Core Data for the KSDP Data Warehouse: Core Data for the BCTS Warehouse

Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd.

Cranbrook, B.C.

Core Data for the KSDP Data Warehouse:Core Data for the BCTS Warehouse

Core Data for the KSDP Data Warehouse:Core Data for the BCTS Warehouse

Reg Davis, R.P.F.

Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd.Cranbrook, B.C.

[email protected]

Reg Davis, R.P.F.

Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd.Cranbrook, B.C.

[email protected]


Cranbrook, B.C.

OrOr

• “How I spent my winter constructing an information highway through Middle-Earth.

• “How I spent my winter constructing an information highway through Middle-Earth.


Cranbrook, B.C.

We will touch on ...We will touch on ...

• Several definitions of “core data”.

• The non-map-type information and other tasks.

• BCTS’ use of the Kootenay Spatial Data Partnership (KSDP) data site, and some suggestions from our (my) view

• Several definitions of “core data”.

• The non-map-type information and other tasks.

• BCTS’ use of the Kootenay Spatial Data Partnership (KSDP) data site, and some suggestions from our (my) view


Cranbrook, B.C.

BackgroundBackground

• Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd is under contract to provide planning support to the Kootenay Business Unit Office of B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS)

• Support includes:– producing Forest Development Plan (FDP)

amendment packages

– creating a “data warehouse” for BCTS

– preparing for the transition from FDP to FSP (Forest Stewardship Plans)

• Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd is under contract to provide planning support to the Kootenay Business Unit Office of B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS)

• Support includes:– producing Forest Development Plan (FDP)

amendment packages

– creating a “data warehouse” for BCTS

– preparing for the transition from FDP to FSP (Forest Stewardship Plans)


Cranbrook, B.C.

Definitions of Core DataDefinitions of Core Data

• KSDP: Data that appears as features on the FSP map, as defined in the legislation (?)

• BCTS: Data that is needed to prepare a Forest Development Plan Amendment (FDPA) or, in the future, a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) and successfully obtain the District Manager’s approval.

• KSDP: Data that appears as features on the FSP map, as defined in the legislation (?)

• BCTS: Data that is needed to prepare a Forest Development Plan Amendment (FDPA) or, in the future, a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) and successfully obtain the District Manager’s approval.


Cranbrook, B.C.

A Minimal DefinitionA Minimal Definition

• The “core data” for the KSDP might be interpreted as only those features that appear on the FSP map, such as:– BCTS Timber Sale Licence blocks,– roads under BCTS road permit,– forest development units (FDUs),– ungulate winter range polygons, – community watershed polygons (CWS) and– areas where logging is prohibited by statute - such

as some of the Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA).

• The “core data” for the KSDP might be interpreted as only those features that appear on the FSP map, such as:– BCTS Timber Sale Licence blocks,– roads under BCTS road permit,– forest development units (FDUs),– ungulate winter range polygons, – community watershed polygons (CWS) and– areas where logging is prohibited by statute - such

as some of the Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA).


Cranbrook, B.C.

... A Minimal Definition... A Minimal Definition

• The “FSP map” might not even include:– other roads - those that would connect the

dangling bits of road under BCTS road permit– contours and streams (background, orientation)– private land – operating area boundaries, etc

• These are not required, but it would be logical to put them on the map as well.

• The “FSP map” might not even include:– other roads - those that would connect the

dangling bits of road under BCTS road permit– contours and streams (background, orientation)– private land – operating area boundaries, etc

• These are not required, but it would be logical to put them on the map as well.


Cranbrook, B.C.

The FDP Map Is Not Going AwayThe FDP Map Is Not Going Away

– BCTS will use the FSP map and also retain the FDP map as an “operational map”.

– They feel that the FDP map is still required to find the wood on the ground.

– It is probable that other licensees will follow a similar course.

– The new combination of FSP and FDP is more, not less of a mapping workload than the FDP map by itself.

– BCTS will use the FSP map and also retain the FDP map as an “operational map”.

– They feel that the FDP map is still required to find the wood on the ground.

– It is probable that other licensees will follow a similar course.

– The new combination of FSP and FDP is more, not less of a mapping workload than the FDP map by itself.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Core DataCore Data

• There are different interpretations as to what is required on the FSP map.

• Views range from “required by law” to “required by common sense”.

• And the FDP map data will still be required, so

• The list of “core data” starts to increase, maybe to 12 or so covers.

• There are different interpretations as to what is required on the FSP map.

• Views range from “required by law” to “required by common sense”.

• And the FDP map data will still be required, so

• The list of “core data” starts to increase, maybe to 12 or so covers.


