.

5.7

Reviewing Changes to the Census Bureau Shapefiles

Please review all changes to ensure that they are intentional and correct. The Census Bureau has
created videos with information on many of the topics below. The video series, “Introduction to the
Digital BAS” can be found on the web at: .

5.7.1

Boundary-to-Feature Relationships

Please review all changes to ensure that the correct boundary-to-feature relationships are being created
or maintained. The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on
cadastral (parcel-based) right-of-way mapping; however, the Census Bureau bases maps on spatial data
that is topologically integrated. Therefore, snap boundaries to street centerlines (or rivers, railroads,
etc.) wherever applicable. This will help establish a more accurate population count for tribal entities.
The following examples show situations where boundary changes should be snapped to existing linear
features. The Census Bureau will snap boundary changes to any linear feature within thirty feet.

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Figure 12. Boundary Correction Not Snapped to Existion Linear Features

These boundary corrections are not snapped to existing linear features in
MAF/TIGER. Both boundary corrections should be snapped to centerlines or
population may be assigned to incorrect entities.

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Figure 13. Annexation Created without Snapping to Centerlines

This is an example of an addition that has been created without snapping to
existing centerlines in MAF/TIGER. Unless the boundary is snapped to
centerlines, some of the population may be assigned to an incorrect entity.
The Census Bureau will not accept boundary corrections that dissolve the current relationship between
an existing boundary and linear feature. Any boundary corrections that create thirty feet or less of gap
or overlap between the existing linear feature and boundary will not be incorporated into MAF/TIGER.
See below for examples of changes that will not be accepted.

Figure 14. Small Saptial Correction Not Incorported

Small spatial boundary corrections would dissolve the relationship with the
river. These boundary corrections will not be incorporated into MAF/TIGER.

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Figure 15. Small Spatial Corretion Not Acepted

Small spatial boundary corrections that dissolve the boundary-to-feature
relationship with multiple streets have been created. Incorporating these
changes would affect the population counts for the area. Therefore, the Census
Bureau will not accept these small boundary corrections.

5.7.2

Large Boundary Corrections

The Census Bureau will not accept large boundary corrections to an AIA without the appropriate legal
documentation (such as Trust Deed, Executive Order, new legal opinion, Act of Congress, or Federal
Register Notice). These large boundary corrections may be legal boundary changes that occurred in the
past and were never reported to the Census Bureau. Please submit the appropriate legal documentation
and effective date so that changes may be incorporated into MAF/TIGER.

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Figure 16. Large Boundary Corrections

Without the appropriate documentation, Census Bureau will not accept large
boundary corrections.

Note: There may be a few instances when large boundary corrections need to be made because of incorrect
digitizing or where the boundary appears in the incorrect location due to other Census Bureau activities.

5.7.1

Including Required Attribute Information

It is important to review each change polygon and confirm that the correct attribute information is
included. Without the correct attribute information, the Census Bureau will be unable to process and
incorporate the changes into MAF/TIGER. See Section 5.3 for the required attribute information and
corresponding change type codes.

5.7.2

Including Appropriate Metadata (Projection Information)

It is important that the appropriate projection information is included. Each update layer submitted
should contain a *.prj file so that the Census Bureau can convert the projection back to GCS_NAD83. If
the GIS being used cannot create a *.prj file, include the projection information in metadata. This is
critical for the Census Bureau to be able to process the file and incorporate the updates into
MAF/TIGER.

5.7.3

Linear Feature Update

Please review linear feature changes to ensure that they align with the features currently in MAF/TIGER.
If linear feature changes do not align with current MAF/TIGER linear features, the Census Bureau may
not incorporate the submitted updates.

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Figure 17. New Road Features, Not Added to Existing Road
Figure 18. New Road Features, Correctly Added

The image on the left (Figure 18) shows new road features added to the
existing feature network, but do not connect to existing road features. The
image on the right (Figure 19) shows the correction; connecting the new roads
to the existing road features.

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5.8

Additional Review Information

The Census Bureau will not make any boundary change that affects adjacent legal entities without the
appropriate documentation. Review any change polygons that affect adjacent entities to determine if
they are intentional, legal changes.
Note: The Census Bureau will snap any addition, deletion, or boundary correction to a MAF/TIGER feature when it
exists within thirty feet of that feature. This helps maintain the boundary-to-feature relationships in
MAF/TIGER and will ensure correct housing tabulation counts for entities.

5.8.1

Submitting Acceptable Documentation

The Census Bureau is responsible for depicting reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries but
because the Census Bureau is not the authority on the boundaries, we require documentation to update
reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries.
The following changes require documentation:

•
•
•

New off-reservation trust land;

•
•
•

Large changes to existing off-reservation trust land;

New reservation land;
Changes from off-reservation trust land to reservation land and changes from reservation land to offreservation trust land;
Large changes to existing reservation land; and
Boundary corrections to off-reservation trust land or reservation land that do not follow the general
shape of the boundary.

For off-reservation trust land, the most common documentation is a trust deed or a letter from the BIA.
Documents should state that the land is “in trust” for your tribe.
For reservation land, documentation examples include (but are not limited to) federal register notice,
Act of Congress, Executive Order, or a new legal opinion issued by the BIA. When submitting large
boundary corrections to an existing reservation, please submit your reservation document.
If you cannot locate your documentation, you can contact your regional BIA office to obtain
documentation. The Census Bureau will treat legal opinions issued in writing from the BIA as
documentation since the BIA is the authority on reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries. If
the Census Bureau cannot interpret a document, such as a treaty, the Census Bureau will contact the
BIA for assistance.
If you have questions about documentation, please call the Census Bureau at
1-800-972-5651 or email [email protected]. If you need to contact the BIA, please see
for contact information for your regional
office.

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Submitting Digital Data

5.8.2

If a participant is reporting changes to the BAS, the Census Bureau requires that each participant submit
at least one shapefile (change polygons). The total number of layers submitted depends on what types
of changes are reported. The following is a list of change layers that may need to be submitted:
1.

Change Polygon Layers (ANRC, AIA, Tribal Subdivisions, Hawaiian Homelands)
•
•

Whole Modified Entity Layer (ANRC, AIA, Tribal Subdivisions, and Hawaiian Homelands)
•
•

Only if there are area and/or hydro landmark updates.

Point Landmark Layer
•

Include a linear feature update layer with only feature segments that need to be corrected.

Area/Hydro Landmark Layer
•

These layers will help the Census Bureau resolve any questionable change polygons and establish the
correct boundary-to-feature relationships.

Feature Update Layer (only if there are feature (road, river, railroad, etc.) additions, deletions, name
changes, recodes, or address range updates)
•

These layers should only contain the complete and current boundary for the entity being updated;
and
A whole entity layer should be created for each level of geography that change polygons are being
created for.

