Overview
This page contains an overview of the GIS maps and data being created and updated in support of the Windham Regional Commission's 2001 Regional Plan Update.
The maps listed below are still draft. This list serves as a guide to the probable list and contents of all maps to be included in the final regional plan document.
Comments received by the plan update committee are not yet reflected in the map description (i.e. the status of these maps are the same as they were when presented to the committee). The name and content sections will be updated soon, as comments are incorporated into this document, and then the maps themselves. Several additional maps are planned, but are not yet listed here as the details have not been worked out. As for status, the term "draft" means that a rough draft map has been assembled for discussion purposes only; the term "final draft" means a map has been produced that has incorporated comments from WRC update committee and staff.
The data section, for right now, just deals with existing data that are being updated, or data that are new to the Commission, whether created by the Commission or obtained from other sources.
Regional Plan Maps
Map
|
Content
|
Status *
|
|
Existing Land Use: Structures and Roads
|
depict the “built environment” by showing structures from the E911
database (or similar data source).
The map will also show traveled roads (Federal, State, and Class 1, 2,
and 3 town highways).
|
draft
|
|
Existing Land Use/Land Cover
|
will show generalized land cover
data (built-up, open, forested, wetland, and water areas), along with
villages, hamlets, resort centers, and regional centers.
|
draft
|
|
Proposed Land Use
|
the “final” map (i.e. the last map
produced), showing WRC’s proposed land use categories
|
not started
|
|
Conservation Lands
|
public and private conservation
lands as well as privately-owned land with conservation easements, and the
Green Mtn. Nat. forest proclamation boundary
|
draft, updated data to replace
1999 data should be out by late summer
|
|
Water Resources
|
Class A(1) (ecological) and
Class A(2) (public water supply) waters, outstanding resource waters, “flood
prone areas,” waste management zones, and large wetland complexes
|
draft
|
|
Watersheds
|
major watersheds in the region
|
draft
|
|
Impairments & Impoundments
|
impaired waters (2000) and dams
|
draft
|
|
Biological & Ecological
Resources
|
natural heritage sites, deer
wintering areas, bear travel corridors, bear habitat, lands over 2500 feet
|
draft
|
|
Important Farmland Soils
|
soils with an important farmland
rating of “prime” or “statewide;” only these soils may qualify for the
distinction of “primary agricultural soils” under Act 250
|
draft
|
|
Sand and Gravel Resources
|
sand and gravel potential
|
draft
|
|
Utilities
|
public water supply sources,
source protection areas, transfer stations & recycling centers, muni.
water and sewer service areas, elec. transmission lines, generating
facilities, and utility franchises
|
draft
|
|
Telecommunications facilities
|
telecommunications facilities
(as per 10 V.S.A. Section 6001(26), "a support structure… which will
extend vertically 20 feet, or more, in order to transmit or receive
communication signals..."
|
draft
|
|
Educational Facilities
|
schools, colleges, libraries,
supervisory unions
|
draft
|
|
Outdoor Recreation Resources
|
developed recreation sites,
trails, public lands
|
draft
|
|
Health & Social Service
Facilities
|
health care facilities, nursing
homes, adult day care, teen, and senior centers, pre-schools
|
draft
|
|
Historic Register Sites
|
sites on the national and state
historic register
|
draft
|
|
Community Buildings
|
town offices, police and fire
stations, etc.
|
not started
|
|
Condition of Highway Network
|
bridge and road sufficiency
|
draft
|
|
Existing Transportation System
|
roads, railroads, public transit
routes and stations, air strips, major trails
|
draft
|
|
Proposed Transportation
Facilities
|
proposed facilities
|
draft
|
|
Proposed Improvements to Trans.
System
|
improvements and re-construction
projects
|
draft
|
* status definition:
not started – map not started yet
draft – map assembled for discussion purposes only
final draft – a final draft of map has been produced, incorporating
comments from WRC update committee and state
complete – the map is finalized and ready to go into document
New/Updated Data
| data layer |
comments |
| flood-prone areas |
This is a generalized, regional-scale data set developed from FEMA GIS floodplain data for Windham County towns, and generalized digitization of maps for other towns |
| waste management zones |
These former "Class C" waters will be digitized now that a list of waters is received from Agency of Natural Resources |
| wetland areas |
Because showing all wetlands included in Vermont's significant wetlands inventory at a regional scale would make for a cluttered map, a draft GIS data layer depicting "areas dominated by wetlands" has been created. Note that this data layer does not show wetlands; it instead maps highlights those areas of the region where wetlands dominate. |
| transfer stations & recycling centers |
These data were in the 1996 regional plan, but will be finalized and updated for 2001. |
| municipal water/sewer systems |
GIS point data will be created showing the general areas served by municipal water and sewer systems. |
| electric generation facilities |
This data layer was obtained from VELCO, and was updated by adding the Searsburg Wind Farm. |
| electric utility franchise areas |
This data layer was also obtained from VELCO. It may be updated with more detailed information for the towns of Readsboro and Whitingham (Readsboro and Jacksonville Electric Departments). |
| schools |
Two existing data layers, one for public and one for independent (i.e. "private") schools have been updated for 2001. |
| libraries |
Data are currently being developed on the locations of all libraries in the region. |
| developed recreation facilities |
ANR recently released a recreation sites database that was in development for quite a few years. WRC is in the process of removing many of the sites that do not have developed facilities (e.g. undeveloped public lands), so the resulting database will contained those developed facilities (e.g. state parks, boat launches, etc.). |
| health care facilities |
An existing data layer that will be updated and finalized. |
| nursing homes |
Another existing data layer that will be updated and finalized. |
| pre-schools/day care centers |
Data are being developed on licensed pre-schools and child care centers (but not registered child care homes). |
| historic sites |
A data layer of sites on the state and national register of historic places is being created. Districts, for now, will be represented as points. |
| community/public buildings |
We plan to develop data on public buildings such as town offices, town halls, police and fire stations, and the like. |
| proposed transportation system facilities |
This set of data layer shows proposed additions, i.e. new facilities, to be added to the transportation system (e.g. proposed intermodal facility). Note the difference between this layer and the one below. |
| proposed improvements to trans. system |
This set of data layers shows those improvements or upgrades to existing transportation facilities, (e.g. proposed bridge reconstruction, paving, etc.). Note the difference between this layer and the one below. |
last updated 6/22/01
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