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Critical habitat for the North Pacific right whale includes 2 areas:Bering Sea area - described by a series of straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order listed: 58°00′ N/168°00′ W, 58°00′ N/163°00′ W, 56°30′ N/161°45′ W, 55°00′ N/166°00′ W, 56°00′ N/168°00′ W, 58 °00′ N/168°00′ W.Gulf of Alaska area - described by a series of straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order listed: 57°03′ N/153°00′ W, 57°18′ N/151°30′ W, 57°00′ N/ 151°30′ W, 56°45′ N/153°00′ W, 57°03′ N/153°00′ W.
This dataset depicts the boundaries of the North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat. This dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: - Critical Habitat for North Atlantic Right Whale Unit 1 - Critical Habitat for North Atlantic Right Whale Unit 2. Please Note: Unit 1, in the Gulf of Maine, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region. Unit 2, off the southeastern US coast, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact regulated area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Critical habitat for the North Atlantic Right Whale was originally designated June 3, 1994 (Vol 59, No. 106). The 2016 critical habitat designation (81 FR 4838, January 27, 2016) replaced the 1994 designation. This dataset depicts the 2016 designation.
Critical habitat includes all marine waters within the delineated boundaries. For the inland waters of Washington state (2006 designation), the contiguous shoreline is defined by the line at a depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) relative to extreme high water. For the coastal marine waters along the U.S. west coast (2021 revision), the contiguous shoreline is defined by the line at a depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) relative to mean high water. See the final rules (71 FR 69054 and 86 FR 41668) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. For the inland waters of Washington state (2006 designation), military areas excluded due to national security impacts were not clipped out of the data.For the coastal marine waters along the U.S. west coast (2021 revision), military areas excluded due to national security impacts (i.e., the Quinault Range and its 10 kilometer buffer) were clipped out of the data.
Critical habitat for the Western North Pacific DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within these designated areas:(1) Alaska. The nearshore boundaries are generally defined by the 1-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). On the north side of the Aleutian Islands, the seaward boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line extending due west from 55° 41' N, 162° 41' W to 55° 41' N, 169° 30' W, then southward through Samalga Pass to a boundary drawn along the 2,000-m isobath on the south side of the islands. This isobath forms the southern boundary of the critical habitat, eastward to 164° 25' W. From this point, the 1,000-m isobath forms the offshore boundary, which extends eastward to 158° 39' W. Critical habitat also includes the waters around Kodiak Island and the Barren Islands. The western boundary for this area runs southward along 154° 54' W to the 1,000-m depth contour, and then extends eastward to a boundary at 150° 40' W. The area also extends northward to the mouth of Cook Inlet where it is bounded by a line that extends from Cape Douglas across the inlet to Cape Adam. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries.Please see the final rule for additional information.
Critical habitat for the Mexico DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within these designated areas:
(1) Alaska. The nearshore boundaries are generally defined by the 1-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). On the north side of the Aleutian Islands, the seaward boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line extending from 55° 41 N, 162° 41' W west to 55° 41' N, 169° 30' W, then southward through Samalga Pass to a boundary drawn along the 2,000-m isobath on the south side of the islands. This isobath forms the southern boundary of the critical habitat, eastward to 164° 25' W. From this point, the 1,000-m isobath forms the offshore boundary, which extends eastward to 158° 39' W. Critical habitat also includes the waters around Kodiak Island and the Barren Islands. The western boundary for this area runs southward along 154° 54' W to the 1,000-m depth contour, and then extends eastward to a boundary at 150° 40' W. The area also extends northward to the mouth of Cook Inlet where it is bounded by a line that extends from Cape Douglas across the inlet to Cape Adam. Critical habitat also includes the Prince William Sound area and associated waters defined by an eastern boundary at 148° 31' W, a western boundary at 145° 27' W, and a seaward boundary drawn along the 1,000-m isobath.
(2) Washington. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath, and the offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW. Critical habitat also includes waters within the U.S. portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to an eastern boundary line at Angeles Point at 123° 33' W.
(3) Oregon. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath. The offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW; except, in areas off Oregon south of 42° 10', the offshore boundary is defined by the 2,000-m isobath.
(4) California. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath relative to MLLW except, from 38° 40' N to 36° 00' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 15-m isobath relative to MLLW; and from 36° 00' N to 34° 30' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 30-m isobath relative to MLLW. North of 40° 20' N, the offshore boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line corresponding to the 2,000-m isobath, and from 40° 20' N to 38° 40' N, the offshore boundary is defined by the 3,000-m isobath. From 38° 40' N southward, the remaining areas have an offshore boundary defined by a line corresponding to the 3,700-m isobath.
Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries.
Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, where they overlap with the critical habitat: (1) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B), all areas subject to the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA, and the Naval Outlying Field, San Nicolas Island, CA approved Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs); (2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2), the Quinault Range Site (QRS) with an additional 10-km buffer that extends along the southern edge of the QRS and along the northern edge of the QRS except in areas past 10-km into the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Please see the final rule for additional information.
Critical habitat for the Central America DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within these designated areas: (1) Washington. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-meter (m) isobath, and the offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). Critical habitat also includes waters within the U.S. portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to an eastern boundary line at Angeles Point at 123° 33' W. (2) Oregon. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath. The offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW; except, in areas off Oregon south of 42° 10', the offshore boundary is defined by the 2,000-m isobath. (3) California. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath relative to MLLW except, from 38° 40' N to 36° 00' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 15-m isobath relative to MLLW; and from 36° 00' N to 34° 30' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 30-m isobath relative to MLLW. North of 40° 20' N, the offshore boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line corresponding to the 2,000-m isobath, and from 40° 20' N to 38° 40' N, the offshore boundary is defined by the 3,000-m isobath. From 38° 40' N southward, the remaining areas have an offshore boundary defined by a line corresponding to the 3,700-m isobath. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, where they overlap with the critical habitat: (1) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B), all areas subject to the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA, and the Naval Outlying Field, San Nicolas Island, CA approved Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs); (2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2), the Quinault Range Site (QRS) with an additional 10-km buffer that extends along the southern edge of the QRS and along the northern edge of the QRS except in areas past 10-km into the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.Please see the final rule for additional information.
The false killer whale (main Hawaiian Islands insular DPS) critical habitat designation includes marine waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands from the 45 meter depth contour seaward to the 3,200 meter depth contour. Areas deemed ineligible for designation and areas that were excluded from the designation are described in the final rule (83 FR 35062). Ineligible and excluded areas were clipped out of this dataset.
Critical habitat includes two specific marine areas in Cook Inlet, Alaska. These areas are bounded on the upland by Mean High Water (MHW) datum, except for the lower reaches of four tributary rivers. Critical habitat shall not extend into the tidally-influenced channels of tributary waters of Cook Inlet, with the exceptions noted in the descriptions of each critical habitat area.(1) Area 1. All marine waters of Cook Inlet north of a line from the mouth of Threemile Creek (61°08.5′ N., 151°04.4′ W.) connecting to Point Possession (61°02.1′ N., 150°24.3′ W.), including waters of the Susitna River south of 61°20.0′ N., the Little Susitna River south of 61°18.0′ N., and the Chickaloon River north of 60°53.0′ N.(2) Area 2. All marine waters of Cook Inlet south of a line from the mouth of Threemile Creek (61°08.5′ N., 151°04.4′ W.) to Point Possession (61°02.1′ N., 150°24.3′ W.) and north of 60°15.0′ N., including waters within 2 nautical miles seaward of MHW along the western shoreline of Cook Inlet between 60°15.0′ N. and the mouth of the Douglas River (59°04.0′ N., 153°46.0′ W.); all waters of Kachemak Bay east of 151°40.0′ W.; and waters of the Kenai River below the Warren Ames bridge at Kenai, Alaska.Critical habitat does not include manmade structures and the land on which they rest within the designated boundaries that were in existence as of May 11, 2011.Critical habitat does not include the following areas owned by the Department of Defense or for which the Secretary has determined to exclude for reasons of national security:(1) All property and overlying waters of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson between Mean Higher High Water and Mean High Water; and(2) All waters off the Port of Anchorage which are east of a line connecting Cairn Point (61°15.4′ N., 149°52.8′ W.) and Point MacKenzie (61°14.3′ N., 149°59.2′ W.) and north of a line connecting Point MacKenzie and the north bank of the mouth of Ship Creek (61°13.6′ N., 149°53.8′ W.).
