Lance Clampitt's Research Projects

A Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for the Montana Wildland Fire Base Map

The University of Montana, National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis (NCLFA) & the U.S. Geological Survey, Montana NSDI Partnership Office are currently working together to prototype the development of a geographic names data model and standardized map products utilizing the GNIS, and to provide a distribution method for this data that provides timely and accurate base data to wildland fire incidents. Due to current inconsistencies, the Montana GNIS dataset is not utilized within the Base Map project. The USGS and NCLFA are working together to improve this data through a new data model for GNIS in Montana, the associated processes and procedures necessary for updating and maintaining geographic names data in Montana, and by utilizing GNIS as a business process within the Base Map Project.

Montana Structures Derivation Project

The State of Montana, Department of Administration, Information Services Technology Division & the U.S. Geological Survey, Montana NSDI Partnership Office are partnering through a geographic research project to determine the feasibility of deriving structures point data using existing cadastral parcel data. Structures data is an emerging need throughout the country. An accurate and populated structures database will support many applications from emergency response and preparedness to human / wildlife interaction and manmade structure / forest land interface. Through this project the State of Montana and USGS will create structures point data from represented centroid tax parcels for at least ten counties that do not have structures data. The generated points will then be positioned to the largest residential structure on the property as represented by the 2005 NAIP photography. In addition the project will review at least three counties with existing structures data to determine process successes and accuracy. This project will document strengths and weaknesses of the prescribed process and provide recommendations for completing a statewide structures database.