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pdfBoundary and Annexation Survey Geographic
Update Partnership Software How-to Guide
(Standalone version)
Instructions for Participating in the Boundary and Annexation Survey Using the Standalone
version of the Geographic Update Partnership Software
Last Updated January 2025.
U.S. Census Bureau
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) GUPS Standalone How-to Guide
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................................viii
A.
Key Dates for BAS Respondents .................................................................................... viii
B.
Adjacencies and Legal Disputes ..................................................................................... viii
C.
Contact Us ........................................................................................................................ ix
D.
Resources ......................................................................................................................... ix
Chapter 1 Getting Started with GUPS................................................................................... 1
1.1
Downloading and Installing GUPS ................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 System Requirements ................................................................................................. 1
1.1.2 Installing GUPS ............................................................................................................ 2
Chapter 2 Starting a BAS Project .......................................................................................... 3
2.1
Creating a Project ............................................................................................................ 3
2.2
Loading BAS Partnership Shapefiles ................................................................................ 6
2.2.1 Census Web (Recommended) ..................................................................................... 6
2.2.2 My Computer .............................................................................................................. 6
2.3
GUPS Overview ................................................................................................................ 8
2.3.1 Adding Local Data........................................................................................................ 8
2.3.2 Basic Map Tools........................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 3 Geographic Review and Update ......................................................................... 10
3.1
Creating Change Files..................................................................................................... 10
3.2
Legal Changes ................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.1 Documentation for Legal Tribal Changes .................................................................. 10
3.2.2 Creating Legal Changes ............................................................................................. 11
3.2.3 Adding Area through Legal Change........................................................................... 12
3.2.4 Removing Area through Legal Change ...................................................................... 13
3.3
Boundary Corrections .................................................................................................... 14
3.4
Linear Features .............................................................................................................. 14
3.4.1 Adding Linear Features ............................................................................................. 15
3.4.2 Deleting and Restoring Linear Features .................................................................... 16
3.4.3 Modifying Linear Feature Attributes......................................................................... 17
3.5
New Incorporations and Disincorporations................................................................... 18
3.5.1 New Incorporations................................................................................................... 18
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3.5.2 Disincorporations ...................................................................................................... 20
3.6
Census Designated Places (CDPs) .................................................................................. 22
3.6.1 Creating CDP Changes ............................................................................................... 22
3.6.2 Adding Area to a CDP ................................................................................................ 23
3.6.3 Removing Area from a CDP ....................................................................................... 23
3.6.4 Creating a New CDP .................................................................................................. 24
3.6.5 Deleting an Existing CDP ........................................................................................... 26
3.7
Quality Checks ............................................................................................................... 26
3.8
Exporting Changes to Zip ............................................................................................... 28
Chapter 4 Submit Changes to the Census Bureau ............................................................... 30
4.1
Troubleshooting SWIM .................................................................................................. 30
Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 32
Appendix A
GUPS Mapping Tools .................................................................................... A-1
A1
Standard Toolbar .......................................................................................................... A-1
A2
BAS Toolbar ................................................................................................................... A-3
A3
Add Data Toolbar .......................................................................................................... A-4
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: System Requirements for GUPS ........................................................................................ 1
Table 2: Standard Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions ........................................................... A-1
Table 3: BAS Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions .................................................................... A-3
Table 4: Add Data Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions ........................................................... A-4
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: QGIS Icon.......................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2: Map Management tool on the Standard toolbar ............................................................ 3
Figure 3: Map Management window for BAS................................................................................. 3
Figure 4: Secondary Map Management window to Select a Data Source ..................................... 4
Figure 5: Map Management window for Tribal BAS ...................................................................... 5
Figure 6: Tribal BAS Entity Type options ......................................................................................... 5
Figure 7: Map Management window with Adjacent Counties in yellow ....................................... 6
Figure 8: Partnership Shapefile Batch Download Page .................................................................. 7
Figure 9: Example of the downloaded .zip file in Edge browser .................................................... 7
Figure 10: Nested .zip files .............................................................................................................. 7
Figure 11: Add Data toolbar............................................................................................................ 8
Figure 12: Add Vector Layer tool .................................................................................................... 8
Figure 13: Standard toolbar ............................................................................................................ 9
Figure 14: BAS toolbar .................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 15: Modify Area Feature tool on the BAS toolbar ............................................................. 11
Figure 16: Modify Area Feature dialog window with a Place selected in the Info list ................. 12
Figure 17: Add Area tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar...................................................... 12
Figure 18: Modify Area Feature dialog window with Legal Change option ................................. 12
Figure 19: Create Change Polygons dialog window for Legal Changes ........................................ 13
Figure 20: Remove Area tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar ............................................... 13
Figure 21: Secondary Modify Area Feature dialog window with Change Types .......................... 14
Figure 22: Add Linear Feature dialog window .............................................................................. 15
Figure 23: Adding a Boundary in GUPS as a Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary..................... 16
Figure 24: Delete/Restore Linear Feature tool on the BAS toolbar ............................................. 16
Figure 25: Delete/Restore Linear Feature dialog window ............................................................ 16
Figure 26: Symbology of a Linear Feature Marked for Deletion .................................................. 17
Figure 27: Modify Linear Feature Attributes tool on the BAS toolbar ......................................... 17
Figure 28: Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog window........................................................ 18
Figure 29: Add Entity tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar .................................................... 19
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Figure 30: Modify Area Feature dialog window for a New Incorporation ................................... 19
Figure 31: Example of Symbology for a New Incorporation with a Placeholder code ................. 20
Figure 32: Delete Area Feature tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar .................................... 21
Figure 33: Modify Area Feature dialog window for a Disincorporation ....................................... 21
Figure 34: Confirmation window for a Disincorporation.............................................................. 22
Figure 35: Symbolization of CDPs on the Map ............................................................................. 22
Figure 36: Modify Area Feature tool with Census Designated Place (CDP) selected ................... 23
Figure 37: Select Features and Add Area tools in the Modify Area Feature toolbar ................... 23
Figure 38: Select Features and Remove Area tools in the Modify Area Feature toolbar ............ 24
Figure 39: Add Entity tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar .................................................... 24
Figure 40: Modify Area Feature New Entity dialog window for a CDP not meeting criteria ....... 24
Figure 41: Modify Area Feature window for a new CDP .............................................................. 25
Figure 42: BAS Criteria Review tool on the BAS toolbar ............................................................... 25
Figure 43: BAS Criteria Review window shows CDPs that may not meet minimum criteria ....... 25
Figure 44: Confirmation window for CDP criteria ........................................................................ 26
Figure 45: Delete Area Feature tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar .................................... 26
Figure 46: Confirmation window for the Deletion of a CDP ......................................................... 26
Figure 47: Review Change Polygons tool on the BAS toolbar ...................................................... 27
Figure 48: Example of the Small Area Check in the Review Change Polygons tool ..................... 27
Figure 49: Example of the Find Holes check in the Tribal BAS module ........................................ 28
Figure 50: Export to Zip tool on the BAS toolbar .......................................................................... 28
Figure 51: Select Output Type dialog window .............................................................................. 29
Figure 52: GUPS User Contact Information Form ......................................................................... 29
Figure 53: SWIM Login Screen and Password Reset Link ............................................................. 31
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INTRODUCTION
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) provides eligible governments, which include tribal,
state, and general-purpose local governments, an opportunity to review the Census Bureau’s
legal boundary data to ensure the Census Bureau has the correct boundary, name, and status
information. BAS also allows participants to review and provide updates to census designated
place (CDP) boundaries and linear features. Maintaining correct boundaries helps the Census
Bureau assign appropriate housing and population counts to each government. Title 13, Section
6, United States Code authorizes this survey.
