California Geodetic Control Committee (CGCC) http://www.rbf.com/cgcc/csrs-h50.htm Mr. Gregory A. Helmer, PLS, Chairperson email: mailto:gahelmer@rbf.

com

CALIFORNIA SPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM (HORIZONTAL COMPONENT) A PROPOSAL FEBRUARY 1994

Prepared by: Alvin (Skip) Christensen, PLS Lawrence R. Fenske, PLS Kari Launen, PLS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND Existing Geodetic Control California High-Accuracy Network Crustal Motions in California NGS's Role - Past, Future Calif. Geodetic Control Committee ISSUES RECOMMENDATION (PROPOSAL) CSRS RECOMMENDATION DETAILS Description Establishment Data Publication/Distribution Maintenance Adjustments Continuously Operating GPS Stations Statutes Current Status (1/94) Education APPENDIX A, "Summary & Status, California Spatial Reference System" APPENDIX B, "Requested Data Sheet Revisions (i.e., Additions)"

ABSTRACT Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and the expanding use of spatial information for geographic information systems (GISs) and other new uses of survey data are causing momentous changes in surveying. These changes have created a critical need for a new, statewide high-accuracy horizontal geodetic network for referencing spatial data. The existing network, the National Geodetic Reference System (NGRS), has served the nation and California well, but currently it is not adequate for the horizontal referencing needs of the 21st century. To meet California's long-term spatial referencing needs, it is proposed that a portion of the existing NGRS be upgraded to establish a new, high-accuracy horizontal geodetic network consisting of about 1,100 stations. This new network will be the horizontal component of the planned "California Spatial Reference System" (CSRS) and will be designated as California's official horizontal reference system for all surveying activities. After December 31, 1999, it will be the only legal reference system for California Coordinate System coordinate values. The proposed CSRS horizontal network is to be established and maintained through cooperative efforts involving federal, state, and local agencies, academic/research institutions, private firms, and individuals. INTRODUCTION Today, the surveying profession is undergoing tremendous changes; not only in technology (technically), but also in data usage. The primary causes of these changes are ... Advances in positioning technology resulting from the Global Positioning System (GPS). Expanding use of spatial information by new, emerging technologies, many of which are not traditional surveying activities; e.g., fleet management, vehicle routing, and search and rescue systems. Budgetary constraints; private and public, at all levels. Increased spatial information needs for resource management, environmental assessments, infrastructure improvements, crustal motion and earthquake hazard studies, damage assessments of earthquake and flood events, Geographic Information Systems (GISs), etc. These changes are demanding, and will continue to demand, the use of one, consistent/accurate statewide, horizontal spatial reference system for all surveying activities. The use of unrelated local datums of varying accuracy standards and pre-GPS-established horizontal reference networks is rapidly becoming inadequate (and unnecessary). Evidence of these demands and
3

changes are already apparent: (a) various local agencies have, or are considering, regulations which require recorded surveying documents to be referenced to a specific network/datum; (b) interest and use of the California High Precision Geodetic Network (HPGN) is expanding; (c) the Governor's GIS Task Force has recommended that the California HPGN be used as the "foundation" for all future geographic information production (GIS data); (d) at the national level, efforts are underway to establish High-Accuracy Reference Networks as part of a National Spatial Reference System, and (e) an increasing number of continuously operating GPS reference stations of geodetic quality are becoming operational throughout the state, particularly in southern California. To be effective, a statewide horizontal spatial reference system must meet the following essential criteria.

Be sufficiently precise to meet nearly all horizontal spatial positioning needs. Be systematically maintained in a reliably and timely manner. Have accessible, GPS-suitable "in-the-ground" monuments and/or provide reliable, accurate raw data from continuously operating GPS reference stations, together with conveniently available current, valid station information. Be part of an overall national spatial referencing system.

The needs for a clearly-defined and well-maintained horizontal spatial reference system are especially critical in California where crustal motions are prominent (a factor that is insignificant in most states). Because of crustal motions, it is impractical to maintain the existing horizontal control networks with over 18,000 stations to GPS accuracy standards. Instead, a small (in number of stations), well-maintained, high-accuracy network that is suited for GPS surveys is required. This document describes the horizontal component of a new "California Spatial Reference System" and proposes that it be systematically established and maintained to meet California's horizontal referencing needs of today and throughout the 21st century. (Note: Another California Geodetic Control Committee document will address the vertical-position referencing needs. Possibly, the same stations will serve both horizontal and vertical positioning needs.)

