The Digital Surficial Geologic-GIS Map of Minuteman National Historical Site and Vicinity, Massachusetts is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (mima_surficial_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (mima_surficial_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) this file (mima_geology.gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (mima_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (mima_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the mima_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: http://www.google.com/earth/index.html. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (mima_surficial_geology_metadata.txt or mima_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:50,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 25.4 meters or 83.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

The Digital Bedrock Geologic-GIS Map of Minuteman National Historical Site and Vicinity, Massachusetts is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (mima_bedrock_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (mima_bedrock_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) this file (mima_geology.gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (mima_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (mima_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the mima_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: http://www.google.com/earth/index.html. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: Boston College and U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (mima_bedrock_geology_metadata.txt or mima_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 25.4 meters or 83.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of Cape Cod National Seashore and Vicinity, Massachusetts is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (caco_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (caco_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (caco_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (caco_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (caco_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the caco_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (caco_geology_metadata.txt or caco_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

The Digital Bedrock Geologic-GIS Map of Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Massachusetts is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (sair_bedrock_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (sair_bedrock_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (sair_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (sair_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (sair_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the sair_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: Massachusetts Geological Survey and U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (sair_bedrock_geology_metadata.txt or sair_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual _location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the _location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Massachusetts Top 20 Soils Data Layer

In an effort to provide a simple, statewide soils data layer, the Massachusetts Top 20 soils data layer is a statewide shapefile of the soil survey data that contains a single set of attributes for each soil survey map unit. The attributes provided are those soil properties or ratings that are most requested by soil survey users through the Web Soil Survey platform.

To create the shapefile, statewide gSSURGO data was downloaded from USDA’s Geospatial Data Gateway. A Soil Data Access query was used to extract certain data elements for these most-commonly requested soil properties and interpretations and exported into an excel file. This excel file was joined with the spatial data using the mukey and the resulting shapefile was exported. Descriptions for each attribute included in the shapefile is listed below.

For more information contact your local NRCS office or visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ma/soils/

Attribute

Attribute Name

Attribute description

Area Symbol

AREASYMBOL

Soil Survey Area Symbol

Map Unit Symbol

MUSYM

The symbol used to uniquely identify the soil mapunit in the soil survey.

Map Unit Key

MUKEY

The symbol used to uniquely identify the soil mapunit in the national soils information system database.

Area Name

AREANAME

Soil Survey Area name

Map Unit Name

MUNAME

Soil map unit name

Component Name

COMPNAME

Name of the dominant component of the soil map unit

Map Unit Kind

MUKIND

The kind of mapunit

Farmland Classification

FRMLNDCLS

Identification of map units as prime farmland, farmland of statewide importance, or farmland of unique importance.

Hydric Rating by Map Unit

HYDRCRATNG

Hydric soils are defined by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS) as soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal Register, 1994). Under natural conditions, these soils are either saturated or inundated long enough during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of hydrophytic vegetation. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Drainage Class

DRAINCLASS

The natural drainage condition of the soil refers to the frequency and duration of wet periods. This column displays the dominant drainage class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of each map unit component.

Mineral Surface texture

MINSURFTEXT

The soil texture description of the first mineral soil horizon. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

T Factor

TFACTOR

Soil loss tolerance factor. The maximum amount of erosion at which the quality of a soil as a medium for plant growth can be maintained. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Available Water Storage 0-100 cm

AWS100

Available water storage (AWS). The volume of water that the soil, to a depth of 100 centimeters, can store that is available to plants. It is reported as the weighted average of all components in the map unit and is expressed as centimeters of water. AWS is calculated from AWC (available water capacity) which is commonly estimated as the difference between the water contents at 1/10 or 1/3 bar (field capacity) and 15 bars (permanent wilting point) tension and adjusted for salinity and fragments.

Available Water Storage 0-25 cm

AWS25

Available water storage (AWS). The volume of water that the soil, to a depth of 25 centimeters, can store that is available to plants. It is reported as the weighted average of all components in the map unit and is expressed as centimeters of water. AWS is calculated from AWC (available water capacity) which is commonly estimated as the difference between the water contents at 1/10 or 1/3 bar (field capacity) and 15 bars (permanent wilting point) tension and adjusted for salinity and fragments.

Depth to Water Table

DEP2WATTBL

The shallowest depth to a wet soil layer (water table) at any time during the year expressed as centimeters from the soil surface, for components whose composition in the map unit is equal to or exceeds 15%. *These values are derived from the national database. They are intended for general planning purposes only and are not, in any way, intended to replace or supersede an on-site investigation. On-site investigations by certified soil evaluators are required by MA Environmental Code Title V for siting septic systems.

Dwellings with Basements

DWELLWB

The rating of the map unit as a site for dwellings with basements, expressed as the dominant rating class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of each map unit component.

Hydrologic Soil Group

HYDROLGRP

Hydrologic Group is a grouping of soils that have similar runoff potential under similar storm and cover conditions. This column displays the dominant hydrologic group for the map unit, based on composition percentage of each map unit component.

Nonirrigated Land Capability Class

NIRRLCC

This column displays the dominant capability class and subclass, under non-irrigated conditions, for the map unit based on composition percentage of all components in the map unit.

Local Roads and Streets

ROADS

The rating of the map unit as a site for local roads and streets, expressed as the dominant rating class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of each map unit component.

Septic Tank Absorption Fields

SEPTANKAF

The rating of the map unit as a site for septic tank absorption fields, expressed as the dominant rating class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of each map unit component. *These values are derived from the national database. They are intended for general planning purposes only and are not, in any way, intended to replace or supersede an on-site investigation. On-site investigations by certified soil evaluators are required by MA Environmental Code Title V for siting septic systems.