These data represent the critical habitat for the green sturgeon (Southern DPS) designated under the Endangered Species Act on October 9, 2009 (74 FR 52300). The official NMFS critical habitat (SturgeonGreen_SouthernDPS_20091009) for this sturgeon is comprised of both polygon data and line data; together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
From line data: Critical habitat in freshwater riverine areas includes the stream channels and a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas for which the ordinary high-water line has not been defined pursuant to 33 CFR 329.11, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in bays and estuaries includes tidally influenced areas as defined by the elevation of mean higher high water (MHHW).No areas were deemed ineligible for designation. No unoccupied areas were designated. 14 areas based on economic impacts and 5 areas based on national security impacts were excluded from this critical habitat designation and clipped out of the data. The following tribal lands were excluded from this designation, but were not clipped out of the data:(1) Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, California(2) Cher-Ae Heights Trinidad Rancheria, California(3) Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, Oregon(4) Coquille Indian Tribe, Oregon(5) Hoh Tribe, Washington(6) Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Washington(7) Lower Elwha Tribe, Washington(8) Makah Tribe, Washington(9) Quileute Tribe, Washington(10) Quinault Tribe, Washington(11) Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Washington(12) Wiyot Tribe, California(13) Yurok Tribe, California
From polygon data: Critical habitat in bays and estuaries includes tidally influenced areas as defined by the elevation of mean higher high water (MHHW). The boundary between coastal marine areas and bays and estuaries is delineated by the COLREGS lines (33 CFR 80). Critical habitat in coastal marine areas is defined by the zone between the 60 fathom (fm) depth bathymetry line and the line on shore reached by mean lower low water (MLLW), or to the COLREGS lines. No areas were deemed ineligible for designation. No unoccupied areas were designated. 14 areas based on economic impacts and 5 areas based on national security impacts were excluded from this critical habitat designation and clipped out of the data. The following tribal lands were excluded from this designation, but were not clipped out of the data:(1) Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, California(2) Cher-Ae Heights Trinidad Rancheria, California(3) Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, Oregon(4) Coquille Indian Tribe, Oregon(5) Hoh Tribe, Washington(6) Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Washington(7) Lower Elwha Tribe, Washington(8) Makah Tribe, Washington(9) Quileute Tribe, Washington(10) Quinault Tribe, Washington(11) Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Washington(12) Wiyot Tribe, California(13) Yurok Tribe, California
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Waters, the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and Southeast Regional Office Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Southeast Atlantic Waters only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
This dataset depicts the river lengths along which Critical Habitat has been designated (82 FR 39160, August 17, 2017) for the South Atlantic DPS of Atlantic Sturgeon. Critical habitat includes all of the river along the specified segment, from the ordinary high water mark of one riverbank to the ordinary high water mark of the opposing riverbank of the mainstem of the river, to the downstream limit at the bank-to-bank transect of the specified segment. For clarification of the critical habitat definition, please refer to the maps and narrative descriptions in the CFR. It is a product of the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Southeast Regional Office (SERO). This dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: Critical Habitat South Atlantic Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon: Edisto River, Combahee River, Salkehatchie River, Savannah River, Ogeechee River, Altamaha River, Satilla River and St. Marys River. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact Area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas), the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and Southeast Regional Office Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast Waters only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
This dataset depicts the river lengths along which Critical Habitat has been designated (82 FR 39160, August 17, 2017) for the New York Bight DPS of Atlantic Sturgeon. Critical habitat includes all of the river along the specified segment, from the ordinary high water mark of one riverbank to the ordinary high water mark of the opposing riverbank of the mainstem of the river, to the downstream limit at the bank-to-bank transect of the specified segment. For clarification of the critical habitat definition, please refer to the maps and narrative descriptions in the CFR. It is a product of the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). This dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: Critical Habitat for New York Bight Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon: Connecticut River, Housatonic River, Hudson River, and Delaware River. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact Area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
These data identify the critical habitat designated (March 19, 2003, Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 53, Rules and Regulations) under the Endangered Species Act for the Atlantic sturgeon, Gulf subspecies (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi). The official NMFS critical habitat (SturgeonAtlantic_GulfSubspecies_20030319) for this sturgeon is comprised of both riverine critical habitat (line) data, Units 1 through 7, and marine/estuarine critical habitat (polygon) data, Units 8 through 14. Together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
Critical habitat constitutes areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. These areas provide notice to the public and land managers of the importance of the areas to the conservation of this species. Special protections and/or restrictions are possible in areas where Federal funding, permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur or are required. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display. Omissions of river distributaries may be possible due to the extent of source data (NHD) and because a number of the smaller streams are not named and easily identifiable. Based on the legal narrative unit descriptions in the Federal Register, all distributaries are included; however, they may not be graphically represented in this dataset.
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas), the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and Southeast Regional Office Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast Waters only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
This dataset depicts the river lengths along which Critical Habitat has been designated (82 FR 39160, August 17, 2017) for the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic Sturgeon. Critical habitat includes all of the river along the specified segment, from the ordinary high water mark of one riverbank to the ordinary high water mark of the opposing riverbank of the mainstem of the river, to the downstream limit at the bank-to-bank transect of the specified segment. For clarification of the critical habitat definition, please refer to the maps and narrative descriptions in the CFR. It is a product of the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). This dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: - Critical Habitat for Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon: Penobscot River, Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, Piscataqua River, and Merrimack River. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact Area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas), the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and Southeast Regional Office Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Mid-Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas) only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
This dataset depicts the river lengths along which Critical Habitat has been designated (82 FR 39160, August 17, 2017) for the Chesapeake Bay distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic Sturgeon. Critical habitat includes all of the river along the specified segment, from the ordinary high water mark of one riverbank to the ordinary high water mark of the opposing riverbank of the mainstem of the river, to the downstream limit at the bank-to-bank transect of the specified segment. For clarification of the critical habitat definition, please refer to the maps and narrative descriptions in the CFR. It is a product of the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). This dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: - Critical Habitat for Chesapeake Bay Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon: Nanticoke River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, York River, and James River. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact Area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas), the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and Southeast Regional Office Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Southeastern Atlantic Waters only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
This dataset depicts the river lengths along which Critical Habitat has been designated (82 FR 39160, August 17, 2017) for the Carolina DPS of Atlantic Sturgeon. Critical habitat includes all of the river along the specified segment, from the ordinary high water mark of one riverbank to the ordinary high water mark of the opposing riverbank of the mainstem of the river, to the downstream limit at the bank-to-bank transect of the specified segment. For clarification of the critical habitat definition, please refer to the maps and narrative descriptions in the CFR. It is a product of the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). Dataset includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: Critical Habitat Carolina Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon: Roanoke River, Tar-Pamlico River, Neuse River, Cape Fear River, Pee Dee River, Black River, Santee River and Cooper River. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact Area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Upper Willamette River steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the Southern California steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data. Military areas ineligible for designation due to qualifying Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) and excluded due to national security impacts were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the South-Central California Coast steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data. Military areas ineligible for designation due to qualifying Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Snake River Basin steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (February 24, 2016, 81 FR 9252) under the Endangered Species Act for the Puget Sound steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.
See the final rule (81 FR 9252) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Military areas ineligible for designation (qualifying Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan) were not clipped out of the data. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the Northern California steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater. See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Lower Columbia River steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the Central California Coast steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data. Military areas ineligible for designation due to qualifying Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) and excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the California Central Valley steelhead DPS.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data.
These data represent the critical habitat for smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) as designated by 74 FR 45353, September 2, 2009, Rules and Regulations.
The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
Critical habitat constitutes areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. These data identify, in general, the critical habitat units for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment of Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), providing notice to the public and managers of the importance of the areas to the conservation of this species.