Local Government Feature Network and Boundary Layers (optional)
•

These layers consist of the changes that the Census Bureau needs to make to entities; and
A layer of change polygons should be created for each level of geography (ANRC, AIA, Tribal
Subdivisions, etc.) that changes are being submitted for.

Only if there are point landmark updates.

BAS Contact Text File (if the BAS point of contact (the person that receives the BAS Annual Response
Email) has changed);
•
•

This can be updated online at: http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html.

This BAS Contact update should include this information:
o

First Name;

Last Name;

Department;

Position;

Shipping Address;

City;

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5.8.3

State;

ZIP Code;

Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx;

FAX: xxx-xxx-xxxx;

Email;

Tribal Chair Term Expires: xx/xxxx; and

Tribal Chair Term Length: x years.

Change Polygon Naming Conventions

The following table provides change polygon naming conventions for ANRCs, AIAs and Hawaiian
Homelands. The change polygon layer naming conventions: represents your BAS entity ID,
found in the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link: .
Table 13: Change Polygon Naming Conventions
Participant

Changes Submitted For

Shapefile Naming Conventions

AIA

bas18__changes_aiannh

AIA

Tribal Subdivisions

bas18__changes_tribalsub

ANRC

bas18__changes_anrc

Hawaiian Homelands

bas18__changes_hhl

5.8.4

Whole Entity Polygon Naming Conventions

The following table provides the whole entity polygon naming conventions for ANRCs, AIAs and
Hawaiian Homelands. The whole entity polygon layer naming conventions: represents your BAS
entity ID, found on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link:
.
Table 14: Whole Entity Polygon Naming Conventions.
Participant:

Changes Submitted For

Shapefile Naming Conventions

AIA

bas18__WholeEntity_aiannh

AIA

Tribal Subdivision

bas18__WholeEntity_trialsub

ANRC

bas18__WholeEntity_anrc

Hawaiian Homelands

bas18__WholeEntity_hhl

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5.8.5

Linear Feature, Area Landmark/Hydro Area, and Point Landmark Updates
(Not Required).

The following table provides the update layer naming conventions for the edges, area landmark, and
point landmark update layers. The naming conventions for the edges, area landmark, and point
landmark update layers: represents your BAS entity ID, found on the BAS Annual Response
email or online from this link: .

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Table 15: Optional Files
Participant:

Changes Submitted For

Shapefile Naming Conventions

All Participants

Edges

bas18__LN_Changes

All Participants

Area / Hydro Landmarks

bas18__Alndk_Changes

All Participants

Point Landmarks

bas18__Plndk_Changes

5.8.6

Compressing the Digital Files

The SWIM requires all BAS returns to be zipped prior to submission. Please compress ALL update
materials (including change polygon shapefiles, whole entity shapefiles, linear feature updates,
landmark updates, local government feature network and boundary layers, any necessary supporting
documentation (e.g., trust deeds), and the text or other file with your updated BAS contact information).
1. Navigate to the directory with the shapefiles.
Note: Centerline files or any additional information that may be helpful for the Census Bureau to process your file
is optional. One example where this would be helpful is if a particular polygon was not snapped to a river or
road because the boundary does not follow the river or road.
2.

Select all files and right click on the selection.

Select WinZip, and then Add to Zip file.

Figure 19. Selecting and Zipping Return Files
Note: Versions of WinZip may vary so the interface may be slightly different. Software other than WinZip may be
used to zip the return files.

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In the Add window, in the Add to archive field, type the filename in the proper naming convention:
bas__return and then click Add.
Note: Look for the basID number on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link:
.

Figure 20. Naming the Zip File

Check the folder where the zip file was saved to verify that it was created properly. If so, the return file
is ready for submission.
Note: If assistance is needed with preparing or zipping the BAS return files, contact the Census Bureau at 1-800972-5651 or [email protected].

5.7.3

Submitting Digital Files via SWIM

Page 39

. The five-day waiting period will
give the Census Bureau staff time to update the BAS contact record if necessary so that the email
reaches the right person.
This token is good for one personal account within the SWIM. Once you have registered for an account
in SWIM, you will no longer need the token to login into the system. If you require additional individual
SWIM accounts within your organization, please contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or email
[email protected].

Current SWIM Users
If you are a participant in another Census Bureau partnership program, or participated in a previous BAS year,
and already have a SWIM account, you may use your current account to submit files for the BAS. You do not
need to set up a new account.

At this time, the SWIM only accepts ZIP files. Please zip all your update materials (e.g., spatial updates
and other relevant update documents) into one ZIP file for your entity’s submission, and follow the
instructions listed below:
1.

In a web browser, go to .

New Users: You must have a registration token to create a new account. (Please see above). Once
you have your token, please sign-up by clicking the ‘Register Account’ button. Registration is selfserve, but does require the new user to enter a registration token to validate their rights to the
system.

b) Existing Users: If you already have a registered SWIM account, please login with your user
credentials.

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Figure 21. SWIM Account Registration

Figure 22. SWIM Login Window.

If you have submitted files before, the SWIM lists them on the startup screen upon login. Click 'Start New
Upload' to continue.

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Figure 23. Welcome Screen with Upload History

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On the next screen, select the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) option as the geographic
partnership program, and click ‘Next’ to continue.

Figure 24. Geographic Partnership Program Selection Window

On this screen, you will select a geographic level. This is the geography type of your agency. Select ‘Tribal
Area’. Click 'Next' to continue.

Figure 25. Geographic Level Selection Window

Use the drop-down selectors to find the name of your geographic entity. These options dynamically
update based on the geography type selected from the previous screen. Click ‘Next’ to continue.

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Figure 26. Geographic Entity Selection Window

On the file upload screen, please click on the ‘+ Add file', and a file browser dialog will appear.

Figure 27. File Upload Screen

In the file browser dialog box, select the ZIP file you would like to upload. Please be aware that the SWIM
Web site only accepts ZIP files. Click 'Open' to continue.

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Figure 28. File Browser Dialog Box

At this time, you may enter any comments that you wish to include with your file. Click 'Next' to upload
your submission.

Figure 29. Entering Comments into the File Upload Window

10. The final screen will be a ‘Thank You’ screen confirming receipt of your file submission. If you do not see
this screen, or you encounter any issues during this upload process, please contact the Census Bureau.

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Figure 30. Thank You Screen

5.9

Additional Information

The Census Bureau recommends using Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes to identify
entities such as counties, AIAs, etc. Using a standard coding scheme facilitates the digital exchange of
data.
The Census Bureau includes these codes in the BAS shapefiles. Online, you can find the codes at
. If there are any questions or problems,
contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected].
Due to limited staff, the Census Bureau may not be able to make all updates this year. The Census
Bureau will prioritize updates in the following order: legal changes, boundary corrections, linear feature
changes, and landmark changes. The earlier the Census Bureau receives a submission, the greater the
chance that the Census Bureau will be able to make all of the updates. Only submit changes that
occurred on or before January 1, 2018. The Census Bureau will not be able to make any updates
effective after this date until next year’s BAS.