BACKGROUND EXISTING GEODETIC CONTROL: Currently, the recognized horizontal geodetic control network (system) within California is the National Geodetic Reference System (NGRS) which has 18,000 California stations (9,000 of which are first or second order). This nationwide horizontal control system is the result of many years of effort, dating back to 1807, by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and its predecessor agencies to establish, maintain, and improve the national geodetic network. The NGRS, which was established basically through the use of traditional survey methods (mostly triangulation for horizontal positioning), has served the nation and California well for many years. In the 1986, NGS redefined the horizontal datum for the NGRS, replacing the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27) with the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). When the new datum was established, the entire network also was readjusted to improve the horizontal accuracy of the stations. Thus, changes in station coordinates from NAD27 to NAD83 were caused by both a datum change and a new adjustment. Although the NAD83 readjustment removed many of the distortions and errors in the historical NGRS network, this control network currently remains inadequate (in general) for many GPS surveys and today's expanding spatial information needs. The reasons are discussed under "Issues", below. Note: The NAD83 datum is referenced to the ellipsoid of the Geodetic Reference System of 1980 (GRS80); whereas, the reference ellipsoid for GPS is the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The two ellipsoids are effectively the same. (R. B. Langley, GPS World, February 1992; M. C. Grunthal, GPS World, April 1992; A. Leick, GPS Satellite Surveying, 1990; C.R. Schwarz, North American Datum of 1983, NOAA Professional Paper NOS 2, December 1989.) For more information, refer to these and other technical articles/publications. CALIFORNIA HIGH-ACCURACY NETWORK: In 1991/92, a high-accuracy (B Order, 1:1,000,000), horizontal geodetic control network, consisting of 238 stations, was established throughout California by GPS survey methods. This network is referred to as the "California HighPrecision Geodetic Network" (HPGN). (Similar networks in other states are often called "High- Accuracy Reference Networks" or HARNs.) The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) sponsored (funded) the establishment of the HPGN. The actual survey efforts were accomplished as a
5

cooperative NGS and Caltrans project with assistance from various local agencies, universities, and private firms. HPGN stations generally are located along transportation corridors and are spaced about 40 miles apart on a grid-like network. The HPGN is not a new datum; the datum remains NAD83. The HPGN is a new adjustment of the HPGN stations (on NAD83) at the epoch date of the HPGN surveys. The epoch date represents the mean date of the GPS data collection effort and is 1991.35 for the HPGN. The final HPGN adjustment was performed by NGS and Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1992. Thus, the adjustment has a time tag of NAD83(1992). About 100 stations in the HPGN had existing NAD83(1986) coordinates. Coordinate shifts for these stations from NAD83(1986) to NAD83(1992), which resulted from the high-accuracy GPS survey, range from zero to 1.3 meters with an average shift of 0.3 meters. NGS is in the process of adjusting the 18,000 historical NGRS stations to the HPGN. CRUSTAL MOTIONS IN CALIFORNIA: For much of California, the earth's surface (crust) is moving in a complicated manner relative to the other continental states. The crustal motions are caused primarily by the northwest movement of the Pacific tectonic plate relative to the North American plate. Two types of motions occur: (a) secular, which is a relatively constant movement; and (b) episodic, which is the sudden movement caused by an earthquake. Fortunately for California surveyors, the earth scientists have been studying California's crustal motions for a number of years and have developed considerable knowledge regarding these motions. Schematic maps have been developed which show the estimated secular crustal motions throughout California. In some areas, the secular motion exceeds five centimeters per year (a meter in 20 years). The scientists also have learned that, in general, an earthquake must exceed a magnitude of six or seven to cause significant episodic crustal motion. In addition, studies have shown that displacements caused by earthquakes dissipate relatively quickly as the distance from the epicenter increases. However, the 7.3 magnitude Landers earthquake in June 1992 displaced nearly all HPGN stations in southern California to some extent. One HPGN station was displaced nearly two meters by the Landers earthquake. California GPS surveyors must learn how to "live" with crustal motions; i.e., to be knowledgeable as to when it is necessary to apply appropriate crustal motion adjustments and when not, and how to determine these adjustments when applicable.

For most local surveys, the effects of crustal motions usually can be ignored (and in practice, are ignored). But, crustal motions can become an important consideration when the local survey data is used for other purposes; e.g., the data is (a) incorporated into geographic information data base, (b) used as control for another survey, (b) merged with data from another survey, and/or (d) used for current/historical data comparisons. The importance of considering crustal motions will increase as survey records and data bases mature and new data is mixed with historical data. In addition, the effects of crustal motions must be considered for high-accuracy GPS surveys covering large areas or long corridors, especially east/west surveys. NGS's ROLE - PAST, FUTURE: Until recently, NGS actively provided all required geodetic control needs for the surveying profession. Over 285,000 horizontal control stations have been established nationwide and are included in the NGRS. Data for these stations is readily available from NGS's National Geodetic Information Center; but, as mentioned previously, the historical NGRS is currently inadequate for the needs of today and in the future. Unfortunately, resources at the Federal level are not available to establish and maintain a new horizontal reference system of sufficient accuracy, density, and timely availability to fulfill today's GPS surveying and spatial referencing needs. Thus, NGS is formulating various policies to guide the development of a modern National Spatial Reference System. Key policies, as expressed in the NGS August 4, 1993, "Mission, Vision, and Goals" document are summarized below. NGS will observe, monitor, and maintain a very high-accuracy, multidimensional network consisting of monumented stations at a spacing of approximately 100 kilometers plus additional stations in crustal motion areas. This network will be the Federal Base Network. Horizontal positions generally will be B Order with some stations A Order. NGS will coordinate the cooperative establishment of (and focus data and technical support, data processing, and data dissemination activities for) a very high-accuracy, multi- dimensional network consisting of monumented stations at a spacing of about 25 to 30 kilometers plus additional stations in crustal motion areas. This network will be the Cooperative Base Network. Horizontal positions will be B Order. NGS will provide, upon written request, quality assurance, archiving, and distribution functions for contributed surveys, by or for governmental entities, having station spacings less than 25 kilometers. This network will be the User Densification Network. Horizontal positions will be FirstOrder.
7