The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
These data represent critical habitat designated (March 23, 1979, 44 FR 17710) and revised (January 26, 2012, 77 FR 4170) under the Endangered Species Act for the leatherback sea turtle.
Critical habitat in the Caribbean Sea area includes the waters adjacent to Sandy Point, St. Croix from the 100 fathom curve shoreward to the level of mean high tide.Critical habitat in the Pacific Ocean areas includes marine waters to a depth of 80 meters from the ocean surface and is delineated along the shoreline at the line of extreme low water, except in the case of estuaries and bays where COLREGS lines (defined at 33 CFR part 80) are used as the shoreward boundary. The seaward boundary of the nearshore Washington/Oregon area (from Cape Flattery south to Cape Blanco) is defined along the 2,000 meter isobath. The seaward boundary of the nearshore California area (from Point Arena south to Point Arguello) is defined along the 3,000 meter isobath.
These data represent the critical habitat for hawksbill turtle as designated by Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 46693, September 2, 1998, Rules and Regulations.
The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
These data depict critical habitat designated for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (87 FR 19232; 04/01/2022).
Critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal includes marine waters within one specific area in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, extending from the nearshore boundary, defined by the 3-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW), to an offshore limit within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The boundary extends offshore from the northern limit of the United States-Canada border approximately 90 km to 70°26'19'' N/140°11'21'' W, and from this point runs generally westward along the line connecting the following points: 70°55'35'' N/142°33'51'' W, 70°53'25'' N/144°37'19'' W, 71°1'22'' N/146°36'55'' W, 71°17'21'' N/148°34'58'' W, and 71°20'8'' N/150° W. From this point (71°20'8'' N/150° W) the boundary follows longitude 150° W northward to 72°20'4'' N/150°W, then extends westward to 72°20'4'' N/153° W, then follows longitude 153° W northward to the seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ, and then follows the limit of the U.S. EEZ northwestward; then southwestward and south to the intersection of the southern boundary of the critical habitat in the Bering Sea at 61°18'15'' N/177°45'56'' W. The southern boundary extends southeastward from this intersection point to 60°7' N/172°1' W, then northeastward along a line extending to near Cape Romanzof at 61°48'42'' N/166°6'5'' W, with the nearshore boundary defined by the 3-m isobath. Critical habitat does not include permanent manmade structures such as boat ramps, docks, and pilings that were in existence within the legal boundaries as of the effective date of the final rule.
Please see the final rule for additional information.
These data represent the critical habitat for the Stellar sea lion (Western DPS) designated under the Endangered Species Act on August 27, 1993 (58 FR 45269) and amended on June 15, 1994 (59 FR 30715).
Critical habitat for the Western DPS of Steller sea lions includes:(a) Alaska rookeries, haulouts, and associated areas. In Alaska, all major Steller sea lion rookeries identified in Table 1 and major haulouts identified in Table 2 and associated terrestrial, air, and aquatic zones. Critical habitat includes a terrestrial zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) landward from the baseline or base point of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska. Critical habitat includes an air zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) above the terrestrial zone of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska, measured vertically from sea level. Critical habitat includes an aquatic zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) seaward in State and Federally managed waters from the baseline or basepoint of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska that is east of 144° W. longitude. Critical habitat includes an aquatic zone that extends 20 nm (37 km) seaward in State and Federally managed waters from the baseline or basepoint of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska that is west of 144° W. longitude.(b) California and Oregon rookeries and associated areas. In California and Oregon, all major Steller sea lion rookeries identified in Table 1 and associated air and aquatic zones. Critical habitat includes an air zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) above areas historically occupied by sea lions at each major rookery in California and Oregon, measured vertically from sea level. Critical habitat includes an aquatic zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) seaward in State and Federally managed waters from the baseline or basepoint of each major rookery in California and Oregon.(c) Three special aquatic foraging areas in Alaska. Three special aquatic foraging areas in Alaska, including the Shelikof Strait area, the Bogoslof area, and the Seguam Pass area.ESA timeline:Steller sea lions were originally listed (55 FR 49204, November 26, 1990) under the ESA throughout their range and critcal habitat was designated in 1993 (58 FR 45269, August 27, 1993). The critical habitat designation was amended (59 FR 30715, June 15, 1994) to correct data errors in Table 2 (Major Steller Sea Lion Haulout sites in Alaska) to Part 226 in the CFR.Steller sea lions were reclassified and listed as 2 DPSs: the Western DPS and Eastern DPS (62 FR 24345, May 5, 1997).The Eastern DPS of Steller sea lions was delisted (78 FR 66140, November 4, 2013). In the delisting final rule, NMFS clarified that the 1993 critical habitat designation remains in effect for the Western DPS of Steller sea lions.
Alaska data published 03/19/1997
Oregon data published 04/14/2009
California data published 10/14/2016
These data represent the marine and terrestrial areas designated as critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal on August 21, 2015 (80 FR 50926). The official NMFS critical habitat (SealHawaiianMonk_20150821) for the Hawaiian monk seal is comprised of both polygon data (marine and terrestrial areas in the MHI and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) and line data (coastal segments in the MHI); together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI): Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat includes all beach areas, sand spits and islets, including all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland, lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and habitat through the water's edge (mean lower low water line), including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 meters of the seafloor, out to the 200 meter depth boundary in the following 10 areas: Kure Atoll, Midway Islands, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, Maro Reef, Gardner Pinnacles, French Frigate Shoals, Necker Island, and Nihoa Island.
Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) polygon data: Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat areas surrounding Kauai, Oahu, Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai), and Hawaii are defined in the marine environment from the water's edge (mean lower low water line) seaward to a 200 meter depth boundary, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 meters of the seafloor. Niihau critical marine habitat includes the seafloor and all subsurface waters within 10 meters of the seafloor, from a 10 meter depth boundary seaward to a 200 meter depth boundary. Kaula Island critical marine habitat includes the seafloor and all subsurface waters within 10 meters of the seafloor, from a 3 nautical mile boundary seaward to a 200 meter depth boundary. Seven islets (near Oahu and Maui Nui) and numerous coastal locations (identified as lines in a separate dataset) around the MHIs have critical habitat designated from the water's edge into the terrestrial environment where the boundary extends inland 5 meters (in length) past the shoreline. The shoreline is described by the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth or the upper limit of debris. In locations where critical habitat does not extend inland to the terrestrial environment, the designation boundary is the mean lower low water line.Areas ineligible for designation as critical habitat and areas that were excluded from critical habitat were clipped out of this dataset. The final rule (August 21, 2015 80 FR 50926) describes ineligible and excluded areas. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas where they overlap with the areas described above: all cliffs and manmade structures, such as docks, seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, pipelines, boat ramps, platforms, buildings, ramparts and pilings existing within the legal boundaries on September 21, 2015.
Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) line data: Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat in the terrestrial environments of Kauai, Lehua, Oahu, Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai), and Hawaii extends from the water's edge (mean lower low water line) inland 5 meters (in length) past the shoreline. The shoreline is described by the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth or the upper limit of debris. Areas ineligible for designation as critical habitat and areas that were excluded from critical habitat were clipped out of this dataset. The final rule (August 21, 2015 80 FR 50926) describes ineligible and excluded areas. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas where they overlap with the locations described above: all cliffs and manmade structures, such as docks, seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, pipelines, boat ramps, platforms, buildings, ramparts and pilings existing within the legal boundaries on September 21, 2015.
These data depict critical habitat designated for the Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of the bearded seal (87 FR 19180; 04/01/2022).
