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VERTICAL MAPPING RESOURCES MAPS LOS ANGELES ZOO TO AID IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
Design-Scale Topographic Mapping & Color Orthophotography Provide Detailed Information About the Los Angeles Zoo’s Parking Lot Drainage

Dana Point, Calif. (July 14, 2008) – Vertical Mapping Resources Inc., a leading Scottsdale-based integrated aerial mapping and geospatial land information company, recently completed a detailed mapping project of a portion of the Los Angeles Zoo.

Currently, the Zoo is primarily served by a 33-acre asphalt parking lot at the east end of the site. Storm water runoff from the site has the potential to contribute trash, heavy metals, pathogens, oil, grease and gasoline to the storm drain system. Surface flow from the parking lot drains to a storm drain, which empties directly into the Los Angeles River.
Vertical Mapping Resources provided color orthophotography and utilized a field-collected digital terrain model to incorporate 1’ contours in the design-scale topographic mapping of the project site. This process allows the engineering team to digitally view the parking lot and surrounding area as it exists today.

The goal of the Los Angeles Zoo Parking Project is to reduce pollutants entering the Los Angeles River by decreasing the amount of surface runoff from the Zoo’s parking lot. To do this, project plans incorporate trash capture devices, porous pavement, gravel and vegetated swales, potential reclaimed water use, evapotranspiration controllers and drip irrigation, California-native drought-tolerant landscaping, a detention pond and a sand filtration system. Additionally, the project aims to include a “Demonstration on Environmental Sustainability” exhibit, adding an educational component to this high-capacity parking lot that will serve as a model for environmental conservation.

“Vertical Mapping Resources has participated in several mapping projects within the California region that are supporting environmental sustainability efforts,” said Bret Okraski, Director of Consulting and Development for Vertical Mapping Resources. “The City of Los Angeles and those involved in this project are to be commended for incorporating a solution that’s both environmentally sound and also educational at the same time.”

The prime contractor and its team of engineers, architects, surveyors and technicians have been selected to complete pre-design, design and support services during the construction of the Los Angeles Zoo Parking Project, which is being facilitated and paid for by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering (BOE).

The BOE and the team of contractors have been working closely with the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Bureau of Sanitation, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of Water and Power, other city offices, government agencies and multiple community groups to maximize the project’s success. The project is expected to be complete in early 2010.

About Vertical Mapping Resources Inc.
Vertical Mapping Resources is a leading integrated aerial mapping and geospatial land information company providing high-resolution aerial photography and remote sensing, precision digital mapping, full topographical and planimetric services, and digital orthophotography for clients throughout the United States. The company is equipped to handle projects of virtually any size and scope for private and public entities of all disciplines. VMR’s technical expertise, excellent client service and attention to detail and accuracy standards, enable the team to carefully orchestrate client projects from inception to design through production, all the way to evaluation and technical support. For more information, call (480) 948-2555 (Scottsdale, Ariz.) or (949) 248-7800 (Dana Point, Calif.) or visit www.verticalmapping.com. Contact information for the new Sacramento, Calif., office will be available soon.

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