BAS fulfills the agency’s responsibility as part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, for
which the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–16 designates the Census
Bureau as the lead federal agency for maintaining national data about legal government
boundaries, as well as administrative and statistical boundaries. BAS supports the geospatial
data steward responsibilities of the Geospatial Data Act, the Evidence Act, OMB E-Gov, the
Federal Geographic Data Committee, Data.gov, GeoPlatform.gov, the National Map, the
Geographic Names Information System, and the Geospatial One-Stop.
The Census Bureau uses the boundaries collected in BAS to tabulate data for various censuses
and surveys including the decennial census, American Community Survey (ACS), and Population
Estimates Program (PEP). It also uses the boundaries collected through BAS to support several
other programs such as Congressional and State Legislative redistricting, the Economic Census,
the Geographically Updated Population Certification Program, and the Special Census program.
A.
Key Dates for BAS Respondents
January 1
Legal boundary changes must be in effect on or before this date to be reported
in the current survey year.
March 1
First BAS deadline–Legal boundary changes returned by this date will be shown
in the ACS and PEP data and in next year’s BAS materials.
May 31
Final BAS deadline–Legal boundary changes returned by this date will be shown
in next year’s BAS materials. If time permits, boundary corrections returned by
this date may also be shown.
B.
Adjacencies and Legal Disputes
The Census Bureau will not make any boundary change that affects adjacent legal governments
without the appropriate documentation. Review any changes that affect adjacent governments
to determine if they are intentional legal changes. If the Census Bureau discovers that an area
of land is in dispute between two or more jurisdictions, the Census Bureau will not make any
changes until the parties come to a written agreement or there is a documented final court
decision regarding the dispute. To learn more, contact the Census Bureau Legal Office at
1-301-763-2918.
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For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at
the Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often complicated land issues require an
extended period for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the current
boundary until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor's office.
C.
Contact Us
For assistance in preparing a BAS submission or if issues arise with the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS), contact the Census Bureau at or
1-800-972-5651.When emailing , include the following details:
D.
•
BAS ID and Government Name.
•
Entity type.
•
Contact information.
•
Version of GUPS in use.
•
Full text of the error message received as a screenshot or text (if applicable).
•
Screenshots of discrepancies (if applicable).
Resources
Additional resources include a technical guide and videos that demonstrate the BAS submission
process. For background on Census Bureau geography and technical details regarding BAS
submissions, change types, and shapefiles, see the BAS Technical Guide at:
. Videos of
recorded demonstrations and informational sessions are available on the BAS website at:
.
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CHAPTER 1
GETTING STARTED WITH GUPS
The Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) is a user-friendly geographic information
system (GIS) that is customized for each of the Census Bureau’s geographic partnership
programs. GUPS features a BAS and Tribal BAS module which offers tools specific to BAS that
allows participants to create a standardized submission. Standardized submissions allow the
Census Bureau to easily process returned BAS files. GUPS is designed as a digital method to
mimic paper map updates, allowing for more accurate digital submissions that are created with
imagery and geospatial reference data in mind.
1.1
Downloading and Installing GUPS
A standalone version of GUPS is available for download directly from the BAS website at:
.
See section 1.1.2 for step-by-step installation instructions. Once installed, BAS shapefiles can be
loaded from the BAS website directly into the GUPS application.
1.1.1
System Requirements
Before beginning the installation, confirm the computer has the capabilities needed to run
GUPS. GUPS is based on QGIS, a free and open-source desktop GIS application. To learn more
about QGIS, visit their website at: . The GUPS application was developed for
use in a desktop PC or a network environment. Table 1 lists the hardware and software
requirements to install and run GUPS.
Table 1: System Requirements for GUPS
Hardware
Operating System
Disk Space Needed to Run GUPS:
Windows®:
4 GB
To run GUPS, Windows users need one of the following operating
systems:
Disk Space Needed to Store
Shapefiles:
Shapefile sizes vary. To view the size
of the shapefiles, right-click, and
choose Properties in the dropdown
menu. The Files Properties box will
open and display the folder size. Select
multiple files/folders in the list to view
their properties via the same method.
RAM:
4 GB minimum, 8 GB or more
recommended for optimal
performance.
U.S. Census Bureau
•
•
Windows 10®
Windows 11®
Apple®:
Mac OS X® users must secure a license for Microsoft Windows and
use a Windows bridge. The suggested bridge software is Boot
Camp®, which comes pre-installed on all Mac computers. Locate
instructions for using Boot Camp at:
.
IMPORTANT: Since Boot Camp requires a restart of the computer to
set up the bridge, be sure to print the instructions provided at the
URL above before beginning installation.
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1.1.2
Installing GUPS
A standalone version of GUPS is available for download from the BAS website. To install GUPS,
follow the steps below once the download is complete.