CALIF. GEODETIC CONTROL COMMITTEE: In late 1992, members of the Advanced Technologies Subcommittee of the California Land Surveyors Association began to discuss the need to develop standards and specifications for high-production-type GPS surveys. To initiate action, the subcommittee held an informal meeting in January 1993 at the annual California State University, Fresno Surveying Engineering Conference. Various GPS surveying issues were discussed, including geodetic reference networks. As a result of this meeting, a second meeting was held in March 1993 to continue discussions. At the March meeting, the group established a formal California Geodetic Control Committee (CGCC) consisting of 17 members from various public and private organizations. The Committee includes a broad representation of California surveyors (GPS experience, organizational size, geographic location, etc.). Although the Committee officially is comprised of 17 members, all interested California surveyors are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Committee. In fact, a number of other surveyors actively assist the Committee in developing consensus positions, preparing policy/procedural documents, and other Committee efforts. The California Geodetic Control Committee is assigning various tasks (issues) to specific subcommittees. This document (proposal) is the result of the efforts by the Horizontal Geodetic Reference System subcommittee. ISSUES The critical horizontal spatial referencing issues challenging California's professional surveyors are as follows: 1. Inadequate Network Accuracy: Although the historical NGRS was established through exemplary survey efforts, most horizontal stations within the NGRS are of insufficient accuracy for today's GPS survey methods (except the HPGN stations). Routinely, GPS surveys exceed the accuracy of the controlling NGRS stations which means high-accuracy GPS surveys are distorted by adjusting them to less-accurate control. Also, GPS methods allow baselines to be determined (measured) that were impossible to determine with historical surveying methods; e.g., across mountain ranges. As a result, GPS survey methods detect errors in horizontal control networks that could not be discovered (or corrected) prior to GPS. 2. Poor Station Location: The survey methods used to establish the NGRS required "lines of sight" between stations; thus, many stations are located
8

on mountain peaks, tops of tall buildings, or where towers are required for use. As a result, numerous NGRS stations are inaccessible and unusable, or at best, inconvenient to use. In addition, many existing control stations are unsuited for GPS survey methods because they lack the required visibility to the sky. At these stations, nearby trees, buildings, or other structures block the satellite signals from reaching the GPS receiver antenna. Other NGRS stations are unsuitable because they are located near reflective surfaces (e.g., buildings) or transmission lines or towers that can cause GPS data distortions and multipathing errors. Finally, most existing NGRS stations were primarily located to meet the survey needs rather than for convenient public access. Thus, many stations are located on private lands which, at times, makes accessibility difficult or impossible. 3. Limited Network Maintenance: For many years, NGS had an active program to maintain the NGRS stations. However, in recent years, budget constraints have eliminated these maintenance efforts. This reduced maintenance effort, together with normal construction activities and other events, has resulted in many stations being lost or destroyed. For California, the accuracy of GPS survey methods has introduced a new maintenance issue. Crustal motions along the central and southern coast, and to a lesser extent in other regions, can distort (over time) the monumented network so that it no longer meets GPS-survey accuracy capabilities and requirements. (See "Crustal Motions in California", above, for details.) Currently, comprehensive policies and procedures have not been developed and published, at either the national or state level, for maintaining (updating) the existing NGRS for the effects of crustal motions within California. 4. No Established Crustal Motion Procedures: In addition to a maintenance issue, California's crustal motions require the development and use of specific procedures for data publication, coordinate notation, and survey adjustments. Today, these procedures are not established. Because of crustal motions, the positions of control stations will change both "in actual fact" and by published value (the latter, if the network is maintained properly). Thus, publication and coordinate notation procedures, such as dating coordinate values, are necessary to (a) ensure a clear, undisputable understanding of the basis for the information (data) presented, (b) facilitate the efficient exchange of geographic information for GISs and other uses, (c) enable the reliable use of data obtained at different time periods, and (d) accommodate the needs of large and highaccuracy GPS surveys. The effects of crustal motions create a number of options for adjusting surveys. To ensure consistency in record data, procedural guidelines are required; e.g., selection of the survey adjustment date (epoch).
9

5. Reduced NGS Assistance: NGS does not have the resources to establish and maintain a new (modern) horizontal, spatial reference system that meets the needs for local and regional surveys. Resources at the national level will be focused on a framework network (station spacing 100 kilometers). The individual states, in cooperation with NGS, are to develop, establish, and maintain a densified network that meets the needs of the local surveyor. Refer also to "NGS's Role - Past, Future", above.