Critical habitat for the Beringia DPS includes marine waters within one specific area in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, extending from the shoreward boundary to an offshore limit with a maximum water depth of 200 m from the ocean surface within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The shoreward boundary follows the 20-m isobath (relative to MLLW) westward from the eastern limit of the U.S. EEZ in the Beaufort Sea and continuing into the northeastern Chukchi Sea to its intersection with latitude 70°36' N south of Wainwright; then follows the 10-m isobath (relative to MLLW) to its intersection with latitude 65°35' N near Cape Prince of Wales; then follows the 5-m isobath (relative to MLLW) to its intersection with longitude 164°46' W near the mouth of the Kolovinerak River in the Bering Sea, except at Port Clarence Bay where the shoreward boundary is defined as a continuous line across the entrance. The eastern boundary in the Beaufort Sea follows the eastern limit of the U.S. EEZ beginning at the nearshore boundary defined by the 20-m isobath (relative to MLLW), extends offshore to the 200-m isobath, and then follows this isobath generally westward and northwestward to its intersection with the seaward limit of the U.S EEZ in the Chukchi Sea. The boundary then follows the limit of the U.S. EEZ southwestward and south to the intersection of the southern boundary of the critical habitat in the Bering Sea at 60°32'26'' N/179°9'53'' W. The southern boundary extends southeastward from this intersection point to 57°58' N/170°25' W, then eastward to 58°29' N/164°46' W, then follows longitude 164°46' W to its intersection with the nearshore boundary defined by the 5-m isobath (relative to MLLW) near the mouth of the Kolovinerak River. Critical habitat does not include permanent manmade structures such as boat ramps, docks, and pilings that were in existence within the legal boundaries as of the effective date of the final rule.
Please see the final rule for additional information.
These data represent critical habitat designated (December 28, 1993, 58 FR 68543) under the Endangered Species Act for the Snake River sockeye salmon ESU. The official NMFS critical habitat (SalmonSockeye_SnakeRiverESU_19931228) for this sockeye salmon is comprised of both lake (polygon) data and river/stream (line) data; together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
Critical habitat includes the water, waterway bottom, and adjacent riparian zone of specified river reaches. Adjacent riparian zones are defined as those areas within a horizontal distance of 300 feet (91.4 m) from the normal line of high water of a stream channel (600 feet or 182.8 m, when both sides of the stream channel are included) or from the shoreline of a standing body of water.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Ozette Lake sockeye salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater. See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
This spatial data file was created to aid in the ESA/FIFRA section 7 pesticide consultation process, specifically, to make the data compatible for future analyses with EPA's Use Data Layers (UDLs). The data were created by including watersheds from the USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset HUC-12 data (https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/watershed-boundary-dataset). The original list of HUC-12s containing critical habitat is available in 64 FR 24049; 05/05/1999.
These data represent HUC-based versions of the critical habitat designated (May 5, 1999, 64 FR 24049) under the Endangered Species Act for the Southern Oregon Northern California coasts coho salmon ESU.
These data represent critical habitat designated (February 11, 2008, 73 FR 7816) under the Endangered Species Act for the Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (73 FR 7816) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (February 24, 2016, 81 FR 9252) under the Endangered Species Act for the Lower Columbia River coho salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater. See the final rule (81 FR 9252) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (May 5, 1999, 64 FR 24049) under the Endangered Species Act for the Central California Coast coho salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the water, substrate, and adjacent riparian zone of estuarine and riverine reaches (including off-channel habitats). The riparian area is defined as the area adjacent to a stream that provides the following functions: shade, sediment, nutrient or chemical regulation, streambank stability, and input of large woody debris or organic matter.See the final rule (64 FR 24049) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Hood Canal summer-run chum salmon ESU.
The official NMFS critical habitat dataset for this Chum salmon (SalmonChum_HoodCanalsummerrunESU_20050902) is comprised of both river/stream (line) data and nearshore (polygon) data; together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
From line data: Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater. See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
From polygon data: In nearshore marine areas, critical habitat includes areas contiguous with the shoreline from the line of extreme high water out to a depth no greater than 30 meters relative to mean lower low water. See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Dept of Defense (DOD) lands and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Columbia River chum salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data.
This spatial data file was created to aid in the ESA/FIFRA section 7 pesticide consultation process, specifically, to make the data compatible for future analyses with EPA's Use Data Layers (UDLs). The data were created by including watersheds from the USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset HUC-12 data (https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/watershed-boundary-dataset). The original list of HUC-12s containing critical habitat is available in 58 FR 68543; 12/28/1993.
These data represent HUC-based versions of the critical habitat designated (December 28, 1993, 58 FR 68543) and revised (October 25, 1999, 64 FR 57399) under the Endangered Species Act for the Snake River spring summer run Chinook salmon ESU.
These data represent critical habitat designated (December 28, 1993, 58 FR 68543) under the Endangered Species Act for the Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the water, waterway bottom, and adjacent riparian zone of specified river reaches. Adjacent riparian zones are defined as those areas within a horizontal distance of 300 feet (91.4 m) from the normal line of high water of a stream channel (600 feet or 182.8 m, when both sides of the stream channel are included) or from the shoreline of a standing body of water.
These data represent critical habitat designated (June 16, 1993, 58 FR 33212) under the Endangered Species Act for the Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU.
The official NMFS critical habitat dataset for this Chinook salmon (SalmonChinook_SacramentoRiverwinterrunESU_19930616) is comprised of both river/stream (line) data and estuary (polygon) data; together the polygons and lines represent the entire final critical habitat designation.
The following waterways, bottom and water of the waterways and adjacent riparian zones: The Sacramento River from Keswick Dam, Shasta County (River Mile 302) to Chipps Island (River Mile 0) at the westward margin of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, all waters from Chipps Island westward to Carquinez Bridge, including Honker Bay, Grizzly Bay, Suisun Bay, and Carquinez Strait, all waters of San Pablo Bay westward of the Carquinez Bridge, and all waters of San Francisco Bay (north of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge) from San Pablo Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge. Adjacent riparian zones are those areas above a streambank that provide cover and shade to the nearshore aquatic areas. This designation does not include any estuarine sloughs.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU. These river/stream (line) data were used in conjunction with nearshore (polygon) data in the SalmonChinook_PugetSoundESU_20050902 feature class.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Military areas ineligible for designation (qualifying Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan) were not clipped out of the data. Excluded military areas (due to national security impacts), Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands, and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
In nearshore marine areas, critical habitat includes areas contiguous with the shoreline from the line of extreme high water out to a depth no greater than 30 meters relative to mean lower low water.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Military areas ineligible for designation (qualifying Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan) were not clipped out of the data. Excluded military areas (due to national security impacts) and Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52630) under the Endangered Species Act for the Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 319.11). In areas where ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in lake areas is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of ordinary high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52630) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Economic exclusions were clipped out of the data.
These data represent critical habitat designated (September 2, 2005, 70 FR 52488) under the Endangered Species Act for the California Coastal Chinook salmon ESU.
Critical habitat includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.See the final rule (70 FR 52488) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. Excluded Indian lands were not clipped out of the data.
These data represent Endangered Species Act critical habitat designated for Atlantic salmon (Gulf of Maine DPS). The final rule for this designation can be found in the Federal Register at 74 FR 29300 (June 19, 2009).
Critical habitat for Atlantic salmon (Gulf of Maine DPS) includes the stream channels within the designated stream reaches, and includes a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent will be defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on an annual flood series. Critical habitat in estuaries is defined by the perimeter of the water body as displayed on standard 1:24,000 scale topographic maps or the elevation of extreme high water, whichever is greater.Watershed boundaries provide a standard level of detail that is an acceptable unit to describe salmon habitat, and the watershed level 5 (HUC 10s) are nationally recognized by the USGS to spatially relate any dataset that contains these codes.
These data represent the critical habitat for yelloweye rockfish (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) designated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on November 13, 2014 (79 FR 68042).
The critical habitat designation for yelloweye rockfish (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) includes areas deeper than 30 meters that contain or are adjacent to highly rugose habitat. The critical habitat designation includes the marine waters above (the entire water column) the deepwater areas. These data do not show U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) sites determined to be ineligible for designation nor excluded areas associated with Indian lands or certain additional DOD sites. No areas were excluded based on economic impacts. See the regulatory text in the final rule (79 FR 68042) for descriptions of ineligible and excluded areas.
Document 2023-15187, Category PROPOSED RULES was published on 07-24-2023.
The comments due date was extended to 10-06-2023.
