1. Parks and Open Space
Sensitive GIS Data Policy
March 26, 2015
{FILE} Pg. 1 of 1 2012/05
Summary
This policy defines sensitive GIS data and describes the appropriate and legal use of such information.
The categories of sensitive data are described and the reasons for their designation as sensitive are
explained. In appropriate situations sensitive data can be conditionally released to certain groups of the
public with permission from the custodians of that particular data. The terms of these releases and the
processes for doing so are also contained in this policy. Finally, this policy also establishes the methods
for amending the policy and adding or changing sensitive data sets and designations.
Purpose of the Sensitive GIS Data Policy
Boulder County Parks and Open Space (“POS”) is the steward of public land and its associated natural
and cultural resources. As the custodian of these resources, POS has the responsibility to balance the
protection of these resources with the desire of the community to utilize and appreciate these resources.
This stewardship extends to both digital and hard‐copy information and records that represents those
resources. This policy is designed to provide POS staff and the public with an understanding of what
Boulder County’s legal rights and responsibilities are in terms of sensitive GIS data, how to define
sensitive GIS data, and when and how to release these data. It is important to note that although the
amount of sensitive data that BCPOS stewards is small, less than 5% of all of the BCPOS GIS data, the
proper use and management of these data is critical.
Sensitive GIS Data Policy Process
The sensitive GIS data policy process was initiated in September of 2011, with representatives from the
POS divisions of Resource Management, Administration, Recreation and Facilities, and Resource
Planning participating in the process. The Real Estate and Agricultural Resources Divisions participated
in an advisory capacity. In the initial memorandum to BCPOS Management Staff the goals of the policy
were to define what sensitive GIS data are, clarify how those data are managed, determine who we
release those data to and in what format that data is released, and create a strategy for educating POS
staff and the public on proper usage of sensitive data.
The initial target completion date was April 2012. This goal was not achieved due to two major events.
First, an update to the Environmental Resources Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan
began in 2012. Part of this update process included identifying species and communities of special
concern in Boulder County. The sensitive GIS data policy group decided to use this list, in part, to
identify which data sets and records would be considered sensitive. Therefore, the sensitive GIS data
policy project was put on hold until the ERE update was completed. The final draft of the ERE update
was completed in September 2013, which then enabled the Sensitive Data Policy group to move forward
with the development of the Sensitive Data Policy. The second event to occur was the September 2013
flood event. For more than six months flood response and recovery became the primary focus for all of
the group members, so it was not until late spring 2014 that work resumed on the sensitive GIS data
policy.
13.
5. Species/communities that could occur within Boulder County and that CNHP ranks as critically imperiled,
imperiled, or vulnerable to extirpation either globally (G1 – G3) or statewide (S1 – S3), e.g., autumn willow
(Salix serissima) – G4/S1 and narrowleaf grapefern (Botrychium neolunaria) – G5/S3;
6. Relictual species/communities having undergone a documented long‐term decline or having a critically
low population size relative to their historic presence and/or relative abundance in a given ecosystem, e.g.,
American groundnut (Apios americana) – G5/S1 and big bluestem – prairie dropseed (Andropogon gerardii
– Sporobolus heterolepis) – G2/S1S2;
7. Species/communities endemic to Boulder County or region3, e.g., Colorado aletes (Aletes humilis) –
G2G3/S2S3;
8. Species/communities known or thought to be extinct or extirpated in Boulder County, i.e., species that
historically occupied and are native to Boulder County, that may exist in surrounding regions, and that may
be able to repopulate Boulder County, e.g., pale moonwort (Botrychium pallidum).
9. Species/communities whose populations in the County that are vulnerable to threats4 affecting their
populations either directly or indirectly, e.g. limber pine (Pinus flexilis);
10. Species/communities that have a disproportionately large effect on the diversity within the ecosystem(s)
they inhabit e.g., montane riparian forests such as quaking aspen/thinleaf alder (Populus tremuloides /
Alnus incana) forest – G3/S3;
11. Species/communities that are either naturally rare5, at the edge of their range in Boulder County, or are
isolated or imperiled, e.g., black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum‐nigrum) – G5/S1, montane willow carrs
such as Salix bebbiana shrubland – G3?/S2, and alkali wetlands such as Suaeda calceoliformis herbaceous
vegetation – GU/S2;
12. Species/communities that support sensitive wildlife, e.g., Western Great Plains herbaceous vegetation
(Andropogon gerardii – Schizachyrium scoparium) dominated by big and little bluestem, two native host
plants for Arogos skipper (Atrytone arogos) – G3G4/S2.
3
Species/communities endemic to Boulder County region indicates a species occurring only in Boulder County and in an adjacent
county or counties.
4
Direct or indirect threats to the stability of species populations or communities include disturbances such as climate change, disease,
residential or commercial development, fire suppression, mechanical forest thinning, prescribed fire, etc.
5
Species or communities that are “naturally rare” normally occur in low abundance throughout their range. While their populations
may be stable, species that are rare on the landscape are more vulnerable to extirpation compared to species with large populations.