10

RECOMMENDATION (PROPOSAL) To meet California's horizontal spatial referencing needs of today and throughout the 21st century, it is recommended that a California Spatial Reference System (CSRS) horizontal network, consisting of about 1,100 B Order or better monumented stations, be developed, established, and maintained, through cooperative efforts involving NGS, state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, and the private sector; and that this network be designated as California's official, and only, horizontal spatial reference system for all land surveying activities. CSRS RECOMMENDATION DETAILS Important Notice: This section outlines certain NGS responsibilities. Although a consensus has been developed with NGS on many issues, full concurrence has not been reached on all issues. This is a proposal. DESCRIPTION: (DEFINITION, STANDARDS, SPECIFICATIONS) Note: Although it is planned that the CSRS will serve both horizontal and vertical positioning needs, the following is limited to the CSRS horizontal control component. 1. Name: California Spatial Reference System (CSRS), Horizontal Component. 2. Definition: The CSRS horizontal competent is a high-accuracy, monumented geodetic spatial-reference network consisting of ... o The California HPGN (about 240 stations), o HPGN Densification Surveys (about 850 stations), as described in this document, and o Other geodetic control stations that meet or exceed the requirements outlined in this document for HPGN Densification Surveys, and which are included in either the Federal or Cooperative Base Networks for California as defined by NGS. 3. Status: o Official horizontal spatial reference system for California. o After December 31, 1999, only legal reference system for California Coordinate System coordinate values. o Part of the National Geodetic Reference System (NGRS), specifically either the Federal or Cooperative Base Network. 4. Datum: NAD83.
11

5. Standards & Specifications (Minimum): o HPGN - B Order, Class I (1:1,000,000); see note below. o HPGN Densification Surveys - B Order, Class II (1:500,000); see note below. Reference: Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) "Geometric Geodetic Accuracy Standards and Specifications for Using GPS Relative Positioning Techniques". Note: It is anticipated that the FGCS will establish a 1:500,000 accuracy standard with specifications between First Order (1:100,000) and the current B Order (1:1,000,000). 6. Reference Control Network: o HPGN - Completed; reference control determined by NGS. o HPGN Densification Surveys - The California HPGN. o Other Surveys - As approved by NGS. 7. Survey Method: GPS only. 8. Stations: See Appendix A for a tabulation of the HPGN and proposed HPGN densification stations. o Monumentation: Existing NGRS stations shall be used when the requirements for stability, durability, and location are met. Minimum requirements for new monuments are as follows: HPGN NGS Class A Rod. HPGN Densification Surveys - NGS Class B Rod. Note: Alternative means to ensure a permanent station location (i.e., monumentation) are permissible for continuously operating GPS reference stations. See subsection below entitled, "Continuously Operating GPS Stations". o Final Spacing - Varied to meet positioning and crustal motion needs; average about 20 kilometers (12 miles). o Location - Station locations shall be secure, accessible, stable, and GPS suitable.

12

ESTABLISHMENT: Since the California HPGN (epoch 1991.35) has been established, the following is limited to the establishment of the HPGN densification stations. These stations will be established on a survey-by-survey basis as interest develops within an area and resources become available. 1. Coordination/Review: The California NGS State Geodetic Advisor shall coordinate the HPGN densification surveys and perform the required "on site" NGS reviews. The Advisor also will provide assistance (advice) for densification surveys. 2. Standards, Specifications, Procedures: See "Description", above and the other applicable subsections in this section, "CSRS Recommendation Details". 3. Who Initiates: Any state/local agency, academic/research institution, or private firm may initiate a HPGN densification survey. 4. Who Accomplishes: The HPGN densification surveys shall be accomplished through cooperative efforts involving NGS, state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, and/or private firms. The field efforts for the densification surveys shall be performed at the local level (state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, private firms, and individual surveyors). Also, see subsection "Adjustments", below. 5. Planning: Prior to planning the station locations, the lead agency/firm should contact others who are interested in geodetic control and determine their interest and support for the proposed densification survey. Contacts should include various state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, local professional surveying organizations, earth scientists, and local geodetic surveyors. 6. NGS Submittal: All HPGN densification surveys (CSRS surveys) shall be submitted to NGS, in the required format, for inclusion in the National Geodetic Reference System as part of either the Federal or Cooperative Base Network. 7. NGS On-Site Reviews: At a minimum, the following on-site reviews shall be made by the California NGS State Geodetic Advisor for each HPGN densification survey. o Prior to constructing the monuments, a review of the network schematic and observation schedules. o Prior to submittal of the survey to NGS for final processing, a review of the on-site data quality checks, on-site adjustments, observation data (log sheets, mark rubbings, raw data files), station descriptions/recovery, initial required blue-book files, and the project report.

13

Exceptions to the above reviews are permitted as determined by the California NGS State Geodetic Advisor. 8. Non-CSRS, High-Accuracy GPS Surveys: Some high- accuracy GPS surveys will be completed that meet or exceed the requirements for CSRS horizontal control surveys, but the survey data will not be formatted ("blue booked") and submitted to NGS for inclusion in the NGRS (either the Federal or Cooperative Base Network). For these surveys, the California Geodetic Control Committee will encourage the surveyor to file a record of survey so the horizontal control information will be available for use by other surveyors. 9. References: o Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee "Geometric Geodetic Accuracy Standards and Specifications for Using GPS Relative Positioning Techniques". o California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) "CA- HPGN Densification Surveys".
o

DATA PUBLICATION/DISTRIBUTION: 1. Epoch Dates: o When published, shown on a survey document, or included in an electronic file, coordinate values for the National Geodetic Reference System (Federal and Cooperative Base Network stations within California), CSRS, and California Coordinate System shall be time-dated with an epoch date. o The epoch date shall be the time (date) the coordinates are valid. See additional details under the subsections "Adjustments" and "Statutes", below. Previously, NGS time-tagged coordinate values the year the adjustment was completed (not necessarily the survey epoch date). NGS has revised their procedures to conform to the above for California. Thus, coordinate values for surveys within California that are referenced to geodetic control on the North American tectonic plate will have an epoch date conforming to mean time when the data collection was performed (see "Adjustments" below); e.g., the epoch for the Landers earthquake resurvey is "1992.88". 2. Data Publication and Distribution: o NGS Publication and Distribution: The CSRS will be part of the National Geodetic Reference System; thus, NGS shall be responsible for the integrity, publication, and distribution of CSRS data in the same manner as other NGS data. Data will be available from NGS's National Geodetic Information Center, Silver Springs, Maryland.
14