Cranbrook, B.C.

More Core DataMore Core Data

• An FSP or an FDP Amendment contains:– text (*); – map; – RPF signature

– (*) The text is also part of the plan. It includes or references the required assessments and the licensee’s forest management strategies

• An FSP or an FDP Amendment contains:– text (*); – map; – RPF signature

– (*) The text is also part of the plan. It includes or references the required assessments and the licensee’s forest management strategies


Cranbrook, B.C.

Four of the Required AssessmentsFour of the Required Assessments

– Equivalent clearcut area (ECA), road densities as per the IWAP Guidebook, or as per the “watershed report card” in the KBLUP Implementation Strategy document

– Ungulate winter range (UWR) status– Biodiversity seral stage status (mature plus old;

old seral, old growth management areas (OGMA), mature management areas (MMA) )

– Patch size status

– Equivalent clearcut area (ECA), road densities as per the IWAP Guidebook, or as per the “watershed report card” in the KBLUP Implementation Strategy document

– Ungulate winter range (UWR) status– Biodiversity seral stage status (mature plus old;

old seral, old growth management areas (OGMA), mature management areas (MMA) )

– Patch size status


Cranbrook, B.C.

District Manager ApprovalDistrict Manager Approval

• The DM approves an FDPA map and text, and the RPF signature ensures that the legal objectives are met.

• Each FDPA or FSP “package” is typically comprised of four parts:– text, map, and RPF signature (submitted), and – the supporting information that ensures

compliance (not submitted)

• The DM approves an FDPA map and text, and the RPF signature ensures that the legal objectives are met.

• Each FDPA or FSP “package” is typically comprised of four parts:– text, map, and RPF signature (submitted), and – the supporting information that ensures

compliance (not submitted)


Cranbrook, B.C.

Expanded List of CoversExpanded List of Covers

• If one includes the covers that are required to provide the features on the FDP or FSP map, as well as those required to complete the assessments in the supporting information, then the list of “core layers” easily expands to 35 (and counting):

• If one includes the covers that are required to provide the features on the FDP or FSP map, as well as those required to complete the assessments in the supporting information, then the list of “core layers” easily expands to 35 (and counting):


Cranbrook, B.C.

... 35+ Covers... 35+ Covers

• VRI (or veg, forest cover), TRIM, other licensees’ cut-blocks; other licensees’ roads; DWS, stream classes, stream features, riparian classes (multiple covers), points of diversion for CWS and DWS; watershed sub-basins; H60 elevations; road features (barriers, bridges, etc..); planned or existing road deactivation; old BEC, new BEC, old BEO, new BEO, ownership or land status; operating areas; operability; landscape units; district boundaries; recreation sites; scenic areas, visual quality objectives; terrain stability, OGMAs, MMAs, AOA, AIA, identified wildlife areas, reserves, ...

• VRI (or veg, forest cover), TRIM, other licensees’ cut-blocks; other licensees’ roads; DWS, stream classes, stream features, riparian classes (multiple covers), points of diversion for CWS and DWS; watershed sub-basins; H60 elevations; road features (barriers, bridges, etc..); planned or existing road deactivation; old BEC, new BEC, old BEO, new BEO, ownership or land status; operating areas; operability; landscape units; district boundaries; recreation sites; scenic areas, visual quality objectives; terrain stability, OGMAs, MMAs, AOA, AIA, identified wildlife areas, reserves, ...


Cranbrook, B.C.

Data Partnership CoversData Partnership Covers

• There are currently 26 (*) covers for each TSA on the KSDP web site:

• BEC, CWS, LU, POD, Caribou, DWS, Parks, Connectivity, BEO, BEC-old, Roads, Fire disturbance, Composite FDP, Chart Areas, BEGR units, Identified wildlife, OGMAs, Operability, Ownership, Riparian-lakes, Riparian-wetlands, Scenic areas, Terrain, UWR, VLI-existing, VLI-proposed

• (*) = some might be considered sub-divisions of a cover

• There are currently 26 (*) covers for each TSA on the KSDP web site:

• BEC, CWS, LU, POD, Caribou, DWS, Parks, Connectivity, BEO, BEC-old, Roads, Fire disturbance, Composite FDP, Chart Areas, BEGR units, Identified wildlife, OGMAs, Operability, Ownership, Riparian-lakes, Riparian-wetlands, Scenic areas, Terrain, UWR, VLI-existing, VLI-proposed

• (*) = some might be considered sub-divisions of a cover


Cranbrook, B.C.

So what?So what?