1. Unzip the file “gups.zip” and extract all contents of the unzipped package to a folder on the
computer.
2. Select the Setup-x.x.x batch file to start the installation.
3. When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen opens. Follow
the instructions on the Wizard and select Next.
4. The License Agreement screen opens. Review the License Agreement and select I Agree to
continue the install process.
5. The Choose Install Location screen opens. Select Browse to choose the location where GUPS
will be installed. It is recommended to install the application at the default location shown
(C:\Program Files\QGIS GUPS). Select Next to continue the install process.
6. The Choose Components screen opens. The Select Components to Install box will be grayed out
as it is the default. Select Install to continue.
7. The software should take five to ten minutes to complete the install. When the install is
complete, the Completing the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen opens. To complete the install,
select Finish at the bottom of the screen.
Note: Many agencies/organizations require certain security privileges to download and install external
software. Work with the local Information Technology (IT) staff to acquire those privileges or ask
they assist with GUPS installation. Please note that GUPS users with different security privileges
than the IT staff person that installed the software will encounter problems accessing the
directories and plugins needed to operate GUPS if the software is not installed under the user’s
profile. To correct this, have the IT staff person reinstall GUPS under the user’s profile using the
user’s credentials. If installation problems remain, Contact Us for installation assistance.
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CHAPTER 2
2.1
STARTING A BAS PROJECT
Creating a Project
Once installed, open GUPS by using the mouse to double-click the QGIS icon that appears after
the installation is complete.
Figure 1: QGIS Icon
Once open, users can begin to set up a BAS project.
1. To set up the a BAS project, use the Map Management tool. This tool should open automatically
when opening QGIS. If it does not, select the icon that looks like a map with a north arrow.
Figure 2: Map Management tool on the Standard toolbar
a. The Map Management tool will set up the workspace and download the Census Bureau’s
shapefiles for review.
Figure 3: Map Management window for BAS
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Note: If the previous year’s options for BAS or Tribal BAS appear in the Map Management window,
update GUPS to the current version (section 1.1).
b. Within the Map Management window, select a Program:
i. Non-tribal governments: select 2025 Boundary and Annexation Survey and continue
with step c.
ii. Tribal governments: select 2025 Tribal Boundary and Annexation Survey and continue
with step d.
c. For BAS complete the following:
i. State: The state your government is within.
ii. Working County: The county your government is within. If your government is in two or
more counties, create a project for each county your government is in.
iii. A secondary Map Management window appears to select the data source for the
working county. The options to load current BAS Partnership Shapefiles into the project
include:
(1) My Computer: select shapefiles from a location on the hard drive, or
Census Web: shapefiles directly from the Census Bureau website. The Census Web
option is recommended. See section 2.2 for more information on loading BAS
Partnership Shapefiles into the GUPS project.
Figure 4: Secondary Map Management window to Select a Data Source
iv. Entity Type: The type of the government you are reporting for.
v. Entity Name: The name of the government you are reporting for.
vi. A list appears below the chosen government name that contains the names of all the
counties in the selected state. The names of the counties that are adjacent to the
working county will show up at the top of the list highlighted in yellow. Check any
counties to visualize them on the map. If your government is in two or more counties,
select the additional county or counties at this time; however, changes may only be
made inside the working county.
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d. For Tribal BAS complete the following:
Figure 5: Map Management window for Tribal BAS
i.
Entity Type: Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Hawaiian Home Land, or
Reservation / Trust Land.
Figure 6: Tribal BAS Entity Type options
ii. Entity Name: Select the name of the area you are reporting changes for from the
dropdown menu. This menu does not include the names of the tribe or tribal
governments.
iii. A dialog window opens that allows the user to select the data resource for the working
entity. The options to load current BAS Partnership Shapefiles into the project include:
(1) My Computer: select shapefiles from a location on the hard drive, or
(2) Census Web: shapefiles directly from the Census Bureau website. The Census Web
option is recommended. See section 2.2 for more information on loading BAS
Partnership Shapefiles into the GUPS project.
iv. A list appears below the government name that contains the names of all the counties
in the selected tribal reservation or trust lands. The names of the counties that are
adjacent to the working county will show up at the top of the list highlighted in yellow.
Check any counties to visualize them on the map.
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Figure 7: Map Management window with Adjacent Counties in yellow
2. Select Open and the Census Bureau data opens in the map screen.
2.2
Loading BAS Partnership Shapefiles
This section expands on the two options, shown in Figure 4,to load the current BAS Partnership
Shapefiles into the project that appear during Map Management setup after selecting the
working county or entity type.
2.2.1
Census Web (Recommended)
BAS Partnership Shapefiles can be loaded directly into the application from the BAS website by
choosing the Census Web option during project setup. Users can load the shapefiles as needed
or load multiple county files at once. This is the recommended method for loading the BAS
Partnership Shapefiles into GUPS so that required files are placed in the correct location for the
application to access.
2.2.2
My Computer
When the My Computer option for loading files is selected, the user must first download the
shapefiles from the Census Bureau’s Partnership Shapefiles webpage. GUPS will then load them
after the user selects the folder in which they are located. The Census Web option automates
this process. To use the My Computer option:
1. Navigate to the BAS Partnership Shapefiles webpage at:
. Be certain to
select the version used for BAS (v2) and not the other versions that may appear on the page.
2. Under 2025 Partnership Shapefiles for 2025 BAS in the Select a state dropdown box, select the
name of the state in which the government is located from the dropdown list.
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3. Select the county(ies) or county equivalent(s) needed by choosing the box next to it. Up to five
(5) counties may be selected at one time. Once the counties selection is complete, select Submit
at the bottom left-hand side of the page. Tribal BAS participants should download all counties
within their working area.
Figure 8: Partnership Shapefile Batch Download Page
4. A prompt to save the file(s) appears. This prompt will look different depending on which
browser is used.
Figure 9: Example of the downloaded .zip file in Edge browser
5. Select the down arrow next to Save and select Save As in the dropdown list. The Save As dialog
window appears, with the file appearing in the File Name field. If more than one county was
selected, a single zip file containing the selected counties is saved.
Figure 10: Nested .zip files
Note: The BAS year used in screenshots throughout this document may vary, however, functionality
remains the same.
6. In the Save As dialog window, select a location in the home directory to save the files.
7. Select Save to save the files in the selected location.
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8. To obtain shapefiles for additional counties, repeat the download process as needed.
