Geographic Information Systems
Contents
- Introduction
- Reference Sources
- Basic GIS Information
- Documents
- Washington State GIS
- Online Mapping Systems - Washington Cities and Counties
- Public Disclosure GIS Issues
Introduction
Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer-based systems used to store, display, and analyze geographically referenced data, i.e. data identified according to their locations. GIS are also defined as computer-based mapping and information systems that enable the user to analyze geographic data in a variety of ways. GIS have a wide variety of applications for public works, planning and permitting, public safety, and other local government activities.
If you have information to share or are aware of other Web sites that we should link to, please contact Carol Tobin, Public Policy Consultant at ctobin@mrsc.org, or call (206) 625-1300.
Reference Sources
- Court Decisions
- Thomas Drummond v. City of Bellevue, King County Superior Court Case No. 93-2-22537-7 (1993). The city's GIS database systems were determined to be subject to full public disclosure and not a trade secret or subject to the Trade Secret Act. See "Second Update on Public Disclosure: Public Bidding Documents, E-mail, GIS data, Public Employment Records," by Kyle J. Crews, for a detailed discussion of this decision.
- Selected MRSC Library Holdings - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) [Note: Clicking on this link will take you to a list of documents available on loan through the MRSC library.]
- Links to Other GIS Sites (Note: Because of the maps and graphics, some of these links may take a long time to load)
Basic GIS Information
- “GIS and Your Community,” The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, Pennsylvania State University, 2003
- GIS.com – The Guide to Geographic Information Systems - Introductory guide to GIS (provided by ESRI)
Documents
The following are sample GIS agreements, ordinances, policies, and brochures from Washington jurisdictions.
- Federal Way Indemnification/Disclaimer of Warranty
- Federal Way Interactive Mapping Service Terms of Use
- Kirkland, WA Solicitation of Professional Services - Geographic Information System Services (2000)
- Draft Identification/Disclaimer of Warranty from Klickitat County (1999)
- Draft Memorandum of Agreement for Data Sharing from Klickitat County (1999)
- Lakewood GIS Disclaimer to and Warranty by Users of GIS Data
- Mountlake Terrace Resolution 483 Regarding Access to GIS Information (1995)
- Seattle/Shoreline GIS Data Provision Agreement (1996)
- Stevens County GIS brochure
Washington State GIS
- Washington State Department of Ecology GIS
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Interactive Mapping
- Department of Natural Resources (DNR) GIS Data Home
- GIS Data, Washington Heritage Program, DNR
- Washington Geographic Information Council
- Washington State Geospatial Clearinghouse
- Washington State Department of Transportation Maps and Data
Online Mapping Systems - Washington Cities and Counties
Public Disclosure GIS Issues
- "Geographic Information Systems Data Requested for Commercial or Non-commercial Purposes," in Public Records Disclosure for Washington Cities and Towns, Report No. 61, May 2007
- Update on Public Disclosure After PAWS, GIS Data, Litigation Disclosure; Trade Secrets Act, Legal Notes, MRSC Information Bulletin No. 459, April 1995, by Laurie Flinn Connelly, Assistant City Attorney, City of Spokane
- Second Update on Public Disclosure: Public Bidding Documents, E-mail, GIS data, Public Employment Records, Legal Notes, MRSC Information Bulletin No. 491, October 1995, by Kyle J. Crews, Assistant City Attorney, City of Tacoma