• So the list of covers that are “core” is longer than those being posted to the KSDP site, and much longer than those required as features on the FSP map (in my opinion.)

• So the list of covers that are “core” is longer than those being posted to the KSDP site, and much longer than those required as features on the FSP map (in my opinion.)


Cranbrook, B.C.

Experience with the KSDPExperience with the KSDP

– Interior is passing data to other contractors on behalf of BCTS. About 3 man-days of effort were expended in the last 2 weeks referring contractors to data web-site(s), finding and retrieving data, posting data, cutting CD’s, etc.

– Anything the KSDP can do to help, the better.

– 26 out of 34+ covers is helpful, more will be appreciated.

– Interior is passing data to other contractors on behalf of BCTS. About 3 man-days of effort were expended in the last 2 weeks referring contractors to data web-site(s), finding and retrieving data, posting data, cutting CD’s, etc.

– Anything the KSDP can do to help, the better.

– 26 out of 34+ covers is helpful, more will be appreciated.


Cranbrook, B.C.

However....However....

• Downloading some GIS data is only the first step.

• Downloading some GIS data is only the first step.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Pre- and Post-Logging ReportsPre- and Post-Logging Reports

• The signing forester wants pre- and post- logging reports to evaluate compliance.– Hence, an automated process is required that

will allow changes to be made in one or more covers (usually the block file) which is then inserted into an automated processing stream to generate land-base status reports for a minimum of both pre- and post- logging timeframes.

• The signing forester wants pre- and post- logging reports to evaluate compliance.– Hence, an automated process is required that

will allow changes to be made in one or more covers (usually the block file) which is then inserted into an automated processing stream to generate land-base status reports for a minimum of both pre- and post- logging timeframes.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Pre- and Post-Logging ReportsPre- and Post-Logging Reports

• So we are developing the automated routines, reports and standardized inputs (layers and logic)

• This requires much more than just the source covers as the exist on the KSDP web site.

• So we are developing the automated routines, reports and standardized inputs (layers and logic)

• This requires much more than just the source covers as the exist on the KSDP web site.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Additional WorkAdditional Work

• We also have to:– clean, reformat, and upgrade the covers– update the covers as new information arrives– acquire supporting information & data– define the BCTS business standards and integrate

that into the data– A few examples follow.

• KSDP help with any of this will be welcomed.

• We also have to:– clean, reformat, and upgrade the covers– update the covers as new information arrives– acquire supporting information & data– define the BCTS business standards and integrate

that into the data– A few examples follow.

• KSDP help with any of this will be welcomed.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Clean, Reformat, UpgradeClean, Reformat, Upgrade

• Reformat covers– Standardize the cover names, attributes and attribute

values so they work easily in a programming environment.

– minimize the data file size, shorten wasted fields space, extract attributes to Look Up Tables (LUT) and add primary and foreign keys

– add required attributes, such as over/under 80% slope into the caribou cover

• Reformat covers– Standardize the cover names, attributes and attribute

values so they work easily in a programming environment.

– minimize the data file size, shorten wasted fields space, extract attributes to Look Up Tables (LUT) and add primary and foreign keys

– add required attributes, such as over/under 80% slope into the caribou cover


Cranbrook, B.C.

Clean, Reformat, UpgradeClean, Reformat, Upgrade

• Create new covers– create standard TSA- or LU-sized covers from

tiles (of different names, extents, etc.)– Add business area requirements such as

multiple status fields to meet the assessment requirements.– Create annotation such as TRIM elevations,

UWR management unit labels, etc– Derive snow depth zones for the new ungulate

winter range guidelines

• Create new covers– create standard TSA- or LU-sized covers from

tiles (of different names, extents, etc.)– Add business area requirements such as

multiple status fields to meet the assessment requirements.– Create annotation such as TRIM elevations,

UWR management unit labels, etc– Derive snow depth zones for the new ungulate

winter range guidelines


Cranbrook, B.C.

Acquire supporting infoAcquire supporting info

• Acquire all the previously mentioned laws, regulations, higher level plans etc:– Higher Level Plan Order (HLPO)– District Manager Instructions (DMI)– Koot. Boundary Land Use Plan Implementation

Strategy (KBLUP IS)– South Rocky Mountains Management Plan

(SRMMP) In this case the D.P. web site needs a separate SRMMP column

– guidebooks and relevant policy statements, ...

• Acquire all the previously mentioned laws, regulations, higher level plans etc:– Higher Level Plan Order (HLPO)– District Manager Instructions (DMI)– Koot. Boundary Land Use Plan Implementation

Strategy (KBLUP IS)– South Rocky Mountains Management Plan

(SRMMP) In this case the D.P. web site needs a separate SRMMP column

– guidebooks and relevant policy statements, ...