SUMMARY: We, NMFS, propose to designate critical habitat for the Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) by designating waters from the 100 meter (m) isobath to the 400 m isobath in the Gulf of Mexico (GOMx), pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have considered economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designation. We are not excluding any particular area from the critical habitat designation. We seek comments on all aspects of the proposed critical habitat designation and will consider information received before issuing a final designation.
DESIGNATION: Critical habitat for the Rice’s whale includes all marine waters from a nearshore boundary corresponding to the 100-meter isobath to an offshore boundary corresponding to the 400-meter isobath in the Gulf of Mexico and between the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone boundary off of Texas east to the boundary between the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (50 CFR 600.105(c)) off of Florida.
Standardized spatial reference is the World Geodetic System 1984 geographic coordinate system (GCS_WGS_1984, EPSG well-known identifier 4326).
Data Sources Used to Create Proposed Rice's Whale Critical Habitat Boundaries:
1. 100m and 400m Bathymetric Contours: NOAA, Office for Coastal Management, 2023: Bathymetric Contours, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/54364. ArcGIS Map Server: https://coast.noaa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/OceanReports/BathymetricContours/MapServer. Using the map server, only the 100m and 400m depth contours were queried.
2. International Maritime Boundary EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). NOAA, Office of Coast Survey. 2023: U.S. Maritime Limits and Boundaries. https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/data/us-maritime-limits-and-boundaries.html#faq. ArcGIS Map Server: https://maritimeboundaries.noaa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/MaritimeBoundaries/US_Maritime_Limits_Boundaries/MapServer.
3. GMFMC - SAFMC boundary delineation - boundary line between the GMFMC and SAFMC jurisdictions.
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
***No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.
*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.
*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
***No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.
*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.
*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
***No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.
*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.
*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
***No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.
*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.
*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
Standard spatial reference is the World Geodetic System 1984 geographic coordinate system (GCS_WGS_1984, EPSG well-known identifier 4326).
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
***No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.
*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.
*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
This feature class depicts proposed critical habitat of the green sea turtle, as clarified by the regulatory language. Please consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data. For example, some boundaries may occur on land, which is not included in this designation.
This proposed critical habitat designation is based on the best available data and includes only in-water areas containing the essential features. Please see the attribute data, which describe the essential features are contained in each unit of critical habitat. The essential features are defined as follows:
(1) Reproductive (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, sufficiently dark and unobstructed nearshore waters adjacent to nesting beaches designated as critical habitat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to allow for the transit, mating, and internesting of reproductive individuals and the transit of post-hatchlings.
(2) Migratory (North Atlantic and East Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth (North Atlantic DPS) or 10 km offshore (East Pacific DPS), sufficiently unobstructed waters that allow for unrestricted transit of reproductive individuals between benthic foraging/resting and reproductive areas.
(3) Benthic foraging/resting (North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, Central North Pacific, Central South Pacific, and Central West Pacific DPSs). From the mean high water line to 20 m depth, underwater refugia and food resources (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, and/or invertebrates) of sufficient condition, distribution, diversity, abundance, and density necessary to support survival, development, growth, and/or reproduction.
(4) Surface-pelagic foraging/resting (North Atlantic DPS). Convergence zones, frontal zones, surface-water downwelling areas, the margins of major boundary currents, and other areas that result in concentrated components of the Sargassum-dominated drift community, as well as the currents which carry turtles to Sargassum-dominated drift communities, which provide sufficient food resources and refugia to support the survival, growth, and development of post-hatchlings and surface-pelagic juveniles, and which are located in sufficient water depth (at least 10 m) to ensure offshore transport via ocean currents to areas which meet forage and refugia requirements.
Disclaimer: the spatial data provided here display an approximation of the boundaries for the essential features described above. For example, in some areas critical habitat occurs from the mean high water line to 20 m depth, and the spatial data approximate this area. Use of these data do not replace the ESA section 7 consultation process; however, these data may be a first step in determining whether a proposed federal action overlaps with proposed critical habitat.
USE LIMITATIONS
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S. C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the this dataset as:
NOAA Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
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*** Shorelines/Bathymetry Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines and water body boundaries change. Unless otherwise noted, assume the boundary reaches the most current river, estuary, or coastal shoreline delineation available. It does not include land. For shorelines, we used NOAA’s Continually Updated Shoreline Product (CUSP), where available. Where not available, we used Coastal Change Analysis Program C-CAP shoreline data. For bathymetry, we used the following datasets:
North Atlantic: USGS Bathymetric Contours for East Coast 2013
South Atlantic: Depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the lobe star coral.
East Pacific: California. Department of Fish and Game. Marine Resources Region 2001.
Central Pacific: University of Hawaii Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center and depths used for the proposed critical habitat designation of the Pacific coral, Acropora globiceps.
The standard spatial reference is the World Geodetic System 1984 geographic coordinate system (GCS_WGS_1984, EPSG well-known identifier 4326).
These data represent critical habitat proposed for designation (November 30, 2023) under the Endangered Species Act for the coral Isopora crateriformis at 3 island units in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Ta'u). Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations and the supporting information report for more details and consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species Isopora crateriformis proposed for designation include marine area around 3 island units in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Ta'u) with suitable hard-bottom habitat within the depth range 0-20 m, as described below.
Specific areas of critical habitat were delineated in four steps: (1) General information was used to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas; (2) for the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, specific substrate information was used to delineate unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates, leaving only the latter; (3) for the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas; and (4) from the suitable areas identified in Steps 1-3, we removed any overlapping artificial substrates and managed areas. The four steps were implemented for each of the 18 units as follows:
For Step 1, we used comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by PIFSC (PIFSC 2021) to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas within the combined depth ranges of all listed species in each unit for 16 of the 18 units. For Wake Atoll, we used the substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological structure component of the maps developed by NCCOS (2003).
For Step 2, we started with the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, then distinguished unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates. Many hard substrates are unsuitable because: (1) highly-fluctuating physical conditions cause extreme changes in water quality (e.g., shallow pavement and rubble, especially on reef flats); (2) water motion continuously mobilizes sediment (e.g., pavement with sand channels) or unstable substrate (e.g., rubble); or (3) flat, low-relief areas provide poor settlement and growth habitat (e.g., pavement). Removal of these areas left suitable hard substrates, including spur-and-groove, individual patch reef, aggregate reef, aggregated patch reef, scattered coral/rock, and rock/boulder. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), NCCOS (2003, 2005, 2010), PIBHMC (2021), PIFSC (2021), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), and the American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, PRIA, and NWHI chapters in Waddell and Clarke (2008). Additional sources for individual units are cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 3, starting with the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas. Some of the areas identified in Step 2 are chronically subject to pollution such as excessive nutrients, excessive sediment, contaminants, or other water quality problems, making them unsuitable. Generally, such areas occur in enclosed lagoons and inner harbors where there is high runoff and limited water circulation. Outside of such areas, point and non-point sources of pollution generally do not overlap with suitable hard substrates because wastewater outfalls are located on soft substrates beyond the reef slopes, and stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along or near shorelines. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA (2021a-f), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), Territory water quality assessments (AS EPA 2020, CNMI BECQ 2018), and sources for individual units cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above. This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.
For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf
Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
These data represent critical habitat proposed for designation (November 30, 2023) under the Endangered Species Act for the coral Euphyllia paradivisa at 1 island unit in American Samoa (Tutuila and Offshore Banks). Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations and the supporting information report for more details and consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species Euphyllia paradivisa proposed for designation include marine area around 1 island unit in American Samoa (Tutuila and Offshore Banks) with suitable hard-bottom habitat within the depth range 20 - 50 m, as described below.
Specific areas of critical habitat were delineated in four steps: (1) General information was used to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas; (2) for the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, specific substrate information was used to delineate unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates, leaving only the latter; (3) for the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas; and (4) from the suitable areas identified in Steps 1-3, we removed any overlapping artificial substrates and managed areas. The four steps were implemented for each of the 18 units as follows:
For Step 1, we used comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by PIFSC (PIFSC 2021) to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas within the combined depth ranges of all listed species in each unit for 16 of the 18 units. For Wake Atoll, we used the substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological structure component of the maps developed by NCCOS (2003).
