National Mapping Program Official Authorities & Other Organizations Involved With Geographic Names - 1984 United States Canada Mexico Open File Report 83-881 U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey National Mapping Division Office of Geographic and Cartographic Research UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICIAL AUTHORITIES & OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED WITH GEOGRAPHIC NAMES -1984 United States Canada Mexico By Donald J. Orth Open File Report 83-881 Reston, Virginia 1984 First printing 1984 Second printing 1984 FOREWORD The primary geographic reference system of people throughout the world is the use of proper names in spoken and written language to identify particular places, fea­ tures, and areas of the landscape. The U.S. Board on Geo­ graphic Names and the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geo­ graphical Names were established over 85 years ago by their respective Federal Governments to establish and maintain uniform name usage to meet the needs of expanding mapping programs. In today's complex and mobile societies the need for accurate and standard geographic name usage has become a requirement, not only for all levels of government, but also for planning and reference in industry, commerce, com­ munications, education, and research. For large numbers of people, geographic names also have strong psychological and cultural significance and represent a significant part of State and local heritage. Local governments and their cit­ izens have certain proprietary rights and an inherent in­ terest in their own names. Robert C. McArtor Chairman, U.S. Board on Geographic Names iii CONTENTS ______ Page Foreword ........................................................... iii Abstract ........................................................... 1 Introduction ....................................................... 1 Official Authorities ............................................... 3 United States .................................................. 3 U.S. Board on Geographic Names ............................ 3 State authorities ......................................... 3 Alabama .............................................. 3 Alaska ............................................... 3 Arizona .............................................. 4 California ........................................... 4 Colorado ............................................. 4 Connecticut .......................................... 5 Georgia .............................................. 5 Hawaii ............................................... 5 Idaho ................................................ 6 Illinois ............................................. 6 Indiana .............................................. 6 Kansas ............................................... 6 Louisiana ............................................ 6 Maine ................................................ 6 Michigan ............................................. 6 Minnesota ............................................ 7 Mo nt ana .............................................. 7 Nebraska ............................................. 7 Nevada ............................................... 7 New Hampshire .............o.......................... 8 New Jersey ........................................... 8 New Mexico ........................................... 8 New York ............................................. 8 Ohio ................................................. 9 Oklahoma ............................................. 9 Oregon ............................................... 9 Pennsylvania ......................................... 9 Rhode Island ......................................... 10 South Carolina ....................................... 10 Texa s ................................................ 10 Utah ................................................. 10 Vermont .............................................. 11 Virginia ............................................. 11 Washington ........................................... 11 Wisconsin ............................................ 12 Wyoming .............................................. 12 Interstate organizations .................................. 13 Western States Geographic Names Council .............. 13 Western States Geographic Names Conference ........... 13 Other ..................................................... 14 U.S. National Geographic Names Data Base ............. 14 iv Page Canad a ......................................................... 15 Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names ........ 15 Provincial Authorities .................................... 15 Alberta .............................................. 15 Newfoundland ......................................... 15 Ontario .............................................. 15 Quebe c ............................................... 16 Saskatchewan ......................................... 16 Manitoba ............................................. 16 New Brunswick ........................................ 16 Nova Scotia .......................................... 16 Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, and National Parks ................................. 16 Prince Edward Island ................................. 17 British Columbia ..................................... 17 Mexico ......................................................... 18 Registro de Informacion Geografica ........................ 18 International .................................................. 19 United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names ..... 19 United Nations International Conference on Geographical Name s ................................................... 19 Academic Organizations ............................................. 20 United States .................................................. 20 Place-Name Survey of the United States .................... 20 American Name Society ..................................... 20 Names Institute ...................................... 20 South Central Names Institute ........................ 20 Conference on Literary Onomastics .................... 20 Onomastic Symposium ................................. 21 North Central Names Institute ........................ 21 Utah Place-Name Society ..........t........................ 21 Illinois Name Society ..................................... 21 Canada ......................................................... 22 Canadian Society for the Study of Names ................... 22 International .................................................. 23 International Committee of Onomastic Sciences ............. 23 APPENDIX A. Public Law 242, 80th Congress, 1947 ................... 26 B. Laws of Alaska: Alaska State Geographic Board ........ 27 C. Executive Order: Arizona State Geographic Names Board ............................................... 29 D. California Geographic Names Handbook .................. 31 E. Laws of Hawaii: Hawaii State Board on Geographic Name s ............................................... 53 F. Executive Order: Utah State Committee on Geographic Name s ............................................... 56 G. Introduction to the Utah Geographic Names Handbook .... 57 H. Guidelines: Washington State Board on Geographic Names ............................................... 62 I. State of Wisconsin Geographic Names Council: Law and Policies ............................................ 67 Page J. Bylaws: Western States Geographic Names Council ...... 68 K. Principles and Procedures: Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names ..................... 71 L. Principles: The Ontario Geographic Names Board ....... 77 vi OFFICIAL AUTHORITIES and OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED WITH GEOGRAPHIC NAMES By Donald J. Orth U.S. Geological Survey 521 National Center Reston, Virginia 22092 ABSTRACT The primary principle or philosophy of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names There is a need for accurate and is its recognition of present day local standard geographic name usage in all usage and preferences when considering levels of government, industry, com­ and deciding on official names. To merce, communications, education, and follow this principle, the Federal research. There is also a growing Board seeks close cooperation with number of organizations in North Amer­ State and local governments and their ica that are fully or partly involved citizens. This is best and most easily with the scholarly study of geographic accomplished in States that have recog­ names. This is a list of official nized central geographic-name authori­ national and State or provincial auth­ ties to look after local interests. At orities concerned with name standardi­ present, 25 States have geographic-name zation and organizations involved with authorities established by law or exe­ the study of geographic names in the cutive/departmental order, seven States United States, Canada and Mexico. The have advisors recognized by the Board, appendixes are copies of documents that but not necessarily by the State gov­ provide additional information about ernment, and 17 States do not have the organization, policies, procedures, known names authorities or advisors. and publications of some of these In the latter case, name problems are organizations. directed to the Governor, appropriate State agencies, and local governments. Official geographic-names author­ INTRODUCTION ities in the United States vary in structure and membership. Some author­ This listing was compiled to pro­ ities