9. Unzip all the zip files to the working folder.
10. When the geography is selected in GUPS, the application asks to specify the location. Select My
Computer. When a selection is made, GUPS asks to select a directory. Navigate to the location
where the files were saved and select those to be uploaded. GUPS loads the files, then moves
them to the pre-established folder in the home directory.
2.3
GUPS Overview
Once the project is loaded and open, review the current Census Bureau geography in the map
to find areas that need to be updated.
BAS participants can use the BAS Module in GUPS to:
•
•
•
Add, delete, and modify legal governments for:
o Counties [and equivalent areas].
o Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs).
o Incorporated Places.
o Consolidated Cities.
Add, delete, and modify CDPs.
Add, delete, and modify linear features (roads, railroads, and water).
Tribal BAS participants can use the Tribal BAS Module in GUPS to:
•
Add, delete, and modify legal governments (Federally Recognized Reservation and OffReservation Trust lands, and Tribal Subdivisions).
•
Add, delete, and modify CDPs.
•
Add, delete, and modify linear features (roads, railroads, and water).
2.3.1
Adding Local Data
To import locally owned imagery, geodatabase, shapefiles, web mapping service, or other data
layers into GUPS use the Add Data toolbar.
Figure 11: Add Data toolbar
Note: Although shown in a horizontal position in Figure 11, the Add Data toolbar appears arranged
vertically to the left of the Layers Panel in GUPS. Its tools are described in Appendix A.
To add a vector layer, such as a shapefile or geodatabase layer from the local computer:
1. Select the Add Vector Layer tool on the Add Data toolbar.
Figure 12: Add Vector Layer tool
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2. The Add Vector Layer dialog window opens. Select the ellipses and navigate to the folder where
the shapefile or geodatabase is saved on the computer.
3. Left-click the file to be uploaded, then select Add. The shapefile/geodatabase is added to the
Layers Panel and to the Map View.
Users can also add data from Web Mapping Services (WMS), raster-based imagery and other
data types using the corresponding tools on the Add Data toolbar. Refer to the QGIS website at:
for information on these options.
2.3.2
Basic Map Tools
The Standard toolbar (Figure 13) provides the tools to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables. These tools are used to identify and select/deselect features on the map and
to view feature attributes. They are also used to make measurements and create spatial
bookmarks. The location of the sub-toolbars can be moved by left-clicking the parallel lines
preceding the sub-toolbar and while holding down the mouse, dragging the sub-toolbar to the
desired location.
Figure 13: Standard toolbar
The BAS toolbar (Figure 14) provides the tools for the BAS-specific functions needed to
complete review and update activities, as well as to import and export zipped shapefiles. It has
additional options for toggling imagery. An explanation of the tools on each toolbar and an
overview of their functions can be found in Appendix A.
Figure 14: BAS toolbar
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CHAPTER 3
GEOGRAPHIC REVIEW AND UPDATE
At this point, users should review their boundary, noting where adjustments are required or
where linear features need to be added or removed. Common changes include annexations, or
additions of land to a government, deannexations, or deletions of land from a government, and
boundary corrections.
3.1
Creating Change Files
The first two tools to become familiar with are the Add Linear Feature tool and the Modify Area
Feature tool. The Modify Area Feature tool works by selecting faces, polygons bounded by
linear features such as road and water features, as well as nonphysical boundaries such as
parcel lines, cadastral features, etc. If the area to add or remove is not already bounded by
features, users will need to perform two steps.
First, users will need to create the sides of the polygons using the Add Linear Feature tool on
the BAS toolbar (section 3.4). Then once a polygon is bounded by features, add or remove the
area using the Modify Area Feature tool (section 3.3). Repeat as necessary to create the
changes to update the boundary. This will create a change file to review and submit to the
Census Bureau.
3.2
Legal Changes
The primary goal of BAS is to document legal boundary changes. When creating legal changes
for incorporated places, MCDs, and counties such as annexations or deannexations, provide the
following information:
•
Change type.
•
Authorization type.
•
Effective date.
•
Documentation numbers.
Submissions that are missing any of the required information will not be incorporated into
Census Bureau data until the required information has been provided.
3.2.1
Documentation for Legal Tribal Changes
The Census Bureau is responsible for depicting reservation and off-reservation trust land
boundaries, but because the Census Bureau is not the authority on the boundaries,
documentation is required to update reservation and off-reservation trust land boundaries.
The following changes require documentation:
•
New off-reservation trust land.
•
New reservation land.
•
Changes from off-reservation trust land to reservation land and changes from reservation land
to off-reservation trust land.
•
Large changes to existing off-reservation trust land.
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•
Large changes to existing reservation land.
•
Boundary corrections to off-reservation trust land or reservation land that do not follow the
general shape of the boundary.
For off-reservation trust land, the most common documentation is a trust deed or a letter from
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Documents should state that the land is “in trust” for the
tribe.
For reservation land, documentation examples include (but are not limited to) Federal Register
Notice, Act of Congress, Executive Order, or a new legal opinion issued by the BIA. When
submitting large boundary corrections to an existing reservation, submit the reservation
document.
If no documentation is available, contact the tribe’s regional BIA office to obtain
documentation. The Census Bureau will treat legal opinions issued in writing from the BIA as
documentation since the BIA is the authority on reservation and off-reservation trust land
boundaries. If the Census Bureau cannot interpret a document, such as a treaty, the Census
Bureau will contact the BIA for assistance.
For questions about documentation, Contact Us. To contact the BIA, reach out to the nearest
regional office, at: .
3.2.2
Creating Legal Changes
Once the faces to add or remove from the government are identified, use GUPS to create and
submit legal boundary changes.
1. Select the Modify Area Feature tool (Figure 15) on the BAS toolbar.
Figure 15: Modify Area Feature tool on the BAS toolbar
2. Select the Geography type from the dropdown menu.
3. Select the entity to modify in the Info list.
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Figure 16: Modify Area Feature dialog window with a Place selected in the Info list
4. Select the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar to activate the select tool. It is the yellow square and cursor icon on the left side of the
window, next to the Add Area tool shown below in Figure 17.