The California Geodetic Control Committee will encourage NGS to improve (modernize) their data distribution methods and procedures by providing recommendations and participating in cooperative efforts. o Local Publication and Distribution: In addition to the NGS data distribution efforts, the California Geodetic Control Committee will pursue publication of the CSRS data in hardcopy and electronicmedia forms at the local level for distribution (sale) to California surveyors. To minimize the sale price, the data will be published by California Coordinate Zones; i.e., six publications. In addition to the NGS Data Sheets, these publications also will include a "to reach" sketch for each station and a notice identifying the station's "adopt-the-monument" sponsor (see below, "Maintenance"). It is anticipated that the local publication and distribution of the CSRS data will be accomplished through a California professional surveying organization or a surveying book distributor. o Data Sheet, Crustal Motion Information: For each CSRS station, the NGS station Data Sheets shall show (i) the current estimated annual secular motion for the station, (ii) a historical listing of the station's positional shifts by epoch, and (iii) a historical listing of the various determinations of the station's estimated annual secular motion, by epoch. See Appendix B for suggested details. o Crustal Motion Map: NGS also shall continue to publish a map that shows, in a schematic form, the estimated horizontal crustal motions throughout California. Periodically, the map shall be revised as data from new surveys become available. o Crustal Motion Educational Document: The California Geodetic Control Committee will encourage NGS to develop a comprehensive document which discusses geodetic survey issues related to crustal motions. See "Education", below. 3. Crustal Motion Computer Program: NGS shall continue to develop, maintain/update, and distribute (sell) to California surveyors a stand-alone computer program for estimating the effects of crustal motions. This program, which is named "Horizontal Time Dependent Positioning" (HTDP), estimates updated coordinate and/or observation values, horizontal crustal motion velocities, and station displacements. The HTDP program shall be updated (refined) as data from new surveys become available. The California Geodetic Control Committee, in cooperation with NGS, will develop guidelines for using the HTDP program.

15

MAINTENANCE: 1. Coordination: The California NGS State Geodetic Advisor shall coordinate the CSRS maintenance efforts. 2. Standards, Specifications, Procedures: All survey efforts related to maintenance of the CSRS stations shall be performed in accordance with the standards, specifications, and procedures that were used to originally establish the given station(s) and the procedures in this section, "CSRS Recommendation Details". Note: Some crustal motion resurveys will establish new coordinates, having a new epoch, for all stations included in the resurveys. However, the CSRS goals are to keep the number of epochs is use throughout California, at any one time, to a minimum and also to avoid statewide readjustments (and thus, new statewide epochs) for as long as feasible. See policies under "Adjustments", below 3. Who Accomplishes: The CSRS maintenance efforts shall be accomplished through cooperative efforts involving NGS, state/ local agencies, academic/research institutions, private firms, and individual California surveyors. See also "Adopt A Monument" program, below. 4. Annual Inspections: Each CSRS station shall be inspected annually and a report made to the California NGS State Geodetic Advisor. This effort shall be accomplished at the local level (state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, private firms, and individual surveyors). The California Geodetic Control Committee will encourage NGS to develop a user-friendly, computerized recovery note system for reporting station conditions and, when required, revising station descriptions. 5. Lost or Damaged Stations: Efforts to replace lost or damaged CSRS stations should be initiated and completed as soon as feasible after the need is discovered. The field effort required to replace lost and damaged stations shall be accomplished at the local level (state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, private firms, and individual surveyors). 6. Crustal Motion Resurveys: o Earthquake (Episodic) Resurveys: After each major Californiarelated earthquake, NGS shall determine, in cooperation with the California Geodetic Control Committee and California's earth scientists, the need for a resurvey and, if required, the extent of the area to be resurveyed. The area of the earthquake resurveys shall include all HPGN stations that are suspected to be affected by the earthquake plus one level of HPGN stations beyond the perimeter of those stations affected. In general, only selected HPGN densification stations will be included in the earthquake resurvey as directed by NGS, in consultation with the California Geodetic Control Committee and California's earth scientist. It is anticipated that it will be feasible to reposition most HPGN densification
16

