Summary

This is a Land Use / Land Cover map depicting forests, cropland, park land, water features and urban and countryside development in the over 3000 square mile Metropolitan Washington Region as defined by the membership of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) .  This map was developed through Land Sat imagery analyzed by RESAC (Regional Earth Science Applications Center) in conjunction with the COG Department of Environmental Programs and the National Park Service.  Analysis for this map covers the 12 major land use / land cover classifications as defined by the Chesapeake Bay Program.  The nature of Land Sat imagery is such that detailed visual images are not possible as when using high resolution satellite imagery or low-level aerial photography.  However, the 30 meters per pixel resolution of Land Sat imagery is very useful for high altitude land cover analysis using spectral analysis techniques.  Sophisticated digital analysis software has been used calculate the land cover data for this map and has been ‘trained’ on higher resolution data to achieve accurate analysis to the 90th percentile. 

This map was produced through the Metropolitan Washington Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project funded through the National Park Service National Capital Region.  For more information on this project, please contact Glenn Eugster at the National Park Service Glenn_Eugster@nps.gov

Or for mapping information, Brian LeCouteur at blecouteur@mwcog.org. 

There are a limited number of free copies available.  Contact Mr. LeCouteur by e-mail or directly at 202-962-3393.