Each coastal State may claim a territorial sea that extends seaward up to 12 nautical miles from its baselines. The coastal State exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea, the air space above it, and the seabed and subsoil beneath it.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) data are information collected by the U.S. Coast Guard to monitor real-time vessel information to improve navigation safety. Data such as ship name, purpose, course, and speed are acquired 24 hours per day primarily in coastal U.S. waters. However, the data sets featured on this website are the 2009 to 2017 archived AIS data sets intended to be used by the ocean planning community to better understand vessel traffic patterns. These data are provided for analysis in desktop GIS software. For more information, visit the Nationwide Automatic Identification System website.
Derived from 2009 Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcast returns. Each count per aliquot represents the number of vessels traveling through the block during the year of 2009. An aliquot measures 1/16 of a full OCS leasing block or 1200 x 1200 meters. The original raw data for June, 2009 is missing 25 days of broadcast data. Only areas where BOEM publishes Official Protraction Diagrams will contain the aliquot AIS counts, therefore, large areas of inland state waters may be missing aliquot AIS counts. Vessel count and types can be viewed by downloading the data.
These data were generated to provide insight into traffic patterns on a macro scale so they could be analyzed across the coastal waters of the Continental United States. For this dataset, a transit is counted for every unique vessel intersecting a 1 kilometer square grid cell each day. This data represents the total number of vessel transits from October 2009 - October 2010. There were some grid cells which were unable to be processed, but it is not perceived that this interferes with the integrity of these data. Please note multiple connection errors occurred during the time frame of this study. In most cases, data gaps were filled by making subsequent requests to the Coast Guard or other groups receiving the same data feed. However, due to resource constraints, uninterrupted coverage was not obtained. Overall data outages were minimal, on the order of less than a day per month. Because outages were random and affect all areas uniformly, they do not have a significant effect on the integrity of the data. As stated on the USCG NAIS website, AIS data are not representative of all vessel traffic and USCG NAIS receivers do not fully cover the entire extent of this study area. Please take time to understand both of these limitations.
Each coastal State may claim an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines (or out to a maritime boundary with another coastal State).
Derived from 2010 Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcast returns. Each vessel count per aliquot represents the number of vessels traveling through the block during the year of 2010. An aliquot measures 1/16 of a full OCS leasing block or 1200 x 1200 meters. Only areas where BOEM publishes Official Protraction Diagrams will contain the aliquot AIS counts, therefore, large areas of inland state waters may be missing aliquot AIS counts. The data has also been clipped so that any aliquot that touches land has been deleted so that the user can discern the location of the coastline. Vessel count and types can be viewed by downloading the data.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of all vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of cargo vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of fishing vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of passenger vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of pleasure craft and sailing vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of tanker vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of tug and towing vessel traffic in 2011 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.
Derived from 2011 Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcast returns. Each vessel count per aliquot represents the number of vessels traveling through the block during the year of 2011. An aliquot measures 1/16 of a full OCS leasing block or 1200 x 1200 meters. Only areas where BOEM publishes Official Protraction Diagrams will contain the aliquot AIS counts, therefore, large areas of inland state waters may be missing aliquot AIS counts. The data has also been clipped so that any aliquot that touches land has been deleted so that the user can discern the location of the coastline. Vessel count and types can be viewed by downloading the data.

2012 - 2017 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Oil and gas resource management of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is governed by the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) which sets forth procedures for leasing, exploration, development and production. OCSLA sec. 18 requires the preparation of an oil and gas leasing program with a 5-year schedule of lease sales to best meet U.S. energy needs. The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for preparing the leasing program. BOEM has prepared a Five Year Program for 2012-2017. This data is from the Proposed Final Program (PFP), the third in a series of mandated leasing proposals developed for public review before the Secretary of the Interior approves the new Five Year Program for 2012-2017. This data will be replaced with the Final Five Year Program layers once it has been approved. The areas shown in this layer represents the largest areas that may be considered for leasing within the 5 year period.