stations within an earthquake resurvey area through a readjustment based on the HPGN resurvey, data from continuously operating reference GPS stations, an updated HTDP program, and/or advice from earth scientists. Accumulated Secular Motion Resurveys and Adjustments: Over time, accumulated secular crustal motions will distort the CSRS network to the extent that it does not meet the required (published) network standards within a local, regional area. Thus, as required, regional and statewide resurveys and adjustments (each with a new epoch) shall be performed to eliminate the positioning errors caused by accumulated secular crustal motion. The determination as to where and when secular motion resurveys are necessary shall be a cooperative decision by NGS, the California Geodetic Control Committee, and California's earth scientists. Note: It is anticipated that accumulate secular motion resurveys and adjustments can be minimize by upgrading the secular motion estimates. See next subsection. Secular Motion Verification Surveys: The current secular motion estimates, including those generated by the HTDP program, are based primarily on non-GPS survey data. To maintain and improve the accuracy of the secular motion estimates, high-accuracy surveys of the network (or portions of the network) will be required. The secular motion resurveys and adjustments, as discussed above, will provide this information. However, network adjustments and new epochs can be delayed by improving the accuracy of the secular motion estimates through verification surveys. With up-to-date secular motion information, surveyors can accurately update the positions of control points, when necessary, either by manual calculations or through the HTDP program, thus postponing the need for regional or statewide readjustments. The determination as to where and when secular motion verification surveys are necessary shall be a cooperative decision by NGS, the California Geodetic Control, and California's earth scientists. Secular motion verification surveys will not establish a new published position for the stations included in the survey. Thus, a new epoch will not be established. The data from these high-order surveys will be used only to update the secular motion estimates. Continuously Operating GPS Reference Stations: As more continuously operating GPS reference stations become operational, it is anticipated that these stations will provide an increasing portion of the data necessary for the efforts to determine and estimate crustal motions (both episodic and secular). Eventually, the use of continuously operating stations will eliminate much of
17

the need for "field" crustal motion resurveys (possibly all). See "Continuously Operating GPS Stations", below. o Who Accomplishes: Crustal-motion-related surveys shall be cooperative projects involving NGS, state/local agencies, academic/research institutions, and/or private firms. NGS's field effort (resource expenditures) shall include, at a minimum, that effort required for the Federal Base Network stations. Generally, NGS shall perform all final data processing and adjustments for crustal-motion-related surveys. See "Adjustments", below. 7. CSRS "Adopt A Monument" Program: To aid in the maintenance efforts for the CSRS, the California Geodetic Control Committee will explore the feasibility of an "Adopt A Monument" program in which agencies, academic/research institutions, firms, and individuals can voluntarily assist in maintaining one or more CSRS stations. The responsibilities of the sponsor for a CSRS station will be as follows: o Prepare a "to reach" sketch for the station, in hardcopy and electronic-media forms conforming to the Committee's standards. (standards to be determined) o Perform an annual inspection of the station and file a report with the California NGS State Geodetic Advisor. o If the station is lost or damaged, assist in the station replacement field efforts. o To the extent feasible, assist in crustal-motion-related surveys involving the station. o In recognition of the sponsor's contributions to the CSRS, a notice (standard format to be developed) will be included in the locallydistributed CSRS data publications (see "Data Publication/Distribution", above). As the program develops, the California Geodetic Control Committee will develop other means to recognize the "Adopt A Monument" participants.

18

ADJUSTMENTS: The general goal for the CSRS is to minimize the number of changes in published coordinates and epochs. 1. The California HPGN: Resurveys of HPGN stations will be necessary to reestablished HPGN stations that are lost, damaged, or displaced by earthquakes, and for periodic readjustments to eliminate accumulated secular crustal motions. All HPGN resurveys shall be adjusted as determined by NGS. HPGN crustal motion resurveys (secular and episodic) shall be referenced to stable (no crustal motion), high-accuracy, horizontal control on the North American tectonic plate; i.e., B Order or better National Geodetic Reference System control. New coordinates, based on the resurvey results, will be published for all stations in the resurvey, including those not affected by crustal motion (except the controlling stations on the North American tectonic plate). The epoch of the new coordinates shall correspond to the mean date of the data collection. Resurveys and adjustments for secular crustal motion will be delayed as long as feasible to avoid epoch changes. See also "Crustal Motion Resurveys", above. HPGN resurveys to replace lost or damaged stations, shall be adjusted to adjacent B Order, Class I HPGN stations as specified for HPGN densification surveys in the next subsection. The name of the replaced station will be changed. NGS will perform all final data processing and adjustments for HPGN resurveys. 2. HPGN Densification Surveys: In general, HPGN densification surveys shall be referenced to adjacent B Order, Class I HPGN stations. During the adjustment process, corrections will be applied to the observations for the estimated secular crustal motions, as directed by NGS. The epoch of the densification surveys shall be the epoch of the controlling HPGN stations. If secular crustal motions have degraded the B Order, Class I HPGN control to the extent that a satisfactory adjustment cannot be performed using the HPGN control, the densification survey shall be adjusted in the same manner outlined above for HPGN resurveys; i.e., referenced to geodetic control on the North American tectonic plate. Densification stations displaced by crustal motions (secular and episodic) shall be reestablished as part of the HPGN resurvey for the same area (see above), or such stations shall be reestablished through readjustment methods involving the HPGN resurvey, data from continuously operating GPS reference stations, an updated HTDP program, and/or advice from earth scientists. Resurveys for HPGN densification stations that are lost or damaged shall
19

be accomplished and adjusted in the same manner as the original densification surveys; i.e., referenced to adjacent B Order, Class I HPGN stations. The name of the replaced station will be changed. NGS will perform the final data processing and adjustments for HPGN densification surveys, unless NGS approves the execution (performance) of these adjustments by others; e.g., the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), academic institutions, other federal agencies, etc.

