U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Data Element:  LITERALS

You are invited to read the definitions of terms used in this data standard.

Name
 Literals
Description
 Unique alpha codes assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Realty, that identify the organizational units, areas, and project sites on Service-owned lands, such as Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge (BSK), Faribault County Waterfowl Production Area (WFB), Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery (LVN), etc. These codes are used as a means to cross-reference funding with individual land units.
Type
 Alpha
Syntax
 AAA, where each A represents a letter from A to Z. Current literal codes are three letters but may be expanded in the future. Literals cannot be duplicated.
Recommended Field Name LIT
Source

The official values to be used for this data element are available in Excel format. This source file includes the official unit names and Literal codes assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Realty, for land units in the Land Records System (LRS) as of October 9, 2007.

For the most current data on the Service's official Literal codes, please contact James Eaglesome, Division of Realty, by electronic mail (James_Eaglesome@fws.gov) or phone (703-358-2363).
Historical Data Previous versions of the data standard and source data are available here:  LIT   Rev1   Rev2   Rev3   Rev4   Rev5

Earlier versions of the source data only are available here:

LIT 04112001   LIT 02042004   LIT 01122005   LIT 11212005  LIT 01242006
Reference(s)

Part 270, FW 6, Data Management and Standards, dated September 30, 2002.
Use Instructions
 As of the approval date, will be used in any new automated system, data set, database, or information application, including new Geographic Information System (GIS) data and applications. This data element will also be used in any major modifications to existing systems or versions of these data-related items that use the literal codes assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Realty, to organizational units, areas, and project sites on Service-owned lands. Each organizational unit should have a unique literal code; however, there are a few instances where the same literal code has been assigned to more than one unit. Therefore, please contact the Data Steward identified in this standard prior to using duplicate literal codes in any new or existing data files.

To ensure compliance with the Service Information and Technology Architecture (SITA), Service staff are strongly encouraged to utilize this data element in existing systems, data sets, databases, and information applications. Where existing systems and data-related items are not in compliance, they should be modified to achieve compatibility and implement this data standard.

The Literal codes should always be used in conjunction with another data element, such as the IFWS Number or the official Organization Code. 
Phase
 Adopted
Approval Date
 February 23, 2000
Validation Date
 May 5, 2008
Data Steward
 James Eaglesome, Realty Specialist, Division of Realty

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Keywords=literals, organization, property, unit, area, project, land acquisition, realty, IFWS Number, data, standard, elements
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