3.2.3
Adding Area through Legal Change
To add an annexation or addition to a government as a legal change:
1. Select the faces to modify with the Select Features tool.
2. Select the Add Area tool to add the faces to the selected entity.
Figure 17: Add Area tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
3. Select Legal Change as the change type in the dialog window and select OK.
Figure 18: Modify Area Feature dialog window with Legal Change option
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4. Complete the required fields for the Create Change Polygons dialog window.
a. EFF_DATE: Add the effective date for the legal change using the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field or enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
b. AUTHTYPE: Add the authorization type using the dropdown menu.
c. DOCU: Type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the change
or attach documentation for the change. To attach documentation, select the folder icon
next to the DOCU field.
i. BAS users: The full document is not required for the submission to be accepted.
ii. Tribal BAS users: Attach the required document or the reference to the law.
d. CHNG_TYPE: Choose the change type in the dropdown.
5. Select OK. This will create a change in the changes file for the geography selected.
6. Selecting Cancel will save the change as a boundary correction.
Figure 19: Create Change Polygons dialog window for Legal Changes
Note: Red asterisks indicate required fields. Required fields must be completed to move forward. If
one or more required fields are not completed and the OK button is selected, GUPS will prompt
the user to complete the fields. Any required field not completed will highlight in red.
3.2.4
Removing Area through Legal Change
To remove an area from a government as a deannexation, or deletion through a legal change:
1. Select the faces to be marked for removal with the Select Features tool.
2. Select the Remove Area tool to mark the faces to be removed from the selected government.
Figure 20: Remove Area tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
3. Select Legal Change as the change type in the dialog window and select OK (Figure 18).
4. Complete the required fields for the Create Change Polygon dialog window.
a. EFF_DATE: Add the effective date for the legal change using the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field or enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
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b. AUTHTYPE: Add the authorization type using the dropdown menu.
c. DOCU: Type in the ordinance or other legal documentation number authorizing the change
or attach documentation for the change. To attach documentation, select the folder icon
next to the DOCU field.
i. BAS users: The full document is not required for the submission to be accepted.
ii. Tribal BAS users: Attach the required document or the reference to the law.
d. CHNG_TYPE: Choose the change type in the dropdown.
5. Select OK. This will create a change in the changes file for the geography selected.
6. Selecting Cancel will save the change as a boundary correction.
3.3
Boundary Corrections
A boundary correction is the adjustment of a boundary to correct an error in how the Census
Bureau depicts an existing boundary. Boundary corrections should follow the general shape of
the existing boundary. For both BAS and Tribal BAS, legal documentation is not required when
submitting a boundary correction to the Census Bureau.
To create boundary corrections using GUPS:
Select the Modify Area Feature tool on the BAS toolbar (Figure 15).
Select the Geography type from the dropdown menu.
Select the entity to modify from the Info list (Figure 16).
Choose the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar to activate the select tool.
5. Select the Add Area tool (Figure 17) to add the faces to the selected geography or the Remove
Area tool (Figure 20) to remove the faces from the selected geography.
6. Select Boundary Correction as the change type in the dialog window and select OK.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Figure 21: Secondary Modify Area Feature dialog window with Change Types
3.4
Linear Features
It is important that Census Bureau data reflects the most recent linear features to ensure that
new or previously missed housing units located along these features are identified and located.
Linear features include visible features such as roads, railways, water features like rivers,
creeks, and coastlines, but also non-visible features such as property lines and survey lines.
When reviewing linear features (edges layer) on the BAS shapefiles, first determine whether
any features are missing or need to be deleted. Pay particular attention to areas that have
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experienced recent population growth or construction activities, as these are the most likely to
possess new or altered linear features (e.g., new subdivisions, traffic circles converted to
straight ways, or privately maintained roads that serve as public streets, but exclude private
driveways). Attribute updates (e.g., name, class code, and address ranges) may also be added
for selected features.
Use the one of the three Linear Feature tools on the BAS toolbar to add, remove, or modify
linear features in the project.
3.4.1
Adding Linear Features
1. Select the Add Linear Feature tool on the BAS toolbar. Figure 24 shows this button to the left of
the Delete/Restore Linear Feature tool.
2. To digitize the linear feature, left-click the mouse at the starting point of the line and continue
to left-click the mouse at each vertex of the line. When the new line is completed, right-click the
mouse. The right-click tells GUPS to finish drawing and the Add Linear Feature dialog window
will open.
Figure 22: Add Linear Feature dialog window
3. Select the MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code (MTFCC) that corresponds to the type of linear feature
being added.
a. To create the sides of a polygon to add or remove area from an entity, use MTFCC P0001 –
Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary.
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Figure 23: Adding a Boundary in GUPS as a Nonvisible Legal/Statistical Boundary
4. Update the Prefix, Name, and Suffix fields as applicable. The Name field is required for primary
and secondary roads. If adequate attribution is not provided, the Census Bureau will not make
the correction for this BAS cycle.
5. Select OK to complete the transaction. The newly digitized linear feature appears with its
corresponding symbology.
3.4.2
Deleting and Restoring Linear Features
To mark a feature for deletion:
1. Select the Delete/Restore Linear Feature tool on the BAS toolbar.
Figure 24: Delete/Restore Linear Feature tool on the BAS toolbar
2. Select the linear feature to mark for deletion. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature dialog window
will open.
Figure 25: Delete/Restore Linear Feature dialog window
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3. Confirm the action by selecting OK.
4. The linear feature appears with an “X’d out” symbology (Figure 26) to show it has been marked
for deletion.
Figure 26: Symbology of a Linear Feature Marked for Deletion
To restore a linear feature marked for deletion:
1.
2.
3.
4.
3.4.3
Select the Delete/Restore Linear Feature tool on the BAS toolbar.
Select the linear feature to restore. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature dialog window will open.
Confirm the action by selecting OK.
The “X’d” out symbology will be removed from the linear feature.
Modifying Linear Feature Attributes
1. Select the Modify Linear Feature Attributes tool on the BAS toolbar.
Figure 27: Modify Linear Feature Attributes tool on the BAS toolbar
2. Select the linear feature to modify. A Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog window will open
(Figure 28).
3. Update the MTFCC, FULLNAME, and address range fields (if applicable for the feature) in the
dialog window.