20

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING GPS STATIONS: Continuously operating GPS reference stations (CORSs) are facilities that collect GPS data on a continuous (24-hour) basis. Often, the data collected is made available to others through electronic data transfer means. A fee is charged for data from some facilities. The primary benefits of CORSs are: Some CORSs can serve as GPS receivers at known points for geodetic surveys. Potentially, this could significantly reduce GPS equipment needs (costs) for GPS surveys. CORSs provide data which can improve the accuracy of GIS- type GPS surveys, "freeing up" geodetic-quality field receivers for other surveys. Similarly, the accuracy and functionality of hand-held GPS receivers can be improved. Because CORSs collect data continuously, an instantaneous position can be computed for the station at scheduled intervals or as needed. This capability provides data to accurately determine secular motions. It also enables the earth scientists to monitor crustal motions for earthquake research efforts. In addition, the instantaneous-positioning-capability permits the position of a CORS to be reestablished (new coordinates established) immediately after an earthquake. Resurveys are unnecessary since sufficient data is available soon after an earthquake to reference the station to other CORSs on the North American tectonic plate (and throughout the world). The California Geodetic Control Committee (CGCC) recognizes the benefits and expanding use of CORSs. The CGCC has initiated efforts to establish standards, procedures, and guidelines for this evolving GPS survey methodology. Preliminary concepts and planned efforts are listed below. 1. The CGCC will encourage owners of CORSs to make their stations, CSRS stations. Efforts to provide the required supplemental information (e.g., leveling data) for submittal to NGS might be a cooperative effort, involving the station owner and others. 2. In general, CORSs included in the CSRS shall ... o Be established in accordance with standards and specifications that are equal to or better than those outlined in this document for a CSRS horizontal control station. o Be included in the NGRS, either as a Federal or Cooperative Base Network station.

21

Have a current published position available from NGS. Preferably, the epoch of the published position shall be the epoch of the nearby CSRS stations. o Meet or exceed B Order, Class II accuracy standards and specifications. o Be equipped with a geodetic quality receiver, preferably dual frequencies. o Have a permanent monument (mark) or other means to verify that the position of the GPS receiver antenna has not changed. o Provide a means by which raw GPS data, in a convenient format, is readily available to other surveyors. o When feasible, provide reasonable accommodations which allows surveyors, who are using the station, to inspect the station for specific survey-related needs such as for court testimony. 3. Generally, when CORSs are used to determine the position of unknown points, the unknown positions shall be determined based on the .... o NGS-published coordinates and epochs for the CORSs and o Raw GPS data from the CORSs. This procedure will conform to proposed CSRS statutes that are outlined in this document for the California Coordinate System. See "Statutes" below. Certain surveys might use the updated positions of the CORSs (updated for crustal movements, etc.), to determine the positions of unknown points as of the epoch date of the survey; e.g., to verify estimated secular motions. 4. Efforts have been initiated by the CGCC to inventory the CORSs in California. The Committee plans to publish and maintain a document that lists these stations with the applicable information for each station. 5. In support of the expected expanding use of CORSs, the CGCC will compile information and encourage research into the following: o Guidelines for the establishing CORSs, including receiver standards, data collection specifications, station accessibility and monumentation requirements, electronic transmission standards and formats, and other issues. o Standards and procedures for performing surveys that use data from CORSs to establish unknown positions.
o

22

STATUTES: Another California Geodetic Control Committee document is being prepared, by another subcommittee, to detail the recommended legislation actions necessary to establish, maintain, and promote a California Spatial Reference System. To be an effective system, the following key actions will be required. Add statutes which define the National Geodetic Reference System and the California Spatial Reference System. Add a statute which names the horizontal component of the CSRS as the official California horizontal spatial reference system. Clarify and revise existing California Coordinate System (CCS) statutes so that CCS coordinates must be based on direct ties to at least two permanently-established stations listed below, after December 31, 1999. (For GPS survey methods, a direct tie means a non-trivial baseline determination.) o National Geodetic Reference System, B Order or better, stations. o California Spatial Reference System stations. o Second Order or better horizontal geodetic control stations (monuments) shown on a subdivision map, official map, record of survey, or any map filed with the County Surveyor by a public officer, providing the positions (coordinates) of the stations are (i) established by GPS methods in accordance with the applicable FGCS or CGCC standards and specifications and are (ii) based on direct ties to two or more CSRS stations or B Order (or better) NGRS stations. Notes: Retain last sentence of Section 8813. In Item "c", above, second-order is consistent with current statute, but inconsistent with today's technology; revise to first? Prior to January 1, 2000, the California Geodetic Control Committee and, hopefully, other professional surveying organizations will promote the use of the horizontal geodetic control specified above.

Add a CCS provision which requires that documents and electronic files using CCS coordinates shall state the epoch (date) that the coordinate data is valid; i.e., the basis of the coordinate data shown. Add a CCS provision which requires that documents and electronic files using CCS coordinates shall state the order of accuracy, as defined by the FGCS or CGCC standards and specifications, for all included CCS control points having an order of accuracy of Second Order or better. Add a CCS provision which requires that the epoch for a given survey shall be the latest NGS published epoch of the controlling stations for the
23

survey. If the latest published epochs of the controlling stations are not the same, the epoch of the controlling station having the latest epoch shall be used. Appropriate adjustments shall be made to controlling stations having earlier epochs so that the coordinates of the controlling stations are consistent. Add a CCS provision which states that adjustments for crustal motions shall be made in accordance with NGS-published procedures and values.

