This dataset represents the GIS Version of the Public Land Survey System including both rectangular and non-rectangular surveys. The primary source for the data is cadastral survey records housed by the BLM supplemented with local records and geographic control coordinates from states, counties as well as other federal agencies such as the USGS and USFS. The data has been converted from source documents to digital form and transferred into a GIS format that is compliant with FGDC Cadastral Data Content Standards and Guidelines for publication. This data is optimized for data publication and sharing rather than for specific 'production' or operation and maintenance. This data set includes the following: PLSS Fully Intersected (all of the PLSS feature at the atomic or smallest polygon level), PLSS Townships, First Divisions and Second Divisions (the hierarchical break down of the PLSS Rectangular surveys), and the Bureau of Census 2015 Cartographic State Boundaries. The Entity-Attribute section of this metadata describes these components in greater detail.

Please note that the data on this site, although published at regular intervals, may not be the most current PLSS data that is available from the BLM. Updates to the PLSS data at the BLM State Offices may have occurred since this data was published. To ensure users have the most current data, please contact the BLM PLSS Data Set Manager.