4. Confirm the action by selecting Save.
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Figure 28: Modify Linear Feature Attributes dialog window
3.5
New Incorporations and Disincorporations
Users can add a new government and disincorporate an existing government using the Add
Entity and Remove Entity tools found in the Modify Area Feature toolbar. Those two tools are
available for the following geographies:
•
New reservation and off-reservation trust lands.
•
Tribal Subdivisions.
•
Incorporated Places.
•
MCDs.
•
CDPs.
Tribal BAS does not have Remove Entity functionality for certain geography. Tribal participants
wanting to completely remove reservation or trust land should Contact Us.
3.5.1
New Incorporations
To add a new government in GUPS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Open the county to add a new government in the Map View.
Select the Modify Area Feature tool (Figure 15) on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog window opens.
Select the dropdown arrow next to the Geography field and select the government type to add
from the dropdown menu. For this example, a newly incorporated city is added so select Place.
The place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated places in the county
appears in the Info list (Figure 16).
5. Zoom to the location where the new government is located. To select the faces for the
government, left-click once on the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in
the Modify Area Feature toolbar.
6. Choose a spot on the map to select the face or faces.
a. If the government includes only a single face, simply left-click once on the face to select it. If
the government includes several contiguous faces, after selecting the first face, press the
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CTRL key and while holding it down, left-click on each additional face to be added. The
selected faces turn cyan.
b. Because all geographic areas consist of faces, users may need to split a face to accurately
reflect a government’s boundary. To split a face, digitize a new line that represents the
boundary’s location (see section 3.4 for instructions to add a linear feature) and assign it the
appropriate MTFCC. This splits the original face into two faces. Now select the face to add to
the new entity.
7. To record the new entity, select the Add Entity tool (Figure 30) in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar.
Figure 29: Add Entity tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
8. The Modify Area Feature dialog window opens (Figure 30).
Figure 30: Modify Area Feature dialog window for a New Incorporation
9. In the dialog window, complete the following fields:
a. NAME: Type the new legal government name in the Name field.
b. LSAD: The Legal/Statistical Area Description. Review the BAS Technical Guide at:
for more
information.
c. EFF_DATE: Add the effective date for the legal change using the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field or enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
d. AUTHTYPE: Add the authorization type using the dropdown menu.
e. DOCU: Upload documentation for the new incorporation. To upload documentation, select
the folder icon next to the DOCU field.
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Select OK. The faces for the new entity turn purple on the map (colors may vary) and the name
of the new entity appears in the list of incorporated places in the Modify Area Feature window.
Figure 31: Example of Symbology for a New Incorporation with a Placeholder code
Once the Census Bureau verifies the new government, an official Federal Information
Processing Series (FIPS) code will be assigned. The code preceding the new government name
in the list is not a FIPS code and should not be used for any official purpose. It is only a
placeholder until the official FIPS code can be assigned. To make additional changes to the map,
simply make a new selection in the Geography field of the Modify Area Feature dialog window
and continue work. Save the project frequently.
Note: If the new government crosses a county boundary, it must be added in both counties separately.
After making the change in the working county, return to Map Management, select the other
county as the working county, and proceed to add the new government in this county as well. If
the added government crosses more than one county boundary, complete the addition in each
county affected.
3.5.2
Disincorporations
The Delete Area feature is available for the following geographies:
•
Incorporated Places.
•
CDPs.
•
Area Landmarks.
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To mark a government for disincorporation or deletion:
1. From the Map View, open the county that contains the government to delete. Be sure that all
layers needed are checked in the Layers Panel.
2. Select the Modify Area Feature tool (Figure 15) on the BAS toolbar.
3. The Modify Area Feature dialog window opens.
4. Select the dropdown arrow next to the Geography field and select Place in the dropdown menu.
5. Place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated places in the county appears
in the Info list (Figure 16).
6. Choose the government in the list to mark for the disincorporation. The map zooms to the
selected government.
7. Select the Delete Area Feature tool on the toolbar in the Modify Area Feature toolbar.
Figure 32: Delete Area Feature tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
8. The Modify Area Feature dialog window opens. Complete the following fields:
a. EFF_DATE: Add the effective date for the legal change using the calendar icon next to the
EFF_DATE field or enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
b. AUTHTYPE: add the authorization type using the dropdown menu.
c. DOCU: Upload documentation for the disincorporation. To upload documentation, select
the folder icon next to the DOCU field.
Figure 33: Modify Area Feature dialog window for a Disincorporation
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9. A dialog window asks, “Are you sure you want to delete this area feature?”.
Figure 34: Confirmation window for a Disincorporation
10. Select OK. The disincorporated government turns gray on the map (color may vary) and is
removed from the list of incorporated places in the county.
11. To make additional changes to the map, simply make a new selection in the Geography field of
the Modify Area Feature tool and continue work.
Note: If the deleted government crosses a county boundary, it must be deleted in both counties
separately. After making the change in the working county, return to Map Management, select
the other county as the working county, and proceed to delete the government in this county as
well. If the deleted government crosses more than one county boundary, complete the deletion
in each county affected.
3.6
Census Designated Places (CDPs)
CDPs appear in the map symbolized by estimated population and housing unit criteria. Blue
areas meet the minimum criteria, red areas do not meet the minimum criteria, and gray areas
show CDPs marked for deletion.
Figure 35: Symbolization of CDPs on the Map
3.6.1
Creating CDP Changes
1. Select the Modify Area Feature tool (Figure 15)on the BAS toolbar.
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2. Select the Geography type from the dropdown menu as Census Designated Place (CDP).
Figure 36: Modify Area Feature tool with Census Designated Place (CDP) selected
3.6.2
Adding Area to a CDP
1. Select the entity to modify in the Info list.
2. Select the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar to activate the select tool.
3. Select the faces to add.
4. Select the Add Area tool to add the faces to the selected entity.
Figure 37: Select Features and Add Area tools in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
3.6.3
Removing Area from a CDP
1. Select the entity to modify in the Info list.
2. Select the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar to activate the select tool.
3. Select the faces to remove.
4. Select the Remove Area tool to add the faces to the selected entity.
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Figure 38: Select Features and Remove Area tools in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
3.6.4
Creating a New CDP
1. Select the Select Features tool, the yellow square and cursor icon, in the Modify Area Feature
toolbar to activate the select tool.
