Aerial Cartographics of America (ACA) of Orlando, Fla., has completed the first year of aerial image acquisition and has begun its 2010 flights as part of a 1600-square-mile, three-year contract with Tampa Bay Water.

ACA was selected for the Tampa Bay Water mapping contract after demonstrating the improved clarity and resolution of false color infrared imagery (CIR) acquired by its Vexcel UCX Digital Mapping Large Format Camera. The approximately 1600 square miles of imagery, flown twice a year, is used to compare and analyze changes in wetland vegetation and hydrological surface conditions in the area for which Tampa Bay Water delivers high quality drinking water.

Tampa Bay Water (http://www.tampabaywater.org) provides wholesale water to the public utility systems of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.

Dan Schmutz, Chief Environmental Scientist for GPI Southeast, Inc., which provides environmental services support to Tampa Bay Water and performs QA/QC for the current mapping project, commented, “The overall quality of imagery collected from the UCX Digital Mapping camera system — including enhanced resolution, spatial accuracy, and color characteristics — improves our ability to document ecological and hydrological conditions in Tampa Bay Water’s study area.”

About ACA
Established in 1973, ACA is an industry leader in advanced aerial mapping and photogrammetry. ACA’s Professionally Licensed Staff of Surveyors and Mappers are experienced in integrating the latest proven technologies with precision results. As a 100% digital mapping organization, ACA reaches across the USA and the Caribbean providing 3D mapping services for Roads, Rails, Airports, Watersheds, Energy Transmission Corridors, Land Development, Mining, and Environmental projects as well as Federal, State, and Local governments. To learn more, contact ACA at info@aca-net.com or visit our website at www.aca-net.com.

About GPI Southeast Inc.
GPI Southeast, Inc. is recognized as a premier provider of water use permitting and compliance services in Florida and offers diversified engineering, surveying, environmental, coatings, and construction services. To learn more, please visit www.gpise.com.