The 2015 LU/LC data set is the sixth in a series of land use mapping efforts that was begun in 1986. Revisions and additions to the initial baseline layer were done in subsequent years from imagery captured in 1995/97, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2015. This present 2015 update was created by comparing the 2012 LU/LC layer from NJDEP's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database to 2015 color infrared (CIR) imagery and delineating and coding areas of change. This is a 2nd draft of the land use update and still contains 2012 waterbodies. 2015 waterfeatures updates have not been integrated yet into this version.

The 2015 LU/LC data set is the sixth in a series of land use mapping efforts that was begun in 1986. Revisions and additions to the initial baseline layer were done in subsequent years from imagery captured in 1995/97, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2015. This present 2015 update was created by comparing the 2012 LU/LC layer from NJDEP's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database to 2015 color infrared (CIR) imagery and delineating and coding areas of change. Work for this data set was done by Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA, under direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Geographic Information System (BGIS). LU/LC changes were captured by adding new line work and attribute data for the 2015 land use directly to the base data layer. All 2012 LU/LC polygons and attribute fields remain in this data set, so change analysis for the period 2012-2015 can be undertaken from this one layer. The classification system used was a modified Anderson et al., classification system. An impervious surface (IS) code was also assigned to each LU/LC polygon based on the percentage of impervious surface within each polygon as of 2015. Minimum mapping unit (MMU) is 1 acre. ADVISORY: This metadata file contains information for the 2015 Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) data sets, which were mapped by USGS Subbasin (HU8). There are additional reference documents listed in this file under Supplemental Information which should also be examined by users of these data sets. As stated in this metadata record's Use Constraints section, NJDEP makes no representations of any kind, including, but not limited to, the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use, nor are any such warranties to be implied with respect to the digital data layers furnished hereunder. NJDEP assumes no responsibility to maintain them in any manner or form. By downloading this data, user agrees to the data use constraints listed within this metadata record.