2. Select faces on the map to create the area of the new CDP.
3. Select the Add Entity tool in the Modify Area Features window.
Figure 39: Add Entity tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
4. A dialog window opens if the area selected does not meet minimum requirements for a CDP. If
this occurs, users can continue to create the CDP by selecting “Yes” or cancel the action by
selecting “No”.
Figure 40: Modify Area Feature New Entity dialog window for a CDP not meeting criteria
5. If the user selects Yes to continue, or does not receive the popup, a new Modify Area Feature
window opens (Figure 41). Complete the following fields:
a. NAME: Name of the CDP.
b. LSAD: The Legal/Statistical Area Description for CDPs will always be CDP.
c. JUSTIFY: Select from the dropdown a justification for a CDP that may not meet minimum
population or housing unit criteria.
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Figure 41: Modify Area Feature window for a new CDP
6. Add or remove faces as needed to create the new CDP. The new CDP appears in the Info list in
the Modify Area Feature window.
7. Save the project.
8. Run the BAS Criteria Review tool.
Figure 42: BAS Criteria Review tool on the BAS toolbar
9. The BAS Criteria Review window opens if there are any CDPs that may not meet the minimum
criteria.
Figure 43: BAS Criteria Review window shows CDPs that may not meet minimum criteria
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10. Select Fix to address the issue in the map or select a Justification for an exception. Errors that
appear in red must be addressed before the export. The errors in orange must be fixed or
justified before export and the blue errors are informational only and do not need to be
addressed before export.
11. Once the issues have been addressed, or if no issues were found, the BAS Criteria Review tool
will open a confirmation window.
Figure 44: Confirmation window for CDP criteria
3.6.5
Deleting an Existing CDP
1. With the Modify Area Feature tool with Census Designated Place (CDP) selection open, select
the CDP to delete in the Info list.
2. Select the Delete Area Feature tool.
Figure 45: Delete Area Feature tool in the Modify Area Feature toolbar
3. A confirmation window opens. Select OK to delete the CDP or Cancel to return to the previous
menu. Upon deletion the CDP appears in gray on the map.
Figure 46: Confirmation window for the Deletion of a CDP
3.7
Quality Checks
GUPS features two built-in quality control checks that must be run before exporting the file, the
Small Area Check tool, and the Find Holes tool. An error message appears if the user attempts
to export the file without running these checks.
1. Save the project.
2. Select the Review Change Polygons tool on the BAS toolbar.
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Figure 47: Review Change Polygons tool on the BAS toolbar
3. The Review Change Polygon tool opens.
4. From the Review Change Polygons dialog window, select the Small Area Check button. The
Display All Changes button in Figure 48 is the Small Area Check button when the dialog window
initially opens.
a. The tool finds small changes that may not meet the 30-foot minimum guideline.
b. Choose the results record and zoom to the identified issue. Correct the issue by using the
tools on the BAS toolbar. Users can either remove, modify, or accept the change.
Figure 48: Example of the Small Area Check in the Review Change Polygons tool
5. From the Review Change Polygons dialog window, select the Find Holes button.
a. The tool finds faces that may have been missed when adding or modifying an area feature.
b. Choose on the results record and zoom to the identified issue. Correct the issue by filling the
hole using the Fix button.
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Figure 49: Example of the Find Holes check in the Tribal BAS module
6. If there are no issues found during the quality checks, users are ready to export the files.
3.8
Exporting Changes to Zip
Once the files are created and the review of changes is complete, there are two options to
export the changes. The Share with Another Participant option creates a zipped data directory
file to share with another user so they can see the project. The Export for Census option creates
a zipped return file to submit to the Census Bureau. In either case, GUPS automatically names
the output zip file. This tool packages all the files required by the Census Bureau (including any
documentation uploaded) into the zip file and saves it in a preset location created on the
computer during the installation process.
To create zipped return files:
1. Select the Export to Zip icon on the BAS toolbar.
Figure 50: Export to Zip tool on the BAS toolbar
2. A dialog window opens with the last time the Review Change Polygons tool ran in the project. If
users have not performed the quality checks with the Review Change Polygons tool (Figure 47) ,
an error message appears. Select OK and run the quality checks, explained in section 3.7, before
exporting the file.
3. From the Select Output Type dialog window, select the Export for Census radio button to create
a file to return to the Census Bureau.
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Figure 51: Select Output Type dialog window
4. When using this option, a window will open for the BAS contact information. Complete the
GUPS User Contact Information form.
Figure 52: GUPS User Contact Information Form
5. Select OK.
6. A window opens showing the location of the output file on the local system. This is the file to
return to the Census Bureau through the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) in the next
section.
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CHAPTER 4
SUBMIT CHANGES TO THE CENSUS BUREAU
All participants must use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) to submit their changes to
the Census Bureau. Due to security requirements, the Census Bureau cannot accept
submissions through File Transfer Protocol, email, or any protocol other than the SWIM site.
To upload and transmit update files to the Census Bureau, first access the SWIM user account.
0. Open a web browser window and enter the SWIM URL: .
SWIM runs on the two most recent versions of each of these major browsers:
• Microsoft Edge®
• Google Chrome®
• Mozilla Firefox®
• Apple Safari®
1. Users who already have a SWIM account should proceed to step 4 to log in.
2. Users who do not have a SWIM account should choose “Register Account:”
a. Enter the 12-digit token provided by the Census Bureau. This token is sent 5 days after
responding to the Online Response Form.
b. Create a password following the criteria below:
i. Username and password are case sensitive.
ii. It must be at least eight characters in length.
iii. It must have at least one upper case character.
iv. It must have at least one lower case character.
v. It must have at least one number.
vi. It must have at least one special character (valid characters are: #, !, $, &, ?, ~).
c. Complete the registration information form.
3. Log in to SWIM using the user’s email address and password.
4. Upload a BAS submission:
a. Select the “Start New Upload” button.
b. Select the “BAS” radio button.
c. Select the “Entity” type (State, Place, County, MCD, Tribal Area, or Consolidated City).
d. Select the State and County.
e. Select the “+ Add File” button.
f. Select the .zip file to upload.
g. Double-click on the .zip file to upload. Add additional .zip files in the same manner.
h. Add any additional information to the “Comments” field.