2013 Vessel Density

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of all vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Cargo

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of cargo vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Fishing

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of fishing vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Passenger

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of passenger vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Pleasure Craft and Sailing

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of pleasure craft and sailing vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Tanker

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of tanker vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2013 Vessel Density: Tug and Towing

MarineCadastre.gov

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. This dataset represents the density of tug and towing vessel traffic in 2013 for the US Atlantic and West Coast from vessels with AIS transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: All Vessels

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. All vessel types have been included in this summary, including null and none reported types. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Cargo

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to cargo vessels.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Fishing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to fishing vessels.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Passenger

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to passenger vessels.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Pleasure Craft and Sailing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to pleasure craft and sailing vessels.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Tanker

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tanker vessels.

2015 Vessel Transit Counts: Tug and Tow

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tug and towing vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: All Vessels

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. All vessel types have been included in this summary, including null and none reported types. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Cargo

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to cargo vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Fishing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to fishing vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Passenger

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to passenger vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Pleasure Craft and Sailing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to pleasure craft and sailing vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Tanker

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tanker vessels.

2016 Vessel Transit Counts: Tug and Tow

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tug and towing vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: All Vessels

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. All vessel types have been included in this summary, including null and none reported types. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Cargo

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to cargo vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Fishing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to fishing vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Passenger

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to passenger vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Pleasure Craft and Sailing

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to pleasure craft and sailing vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Tanker

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tanker vessels.

2017 Vessel Transit Counts: Tug and Tow

MarineCadastre.gov

Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines, and then summarized at a 100 m grid cell resolution. A single transit is counted each time a vessel track passes through, starts, or stops within a grid cell. This layer is depicting transits attributed to tug and towing vessels.
The Exclusion Option Areas for the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed Program are areas that the Secretary of the Interior has included for additional analysis and consideration in the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Program. The final decision on areas to be offered for oil and gas lease sales is scheduled to occur in late 2019. If an Exclusion Option Area is chosen as part of the final oil and gas lease sale decision, no lease sales will be offered in that area.
This layer represents the program areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that could be offered for oil and gas lease sales during 2019-2024. The Secretary of the Interior included these areas for additional analysis and consideration in the 2019-2024 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The Draft Proposed Program is the first of three proposals for OCS oil and gas leasing, and includes 25 of 26 planning areas from the four OCS regions. The final decision on areas to be offered for oil and gas lease sales is scheduled to occur in late 2019.
Each coastal State may claim a contiguous zone adjacent to and beyond its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 24 nautical miles from its baselines. In its contiguous zone, a coastal State may exercise the control necessary to prevent the infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea, and punish infringement of those laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea.
This data represents the extent of the Abandoned Shipwreck Act (ASA). The ASA allows states to manage a broad range of resources within submerged lands, including abandoned shipwrecks that have been deserted and to which the owner has relinquished ownership rights with no retention. With the exception of wrecks on certain federal public lands, the ASA asserts U.S. title to abandoned shipwrecks and automatically transfers the title to coastal states. Citing to the Submerged Lands Act, the ASA generally extends seaward a distance of three nautical miles from the coastline to the inner limit of the outer continental shelf. In the cases of Texas, the Gulf coast of Florida, and Puerto Rico, the ASA extends seaward three marine leagues—or nine nautical miles—from the coastline. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and MARPOL 73/78

MarineCadastre.gov

In 1973, the International Maritime Organization adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships and subsequently modified it by Protocol in 1978. The Convention is widely known as MARPOL 73/78. Its objective is to limit ship-borne pollution by restricting operational pollution and reducing the possibility of accidental pollution. MARPOL 73/78 consists of six separate Annexes – each sets out regulations covering the various sources of ship-generated pollution. Currently, the United States is signatory to Annexes I, II, III, V and VI. Annexes I, II, V and VI have been incorporated into U.S. law by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and implemented within 33 U.S.C. § 1901 and 33 C.F.R. Part 151. The AAPS was subsequently amended by the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (1987) and the Marine Pollution Prevention Act (2008). When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up to date applicable jurisdictional boundaries available on MarineCadastre.gov. These geo-regulatory boundaries have not been updated in more than 13 years.
Portion of Outer Continental Shelf Lease Blocks which are currently leased out to private entities for oil and/or gas mining rights. Active leases include those that are exploratory, non-producing, and producing. This is current and refreshed on a daily basis.
Blocks which have been leased by a company with intent to build a wind energy facility. No projects are currently in the development stage at this time; permits may be issued for development provided further site assessment for each leased area.

