110 - GENERAL. The procedure for requesting special map products is as follows:
1. Plan ahead to allow adequate lead time.
4 to 18 months before color separated maps should go to the printer. (example TLMP, RARE II, Forest Visitor Maps, EIS Maps.)
2 to 6 months for less complex black and white maps for duplicating or blueline-type copies.
Remember, your project is probably only one of several in work at the same time. Photo lab work is done under contract, normally outside Alaska.
2. Work through your Geometronics coordinator. The following are the designated coordinators for each Area/Forest.
Chugach Randy Schrank 271-2545
Chatham Robin Bergey 747-6671
Stikine Everett Kissinger 772-3841
Ketchikan Jim Rhodes 225-3101
Geometronics coordinator duties may be reassigned due to transfers, and so forth. If you do not know who your coordinator is, call your Forest Engineer for the current coordinator's name and number.
Be sure to get a publication approval from Regional Public Affairs Office for map/brochures to be published.
3. Approach Geometronics with a clear idea of the information to be portrayed and the final product desired. Be sure to discuss map format, base map source, methods of portrayal, and scheduling. If the map is to portray a large amount of, or complex information, Geometronics will supply stable copies of the base map selected for use by the requesting unit. A date for information to be supplied to Geometronics, as well as a cut-off date for changes and a final completion date, will be agreed on.
4. Draft information should be displayed (ink or felt-tip pen) on the base map furnished, or on stable overlays keyed to it. After this information is given to Geometronics, format, scale, or major content changes should not be made. Legend and textual information should be supplied at this time. Geographic names displayed must be those approved by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (generally names which appear on USGS or Forest Service maps are approved). Names for administrative sites, cabins, campgrounds, and so forth, can be selected by the requestor.
5. Abide by the cut-off date agreed upon for changes. Many errors in final maps are caused by extensive last minute changes, which cause inadequate time for a quality review. Both Geometronics and the requesting unit should have adequate time to review the map before it is published and/or disseminated to the public.
6. Regional Office (RO) funds to pay for photo lab reproductions for special maps are limited. These funds are held in the RO and used to pay for photo lab reproductions to be used in the construction of special maps for Regional users. The amount of the RO funds for photo lab reproductions varies from year-to-year based on budget restrictions. The amount anticipated for FY 1991 is $12,000. Funds will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Procurement against these funds is restricted to the purchase of photographic reproductions by the RO Geometronics Group, to be used in the in-house preparation of special maps for a requesting unit. All other procurements of photographic reproductions, including procurement for special maps which exceed the RO funds designated for this purpose, must be funded by the requesting unit.
A summary of the costs to the Regional users for special maps is:
- No charge for cartographer's time.
- No charge for photo lab reproductions up to the amount set aside in the RO.
- Users pay all costs for photo lab reproductions over and above the amount set aside in the RO.
Users should obtain an estimate of cost to their unit when submitting requests for special mapping. RO Geometronics staff will provide this cost estimate based on current photo lab prices and the balance of the photo lab funds still available in the RO. Costs will vary with number and dimensions of map layers made and current prices for photo reproductions.