Representative Slope

SLOPE

The difference in elevation between two points, expressed as a percentage of the distance between those points. This column displays the slope gradient of the dominant component of the map unit based on composition percentage.

Flooding Frequency Class

FLOODING

The annual probability of a flood event expressed as a class. This column displays the dominant flood frequency class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of map unit components whose composition in the map unit is equal to or exceeds 15%.

Ponding Frequency Class

PONDING

The annual probability of a ponding event expressed as a class. This column displays the dominant ponding frequency class for the map unit, based on composition percentage of map unit components whose composition in the map unit is equal to or exceeds 15%

Corrosion of Concrete

CORCONCRET

"Risk of corrosion" pertains to potential soil-induced electrochemical or chemical action that corrodes or weakens concrete. The rate of corrosion of concrete is based mainly on the sulfate and sodium content, texture, moisture content, and acidity of the soil. Special site examination and design may be needed if the combination of factors results in a severe hazard of corrosion. The concrete in installations that intersect soil boundaries or soil layers is more susceptible to corrosion than the concrete in installations that are entirely within one kind of soil or within one soil layer. The risk of corrosion is expressed as "low," "moderate," or "high." Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Soil Taxonomy Classification

TAXCLNAME

A concatenation of the Soil Taxonomy subgroup and family for a soil (long name). Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Depth to Any Soil Restrictive Layer

CM2RESLYR

The distance in centimeters from the soil surface to the upper boundary of any restrictive layer. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Restriction Kind

RESKIND

Type of nearly continuous layer that has one or more physical, chemical, or thermal properties that significantly reduce the movement of water and air through the soil or that otherwise provides an unfavorable root environment. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Parent Material Name

PARMATNM

Reports the name for each of the parent materials that may occur in a vertical cross section of a soil. Reported for the dominant component of the map unit.

Unified Soil Classification (Surface)

UNIFSOILCL

Reports the Unified soil classification group symbol for the first mineral horizon of the dominant component of the map unit.

AASHTO Group Classification (Surface)

AASHTO

Reports the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) class rating for the first mineral horizon of the dominant component of the map unit.

K Factor, Rock Free

KFACTRF

An erodibility factor which quantifies the susceptibility of soil particles to detachment by water. Reported for the first

The National Zoning Atlas is a collaborative project digitizing, demystifying, & democratizing ~30,000 U.S. zoning codes. It was founded by Cornell University professor Sara Bronin and has involved over 300 zoning and geospatial analysts. WHAT: Zoning laws, adopted by perhaps 30,000 local governments across the country, dictate much of what can be built in the United States. The National Zoning Atlas is helping us better understand these sometimes-opaque but incredibly influential laws by depicting their key attributes in an online, user-friendly map. As a federated academic enterprise, the National Zoning Atlas encompasses several disciplines. It is a legal research project, as it delves deeply into the regulatory frameworks that dictate so much of the way we use our land. It is a data science project, and it deploys novel systems of collecting, analyzing, and displaying geospatial and regulatory data. It is a digital humanities project, innovative in its methodology and having the potential to unlock new research on the central instrument that shapes our urban built environment, social relations and hierarchies, and geographies of opportunity. It is a social science project that will improve our understanding of our politics, society, and economy - and expand our collective ability to reimagine future, alternative, and reparative trajectories. And it is a computer science project, deploying machine learning and natural language processing to expand our understanding of how algorithms can read complex regulatory texts. WHY: Zoning laws have direct impacts on housing availability, transportation systems, the environment, economic opportunity, educational opportunity, and our food supply. Despite codes’ importance, ordinary people can’t make heads or tails of them. They are too complex and inscrutable. The National Zoning Atlas will help people better understand zoning, which would in turn broaden participation in land use decisions, identify opportunities for zoning reform, and narrow a wide information gap that currently favors land speculators, institutional investors, and homeowners over socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. It would also enable comparisons across jurisdictions, illuminate regional and statewide trends, and strengthen national planning for housing production, transportation infrastructure, and climate response. To understand the kinds of things a zoning atlas can show, review this research paper documenting the findings of the Connecticut Zoning Atlas (the first statewide atlas) and this research paper in HUD Cityscape describing the motivations of the project. HOW: To date, this project has relied on manual reviews of thousands of pages of zoning code texts and their corresponding maps. A how-to guide for these reviews is available for free download. The project is also using grant funding from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development Community Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program to automate this process so we can more quickly map the 30,000 localities estimated to use zoning. Our basic operating principles are: Deploy data for the public good ​Evaluate and adapt methods and approaches ​Collaborate broadly ​Cultivate up-and-coming talent ​Assume that this is a solvable problem, worth solving ​WHO: Project participants overwhelmingly include representatives of academic institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies, with students providing important support. In addition, private partners may participate on specific geographic teams or provide data. Because this project aims to expand knowledge for the public good, its resulting online atlases will remain free to view regardless of who pitches in to create them.

USDA Wildfire Risk to Communities ViewerThis web-based tool assesses a community’s wildfire risk. The user is able to visualize areas at risk through a series of charts and maps, and data and maps can be downloaded and printed. Additionally, resources are provided for communities to manage and mitigate risk.Wildfire Risk to Communities is a free, easy-to-use website with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk. It was created by the USDA Forest Service under the direction of Congress in the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1625, Section 210). As wildfires increase in frequency and severity across the country, Wildfire Risk to Communities uses the best available science to not only identify risk, but also provide resources for communities to manage and mitigate risk.