5. Choose “Next”. A “Thank You” screen appears.
6. Logout of SWIM.
4.1
Troubleshooting SWIM
For those having trouble accessing their SWIM account, here are some tips:
•
SWIM email addresses and passwords are case-sensitive.
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•
Users who have forgotten their password may reset it by using the “Forgot your password?” link
on the login page. Follow the prompts to enter the case-sensitive email address and provide the
security answer. If the security answer is correct, SWIM sends a password reset link to the email
account to use to reset the password. Once logged into SWIM, users can modify their password
and security answer by selecting the “Change Security” link at the top, right-hand side of the
page.
Figure 53: SWIM Login Screen and Password Reset Link
•
Users that cannot recover their password through the “Forgot your Password?” link should
email with the subject line “SWIM Account Assistance” with a brief
description of the issue.
•
SWIM accounts are specific to the user, not to the government so do not share a SWIM account
between multiple users. Governments may always request another account for a new BAS
contact.
•
If a user has an existing SWIM account through another geographic partnership program such as
the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) operation or the Participant Statistical Areas
Program (PSAP), they may use the same account for BAS. There is no need to create another
account.
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX A
A1
GUPS MAPPING TOOLS
Standard Toolbar
Table 2: Standard Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions
Tool
U.S. Census Bureau
Name
Description
Save
Saves the current GUPS project, including any user changes to
layer properties, projection, last viewed extent, and layers
added.
Style Manager
Allows customization of map symbology.
Map Management
Chooses a geographic participant program in GUPS and access
the automatically loaded default map display layers based on
the program chosen.
GUPS Data Settings
Warning! This tool deletes files and folders permanently!
Change GUPSGIS data working directory and clean GUPS project
data.
Search
Searches the map by place, landmark, or street name and zoom
automatically to the feature.
Pan Map
Shifts the map in Map View without changing the map scale.
Select the button, then select a location on the map to re-center
the map to the selected location.
Pan Map to Selection
Shifts the map in Map View to the rows selected in the attribute
table for a selected feature. After selecting a feature(s), select
the button to re-center the map based on the selected
feature(s).
Zoom In
Displays the map in Map View at a larger scale. Select the
button, then select on the map at the location to be zoomed to.
Zoom Out
Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale.
Zoom Full
Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale and zooms the
map view to the full extent of the county.
Zoom to Selection
Zooms the Map View to the rows selected by query in the
attribute table for a feature(s). After selecting a feature(s) on
the map, select the button to view the feature(s) at a larger map
scale.
Zoom to Layer
Zooms the Map View to the layer selected in the Layers Panel.
After selecting the layer, select the button to zoom to the layer’s
extent.
Zoom Last
Zooms the Map View to the previous map extent.
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A-1
Tool
U.S. Census Bureau
Name
Description
Zoom Next
Zooms the Map View forward to the next map extent (only if a
previous extent is available).
New Bookmark
Creates and names a spatial bookmark of the current map view.
Show Bookmarks
Displays all bookmarks created by the user.
Refresh
Displays Map View to initial full display.
Identify Features
Identifies geographic features. Select the button, then select on
a feature on the map to identify the feature at the location.
Select Features by Area or
Single Click
Allows the user to select layer features in the map window with
a single-click of the mouse, by dragging the cursor, or by
drawing graphics on the screen.
Select Features by Value
Allows selection of features by value or expression.
Deselect Features from All
Layers
Deselects selected features from all layers.
Processing Toolbox
Displays list of processing tools available.
Measure
Provides options to measure linear distance, area, and angles on
the map.
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A-2
A2
BAS Toolbar
Table 3: BAS Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions
Tool
U.S. Census Bureau
Name
Description
Add Linear
Feature
Add a new linear feature.
Delete/Restore
Linear Feature
Delete an existing linear feature.
Split Linear
Feature
Split a linear feature. One may need to split a linear feature to accurately reflect an
entity’s location. This feature “splits” the original into two.
Display All
Names
Displays all names for a street with multiple names assigned in the Master Address
File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER)
System.
Modify Linear
Feature
Attributes
Edit attributes of a selected linear feature.
Modify Area
Feature
Make updates to legal area (annexations, deannexations, boundary corrections,
etc.).
Show/Hide
Legend
Shows or hides the Layers tab.
Geography
Review Tool
Review the attribute table for a layer.
Review Change
Polygons
Review change polygons in a layer and make corrections (reviews change polygons
for holes and minimum size).
Import County
Zip
Import zipped GUPS project shared by another GUPS user.
Export to Zip
Create the ZIP file containing all required data and shapefiles to be submitted to
the Census Bureau or to share with another GUPS user.
Print Map to File
Export a printable map in *.pdf, *.png, *.tif, or *.jpeg format.
Internet Map
Service
Displays the chosen map location in an internet mapping service, such as Google or
Bing Maps.
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A-3
Tool
A3
Name
Description
TIGERweb Map
Service
Displays the chosen map layers using the TIGERweb mapping service.
Add Esri Imagery
Displays satellite imagery overlaid on the QGIS map.
Add Data Toolbar
Table 4: Add Data Toolbar Tool Names and Descriptions
Tool
U.S. Census Bureau
Name
Description
Add Vector Layer
Add vector-based shapefile and geodatabase files.
Add Raster Layer
Add raster-based shapefile and geodatabase files.
Add Mesh Dataset
Add Mesh Dataset.
Add SpatialLite
Layer
Add data from a SpatialLite database.
Add/Edit Virtual
Layer
Add or Edit Virtual Layers.
Add PostGIS Layer
Add PostGIS layer.
Add WMS/WMTS
Layer
Add Web Mapping Services (WMS) and Web Mapping Tile Services (WMTS).
Publicly accessible and secured WMS services are supported.
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) GUPS Standalone How-to Guide
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Tool
U.S. Census Bureau
Name
Description
Add WCS Layer
Add Web Coverage Services (WCS), which provide access to raster data useful
for client-side map rendering.
Add WFS Layer
Add Web Feature Services (WFS).
New Shapefile
Layer
Add a new shapefile layer or new temporary scratch layer.
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) GUPS Standalone How-to Guide
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| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Boundary and Annexation Survey Geographic Update Partnership Software How-to Guide |
| Author | U.S. Census Bureau |
| File Modified | 2024-09-04 |
| File Created | 2024-09-04 |