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX A Data Dictionary
Table 16: Alaska Native Regional Corporation (ANRC) Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

ANRCFP

String

FIPS ANRC Code

ANRCCE

String

Current Census ANRC Code

100

String

Name with Translated LSAD

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

AIANNHNS

String

ANSI Numeric Identifier for AIANNH Areas

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional Status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 Class Code Describing an Entity

PARTFLG

String

Part Flag Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of Area Update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective Date

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L – Local
Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

120

String

Supporting Documentation

RECORD_ID

String

(GUPS Only)

AREA

Double

Acreage of Area Update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship Description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of Change

NAME

100

String

ANRC name

String

Vintage of the Data

NAMELSAD

DOCU

VINTAGE

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Table 17: American Indian Areas - Legal (AIAL) Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE
FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

String

Census AIANNH Code

COMPTYP

String

Indicates if Reservation, Trust Land, or both are Present

AIANNHFSR

String

Flag Indicating Level of Recognition of an AIA

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with Translated LSAD

AIANNHNS

String

ANSI numeric identifier for AIA areas

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional Status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 Class Code Describing an Entity

PARTFLG

String

Part Flag Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of Area Update

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L – Local
Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective Date

120

String

Supporting Documentation

RECORD_ID

String

(GUPS Only)

AREA

Double

Acreage of Area Update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship Description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of Change

NAME

100

String

AIA name

String

Vintage of the Data

DOCU

VINTAGE

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Table 18: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions (AITS) Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

String

Census AIANNH Code

TRIBALSUBCE

String

Census Tribal Subdivision Code

NAMELSAD

100

String

Name with translated LSAD

AIANNHNS

String

ANSI Numeric Identifier for AIANNH Areas

LSAD

String

Legal / Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

String

Functional Status

CLASSFP

String

FIPS 55 Class Code Describing an Entity

PARTFLG

String

Part Flag Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of Area Update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective Date

AUTHTYPE

String

Authorization Type (O – Ordinance, R – Resolution, L – Local
Law, S – State Level Action, X – Other)

120

String

Supporting Documentation

RECORD_ID

String

(GUPS Only)

AREA

Double

Acreage of Area Update

RELATE

120

String

Relationship Description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of Change

NAME

100

String

Tribal subdivision name

VINTAGE

String

Vintage of the Data

AIANNHFSR

String

Flag Indicating Level of Recognition of an AIA

DOCU

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Table 19: Edges Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

TLID

Double

Permanent edge ID

TFIDL

Double

Permanent face ID (left)

TFIDR

Double

Permanent face ID (right)

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FIDELITY

String

Indication to a respondent when their entity boundary has
changed through spatial enhancement

FULLNAME

String

Decoded feature name with abbreviated qualifier, direction,
and feature type

SMID

String

Spatial Theta ID

SMIDTYPE

String

SMIDTYPE code

BBSPFLG

String

Redistricting data project participant’s submitted request of
an EDGE for selection as a block boundary

CBBFLG

String

Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as a block
boundary

BBSP_2020

String

New BBSP flag

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of linear feature update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

LTOADD

String

Left To address

RTOADD

String

Right To address

LFROMADD

String

Left From address

RFROMADD

String

Right From address

ZIPL

String

Left zip code

ZIPR

String

Right zip code

EXTTYP

Char

Extension type

MTUPDATE

Date

Date of last update to the edge

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Table 20: Area Landmark Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Area landmark name

PARTFLG

String

Indicates if only part of a feature is represented

AREAID

String

Object ID

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for area landmarks

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area landmark update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

BAG

String

Block area grouping

Table 21: Hydro Area Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for hydrography area

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Hydro landmark name

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of hydro area update

HYDROID

String

Object ID

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

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Table 22: Point Landmark Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

STATEFP

String

FIPS state code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS county code

POINTID

String

Object ID

ANSICODE

String

ANSI code for point landmarks

MTFCC

String

MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code

FULLNAME

120

String

Point landmark name

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of point landmark update

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

Table 23: Geographic Offset Shapefile
ATTRIBUTE FIELD

LENGTH

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

TFID

Integer

Permanent Face ID

STATEFP

String

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

String

FIPS County Code

OFFSET

String

Geographic Offset / Corridor Flag

ADDEXCLUDE

String

Address Exclusion Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

String

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

String

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

String

Justification of change

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APPENDIX B 2018 Digital BAS – Example Process 1
B.1

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles

When downloading shapefiles for the 2018 BAS, shapefiles will begin with the prefix PVS
(e.g., PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp). Throughout this guide, Census Bureau uses the prefix of
bas_2018, but the PVS files are exactly the same.
Note: Contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected] with any questions.

Copy the data to a hard drive/server, and unzip the data to ensure that the correct data was
downloaded. For an AIA, these layers are critical:
•

PVS_18_v2_aial_.shp

•

PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state code and three-digit county code.

The shapefiles should include the home county/counties for all reservations and off-reservation trust
lands as well as all adjacent counties.

Note: Census Bureau suggests that participants make an extra copy of the data as an emergency backup.

B.2

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS

The following are suggestions for symbolizing Census Bureau data in ArcGIS. For the Edges layer,
symbolize the linear features by grouping like MTFCC codes (codes sharing the same first character). See
Table 24.
Table 24: Suggested MTFCC Symbolization
MTFCC 1st Character

Linear Feature Type

Hydrology

Non-Visible Feature (boundary)

Railroad

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Symbol

Page B-1

Road

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Page B-2

B.2.1

Symbolizing Geographic Areas

Symbolize the AIAL layer by “COMPTYP” field to show reservation and off-reservation trust land.
Note: AIA participants working on changes for tribal subdivisions may want to use different colors to distinguish
one from another.

Figure 31. Suggested Map Symbolization

B.3

Extracting AIA Data from Census Bureau Shapefiles

Note: If you do not have ArcGIS Advanced, skip ahead to Section B.5.

Filtering the Data
1.

In ArcMap, click Selection and then click Select by Attributes.

In the Select By Attributes window:
•
•
•
•

From the Layer dropdown, select PVS_2018_v2_aial_.shp.
Double click “NAME”
Left click the = button,
Click the Get Unique Values button

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•
•

In the list, locate and double click the name of the entity (it will appear in the formula).
Click OK

Figure 32. Filtering Data

Exporting the Data to a New Shapefile
1.

In the Table of Contents, Right click the AIA layer, select Data, and then click Export Data.

In the Export Data window:
•
•
•

From the Export dropdown, choose Selected Features.
In the Output shapefile or feature class field, enter a location to save the shapefile.
Click OK.

