The purpose of the Statewide Parcel Data Inventory Research Project is to inform those interested in the status of digital parcel data development by local government.  The survey canvassed Minnesota’s counties, cities and Indian Reservations that archive, create, and maintain parcel data.  Digital parcel data is invaluable to many agencies and organizations.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation needs data about parcel ownership for right-of-way acquisition and land management purposes.  The process of identifying land ownership within a right-of-way is often difficult and labor intensive, because many counties maintain records of ownership in systems that are not spatially oriented or linked to computer databases. 

A few counties (and cities) have developed GIS-based cadastral maps that could facilitate the effort of identifying landowners or other parcel data attributes, but there is no central statewide inventory of which counties have these resources, who to contact for information, or the quality of the data in those systems.  The major goal of the Statewide Parcel Data Inventory Project was to create an inventory of existing GIS cadastre systems in Minnesota.  A secondary goal of the inventory involved identifying the method of parcel data development, the frequency of maintenance, data development standards and distribution practices, remonumentation efforts, and other key information.

The goal of the project was to reduce redundant effort between agencies in parcel data development while fostering cooperation between Mn/DOT and others leading to improved working relationships and increased knowledge exchange.  An additional outcome expected is the potential for increased uniformity of data, standardized information, improved methods of data access and automated data exchange, while increasing opportunity for sharing of best practices.

This sight is designed to inform users of spatial data development as well as provide contact information.  Future plans include the ability for government agencies to annually up-date their digital parcel development status on-line via the Internet.

The Statewide Parcel Data Inventory of Research Project was initiated and funded  by Mn/DOT in cooperation with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) of the University of Minnesota and Pro-West & Associates, Inc., as a GIS consultant.

A project team contact information is provided if you have questions about the project.