For Step 2, we started with the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, then distinguished unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates. Many hard substrates are unsuitable because: (1) highly-fluctuating physical conditions cause extreme changes in water quality (e.g., shallow pavement and rubble, especially on reef flats); (2) water motion continuously mobilizes sediment (e.g., pavement with sand channels) or unstable substrate (e.g., rubble); or (3) flat, low-relief areas provide poor settlement and growth habitat (e.g., pavement). Removal of these areas left suitable hard substrates, including spur-and-groove, individual patch reef, aggregate reef, aggregated patch reef, scattered coral/rock, and rock/boulder. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), NCCOS (2003, 2005, 2010), PIBHMC (2021), PIFSC (2021), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), and the American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, PRIA, and NWHI chapters in Waddell and Clarke (2008). Additional sources for individual units are cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 3, starting with the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas. Some of the areas identified in Step 2 are chronically subject to pollution such as excessive nutrients, excessive sediment, contaminants, or other water quality problems, making them unsuitable. Generally, such areas occur in enclosed lagoons and inner harbors where there is high runoff and limited water circulation. Outside of such areas, point and non-point sources of pollution generally do not overlap with suitable hard substrates because wastewater outfalls are located on soft substrates beyond the reef slopes, and stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along or near shorelines. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA (2021a-f), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), Territory water quality assessments (AS EPA 2020, CNMI BECQ 2018), and sources for individual units cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above. This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.
For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf
Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
These data represent critical habitat proposed for designation (November 30, 2023) under the Endangered Species Act for the coral Acropora speciosa at 1 island unit in American Samoa (Tutuila and Offshore Banks). Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations and the supporting information report for more details and consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species Acropora speciosa proposed for designation include marine area around 1 island unit in American Samoa (Tutuila and Offshore Banks) with suitable hard-bottom habitat within the depth range 20 - 50 m, as described below.
Specific areas of critical habitat were delineated in four steps: (1) General information was used to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas; (2) for the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, specific substrate information was used to delineate unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates, leaving only the latter; (3) for the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas; and (4) from the suitable areas identified in Steps 1-3, we removed any overlapping artificial substrates and managed areas. The four steps were implemented for each of the 18 units as follows:
For Step 1, we used comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by PIFSC (PIFSC 2021) to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas within the combined depth ranges of all listed species in each unit for 16 of the 18 units. For Wake Atoll, we used the substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological structure component of the maps developed by NCCOS (2003).
For Step 2, we started with the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, then distinguished unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates. Many hard substrates are unsuitable because: (1) highly-fluctuating physical conditions cause extreme changes in water quality (e.g., shallow pavement and rubble, especially on reef flats); (2) water motion continuously mobilizes sediment (e.g., pavement with sand channels) or unstable substrate (e.g., rubble); or (3) flat, low-relief areas provide poor settlement and growth habitat (e.g., pavement). Removal of these areas left suitable hard substrates, including spur-and-groove, individual patch reef, aggregate reef, aggregated patch reef, scattered coral/rock, and rock/boulder. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), NCCOS (2003, 2005, 2010), PIBHMC (2021), PIFSC (2021), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), and the American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, PRIA, and NWHI chapters in Waddell and Clarke (2008). Additional sources for individual units are cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 3, starting with the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas. Some of the areas identified in Step 2 are chronically subject to pollution such as excessive nutrients, excessive sediment, contaminants, or other water quality problems, making them unsuitable. Generally, such areas occur in enclosed lagoons and inner harbors where there is high runoff and limited water circulation. Outside of such areas, point and non-point sources of pollution generally do not overlap with suitable hard substrates because wastewater outfalls are located on soft substrates beyond the reef slopes, and stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along or near shorelines. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA (2021a-f), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), Territory water quality assessments (AS EPA 2020, CNMI BECQ 2018), and sources for individual units cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above. This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.
For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf
Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
These data represent critical habitat proposed for designation (November 30, 2023) under the Endangered Species Act for the coral Acropora retusa at 3 island units in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Rose Atoll). Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations and the supporting information report for more details and consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species Acropora retusa proposed for designation include marine area around 3 island units in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Rose Atoll) with suitable hard-bottom habitat within the depth range 0-20 m, as described below.
Specific areas of critical habitat were delineated in four steps: (1) General information was used to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas; (2) for the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, specific substrate information was used to delineate unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates, leaving only the latter; (3) for the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas; and (4) from the suitable areas identified in Steps 1-3, we removed any overlapping artificial substrates and managed areas. The four steps were implemented for each of the 18 units as follows:
For Step 1, we used comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by PIFSC (PIFSC 2021) to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas within the combined depth ranges of all listed species in each unit for 16 of the 18 units. For Wake Atoll, we used the substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological structure component of the maps developed by NCCOS (2003).
For Step 2, we started with the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, then distinguished unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates. Many hard substrates are unsuitable because: (1) highly-fluctuating physical conditions cause extreme changes in water quality (e.g., shallow pavement and rubble, especially on reef flats); (2) water motion continuously mobilizes sediment (e.g., pavement with sand channels) or unstable substrate (e.g., rubble); or (3) flat, low-relief areas provide poor settlement and growth habitat (e.g., pavement). Removal of these areas left suitable hard substrates, including spur-and-groove, individual patch reef, aggregate reef, aggregated patch reef, scattered coral/rock, and rock/boulder. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), NCCOS (2003, 2005, 2010), PIBHMC (2021), PIFSC (2021), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), and the American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, PRIA, and NWHI chapters in Waddell and Clarke (2008). Additional sources for individual units are cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 3, starting with the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas. Some of the areas identified in Step 2 are chronically subject to pollution such as excessive nutrients, excessive sediment, contaminants, or other water quality problems, making them unsuitable. Generally, such areas occur in enclosed lagoons and inner harbors where there is high runoff and limited water circulation. Outside of such areas, point and non-point sources of pollution generally do not overlap with suitable hard substrates because wastewater outfalls are located on soft substrates beyond the reef slopes, and stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along or near shorelines. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA (2021a-f), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), Territory water quality assessments (AS EPA 2020, CNMI BECQ 2018), and sources for individual units cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above. This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.
For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf
Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
These data represent critical habitat proposed for designation (November 30, 2023) under the Endangered Species Act for the coral Acropora globiceps at 16 island units in total - 4 in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, Ta'u, and Rose Atoll), 9 in the Mariana Islands (Guam, Rota, Aguijan, Tinian, Saipan, Alamagan, Pagan, Maug, and Uracas), 2 in the Pacific Remote Islands (Palmyra Atoll and Johnston Atoll), and 1 in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (French Frigate Shoals). Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations and the supporting information report for more details and consider the regulatory language when using these spatial data.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species Acropora globiceps proposed for designation include marine area around 16 island units with suitable hard-bottom habitat within one of 3 depth ranges (0-20 m for Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Ta'u; 0-12 m for Guam and CNMI units, and 0-10 m for Rose Atoll, Palmyra Atoll, Johnston Atoll and French Frigate Shoals), as described below.
Specific areas of critical habitat were delineated in four steps: (1) General information was used to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas; (2) for the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, specific substrate information was used to delineate unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates, leaving only the latter; (3) for the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas; and (4) from the suitable areas identified in Steps 1-3, we removed any overlapping artificial substrates and managed areas. The four steps were implemented for each of the 18 units as follows:
For Step 1, we used comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by PIFSC (PIFSC 2021) to delineate soft vs. hard substrates, leaving only hard substrate areas within the combined depth ranges of all listed species in each unit for 16 of the 18 units. For Wake Atoll, we used the substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological structure component of the maps developed by NCCOS (2003).