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Figure 33. Export Data Window

Note: If the AIA spans more than one county, it will need to be exported from each county’s AIA shapefile and
merged. Follow the instructions in Section B.4 if the AIA needs to be merged, otherwise skip to Section B.5.

B.4

Merging Multipart AIA Data

1. In ArcToolbox, double-click Data Management Tools, then double-click General, and then double-click
Merge.
2. In the Merge window:
•
•

Next to the Input Datasets Input field, click the arrow and select each layer. (Or use the Browse
button to the right of the field to find the layers.)
In the Output Dataset field, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

Name the shapefile Export_Output_Final or Merged, or anything easy to find/remember.

3. Click OK.

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Figure 34. Finalizing the Merge Process

B.5

Creating Change Polygons Using Symmetrical Difference

Note: If you do not have an ArcInfo license, you will have to use the Union operation rather than the Symmetrical
Difference operation. See Section B.6 if this is the case.
1. In ArcToolbox, double-click Analysis Tools, then double-click Overlay, and then double-click Symmetrical
Difference.
2. In the Symmetrical Difference window:
•
•

In the Input Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select the layer that was created in
Section 3.
In the Update Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select the tribal government boundary
layer (your data).

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•

In the Output Feature Class field, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

Name the shapefile Differences_between_BAS_tribal, Differences1, or anything easy to
find/remember.

3. Click OK.

Figure 35. Finalizing the Symmetrical Difference Process

Note: This process creates a layer that contains all of the differences between Census Bureau and local
boundaries. However, the Symmetrical Difference tool creates multipart polygons that need to be broken
up and individually coded.
4. Turn on Editing (using the Editing dropdown in the Editor toolbar). Select all of the records in the layer
that was created in the Symmetrical Difference step.
5. On the Advanced Editing toolbar, click the Explode tool
for each change.

. The layer will now contain a separate record

The created layer shows individual change polygons representing the differences between the Census
Bureau and tribal entity boundaries. These differences need to be reviewed and coded appropriately.
Skip to Section B.7, Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons.

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B.6

Creating Change Polygons Using Union

Note: Use this method if you do not have an ArcInfo license.
1. In ArcToolbox, double-click Analysis Tools, then double-click Overlay, and then double-click Union.
2. In the Union window:
•
•

In the Input Features field, click the arrow (or browse) and select PVS_18_v2_aial_, and the
tribe’s own layer.
In the Output Feature Class, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

•

Name the shapefile Export_Output_union, or Union, or anything easy to find/remember.

Click OK.

Figure 36. Finalizing the Union Process

The union operation will create records that contain differences as well as areas that are in common
between the Census Bureau and local tribal boundary layers.
The next step is selecting and deleting the areas in common between the Census Bureau and local tribal
boundary layers.
3. On the Editor toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.
4. If a Start Editing window opens, in the top pane, click to highlight the union shapefile, and then click OK.

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Figure 37. Locating the Union Shapefile
5. In ArcMap, in the Tools toolbar, click the Select Features
•
•
•
•

button.

Locate features on the map that the Census Bureau and the local tribal layers have in common.
Select each feature individually, or click and hold the left mouse button and drag a box to highlight
the common features.
Press Delete.
Repeat these steps until only the features that have changed are left in the map.

6. Once all of the areas in common have been removed from the union shapefile, on the Editor toolbar, click
Editor, and then click Save Edits.
7. Select all of the remaining records in the layer that was created in the Union step.
8. On the Advanced Editing toolbar, click the Explode tool
for each change.

. The layer will now contain a separate record

The new layer shows individual change polygons representing the differences between the Census
Bureau and the tribal government’s representation of the boundaries. Please review these differences
and make sure they are coded appropriately. Continue to the next section for instructions on reviewing
and coding change polygons.

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B.7

Reviewing and Attributing Change Polygons

After the individual change polygons have been created, each must be reviewed and appropriately
coded. When reviewing the polygons, please refer to Section 5.3 in the main part of this guide to look
for polygons that should be deleted from your submission as well as those that should be snapped to
nearby visible features to maintain boundary-to-feature relationships.

B.7.1

Examples

These examples show very small sliver polygons that should be deleted during review as they eliminate
boundary-to-feature relationships with a river (left) and a road (right). Furthermore, these boundary
corrections also are not located near legal changes or corridor/offset changes (type ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘F’), so
they should be removed from consideration.

Figure 38. Small Slivers That Should Be Deleted

These examples show polygons that should be snapped to roads (left) or rivers
(right).

Figure 39. Polygons That Should Be Snapped to Roads or Rivers

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B.7.2

Attribute Information

Note: All updates MUST be attributed.

To begin updating attributes
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.

Additions
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an addition.

button and select the addition polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an addition is A.

Deletions
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a deletion.

button and select the deletion polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for a deletion is D.

Corridors
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a corridor.

button and select the corridor polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for a corridor changes is C.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding corridor area to the place or OUT if the
change is removing corridor area.

Offsets
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an offset.

button and select the offset polygon.

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NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an offset change is F.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding offset area to the place or OUT if the change
is removing offset area.

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Boundary Corrections
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a boundary correction:

button and select the boundary correction polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for a boundary correction is B.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the boundary correction is adding area or OUT if the boundary
correction is removing area.

Note: If a boundary correction to one tribal subdivision affects another, use RELATE = IN and NAME = . This is due to the fact that RELATE = OUT leaves a question as to whether or not there
should be a gap between the two entities.

To finish updating attributes
•

B.8

Once all of the attribute changes have been made, in the ArcMap menu, click Editor, and then click
Stop Editing. (In the Save window, click Yes.)

Renaming and Finalizing Change Polygons

Renaming the shapefile
After creating and coding all change polygons, please rename the change polygon layer prior to its
submission to the Census Bureau. You must complete this process for each level of geography (AIA,
tribal subdivision) that has changes.

In ArcMap, open the ArcCatalog

In ArcCatalog, navigate to shapefile, right-click and select Rename.

Save the output shapefile in the proper naming convention: bas18__changes_aiannh.

tab.

Note: You can find the basID numbers in the BAS Annual Response Email or online from this link:
.
Note: See Section 5.8.6 for instructions on zipping updates.

Submitting the shapefile
The Census Bureau requires participants submit BAS return zip files using the Census Bureau’s SWIM
site. Please submit only the zip file. The SWIM is located at . For

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instructions on how to use SWIM, refer to Section 5.7.3 Submitting Digital Files via the Secure Web
Incoming Module (SWIM).

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APPENDIX C 2018 Digital BAS Example Process 2
C.1

Required Census Bureau Shapefiles

•

When downloading shapefiles for the 2018 BAS, shapefiles will begin with the prefix PVS
(e.g., PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp).

