The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental status of all governmental units effective on or before January 1, 2010. This voluntary survey is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct boundary and legal name for your county, as well as for the governments within your jurisdiction. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you provide to report data from the 2010 Census and estimates from other programs and surveys, such as the Population Estimates Program (PEP) and the American Community Survey (ACS). The 2010 BAS is especially important as it is the last opportunity for participants to update their legal boundaries prior to the completion of the 2010 Census. Accurate legal boundaries will result in more accurate data tabulation for all of the census programs and surveys.

In preparation for the upcoming 2010 BAS, the U.S. Census Bureau is conducting BAS workshops in select cities across the country. The BAS workshops will be open to interested participants and will include both digital and paper BAS training. The training will have separate sessions for digital and paper participation procedures. You may choose to attend one or both sessions. Each session will provide an overview of the BAS, an explanation of geographic relationships, and information on why correct boundaries are important for the 2010 Census, PEP and ACS.

Digital BAS training will include demonstrations on how to complete the BAS using ArcGIS or the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS). MTPS is a PC-based software application provided by the Census Bureau for participants to digitally update the Census Bureau maps and forms. There will be hands-on digital BAS training in select cities (please see the attachment). We encourage you to bring laptops along with your boundary data, so we may clarify any questions you may have.

Paper BAS training will include a detailed review of how to read and update paper maps and the BAS forms. Participants will learn how to properly annotate legal boundary updates and feature changes on the Census Bureau maps. We request you bring your annexation information since there will be an opportunity to update your boundaries on-site.

What: BAS 1-Day Training

When: December 10, 2009 and December 11, 2009
           (The same one-day training is being offered on consecutive days at this location) 

Agenda: 8:30 AM – Noon Digital BAS Workshop, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Paper BAS Workshop

Where: Utah State Capitol Complex, Room 30 House Building (West Building)

RSVP: by December 3, 2009

• If you wish to RSVP via email, please email the above information to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• If you wish to RSVP via telephone, please contact the BAS Team at (301)-763-1099.

If you have any questions pertaining to the BAS program and the upcoming workshops, contact the BAS team via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or via telephone at (301)-763-1099. Additional information on the BAS program can be found on the BAS website: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/bas/bashome.html