NORWICH – Just four years ago, the Chenango County Planning and Development Department used colored pens and pencils to customize a variety of geological maps for inter-departmental reference and customers’ requests.

The technology has advanced exponentially since then with Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, technology. At least a dozen maps are produced monthly – many for natural gas exploration purposes – and the department has already taken in more revenue than budgeted for 2009.

Because of its value, planners are questioning why Chenango is the only county in New York not listed as a member of a GIS clearinghouse.

Department of Planning Director Donna Jones brought the discrepancy before members of a county committee last week and requested permission to join the New York State Office of Cyber Security & Critical Infrastructure Coordination program.