•

Throughout this guide, Census Bureau uses the prefix of bas_2018, but the PVS files are exactly the same.

Note: Contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-972-5651 or [email protected] with any questions.

Copy the data to a hard drive/server, and unzip the data to ensure that the correct data was
downloaded. For an AIA, these layers are critical:

•
•

PVS_18_v2_aial_.shp
PVS_18_v2_edges_.shp

Note: represents the two-digit state code and three-digit county code.

The shapefiles should include the home county/counties for all of your reservation and off-reservation
trust lands as well as all adjacent counties.

Note: The Census Bureau suggests that participants make an extra copy of the data as an emergency backup.

C.2

Symbolizing Layers in ArcGIS

The following are suggestions for symbolizing Census Bureau data in ArcGIS. For the Edges layer,
symbolize the linear features by grouping like MTFCC codes (codes sharing the same first character). See
Table A2B.2.1:
Table 25: Edges MTFCC Suggested Symbolization
MTFCC 1st Character

Linear Feature Type

Hydrology

Non-Visible Feature (boundary)

Railroad

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Road

Symbolizing Geographic Areas
Symbolize the AIAL layer by “COMPTYP” field to show reservation and off-reservation trust land.
Note: AIA participants reporting tribal subdivisions may want to use different colors to distinguish one from
another.

Suggested Map Symbolization.

C.3

Creating and Splitting Linear Features
Creating New Linear Features

In ArcMap, right click the edges layer in the Table of Contents, click Selection, and then click Make This
The Only Selectable Layer, so that the edges layer is the only one which can be selected while editing.

In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.

In the Create Features window, highlight a non-visible boundary symbolization under the edges layer:
PVS_18_v2_edges_.

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Figure 40. Create Features Window.
4.

In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Snapping, then Snapping Toolbar.

On the snapping toolbar, ensure that Point, Vertex, Edge, and End Snapping are all enabled. Drop down
the Snapping menu, and ensure that Use Snapping is checked. Snapping will ensure that newly created
lines will follow existing MAF/TIGER linear features.

Snapping Toolbar.
6.

For any new boundary lines that do not follow existing edges, ensure that Line is selected in the
Construction Tools pane (see Figure 40), and in the Editor toolbar, click the Straight Segment Tool
button and draw new features on the map by clicking to create a line. Single clicking will add vertexes to
the line, and double-clicking will end the line and create the new feature. Any new feature(s) will be
highlighted.

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A Newly Created Linear Feature.

Adding Attribute Data to New Linear Features
After creating new linear features:
1.

In the Editor toolbar, click the Attributes

In the Attributes window, in the MTFCC field, add the appropriate MTFCC code (it should default to
P0001, but can be changed if necessary).
•
•

button.

Use P0001 if the feature is a non-visible political boundary.
If the feature is visible, see Appendix D for the appropriate codes.

Note: Each new feature must have an MTFCC code. If larger scale linear feature changes are going to be
submitted, it is best to create those in a separate layer. It is not necessary to submit linear feature changes
for non-visible boundaries.
Note: Click on Editor and then click Save Edits often so that work is not lost.
3.

Once all lines are added, in the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Stop Editing (in the Save window,
click Yes).

Splitting Linear Features
1.

In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.

In the Editor toolbar, click the Edit Tool
line will be highlighted when it is selected.

In the Editor toolbar, click the Split Tool
button. Click the line where it needs to be split. The
following examples display why it may be necessary to split lines when creating change polygons.

button and select a linear feature that needs to be split. The

The desired boundary change is indicated below. When selecting the lines to form the boundary change,
sections of the linear features that are not a part of the boundary update are included (highlighted in
blue).

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Figure 41. Linear Feature Selection Before Being Split

The existing linear features can be split to prevent unwanted line segments from being selected as part
of the boundary update.

Figure 42. Linear Feature Selection After Being Split
4.

Once all necessary splits are made, in the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Save Edits.

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Selecting Lines and Creating Change Polygons
After creating and/ or splitting any necessary linear features, select those that will be used to form
change polygons. Each change polygon must be created and coded separately.
Creating change polygons
1.

If the Topology toolbar is not active, click the Customize menu, select Toolbars, and then select Topology
to activate it.

In the Editor toolbar, click Editor and then click Start Editing.

In the Create Features window, switch the highlighted feature to the aia layer: PVS_18_v2_aial_.

In the Editor toolbar, click the Edit Tool
button and select the linear features that comprise the
boundary of a change polygon (i.e. an addition, deletion, or incorrect area) by holding the Shift key while
clicking each linear feature segment.

Figure 43. Selecting the Linear Features of a Change Polygon
5.

On the Topology toolbar, click the Construct Features
•

button.

In the Construct Features dialog box, click OK (the default Cluster Tolerance is acceptable).

The polygon is now part of the AIA layer; however, it will not have any associated attribute values (see
the next section).

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Figure 44. Newly Created AIA Feature

C.4

Attributing Change Polygons

After creating the change polygons, each must be correctly attributed so that the boundaries can be
appropriately updated in MAF/TIGER. Another option is to update the attributes for each change
polygon after creating all boundary changes. The following steps will explain which attributes are
mandated for each type of boundary change.
Note: All updates MUST be attributed.

To begin updating attributes
•
•

In ArcMap, right click the AIA layer in the Table of Contents, click Selection, and then click Make This
The Only Selectable Layer, so that the AIA layer is the only one which can be selected while editing
On the Editor Toolbar, click Editor, and then click Start Editing.

Additions
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an addition.

button and select the addition polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an addition is A.

Deletions

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•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a deletion.

button and select the deletion polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, AUTHTYPE, DOCU and EFF_DATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an addition is D.

Corridors
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a corridor.

button and select the corridor polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for a corridor changes is C.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding corridor area to the place or OUT if the
change is removing corridor area.

Offsets
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for an offset.

button and select the offset polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for an offset change is F.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the change is adding offset area to the place or OUT if the change
is removing offset area.

Boundary Corrections
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Edit Tool

•
•

On the Editor Toolbar, click the Attributes
button.
In the Attributes window, fill out the mandatory fields required for a boundary correction:

button and select the boundary correction polygon.

NAME, CHNG_TYPE, RELATE.

The CHNG_TYPE for a boundary correction is B.

In the RELATE field, enter IN if the boundary correction is adding area or OUT if the boundary
correction is removing area.

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To finish updating attributes
Once all of the attribute changes have been made, on the Editor toolbar, click Editor, and then click
Stop Editing (in the Save window, click Yes).

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C.4.1 Exporting Change Polygons
After creating and coding the change polygons, each level of geography (AIA, tribal subdivision) that has
changes must be exported to a separate change polygon layer.
1. In ArcMap, click Selection and then click Select by Attributes.
2. In the Select By Attributes window:
•

Set the Layer dropdown to the AIA layer: bas_2018_aial_.

