The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is modernizing the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), and the geospatial community is rallying to ensure a smooth transition. A recent webinar hosted by Geo Week News brought together NGS leadership, professional societies, and industry partners to outline what's coming and why practitioners shouldn't be intimidated.
The webinar opened with Seth Pollack, acting operations director and NSRS program manager at NOAA's National Geodetic Survey, who provided a broad overview of the modernization effort, including the technical rationale, key product updates, and the phased rollout timeline. Pollack then opened the floor to a panel discussion featuring Timothy Burch of NSPS, David Zilkoski of AAGS, Philip Meis of Utility Mapping Services, Dr. Qassim Abdullah of Woolpert, and Linda Foster representing both Esri and NSPS.
What’s Changing and Why?
The modernization moves the NSRS away from static physical benchmarks and toward a dynamic, GNSS-based system that accounts for the continuous movement of tectonic plates.
Seth Pollock, acting NGS operations director and NSRS program manager, summarized the motivation for modernization succinctly:
"The earth is moving, and this is better."
In his slides (which are available to download from the webinar archive), Pollock provided an overview of where the modernization process stands as of early 2026, and what’s next for everyone involved.
The modernization replaces NAD 83 and NAVD 88 with updated horizontal and vertical reference frames, primarily NATRF2022 and NAPGD2022 (which includes GEOID2022), designed to deliver centimeter-level accuracy aligned with modern GNSS and global standards. The downstream benefits extend across the geospatial ecosystem, enabling more reliable autonomous vehicle positioning, utility locating, precision infrastructure, and flood mapping.
Modernization is unfolding in three phases: beta release (underway through 2025), public testing and feedback (minimum six months), and official transition, anticipated in 2027.
Key Tool Updates from NGS
The NGS is upgrading its core tools across several fronts. OPUS 5.2, the version that will be live at modernization, adds multi-GNSS processing, supports newer RINEX file formats, and outputs coordinates in both the modernized reference frames and state plane systems. OPUS 6.0, a fully cloud-native rebuild, will support multiple occupations on a single mark and far more advanced processing. A subsequent release, OPUS 6.1, will restore campaign-style survey functionality currently found in OPUS Projects.
NCAT, the NGS coordinate conversion and transformation tool, entered internal testing and will support SPCS2022 conversions at rollout. The updated NGS Map and Geodetic Marks Page are also nearing completion, moving away from legacy ASCII datasheets toward dynamic, web-based delivery.
Industry: Ready and Engaged
Linda Foster of Esri and NSPS confirmed that major software vendors are fully on board once final certification occurs. However, Pollock noted that smaller software vendors could potentially remain a concern, and several panelists urged practitioners to ask their vendors directly whether they are ready.
David Zilkoski of AAGS pointed to the breadth of stakeholders that modernization touches, noting that the effort involves not just the surveying and mapping community but also realtors, local government, hydraulic engineers, and photogrammetrists. Phil Meis of Utility Mapping Services framed the practical stakes clearly, describing the new rollout as "perfectly timed" with efforts to develop accurate as-built standards for utilities and reduce risk on major infrastructure projects.
Dr. Qassim Abdullah, Chief Scientist and Vice President at Woolpert, described how ASPRS recognized the importance of the modernization early and formed a dedicated working group to organize their response. The society launched a community website with educational materials, announcements, and discussion forums, and has published articles in its trade journal to build awareness.
Professional societies including NSPS and AAGS are actively developing educational materials, YouTube tutorials, story maps, and regional working groups to help members prepare. The message across all panelists was consistent: don't be scared. As Tim Burch of NSPS put it, "It's not as hard as it seems. We've been through transitions before, and we now have much better tools."
What Practitioners Should Do Now
Practitioners are encouraged to ask their software and equipment vendors if they’re ready for NSRS modernization, and to connect with their state or regional professional society for local resources and working groups. Practitioners should also monitor NGS's beta product releases and plan to participate in the public testing and feedback period when it opens.
The official transition isn’t upon us just yet, but the time to prepare is now.
Watch the Full Webinar
This article covers the highlights, but the full conversation goes deeper. Watch the on-demand recording of NSRS Modernization Is Here: What Surveyors Need to Know Now to hear directly from speakers Seth Pollack (NGS), Tim Burch (NSPS), David Zilkoski (AAGS), Linda Foster (Esri/NSPS), Philip Meis (Utility Mapping Services), and Dr. Qassim Abdullah (Woolpert). The recording is free and includes access to presenter resources and materials.