Aids to Navigation

MarineCadastre.gov

Structures intended to assist a navigator to determine position or safe course, or to warn of dangers or obstructions to navigation. This dataset includes lights, signals, buoys, day beacons, and other aids to navigation. Not for navigation.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. In the U.S. the Coast Guard and industry collect AIS data, which can also be used for a variety of coastal planning purposes. NOAA and BOEM have worked jointly to re-task and make available some of the most important records from the U.S. Coast Guard's national network of AIS receivers. Information such as location, time, ship type, length, width, and draft have been extracted from the raw data and prepared as track lines for analyses in desktop GIS software.
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. In the U.S. the Coast Guard and industry collect AIS data, which can also be used for a variety of coastal planning purposes. NOAA and BOEM have worked jointly to re-task and make available some of the most important records from the U.S. Coast Guard's national network of AIS receivers. Information such as location, time, ship type, length, width, and draft have been extracted from the raw data and prepared as track lines for analyses in desktop GIS software.
Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines for each vessel. Vessels can have one or more tracks of any length, and can be separated by gaps due to intermittent loss of the AIS signal. Tracks will not necessarily start or stop at a well defined port, or when a vessel is not in motion. Vessel tracks are an efficient and spatially unbiased indicator of vessel traffic.
Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines for each vessel. Vessels can have one or more tracks of any length, and can be separated by gaps due to intermittent loss of the AIS signal. Tracks will not necessarily start or stop at a well defined port, or when a vessel is not in motion. Vessel tracks are an efficient and spatially unbiased indicator of vessel traffic.
Vessels traveling in U.S. coastal and inland waters frequently use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for navigation safety. The U.S. Coast Guard collects AIS records using shore-side antennas. These records have been filtered and converted from a series of points to a set of track lines for each vessel. Vessels can have one or more tracks of any length, and can be separated by gaps due to intermittent loss of the AIS signal. Tracks will not necessarily start or stop at a well defined port, or when a vessel is not in motion. Vessel tracks are an efficient and spatially unbiased indicator of vessel traffic.
A vessel track shows the location and characteristics of commercial and recreational boats as a sequence of positions transmitted by an Automatic Identification System (AIS). AIS signals are susceptible to interference and this can result in a gap within a vessel track. The distribution, type, and frequency of vessel tracks are a useful aid to understanding the risk of conflicting uses within a certain geographic area. The vessel track positions in this data set are collected and recorded from land-based antennas as part of a national network operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
A vessel track shows the location and characteristics of commercial and recreational boats as a sequence of positions transmitted by an Automatic Identification System (AIS). AIS signals are susceptible to interference and this can result in a gap within a vessel track. The distribution, type, and frequency of vessel tracks are a useful aid to understanding the risk of conflicting uses within a certain geographic area. The vessel track positions in this data set are collected and recorded from land-based antennas as part of a national network operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Alaska Native Corporations

Bureau of Indian Affairs

This layer is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Area Representation (LAR) data set. The LARs illustrate land areas for Federally-recognized tribes. Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) are corporate entities organized to conduct both for-profit and non-profit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. ANRCs have legally defined boundaries that subdivide all of Alaska into twelve regions except for the area of the Metlakatla - Annette Island Indian Reservation which is the only Reservation in Alaska.
This layer is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Area Representation (LAR) data set. The LARs illustrate land areas for Federally-recognized tribes. The Alaska Native Villages data set was developed according to Alaska Native Claims 43 USCS § 1602, which defines "Native village" to mean any tribe, band, clan, group, village, community, or association in Alaska listed in sections 11 and 16 of the Act [43 USCS §§ 1610 and 1615], or which meets the requirements of this Act, and which the Secretary determines was, on the 1970 census enumeration date composed of twenty-five or more Natives. "Native" means a citizen of the United States who is a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community) Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or combination thereof. The term includes any Native as so defined either or both of whose adoptive parents are not Natives. It also includes, in the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska Native by the Native village or Native group of which he claims to be a member and whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, was) regarded as Native by any village or group.

Anchorage Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

An anchorage area is a place where boats and ships can safely drop anchor. These areas are created in navigable waterways when ships and vessels require them for safe and responsible navigation. A variety of designations refer to types of anchorage areas or restrictions, or even to alerts of potential dangers within an area. Every boater and captain should be aware of the various types of areas. These data are intended for coastal and ocean planning. Not for navigation.