•

Set the Method dropdown to Create a new selection.

•

In the Select * FROM box, type one of the following formulas:

•

“CHNG_TYPE” < > ‘ ’ This equation would select all change polygons that have any change type
which have been created and coded.

“CHNG_TYPE” = ‘A’ OR “CHNG_TYPE” = ‘B’ OR… (etc.) This equation can be written to select a
specific change type for polygons that were created and coded.

Click OK.

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Figure 45. Select All Change Types Formula

After clicking OK, each change polygon that that has been created and coded should be highlighted on
the map and in the attribute table.
Optional: Open the attribute table and sort to verify that all change polygons with a change type code were
selected.

Exporting the selected change polygons
1.

In the ArcMap Table of Contents, right-click on the AIA layer (PVS_18_v2_aial_), select Data, and
then click Export Data.

In the Export Data window:

•

From the Export dropdown, choose Selected Features.

•

In the Output shapefile or feature class: field, browse to and select a location to save the shapefile.
o

Name the shapefile bas18__changes_aiannh.shp.

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•

Click OK.

Figure 46. Exporting Data.
Note: The basID number can be found on the BAS Annual Response email or online from this link:
.
Note: See Section 5.8.6 for instructions on zipping updates.

Submitting the shapefile
The Census Bureau requires participants submit BAS return zip files using the Census Bureau’s SWIM
site. Please submit only the zip file. The SWIM is located at https://respond.census.gov/swim. For
instructions on how to use SWIM, you can find them in Section 5.7.2 and Section 5.7.4 Submitting
Digital Files via the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM).

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APPENDIX D MTFCC Descriptions–Complete List
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the Census Bureau to
classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau MAF/TIGER products.
Table 26: MTFCC List

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

C3022

Mountain Peak or
Summit

A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the Earth’s
surface.

C3023

Island

An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low wetland.
[including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock, isla, isle, key,
moku and rock]

C3024

Levee

An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.

C3026

Quarry (not water-filled),
Open Pit Mine or Mine

An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed from the
Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.

C3027

Dam

A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water and/or
control water flow.

C3061

Cul-de-sac

An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles for
turning around. For mapping purposes, the Census Bureau maps it only
as a point feature.

C3062

Traffic Circle

A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of traffic at the
meeting of roadways.

C3066

Gate

A movable barrier across a road.

C3067

Toll Booth

A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.

C3071

Lookout Tower

A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for observation.

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for transmission of
light and possibly sound generally to aid in navigation.

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

One or more manmade structures, each higher than its diameter, used for
liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for distribution activities.

C3076

Windmill Farm

One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the wind.

C3077

Solar Farm

One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the sun.

C3078

Monument or Memorial

A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize an
event, person, or feature.

C3079

Boundary Monument
Point

A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and
identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.

C3080

Survey Control Point

A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is known and
can be used as a base for additional survey work.

C3081

Locality Point

A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded locality
(e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is used in
defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.

G2100

American Indian Area

A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation and/or offreservation trust land (excludes statistical American Indian areas).

G2120

Hawaiian Home Land

A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.

Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences, permanent
and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of or receiving
governmental services from the defining legal Alaska Native Village
corporation.

G2130

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census Bureau in
consultation with federally recognized American Indian tribes that have no
current reservation, but had a former reservation in Oklahoma.

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the Census
Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a state-recognized American
Indian tribe that does not currently have a reservation and/or lands in
trust.

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the Census
Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe that does not
currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation trust land.

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area

An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more American
Indian tribes.

Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

Corporate entities established to conduct both business and nonprofit
affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are twelve geographically defined
ANRCs and they are all within and cover most of the State of Alaska (the
Annette Island Reserve-an American Indian reservation-is excluded from
any ANRC). The boundaries of ANRCs have been legally established.

Tribal Subdivision

Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American Indian
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma tribal statistical
areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units of self-government or
administration that serve social, cultural, and/or economic purposes for
the American Indians on the reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or
OTSAs.

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a federally
recognized American Indian reservation and/or off-reservation trust land,
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census Bureau for
the purpose of presenting demographic data.

G2410

Tribal Block Group

A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract delineated by
American Indian tribal participants or the Census Bureau for the purpose
of presenting demographic data

G3100

Combined Statistical
Area

A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan statistical areas
that have a degree of economic and social integration, as measured by
commuting.

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social
integration with that core, as measured by commuting. Defined using
whole counties and equivalents.

G3120

Metropolitan Division

A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a Metropolitan
Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with a population of 2.5
million or more.

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that have a
degree of economic and social integration, as measured by commuting.

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

G3220

New England City and
Town Division

A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a subdivision of a
New England City and Town Area containing an urbanized area with a
population of 2.5 million or more.

G3500

Urban Area

Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The subtypes
of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which consists of 50,000 +

G2200

G2300

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description
people and Urban Cluster, which ranges between 2,500 and 49,999
people.

State or Equivalent
Feature

The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The District of
Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a state for census
purposes, as is Puerto Rico.

County or Equivalent
Feature

The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The primary
divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other terms are used such
as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana, and Municipio in Puerto Rico.
This feature includes independent cities, which are incorporated places
that are not part of any county.

G4040

County Subdivision

The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the reporting
of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature are Minor Civil
Division, Census County Division/Census Subarea, and Unorganized
Territory. This feature includes independent places, which are
incorporated places that are not part of any county subdivision.

G4050

Estate

Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United States
Virgin Islands (USVI).

G4060

Subbarrio (Subminor
Civil Division)

Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions (barriospueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.

Incorporated Place

A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide general-purpose
governmental services to a concentration of population. Incorporated
places are generally designated as a city, borough, municipality, town,
village, or, in a few instances, have no legal description.

G4120

Consolidated City

An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a county or
minor civil division, but one or more of the incorporated places continues
to function within the consolidation. It is a place that contains additional
separately incorporated places.

G4210

Census Designated
Place

A statistical area defined for a named concentration of population and the
statistical counterpart of an incorporated place.

G4300

Economic Census
Place

G5020

Census Tract

Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or equivalent
feature delineated by local participants as part of the Census Bureau’s
Participant Statistical Areas Program.

Block Group

A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their four-digit
identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For example, block group 3
(BG 3) within a Census Tract includes all blocks numbered from 3000 to
3999.

Block Area Grouping

A user-defined group of islands forming a single census tabulation block.
A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands, (2) have a perimeter
entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4) not cross the boundary of
other tabulation geographies, such as county or incorporated place
boundaries.

Tabulation Block

The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area, such as a
city block, bounded primarily by physical features but sometimes by
invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation block boundary does not
cross the boundary of any other geographic area for which the Census

G4000

G4020

G4110

G5030

G5035

G5040

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description
Bureau tabulates data. The subtypes of this feature are Count Question
Resolution (CQR), current, and census.

