Boundary and Annexation Survey

BAS-2L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey
(BAS) to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental
status for federally recognized American Indian reservations, off-reservation trust land, and
tribal subdivisions within the United States effective on or before January 1 of the survey
year. This voluntary survey is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have your
correct boundary and legal name. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you
provide to report data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and other Census Bureau
programs and surveys.
In recognition of tribal sovereignty, the Census Bureau asks tribes directly about their
boundaries. It is important for your tribe to review Census Bureau boundaries because other
government agencies use Census Bureau boundaries and population data for programs and
funding.
Step 1 Respond to the Boundary and Annexation Survey:
• Complete the online BAS Annual Response Form and Contact Update information online at
https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
OR
• Send an email to [email protected] indicating (1) whether you have boundary changes to
report (yes or no), and (2) whether the Tribal Chair and BAS contacts are current and the
associated contact information for each is correct. If not, please provide updated information.
Be sure to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the subject line of your
message.
NOTE: If you have no boundary changes to report, we ask that you still provide a “NO”
response. Because we must contact all nonresponding governments, your “NO” response is
appreciated.
Step 2 Report Boundary Changes (if in Step 1 you indicated boundary changes to report):
BAS materials will be posted for download on our website https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
beginning in January 2018.

census.gov

KEY DATES
January 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
May 31, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS
published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected
in next year’s BAS materials.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) will notify its members about the survey
and encourage participation in the 2018 BAS. If you have any questions, please contact the Census
Bureau.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
Enclosures

BAS-2L (9-2017)