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Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 08:49:10 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
From: Mark Thomas <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: USGS/Forest Service topo sheets <fwd>
Sender: Mark Thomas <[log in to unmask]>



> Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 11:21:35 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Sue Haffner <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: USGS/Forest Service topo sheets
>
> Is there a publication that lists the series and sheet
> numbers of the individual topo sheets that are included
> in the cataloging records of the USGS/Forest Service
> national forest topos?
>
> I have a pile of Lassen National Forest/Plumas National
> Forest sheets in front of me. The Harvey Mountain sheet
> is series 40121-F 1; Poison Lake is F 2; Spalding Tract
> is F 7.

Sue,

These numbers are the USGS "Map Reference Codes" that were assigned
to sheets in the 7-1/2 minute quadrangle series.  You can use the old
green "Index to topographic and other map coverage" for California
(SuDoc I 19.41/6-3:H31).

The MRC's were used in the SuDoc for both USGS and Forest Service
editions of the quads.  They were also printed on many of the quads
(I don't know the exact year span, and sometimes a DMA/NIMA
desination is printed instead). The Lat/Long part (i.e., 40121) also
pops up in other places, like in the designation for the DRG cd-roms.

Although the old indexes are on GPO's Superseded List, like other old
topo indexes and catalogs they actually should never be discarded,
since they're essential for this kind of sleuthing.  Although the
MRCs are no longer required on the USGS order forms, I'm sure they'll
be popping up in various contexts for years to come.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark Thomas / Public Documents & Maps / Perkins Library
   Duke University / Durham, NC  27708-0177
      [log in to unmask] / voice: 919-660-5853 / FAX: 919-684-2855
The train ...
        traditional, yet environmentally sound.  --Lisa Simpson
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