Congressional District

The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state equivalents
with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The subtypes of this
feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 111th Congressional Districts,
plus subsequent Congresses.

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber of a state
governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a bicameral
legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house legislature
(Nebraska).

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the lower chamber of a state governing body. The
lower chamber is the House of Representatives in a bicameral legislature.

G5240

Voting District

The generic name for the geographic features, such as precincts, wards,
and election districts, established by state, local, and tribal governments
for the purpose of conducting elections.

G5400

Elementary School
District

A geographic area within which officials provide public elementary gradelevel educational services for residents.

G5410

Secondary School
District

A geographic area within which officials provide public secondary gradelevel educational services for residents.

G5420

Unified School District

A geographic area within which officials provide public educational
services for all grade levels for residents.

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

G5200

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and
state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating journey-to-work
and place-of-work data. A Traffic Analysis District (TAD) consists of one
or more Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs).

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and
state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating journey-to-work
and place-of-work data.

G6330

Urban Growth Area

An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization that the
Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® System in agreement with
the state.

G6350

ZIP Code Tabulation
Area (Five-Digit)

An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.

G6400

Commercial Region

For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data, municipios in
Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.

H1100

Connector

A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between two
nonadjacent water features.

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy, possibly
covered with open water [includes bog, cienega, marais and pocosin].

H2030

Lake/Pond

A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.

H2040

Reservoir

An artificially impounded body of water.

H2041

Treatment Pond

An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.

H2051

Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

A body of water partly surrounded by land [includes arm, bight, cove and
inlet].

H2053

Ocean/Sea

The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

H2060

Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water

A body of water in a place or area from which commercial minerals were
removed from the Earth.

H2081

Glacier

A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on the top or
side of a mountain or mountainous area [includes ice field and ice patch].

H3010

Stream/River

A natural flowing waterway [includes anabranch, awawa, branch, brook,
creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run].

H3013

Braided Stream

A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of interlacing
channels.

H3020

Canal, Ditch or
Aqueduct

An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate or drain
land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to serve as a waterway
for watercraft [includes lateral].

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel
Location

A point or area in which the population of military or merchant marine
vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the home port pier.

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility

One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive medical or
surgical attention [including infirmary].

K1235

Juvenile Institution

A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of juveniles
reside; this includes training schools, detention centers, residential
treatment centers and orphanages.

K1236

Local Jail or Detention
Center

One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by a local (county, municipal,
etc.) government.

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm

An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult persons
in lawful detention, administered by the federal government or a state
government.

K1238

Other Correctional
Institution

One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere classified or administered by a
government of unknown jurisdiction.

K1239

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other
Religious Group
Quarters

One or more structures intended for use as a residence for those having a
religious vocation.

K1246

Community Center

Community Center.

K2110

Military Installation

An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense for use by
a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned area for the use of the
National Guard.

K2165

Government Center

A place used by members of government (either federal, state, local, or
tribal) for administration and public business.

K2167

Convention Center

An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space to host
public and private business and social events.

K2180

Park

Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.

K2181

National Park Service
Land

Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—under the
jurisdiction of the National Park Service.

K2182

National Forest or Other
Federal Land

Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal government,
specifically including areas designated as National Forest, and excluding
areas under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of an American Indian tribe.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of a state government.

K2185

Regional Park, Forest,
or Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of a regional government.

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of a county government.

K2187

County Subdivision
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of a minor civil division
(town/township) government.

K2188

Incorporated Place
Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of a municipal government.

K2189

Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of
a cultural or natural resource.

K2190

Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent
park, commission, etc.)

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or
natural resource and under the administration of some other type of
government or agency such as an independent park authority or
commission.

K2191

Post Office

An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing and
distributing mail and other postal material.

K2193

Fire Department

Fire Department.

K2194

Police Station

Police Station.

K2195

Library

Library.

K2196

City/Town Hall

K2400

Transportation Terminal

City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be accessed by
people or for the shipment of goods; examples of such a facility include
marine terminal, bus station, train station, airport and truck warehouse.

K2424

Marina

K2432

Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft [including airstrip,
landing field and landing strip].

K2452

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail
Station

A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines, including
associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial offices.

K2453

Bus Terminal

A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle transit,
including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial offices.

K2454

Marine Terminal

A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or where cargo is
handled, including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or taking off
from a body of water can debark and load.

K2456

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal

A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and exit
airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of transportation.

K2457

Airport—Statistical
Representation

The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census blocks used
for the delineation of urban areas.

K2458

Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot

A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other modes
of transportation.

A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles.
This platform may provide access to ships and boats, or it may be used
for recreational purposes.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2459

Runway/Taxiway

A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for taking off
and landing at an airport.

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for taking off
and landing.

K2540

University or College

A building or group of buildings used as an institution for post-secondary
study, teaching, and learning [including seminary].

K2543

School or Academy

A building or group of buildings used as an institution for preschool,
elementary or secondary study, teaching, and learning [including
elementary school and high school].

K2545

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or
Tourist Attraction

An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest that
provides information or displays artifacts.

K2561

Golf Course

A place designed for playing golf.

K2582

Cemetery

A place or area for burying the dead [including burying ground and
memorial garden].

K2586

Zoo

A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined within
enclosures and displayed to the public for educational, preservation, and
research purposes.

K3544

Place of Worship

A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious worship;
examples include church, synagogue, temple, and mosque.

L4010

Pipeline

A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps
and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid (e.g., crude oil, natural
gas), especially over great distances.

L4020

Powerline

One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for conducting highvoltage electric power.

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended
from cables and supported by a series of towers.

L4110

Fence Line

A man-made barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually
made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or
to mark a boundary.

L4121

Ridge Line

The line of highest elevation along a ridge.

L4125

Cliff/Escarpment

A very steep or vertical slope [including bluff, crag, head, headland, nose,
palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and rimrock].

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at another,
both of which are in sight.

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either public or
private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a Public Land
Survey System or equivalent survey line.

L4150

Coastline

The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal, Territorial
or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders Coastal, Territorial or
Great Lakes water, the shoreline represents the Coastline. Where Inland
water (such as a river) flows into Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water,
the closure line separating the Inland water from the other class of water
represents the Coastline.

L4165

Ferry Crossing

The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and forth over a
waterbody in a boat.

P0001

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary

A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a shoreline or
other visible feature on the ground.

P0002

Perennial Shoreline

The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water for a
water feature that exists year-round.

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

The boundary between land and water (when water is present) for a water
feature that does not exist year-round.

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water
boundary, boundary of
an areal feature)

A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical boundary, and
does not correspond to a shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.
Many such Edges bound area landmarks, while many others separate
water features from each other (e.g., where a bay meets the ocean).

