This data set was generated through the 2020 LU/LC update mapping effort. The 2020 update is the seventh in a series of land use mapping efforts that was begun in 1986. Revisions and additions to the initial baseline layer were done in subsequent years from imagery captured in 1995/97, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2015 and now, 2020. This present 2020 update was created by comparing the 2015 LU/LC layer from NJDEP's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database to 2020 color infrared (CIR) imagery and delineating and coding areas of change. Work for this data set was done by Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA, under direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Geographic Information System (BGIS). LU/LC changes were captured by adding new line work and attribute data for the 2020 land use directly to the base data layer. All 2015 LU/LC polygons and 2015 LU/LC coding remains in this data set, so change analysis for the period 2015-2020 can be undertaken from this one layer. The mapping was done by USGS HUC8 basins, 13 of which cover portions of New Jersey. This statewide layer is composed of the final data sets generated for each HUC8 basin. Initial QA/QC was done on each HUC8 data set as it was produced with final QA/QC and basin-to-basin edgematching done on this statewide layer. The classification system used was a modified Anderson et al., classification system. Minimum mapping unit (MMU) is 1 acre for changes to non-water and non-wetland polygons. Changes to these two categories were mapped using .25 acres as the MMU. (See entry under the Advisory section concerning additional review being done on NHD waterbody attribute coding and impervious surface estimation.) ADVISORY This data set, edition 20231120, is a statewide layer that includes updated land use/land cover data for all HUC8 basins in New Jersey. The polygon delineations and associated land use code assignments are considered the final versions for this mapping effort. Note, however, that there is continuing review being done on this layer to update several additional attributes not presently evaluated in this edition. These attributes include several from the National Hydrography Database (NHD) that are specific to the waterbodies mapped in this layer, and several attributes containing impervious surface estimates for each polygon. Evaluating the NHD codes facilitates extracting the water features mapped in this layer and using them to update the New Jersey portion of the NHD. Those NHD specific attributes are still being evaluated and may be added to a future edition of this base data set. Similarly, additional review is being done to assess the feasibility of incorporating data on impervious surface (IS) amounts generated from two independent projects, one of which was just completed by NOAA, into this base land use layer. While the NHD and IS attributes will enhance the use of this base layer in several types of analyses, this present layer can be used for doing all primary land use analyses without having those attributes evaluated. Further, evaluating these extra attributes will result in few, if any, changes to the polygon delineations and standard land use coding that are the primary features of this layer. As such, the layer is being provided in its present edition for general use. As the additional attributes are evaluated, they may be added to a future edition of this data set. The basic land use features and codes, however, as mapped in this version of the data set will serve as the base 2020 LU/LC update. As stated in this metadata record's Use Constraints section, NJDEP makes no representations of any kind, including, but not limited to, the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use, nor are any such warranties to be implied with respect to the digital data layers furnished hereunder. NJDEP assumes no responsibility to maintain them in any manner or form. By downloading this data, user agrees to the data use constraints listed within this metadata record.