Cranbrook, B.C.


• Acquire:– GIS symbol files, meta-data, data dictionaries,

guidelines and rule sets

• Develop programs:– GIS aml’s, overlays, reporting processes

• Gather permissions, procedures, forms to get access to government data sites

• Acquire:– GIS symbol files, meta-data, data dictionaries,

guidelines and rule sets

• Develop programs:– GIS aml’s, overlays, reporting processes

• Gather permissions, procedures, forms to get access to government data sites


Cranbrook, B.C.


• Translate the guidelines– The official guidelines are confusing or open

to interpretation. In some cases they simply have mistakes.

– Example: New GAR-type UWR in Arrow:• Start by gathering any non-published technical

documents, e.g. the Fretwell allocation algorithms. • Clarify the UWR reference to “vegetated”. This required

several weeks of questions and answers, and then documentation of the technical rules for evaluating the guidelines.

• Translate the guidelines– The official guidelines are confusing or open

to interpretation. In some cases they simply have mistakes.

– Example: New GAR-type UWR in Arrow:• Start by gathering any non-published technical

documents, e.g. the Fretwell allocation algorithms. • Clarify the UWR reference to “vegetated”. This required

several weeks of questions and answers, and then documentation of the technical rules for evaluating the guidelines.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Net land-base filesNet land-base files

– Many planning, and some resource guidelines are assessed against a net land-base file, such as those from TSR. An example is the allocation sequence in the “Fretwell Reports.”

– Important forest licensee strategies such as operating area negotiations are primarily based on net-land-base files.

– So, net land-base data files and associated documentation are also required.

– Many planning, and some resource guidelines are assessed against a net land-base file, such as those from TSR. An example is the allocation sequence in the “Fretwell Reports.”

– Important forest licensee strategies such as operating area negotiations are primarily based on net-land-base files.

– So, net land-base data files and associated documentation are also required.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Net land-base filesNet land-base files

– Acquiring the TSR-resultant file is all that may be needed. But, important attributes are often lacking.

– We want to be able to re-create the data file, if necessary, using fresh data.

– But the details of the data processing is not explained in the official reports (TSR Analysis Report, TSA Data Preparation Report.) ...

– Acquiring the TSR-resultant file is all that may be needed. But, important attributes are often lacking.

– We want to be able to re-create the data file, if necessary, using fresh data.

– But the details of the data processing is not explained in the official reports (TSR Analysis Report, TSA Data Preparation Report.) ...


Cranbrook, B.C.

Status as of this pointStatus as of this point

• There is a long list of data and information, and then tasks that require completion prior to being able to complete an FDP (or FSP) “package”

• The package, not just the FDP / FSP map, can then be submitted to the DM for approval.

• There is a long list of data and information, and then tasks that require completion prior to being able to complete an FDP (or FSP) “package”

• The package, not just the FDP / FSP map, can then be submitted to the DM for approval.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Proof of KSDP ValueProof of KSDP Value

• Interior staff have been downloading covers from the KSDP site, and pointing other contractors to it. This has reduced our workload.

• Tembec and BCTS are working towards populating the cells in the cover matrix for the East Kootenay area.

• Interior staff have been downloading covers from the KSDP site, and pointing other contractors to it. This has reduced our workload.

• Tembec and BCTS are working towards populating the cells in the cover matrix for the East Kootenay area.


Cranbrook, B.C.

Points for DiscussionPoints for Discussion

– Will someone standardize, clean, upgrade and update the KSDP covers?

– Include the background information as well as the covers on the KSDP site?

– Post “VRI” and “fc1/FIP” forest cover as well as all the TSR input covers?

– Make data available in both Albers and UTM?– Partnership agencies get access to the DP site,

not contractors. Is there a better way?

– Will someone standardize, clean, upgrade and update the KSDP covers?

– Include the background information as well as the covers on the KSDP site?

– Post “VRI” and “fc1/FIP” forest cover as well as all the TSR input covers?

– Make data available in both Albers and UTM?– Partnership agencies get access to the DP site,

not contractors. Is there a better way?


Cranbrook, B.C.

The EndThe End

• Of the old. And so begins a new era?• Of the old. And so begins a new era?


Cranbrook, B.C.

By the way....Who are the orcs? Google says...

By the way....Who are the orcs? Google says...

Core Data for the KSDP Data Warehouse: Core Data for the BCTS Warehouse

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