For Step 2, we started with the hard substrate areas identified in Step 1, then distinguished unsuitable vs. suitable hard substrates. Many hard substrates are unsuitable because: (1) highly-fluctuating physical conditions cause extreme changes in water quality (e.g., shallow pavement and rubble, especially on reef flats); (2) water motion continuously mobilizes sediment (e.g., pavement with sand channels) or unstable substrate (e.g., rubble); or (3) flat, low-relief areas provide poor settlement and growth habitat (e.g., pavement). Removal of these areas left suitable hard substrates, including spur-and-groove, individual patch reef, aggregate reef, aggregated patch reef, scattered coral/rock, and rock/boulder. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), NCCOS (2003, 2005, 2010), PIBHMC (2021), PIFSC (2021), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), and the American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, PRIA, and NWHI chapters in Waddell and Clarke (2008). Additional sources for individual units are cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 3, starting with the suitable hard substrate areas identified in Step 2, we used water quality information to further delineate suitable vs. unsuitable areas. Some of the areas identified in Step 2 are chronically subject to pollution such as excessive nutrients, excessive sediment, contaminants, or other water quality problems, making them unsuitable. Generally, such areas occur in enclosed lagoons and inner harbors where there is high runoff and limited water circulation. Outside of such areas, point and non-point sources of pollution generally do not overlap with suitable hard substrates because wastewater outfalls are located on soft substrates beyond the reef slopes, and stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along or near shorelines. For this step, primary information sources were Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA (2021a-f), the detailed public comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam DOAG 2021), Territory water quality assessments (AS EPA 2020, CNMI BECQ 2018), and sources for individual units cited in the unit sections below.
For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above. This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.
For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf
Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals
This geodatabase provides the Final Critical Habitat designations for Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus (January 2, 2024). NMFS designates critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Areas designated as critical habitat contain approximately 2,384.67 sq. kilometers (920.73 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The NMFS identified habitats that include features essential to the conservation of Nassau grouper, including areas for spawning and for recruitment and development.
The Nassau grouper is a reef fish, and is a member of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers valued as a major fishery resource such as the gag grouper and the red grouper. These large fish are associated with hard structures like reefs (both natural and artificial), rocks, and ledges. They are late-maturing, long-lived, top-level predators found in tropical and subtropical waters of the western North Atlantic. This includes Bermuda, Florida, Bahamas, the Yucatan Peninsula, and throughout the Caribbean to southern Brazil. Nassau Grouper undergo ontogenetic shifts in habitat utilization: larvae settle in nearshore habitats and then as juveniles move to nearshore patch reefs (Eggleston, 1995), and eventually recruit to deeper waters and reef habitats (Sadovy and Eklund, 1999). As adults, individuals are sedentary except for when they aggregate to spawn - the timing of which appears to be linked to both lunar cycles and water temperature (Kobara et al., 2013). Maximum age has been estimated as 29 years, based on an ageing study using sagittal otoliths (Bush et al., 2006). Maximum size is about 122 cm total length (TL) and maximum weight is about 25 kg (Heemstra and Randall, 1993).
Nassau grouper used to be one of the most common species of grouper in the United States. It was easy for commercial and recreational fisherman to catch Nassau grouper and it soon became scarce. The remaining stocks are overexploited. In some cases, Nassau grouper is commercially extinct through much of its geographical range. Currently, all harvest of Nassau grouper is prohibited in the United States. Nassau grouper is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to the conservation of Nassau grouper.
For more information, please see the official definition and complete description at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/02/2023-28483/endangered-and-threatened-species-designation-of-critical-habitat-for-the-nassau-grouper
This section provides the Simplified Geographic Description for each unit designated as Nassau Grouper Critical Habitat.
The 20 Designated Critical Habitat Units for Nassau Grouper include:
Navassa Island Unit. Waters surrounding Navassa Island. Area = 2.46 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 1 - Mona Island and Monito. Waters surrounding Mona Island and Monito to the 50m contour. Area = 30.65 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 2 - Desecheo Island. Waters surrounding the island to the 50m contour. Area = 4.28 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 3 - Southwest. Waters off the southwest coast of the Puerto Rico main island. Area = 112.39 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 4 - Northeast. Waters off the northeast coast of the Puerto Rico main island. Area = 48.75 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 5 - Vieques Island. Waters off the west and northeast, east, and southeast coasts of the island. Area = 9.49 sq. km.
Puerto Rico Unit 6 - Culebra/Culebrita Islands. The Culebra area consists of waters off the southeastern Culebra coastline. The Culebrita area consists of waters off the western and southern coasts of the island. Area = 4.15 sq. km.
United States Virgin Island Unit 1- St Thomas. Waters off the east coast of St. Thomas Island and waters off the southwest, south, and southeast coast of the Water Island. Area = 9.18 sq. km.
United States Virgin Island Unit 2- St. John. Waters off the east coast of the island. Area = 6.55 sq. km.
United States Virgin Island Unit 3- St. Croix. Waters off the east end of St. Croix Island and waters off the north coast of Buck Island. Area = 50.35 sq. km.
Florida Unit 1 – Biscayne Bay/Key Largo. Waters south of Rickenbacker Causeway, including portions of waters from the coastline into Biscayne Bay, and waters off the eastern coastline to 80°29'21" W, 25° 01' 59" N. Area = 1,279.69 sq. km.
Florida Unit 2 - Marathon. Waters off the southern shoreline approximately between Knights Key to 80°55'51"W, 24° 46' 26" N. Area = 172.38 sq. km.
Florida Unit 3 - Big Pine Key to Geiger Key. Waters off the south side of coastline and US 1 from approximately Geiger Key to Big Pine Key. Area = 372.37 sq. km.
Florida Unit 4 - Key West. Shoal waters south of Woman Key. Area = 127.09 sq. km.
Florida Unit 5 - New Ground Shoal. New Ground Shoal waters. Area = 31.04 sq. km.
Florida Unit 6 - Halfmoon Shoal. Halfmoon Shoal waters. Area = 33.62 sq. km.
Florida Unit 7 - Dry Tortugas. Waters encompassing Loggerhead Key and waters surrounding Garden Key and Bush Key. Area = 4.43 sq. km.
Spawning Site Unit 1 - Bajo de Sico. All waters encompassed by 100m isobath bounded in the Bajo de Sico spawning area bound within the following coordinates: A) 67°26’13”W, 18°15’23”N, B) 67°23’ 08”W, 18°15’26”N, C) 67°26’ 06”W, 18°12’55”N, and D) 67°26’ 13”W, 18°12’56”N. Area = 10.74 sq. km.
Spawning Site Unit 2 - Grammanik Bank/Hind Bank. All waters which make up the Hind Bank and the Grammanik Bank, interconnecting waters between these banks, and waters extending out to the 200 fathom line directly south from Grammanik Bank. Area = 59.69 sq. km.
Spawning Site Unit 3 - Riley's Hump. All waters encompassing Riley's Hump (centroid 83.1085642°W 24.4948905°N) out to the -35m isobath on the north, west, and east side of the hump, and extending out to the 50m isobath on the south side of the hump to include the escarpment on the southern face of the bank. Area=15.35 sq. km.
Source of Base Data for Unit Boundaries:
The shoreline was created using the existing Acropora critical habitat designation (from NOAA NCCOS Benthic Habitat Mapping 2000-2002 - land and mangrove attribute combined for shoreline). For PR and USVI units, shoreline data using The NCCOS Benthic Habitat Mapping program provides baseline data and maps at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/benthic-habitat-mapping-puerto-rico-virgin-islands/. For the Continental US, this shoreline is consistent with the US Medium Resolution Shoreline.
Contours were derived from the National Geophysical Data Center’s 2004 U.S. Coastal Relief Model https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coastal/crm.html. The NCCOS Benthic Habitat Mapping program provides data and maps at http://products.coastalscience.noaa.gov/collections/benthic/default.aspx, which was used to pull in substrate data. For the Florida Units, benthic substrate and bathymetry data were pulled from the FWC Florida Unified Reef Tract at https://myfwc.com/research/gis/fisheries/unified-reef-map/. Benthic data was also used from The Nature Conservancy and can be downloaded here: https://sites.google.com/view/caribbean-marine-maps.
