ILRIS: introduction and goals

An Integrated Land Records Information System (ILRIS) is anticipated to provide accurate and current data describing the pattern of land ownership across the State of Maine. Imagine this as a huge map showing parcel lines as they currently exist and changes that have recently occurred.

In a perfect world, with perfect information, it would be possible to scroll backward and forward through time and observe the changes over this map. Such an animation might begin by showing the entire area of Maine (in the 1600's) with only the original grant lines imposed on it. As the timeline moved forward, these original tracts would fracture into the increasingly complex and intricate pattern of the more than 700,000 parcels comprising the state today.

Of course, information is not perfect. Not even close. And even if a statewide composite existed for current parcel status it would require enormous time and resources to reconstruct the past 400 years of changes.

The thing is, while the 400-year animation is an unrealistic goal given present data and resources, the current statewide composite is well within the realm of the attainable. The technology for producing, storing and delivering such a system has become almost unimaginably cheaper and more accessible than it was even a decade ago. Many municipalities throughout the state have grown their own parcel composites from the ground up. All that is really necessary is a will to proceed and a willingness to collaborate.