We recently released a new in-app subscription for iHunter Alberta – the Public Lands Layer. Details can be found here:
Public Lands Layer

However, one of the layers that was recently added to this subscription contains errors, and is being retracted. Specifically, the “White Area Public Land” layer mistakenly identifies some sections of private land as public. This is the worst case scenario for a layer such as this, and has resulted in the removal of this layer until a new data set, without these errors, can be created. The layer has been removed from both the Android iOS version with the latest update.

How did this happen?

The data source that the Public Land boundaries was derived from (the DIDs data set) shows the boundaries for all public land dispositions and notations. Some of these notations (Consultative Notations, Protective Notations, Consultative Notation Company), are registered on land for the purposes of identifying public land interests in land, such as the bed and shore of a lake or river, etc. As the bed and shore of a lake can recede or expand, the exact boundaries are not defined, and thus, the entire quarter section of land that the bed and shore encroaches on are defined under the notation. As a result, private land that sits on these notations, was included in the Public Lands Layer, when it should not have been.

How is this being fixed?

We are trying to acquire a new data set, or a new method of interpreting the data to recreate this data set, without the private land being included. We are unsure when or if this will be possible.

I want a refund!

I would like nothing more than to refund your subscription money if you no longer want the rest of the data in the subscription. However, the tools provided by Google and Apple do not allow for this. In addition, the subscription itself did not include this layer when advertised. The subscription, as shown on the Google Play and iTunes app stores, includes Agricultural Lease Land, Vacant Lease Land, and “The Green Area”. As all three of these layers are still offered, and we hope most users will be satisfied with this.