For Spawning Site Unit 3 - Riley's Hump, bathymetry contours (i.e. isobaths) were pulled from the NCEI's CUDEM, or Continuously Updated Digital Elevation Models. (https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=bf72d32c6a00407bb67a285845a7fa32) The CUDEM Raster was downloaded (Global Mosaic Elevation Values) and clipped to the site in ArcPro. The Contour Tool was set to 5m intervals. The CUDEM is built in 10m increments, as noted using the 1/3 arcseconds. Did not use the 1/9 arc second model, which corresponds to 3 meter increments. The CUDEM uses LiDAR data and is an orthometric vertical datum, and compiles data from NGDC, NOS, USGS, NMFS, etc. For more information, please vist: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/coastal-relief-model. Riley's Hump (the geographic feature, not the critical habitat unit) was identified as the fully enclosed -30m hump located at 83.1085642°W 24.4948905°N (centroid).
Standardized metadata has been prepopulated for the Fields and Values and the standard spatial reference is the World Geodetic System 1984 geographic coordinate system (GCS_WGS_1984, EPSG well-known identifier 4326).
Attribute Values:
Shape = Feature Class, Polygon Data.
ID = Species ID
Scientific Name = Genus species
Common Name = Common Name of species
Listing Status = Federal status of a taxon under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Critical Habitat Status = Status of Critical Habitat Designation (i.e. Proposed or Designated)
Unit = Location of Identified Critical Habitat
Taxon = Taxon
Lead Office = NMFS Regional Office
Federal Register Notice = Public official notice of Rule
Publication Date = Publication Date of Federal Register Notice
Effective Date = Effective Date of Rule
Area SqKm = Area of Unit in Square Kilometers
Create Date = Last Date Polygon and Attribute Data were Modified
Notes = notes
InPort URL = MetaData URL Link (InPort)
Habitat Type = general location of critical habitats
eCFR = Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Shape_Length = dynamic geodatabase field. Automatically calculated in the units of the output coordinate system specified by the Spatial Reference parameter by ESRI.
Shape_Area = dynamic geodatabase field. Automatically calculated in the units of the output coordinate system specified by the Spatial Reference parameter by ESRI.
These data represent the critical habitat designated (October 20, 2011, 76 FR 65324) under the Endangered Species Act for the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of eulachon.
The designated areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their associated estuaries. In freshwater areas, critical habitat includes the stream channel and a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. In estuarine areas, critical habitat includes tidally influenced areas as defined by the elevation of mean higher high water. See the final rule (76 FR 65324) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. No areas were excluded from designation based on economic impacts. Areas were excluded from the critical habitat designation for the following federally-recognized tribes: (1) Lower Elwha Tribe, Washington; (2) Quinault Tribe, Washington; (3) Yurok Tribe, California; and (4) Resighini Rancheria, California.
These data represent the critical habitat for staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) as designated by 73 FR 72210, November 26, 2008, Rules and Regulations.
The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
These data represent the designated critical habitat for rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox) as designated by 88 FR 54026, published on August 09, 2023. This rule became effective on September 08, 2023. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the designated critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
MFER‐1: All waters 16.4 ft (5 m) to 131 ft (40 m) deep in Florida from the north side of Broward County south to the Dry Tortugas
MFER‐2: All waters 16.4 ft (5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the islands of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
MFER‐3: All waters 16.4 ft (5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
MFER‐4: All waters 16.4 ft (5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the island of St. Croix and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
MFER-5: All waters 16.4 ft (5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding Navassa Island
These data represent the designated critical habitat for pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) as designated by 88 FR 54026, published on August 09, 2023. This rule became effective on September 08, 2023. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the designated critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
DCYL‐1: All waters 6.5 ft (2 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach County south to the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County. All waters 3.3 ft (1 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County south to the Dry Tortugas
DCYL‐2: All waters 3.3 ft (1 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep surrounding the islands of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
DCYL‐3: All waters 3.3 ft (1 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep surrounding the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
DCYL‐4: All waters 3.3 ft (1 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep surrounding the island of St. Croix and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
DCYL-5: All waters 3.3 ft (1 m) to 82 ft (25 m) deep surrounding Navassa Island
These data represent the designated critical habitat for mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) as designated by 88 FR 54026, published on August 09, 2023. This rule became effective on September 08, 2023. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the designated critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
OFAV‐1: All waters 6.5 ft (2 m) to 131 ft (40 m) deep in Florida from the south side of St. Lucie Inlet,Martin County south to the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County. All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 131 ft (40 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County south to the Dry Tortugas, and waters north of the Florida Keys in the FKNMS.
OFAV‐2: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the islands of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
OFAV‐3: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OFAV‐4: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m)deep surrounding the island of St. Croix and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OFAV-5: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m)deep surrounding Navassa Island
OFAV-6: All waters 52 ft (16 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep in the water column surrounding East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank, Bright Bank, McGrail Bank, and Geyer Bank.
These data represent the designated critical habitat for lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) as designated by 88 FR 54026, published on August 09, 2023. This rule became effective on September 08, 2023. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the designated critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
OANN‐1: All waters 6.5 ft (2 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach County south to the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County. All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Government Cut, Miami‐Dade County south to the Dry Tortugas, and waters north of the Florida Keys in the FKNMS.
OANN‐2: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep surrounding the islands of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
OANN‐3: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep surrounding the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OANN‐4: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep surrounding the island of St. Croix and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OANN-5: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 65.6 ft (20 m) deep surrounding Navassa Island
OANN-6: All waters 52 ft (16 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep in the water column surrounding East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank, Bright Bank, McGrail Bank, and Geyer Bank.
These data represent the critical habitat for elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) as designated by 73 FR 72210, November 26, 2008, Rules and Regulations.
The purpose of these data is to visually represent the critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
These data represent the designated critical habitat for boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi) as designated by 88 FR 54026, published on August 09, 2023. This rule became effective on September 08, 2023. The purpose of these data is to visually represent the designated critical habitat areas for GIS analysis and display.
OFRA‐1: All waters 6.5 ft (2 m) to 131 ft (40 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach County south to the south side of Government Cut, Miami-Dade County. All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 131 ft (40 m) deep in Florida from the south side of Government Cut, Miami-Dade County south to the Dry Tortugas, and waters north of the Florida Keys in the FKNMS.
OFRA‐2: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep surrounding the islands of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
OFRA‐3: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m)deep surrounding the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OFRA‐4: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m)deep surrounding the island of St. Croix and smaller surrounding islands, USVI
OFRA-5: All waters 1.6 ft (0.5 m) to 295 ft (90 m)deep surrounding Navassa Island
OFRA-6: All waters 52 ft (16 m) to 295 ft (90 m) deep in the water column surrounding East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank, Bright Bank, McGrail Bank, and Geyer Bank.
These data represent the nearshore and deepwater critical habitat for bocaccio (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) designated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on November 13, 2014 (79 FR 68042).
The critical habitat designation for bocaccio (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) includes nearshore areas, from the extreme high water line out to a depth of 30 meters relative to mean lower low water, and areas deeper than 30 meters that contain or are adjacent to highly rugose habitat. The critical habitat designation includes the marine waters above (the entire water column) the nearshore and deepwater areas. These data do not show U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) sites determined to be ineligible for designation nor excluded areas associated with Indian lands or certain additional DOD sites. No areas were excluded based on economic impacts. See the regulatory text in the final rule (79 FR 68042) for descriptions of ineligible and excluded areas.
These data represent the areas designated under the Endangered Species Act as critical habitat for black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii).
This designation (October 27, 2011, 76 FR 66806) includes rocky intertidal and subtidal habitat along the California coast between the Del Mar Landing Ecological Reserve to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, as well as surrounding the Farallon Islands, Año Nuevo Island, San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Barbara Island, and Santa Catalina Island. This designation includes rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats from the mean higher high water (MHHW) line to a depth of 6 meters (relative to the mean lower low water (MLLW) line), as well as the coastal marine waters above the rocky bottom in these areas. Areas excluded from the critical habitat designation or deemed ineligible for designation were clipped out of this data set. See the final rule (76 FR 66806) for descriptions of excluded and ineligible areas.