CURRENT STATUS (1/94): 1. The California HPGN: The California High-Precision Geodetic Network survey established 238, B Order horizontal control stations that are distributed throughout California (see Appendix A). Field efforts for the HPGN were completed in 1991, and the station Data Sheets (final coordinates) were published in August 1992 by NGS. Since the HPGN observations were performed, several earthquakes have displaced a number of stations. To date, the known areas affected by earthquakes are in the vicinity of Ferndale, Humbolt County (about eight stations), Landers, San Bernardino County (44 stations), and Northridge, Los Angeles county (?? stations). The Ferndale and Landers areas have been resurveyed. The Landers resurvey data processing and adjustment are completed and the data is available from NGS. Completion of the Ferndale resurvey data processing and adjustment is scheduled to follow soon. It is anticipated that the resurveys for the Northridge earthquake will be performed in mid 1994. 2. HPGN Densification Surveys: In addition to the HPGN stations, the proposed CSRS will include about 850, first-order horizontal geodetic control stations (see Appendix A). A number of surveys have already been initiated to establish these stations. To date, surveys are underway for approximately 400 HPGN densification stations. For additional information, refer to Appendix A. 3. Continuously Operating GPS Reference Stations: A recent survey initiated by the California Geodetic Control Committee identified at least 11 geodetic quality, continuously operating GPS reference stations that are in operation today throughout California; another 10 stations are planned in the near future. The Committee will continue to work cooperatively with the owners of continuously operating stations, and also will continue to encourage them to incorporate these stations into the National Geodetic Reference System; and thus, the CSRS. At this time, the largest network of CORSs is operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Currently, this
24

network, the Permanent GPS Geodetic Array (PGGA), has 10 stations. Dual-frequency data is collected on a continuous basis at a 30-second sampling rate. The data is available to PGGA subscribers through a personal-computer-based bulletin board. EDUCATION: Successful implementation and usage of the California Spatial Reference System will require an effective education program. The California Geodetic Control Committee is establishing an education subcommittee for this effort. However, to achieve an official California horizontal spatial reference system (the CSRS) - in "law" by legislation and "in fact" by acceptance and usage - will require the educational support of California's professional surveying organizations, State universities, NGS, state/local public agencies, and others. As part of the education program, the CGCC will encourage NGS to develop, in cooperation with California surveyors, a comprehensive document which reviews the horizontal geodetic control issues in California and the application (use) of the available information and data. Possible topics should include a general discussion of California's crustal motions, application of the "Horizontal Time Dependent Positioning" computer program, definition and use of epoch data, historical listings of CSRS station shifts (by epoch), and other related material.

25

SUMMARY & STATUS CALIFORNIA SPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM - HORIZONTAL (HPGN and HPGN Densification) COUNTY Alameda Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Contra Costa Del Norte El Dorado Fresno Glenn Humbolt Imperial Inyo Kern Kings Lake Lassen Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc HPGN Stations 2 0 2 2 0 1 3 4 2 7 2 4 8 11 10 2 2 7 7 2 3 1 5 2 6 HPGN-D Stations 10 5 5 11 7 7 8 6 9 32 6 22 18 18 45 10 8 18 47 9 7 5 25 10 10
26

Total Stations 12 5 7 13 7 8 11 10 11 39 8 26 26 29 55 12 10 25 54 11 10 6 30 12 16

Aera sq. mi. 825 727 601 1,665 1,036 780 780 1,003 1,805 5,998 1,319 3,600 4,597 10,098 8,170 1,436 1,327 4,690 4,079 2,147 588 1,461 3,510 2,008 4,340

Station Spacing 8.3 12.1 9.3 11.3 12.2 8.4 8.4 10.0 12.8 12.4 12.8 11.8 13.3 18.7 12.2 10.9 11.5 13.7 8.7 14.0 7.7 15.6 10.8 12.9 16.5

Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer Plumas Riverside Sacramento San Benito San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Joaquin San Luis Obispo San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Shasta Sierra Siskiyou Solano Sonoma Stanislaus Sutter Tehama Trinity Tulare Tuolumne Ventura

7 11 1 2 3 4 4 13 1 0 23 9 1 3 5 1 7 4 1 8 0 10 2 3 3 1 2 3 5 2 3

12 19 5 7 15 6 8 38 8 7 61 42 0 12 27 6 19 22 5 16 7 18 5 17 9 4 10 14 17 9 18

19 30 6 9 8 10 12 51 9 7 84 51 1 15 32 7 26 26 6 24 7 28 7 20 12 5 12 17 22 11 21

3,103 3,324 797 992 785 1,507 2,618 7,243 1,015 1,397 20,164 4,281 91 1,436 3,326 531 2,745 1,316 440 3,850 959 6,318 872 1,598 1,521 607 2,976 3,223 4,845 2,293 1,864

12.8 10.5 11.5 10.5 6.6 12.3 14.8 11.9 10.6 14.1 15.5 9.2 9.5 9.8 10.2 8.7 10.3 7.1 8.6 12.7 11.7 15.0 11.2 8.9 11.3 11.0 15.7 13.8 14.8 14.4 9.4

27

Yolo Yuba TOTAL

1 0 238

7 4 832

8 4 1,070

1,034 639 158,693

11.4 12.6 12.2

28