The Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS):
CZM's Online Mapping Tool

MORIS, the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System, is an online mapping tool created by Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and the Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS). MORIS can be used to search and display spatial data pertaining to the Massachusetts coastal zone. Users can interactively view various data layers (e.g., tide gauge stations, marine protected areas, access points, eelgrass beds, etc.) over a backdrop of aerial photographs, political boundaries, natural resources, human uses, bathymetry, or other data. Users can quickly create and share maps and download the actual data for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS). While designed for coastal management professionals, MORIS can be used by anyone interested in these data and maps.

MORIS is designed to:

• Provide spatial data that are, to the extent possible, accurate, scientifically sound, and credible.
• Provide information to decision makers, planners, and the general public that can be used to strengthen environmental policy and guide management decisions.
• Use a collaborative, interactive process that involves a variety of partners and data sources.
• Ensure that the data are available in an easily accessible and useful manner.

MORIS is based on the MassGIS Online Data Viewer, known as OLIVER. For a user guide and other documentation, see the OLIVER web page.

MORIS is a Java Web Start application that is a close cousin to OLIVER, a general purpose application for datalayer viewing and downloading. OLIVER has been distributed by MassGIS since 2004 and has been very popular with users. One of its strengths is that users can make their own map by picking and choosing from a wide variety of possible datalayers. This is very valuable for MORIS because with such a large number of coastal data layers available, there is no way to make one, understandable, uncluttered map with all of this information. With this application, MORIS users can browse datalayers, read more about them (within the metadata), and add selected datalayers to their own maps.

Since it is a Java Web Start application, MORIS can run on any operating system that supports Java, including Windows, Macintosh, or UNIX operating systems. The application is downloaded through a web browser link and then runs locally, using the Internet to connect to the datalayers. MORIS will run on Java versions 1.4.2 and higher. The user will need permission to install software to get MORIS set up, but not to use MORIS.

MORIS pulls data through the GeoServer mapping software. GeoServer is a free open source map serving platform that serves data in OpenGeospatial (OGC) WMS and WFS format (among other formats). The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc.® (OGC) is a nonprofit, international, voluntary consensus standards organization that is leading the development of standards for geospatial and location based services. GeoServer has an active developer community and many users. The GeoServer project continues to evolve and MORIS will get the benefit of future enhancements and bug fixes. GeoServer in turn gets the spatial datalayers from MassGIS's ESRI's Spatial Data Engine (SDE) and Oracle database.

Side Note: An advantage of serving the datalayers through GeoServer is that in addition to supplying the MORIS client, the datalayers are available to be consumed in other ways (in ArcMap for example, or other GIS desktop applications such as uDig).

To assist CZM in the maintenance of these data, users are encouraged to report errors or omissions. To report a data error, please contact the CZM's GIS/Data Manager at daniel.sampson@state.ma.us. To report a bug or suggest an enhancement to MORIS, please contact MassGIS's Web Services Manager at aleda.freeman@state.ma.us.

DISCLAIMER - Read Thoroughly and Agree to Terms Before Proceeding to MORIS

This online mapping tool is a public resource of general information provided by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). CZM does not guarantee the accuracy, current status, or completeness of the material contained herein and is not responsible for any misuse or misrepresentation of this information or its derivatives. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these data, errors and conditions originating from physical sources used to develop these data may be reflected in the data supplied. The user must be aware of data conditions and bear responsibility for the appropriate use of the information with respect to possible errors, original map scale, collection methodology, currency of data, and other conditions specific to certain data. No warranty, representation, or guarantee is made or implied regarding the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the data provided. In no event shall CZM be liable for any damages, whether general, special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of your use of these data. Your sole remedy for damages is to stop using the data. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CZM and its employees against any claim, loss, liability, or expense, including attorneys' fees, resulting from loss of or damage to property or the injury to or death of any person arising out of the use of the data.

CZM data are prepared for reference purposes only and should not be used for, and are not intended for, survey and engineering purposes. The data layers do not take the place of a legal survey or other primary source documentation.

Some of the data contained in this website are provided and maintained by various individuals representing agencies external to CZM, including but not limited to academia, not-for-profit 501(3)(c) organizations, other Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies, municipal governments, and federal agencies. No guarantee is given as to the accuracy or currency of any of these data.

When using CZM data on maps or in digital applications, source credit should be stated as: "The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs."

Select YES if you accept and agree to these terms and would like to view the online maps. Select NO if you do not accept these terms.

Please Note: Initial downloading and subsequent launching of MORIS can be somewhat slow.

Many people have contributed to MORIS over the past few years, notably Aleda Freeman and Saul Farber of MassGIS, who initially suggested that MORIS be converted from a very buggy and limited web application to the robust Java-based application you see today. They have also been instrumental in adding features such as the georegulations tool that make MORIS useful to those specifically interested in coastal issues. Also deserving credit is Michael Trust for his ever-adept data management skills and willingness to answer the same question time and time again. Finally, CZM would like to whole-heartedly thank MassGIS Director Christian Jacqz for his long-term support of the MORIS project. At CZM, we wish to thank employees past and present, including Diane Carle and Marc Carullo who helped to build MORIS, and Dan Sampson, who managed the project to completion despite competing priorities and evolving technologies.