R1011

Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad traffic. Such
a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a rail yard.

R1051

Carline, Streetcar
Track, Monorail, Other
Mass Transit

Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to mainstream
railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a road right-of-way.

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline
Rail Line, Tram

A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is typically
inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that aerial tramways and
streetcars (which may also be called “trams”) are accounted for by other
MTFCCs and do not belong in R1052

Primary Road

Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways within the
interstate highway system or under state management, and are
distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are
accessible by ramps and may include some toll highways.

S1200

Secondary Road

Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway, State
Highway or County Highway system. These roads have one or more
lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be divided, and usually
have at-grade intersections with many other roads and driveways. They
often have both a local name and a route number.

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

Generally a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that usually has a
single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in this feature class may be
privately or publicly maintained. Scenic park roads would be included in
this feature class, as would (depending on the region of the country) some
unpaved roads.

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is required. These
vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in very rural areas. Minor,
unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in the S1400
category.

S1630

Ramp

A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a limited
access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf interchange. These
roads are unaddressable and do not carry a name in the MAF/TIGER
System.

S1640

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway

A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that provides access
to structures along the highway. These roads can be named and may
intersect with other roads.

S1710

Walkway/Pedestrian
Trail

A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.

S1720

Stairway

A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series of steps.

S1730

Alley

A service road that does not generally have associated addressed
structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the rear of buildings
and properties and is used for deliveries.

S1740

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)

A road within private property that is privately maintained for service,
extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often unnamed.

S1750

Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use

Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.

S1100

S1500

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MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

S1780

Parking Lot Road

The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.

S1820

Bike Path or Trail

A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles, being either
too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.

S1830

Bridle Path

A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.

S2000

Road Median

The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a divided road.

Note: The information in this table was last updated in November 2016.

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APPENDIX E Standard Street Type Abbreviations
STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
ALLEY

ALY

ANEX

ANX

ARCADE

ARC

AVENUE

AVE

BAYOU

BYU

BEACH

BCH

BEND

BND

BLUFF

BLF

BLUFFS

BLFS

BOTTOM

BTM

BOULEVARD

BLVD

BRANCH

BRIDGE

BRG

BROOK

BRK

BROOKS

BRKS

BURG

BURGS

BGS

BYPASS

BYP

CAMP

CANYON

CYN

CAPE

CPE

CAUSEWAY

CSWY

CENTER

CTR

CENTERS

CTRS

CIRCLE

CIR

CIRCLES

CIRS

CLIFF

CLF

CLIFFS

CLFS

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STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
CLUB

CLB

COMMON

CMN

COMMONS

CMNS

CORNER

COR

CORNERS

CORS

COURSE

CRSE

COURT

COURTS

CTS

COVE

COVES

CVS

CREEK

CRK

CRESCENT

CRES

CREST

CRST

CROSSING

XING

CROSSROAD

XRD

CROSSROADS

XRDS

CURVE

CURV

DALE

DAM

DIVIDE

DRIVE

DRIVES

DRS

ESTATE

EST

ESTATES

ESTS

EXPRESSWAY

EXPY

EXTENSION

EXT

EXTENSIONS

EXTS

FALL

FALLS

FLS

FERRY

FRY

FIELD

FLD

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Page E-2

STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
FIELDS

FLDS

FLAT

FLT

FLATS

FLTS

FORD

FRD

FORDS

FRDS

FOREST

FRST

FORGE

FRG

FORGES

FRGS

FORK

FRK

FORKS

FRKS

FORT

FREEWAY

FWY

GARDEN

GDN

GARDENS

GDNS

GATEWAY

GTWY

GLEN

GLN

GLENS

GLNS

GREEN

GRN

GREENS

GRNS

GROVE

GRV

GROVES

GRVS

HARBOR

HBR

HARBORS

HBRS

HAVEN

HVN

HEIGHTS

HTS

HIGHWAY

HWY

HILL

HILLS

HLS

HOLLOW

HOLW

INLET

INLT

ISLAND

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Page E-3

STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
ISLANDS

ISS

ISLE

JUNCTION

JCT

JUNCTIONS

JCTS

KEY

KEYS

KYS

KNOLL

KNL

KNOLLS

KNLS

LAKE

LAKES

LKS

LAND

LANDING

LNDG

LANE

LIGHT

LGT

LIGHTS

LGTS

LOAF

LOCK

LCK

LOCKS

LCKS

LODGE

LDG

LOOP

MALL

MANOR

MNR

MANORS

MNRS

MEADOW

MDW

MEADOWS

MDWS

MEWS

MILL

MILLS

MLS

MISSION

MSN

MOTORWAY

MTWY

MOUNT

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STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
MOUNTAIN

MTN

MOUNTAINS

MTNS

NECK

NCK

ORCHARD

ORCH

OVAL

OVERPASS

OPAS

PARK

PARKS

PARK

PARKWAY

PKWY

PARKWAYS

PKWY

PASS

PASSAGE

PSGE

PATH

PIKE

PINE

PNE

PINES

PNES

PLACE

PLAIN

PLN

PLAINS

PLNS

PLAZA

PLZ

POINT

POINTS

PTS

PORT

PRT

PORTS

PRTS

PRAIRIE

RADIAL

RADL

RAMP

RANCH

RNCH

RAPID

RPD

RAPIDS

RPDS

REST

RST

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Page E-5

STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
RIDGE

RDG

RIDGES

RDGS

RIVER

RIV

ROAD

ROADS

RDS

ROUTE

RTE

ROW

RUE

RUN

SHOAL

SHL

SHOALS

SHLS

SHORE

SHR

SHORES

SHRS

SKYWAY

SKWY

SPRING

SPG

SPRINGS

SPGS

SPUR

SPURS

SPUR

SQUARE

SQUARES

SQS

STATION

STA

STRAVENUE

STRA

STREAM

STRM

STREET

STREETS

STS

SUMMIT

SMT

TERRACE

TER

THROUGHWAY

TRWY

TRACE

TRCE

TRACK

TRAK

TRAFFICWAY

TRFY

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Page E-6

STREET NAME TYPE STANDARD ABBREVIATION
TRAIL

TRL

TRAILER

TRLR

TUNNEL

TUNL

TURNPIKE

TPKE

UNDERPASS

UPAS

UNION

UNIONS

UNS

VALLEY

VLY

VALLEYS

VLYS

VIADUCT

VIA

VIEW

VIEWS

VWS

VILLAGE

VLG

VILLAGES

VLGS

VILLE

VISTA

VIS

WALK

WALKS

WALK

WALL

WAY

WAYS

WELL

WELLS

WLS

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Page E-7

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Jill Darlene Snider (CENSUS/GEO CTR)
File Modified	2017-12-19
File Created	2017-12-19