Utah has long been at the forefront of geospatial innovation, and that tradition continues with the recent creation of the Utah Geodetic Advisory Committee, a new subcommittee of the GIS Advisory Council (GISAC). Officially established in August 2025, the committee was formed to address the growing need for coordinated leadership on geodetic policy, standards and best practices in our state.

Although the committee is new, its members have been collaborating for several years with the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) to help define and implement Utah’s new State Plane Coordinate System zones under the State Plane Coordinate System of 2022 (SPCS2022). This long-running partnership provided the foundation for the committee’s work and has ensured Utah’s voice was represented as these national changes were developed.

As the state geodetic coordinator for the NGS, I work with state, local and private-sector partners to ensure Utah’s geospatial infrastructure remains aligned with national standards. The creation of this advisory committee provides a formal framework for that collaboration.

Why Now?

The timing is no coincidence. The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), which is the foundation for nearly all mapping, surveying, engineering and GIS work in the United States, is undergoing its most significant modernization in decades. The transition to SPCS2022 is now underway.

Most major surveying and GIS software, along with data collector manufacturers, have already incorporated the new SPCS2022 definitions. The NGS has provided these definitions in machine-readable formats so that vendors can integrate them directly into their products, ensuring that professionals can readily access and apply the new coordinate system in their projects.

Without careful planning and coordination, Utah risked a patchwork of standards. The Geodetic Advisory Committee was created to ensure the state avoids those pitfalls and instead moves forward with a unified approach.

Committee Purpose

The committee’s charter lays out a clear mission:

• Review and Align Statutes: Assess Utah’s existing laws that reference outdated datums and recommend modernized language consistent with the NSRS.
• Support the SPCS2022 Transition: Develop strategies for adopting the new coordinate system and retiring the U.S. survey foot.
• Promote Technical Standardization: Provide guidance on projection choices, conformal mapping and related best practices.
• Outreach and Training: Help surveyors, GIS professionals and agencies understand and implement the changes effectively.

Leadership and Membership

The committee is chaired by myself, representing the Utah Geospatial Resource Center (UGRC), with Bracken Davis of UDOT as our secretary. Membership is open to representatives from state and federal agencies, local governments, professional survey and engineering firms, academic institutions and geospatial organizations.

This broad representation ensures that the committee reflects the perspectives of those who will be most affected by the changes from crews in the field to decision-makers in government.

Moving Forward

The committee will meet quarterly (or more frequently as needed) to align recommendations with legislative cycles and evolving policy. Its deliverables will include:

• Proposed statutory updates
• A formal recommendation on statewide adoption of the international foot
• Technical guidance on using conformal map projections under SPCS2022
• An outreach and education plan for stakeholders across Utah

Why It Matters for Utah Surveyors

For members of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors, this work will have very tangible impacts. From coordinate transformations to project specifications, from contract language to education of new professionals, the transition to modern geodetic standards will influence daily workflows.

By engaging through the Utah Geodetic Advisory Committee, surveyors will have both a voice in shaping these changes and access to the resources needed to adopt them successfully.

A Call to Participate

The modernization of the NSRS is a once-in-a-generation event. As surveyors, engineers and geospatial professionals, we have an opportunity and responsibility to make sure Utah is prepared. The Utah Geodetic Advisory Committee is the forum where that preparation happens.

I encourage UCLS members to stay informed, participate in discussions and take advantage of upcoming outreach opportunities. Together, we can ensure that Utah continues to set the standard for precision, consistency and professionalism in the geospatial sciences.