Annual Mean Chlorophyll-a Concentration

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Chlorophyll-a is a specific chlorophyll pigment used by photosynthetic organisms. Phytoplankton, the microscopic floating organisms that live in oceans, lakes, and rivers, use chlorophyll to convert solar energy into organic matter. Chlorophyll-a concentration is a common proxy for the amount of phytoplankton present in the ocean. Phytoplankton are at the base of the marine food web and serve as indicators for understanding the health and productivity of a marine ecosystem. Units are in milligrams per cubic meter.

Annual Mean Surface Aragonite Saturation State

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Aragonite is one of two common forms of calcium carbonate, a mineral essential to the growth and survival of many marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures, such as corals, bivalves, and some forms of phytoplankton macroalgae. Aragonite is one of the more soluble forms of calcium carbonate, and aragonite saturation state may be useful for the planning of shellfish aquaculture as it is a measure of carbonate ion concentration, a commonly used indicator of ocean acidification vulnerability. Furthermore when aragonite saturation state falls below 3, calcifying organisms become stressed; below 1, shells and other aragonite-based structures begin to dissolve. Aragonite data were obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and represent a long-term composite of historic data spanning from 1989 to 2010. These data are only available as surface values.
Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants. The presence and location of aquaculture sites were derived from multiple state websites and include only those in coastal and marine saltwater areas. The following states are included in this layer: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Oregon Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. The MarineCadastre.gov data team is continuing to work with aquaculture coordinators in each coastal state to fill current data gaps and improve the accuracy of existing data sets. As such, these data should be considered a work in progress. The user is encouraged to read the metadata of each individual state’s data carefully, since geometry, attribute details, and timeliness are not necessarily consistent among data sets used to develop this layer. The naming conventions for the type of aquaculture site (license versus lease) were retained as they are defined and administered by the individual states. The layer is shown by the area type: finfish, shellfish, and other (algae, crustacean, or unknown farming). Details of each state’s data source are described in the data-processing section. The data are not a complete collection of aquaculture locations within the U.S., nor are the locations to be considered exact. These data are intended for coastal and ocean planning.

Artificial Reefs

MarineCadastre.gov

An artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure, typically built to promote marine life in areas with a generally featureless bottom. These reefs help control erosion, block ship passage, or improve surfing. Many reefs are built using objects intended for other purposes, including the sinking oil rigs, scuttling ships, or deploying rubble or construction debris. Other artificial reefs are purpose-built using materials such as PVC or concrete. Regardless of construction method or source material, artificial reefs generally provide hard surfaces where algae and invertebrates such as barnacles, corals, and oysters can attach. The accumulation of attached marine life in turn provides an intricate structure of food for fish assemblages. This data set is NOT a complete collection of artificial reefs on the seafloor, nor are the locations to be considered exact. The presence and location of the artificial reefs have been derived from multiple state websites. These data are intended for coastal and ocean planning.

Atlantic Continental Margin Bathymetry

University of New Hampshire

Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This is a single data set from a larger study. The full study is titled "Socio-Economic Impact of Outer Continental Shelf Wind Energy Development on Fishing in the U.S. Atlantic". Each quarter square km (500 m) cell has been summed for the mean correlated economic value over the six year period analyzed (2007-2012). This information was created for each state, gear type, Fishery Management Plan (FMP), top 30 exposed ports and top 30 exposed species. This was calculated using Vessel Trip Reports (VTR), Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) which estimates radial distance within which fishing activity is likely to occur, and a 500 m raster cell output. The value is in US dollars for 2012 representing the sum of the mean values for all six years, and then classified into one of the 8 classes. The top 30 species included in this assessment are: Ocean Quahog, Surf Clam, Little Skate, Squid (Illex & Loligo), Menhaden, Winter Skate, Channeled Whelk, Red Grouper, Atlantic Herring, Vermillion Snapper, Atlantic Croaker, Jonah Crab, Red Hake, Atlantic Mackerel, Silver Hake, King Mackerel, Butterfish, Yellowtail Founder, Winter Flounder, Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Monkfish, Bluefish, Lobster, Spiny Dogfish, Scup, Skates, Cod, Sea Scallop. Note: Local and regionally important fisheries such as shrimp are not included in this analysis so users should remember that the actual mean revenue if all species were included may be much greater in some areas.
These data depict annual average wind speed (meters per second) at 100 meters above sea level for the Atlantic offshore areas of the United States, for a seven year period from 2007 to 2013. The sampling resolution of 2km was generalized into polygons shown in the legend classes. Data include both point and polygon data sets intended to provide broad estimates of wind speed variation for the purposes of identifying potential offshore wind energy sites. They are not intended to provide specific estimates of energy production for the purpose of making offshore wind project investment or financing decisions in specific locations. The source data is National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit. Please see metadata for more detailed process information. Monthly averages are available within the downloads menu, either as GIS data or Esri REST map services.

Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Aliquots with Sand Resources

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Atlantic OCS Aliquots with Sand Resources layer is a planning layer to assist in the management of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sediment resources, reduce multiple use conflicts, minimize interference with existing leases (e.g., renewable energy) and rights-of-way (e.g., submerged infrastructure, shipping lanes, military operations, etc.), and help avoid sensitive areas (e.g., archaeological sites, protected habitat). The aliquots represent areas within the OCS protraction grid where sand resources have been identified through reconnaissance and/or design-level OCS studies. Additional OCS studies may be necessary to refine and quantify the extents of sand resources within these areas. The Marine Minerals Program (MMP) within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for managing non-energy minerals (primarily sand and gravel) on the OCS. Access to and identification of potential OCS sand resources is critical for the long-term success and cost-effectiveness of many shore protection, beach nourishment, and coastal habitat restoration projects along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean coasts.

Atlantic Seafloor Sediment (CONMAP)

U.S. Geological Survey

The continental margin sediment distribution data from the USGS Continental Margin Mapping Program (CONMAP) is derived sediment distribution for the East Coast. The purpose of the data layer is to show the sediment grain size distributions along the U.S. East Coast. This data layer is supplied primarily as a gross overview to show general textural trends. It does not accurately depict small-scale sediment distributions.

Avian Higher Collision Sensitivity Abundance

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to an avian group relative abundance map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer demonstrates relative vulnerability to collision with offshore wind energy projects (Robinson Willmott et al. 2013). For all avian species together, total relative abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual long-term average relative abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total predicted long-term average relative abundance of all individuals (of the included species in the group) in that cell. It is important to note these products represent and reflect relative abundance, not predicted absolute abundance. These species are included: Arctic tern; Atlantic puffin; Audubon's shearwater; Black guillemot; Black scoter; Black-legged kittiwake; Bridled tern; Common eider; Common loon; Common murre; Common tern; Cory's shearwater; Double-crested cormorant; Great black-backed gull; Great shearwater; Great skua; Herring gull; Horned grebe; Laughing gull; Leach's storm petrel; Long-tailed duck; Manx shearwater; Northern fulmar; Northern gannet; Parasitic jaeger; Pomarine jaeger; Razorbill; Red phalarope; Red-breasted merganser; Red-necked phalarope; Red-throated loon; Roseate tern; Sooty shearwater; Sooty tern; South polar skua; Surf scoter; Thick-billed murre; White-winged scoter; Wilson's storm petrel. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Avian Higher Collision Sensitivity Species Richness

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to an avian group species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer demonstrates relative vulnerability to collision with offshore wind energy projects (Robinson Willmott et al. 2013). For all avian species together, total species richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted presence and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the model predicts density above a certain very low density threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total predicted abundance for the species. These species are included: Arctic tern; Atlantic puffin; Audubon's shearwater; Black guillemot; Black scoter; Black-legged kittiwake; Bridled tern; Common eider; Common loon; Common murre; Common tern; Cory's shearwater; Double-crested cormorant; Great black-backed gull; Great shearwater; Great Skua; Herring gull; Horned grebe; Laughing gull; Leach's storm petrel; Long-tailed duck; Manx shearwater; Northern fulmar; Northern gannet; Parasitic jaeger; Pomarine jaeger; Razorbill; Red phalarope; Red-breasted merganser; Red-necked phalarope; Red-throated loon; Roseate tern; Sooty shearwater; Sooty tern; South polar skua; Surf scoter; Thick-billed murre; White-winged scoter; Wilson's storm petrel. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Avian Higher Displacement Sensitivity Abundance

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to an avian group abundance map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer demonstrates relative vulnerability to displacement with offshore wind energy projects (Robinson Willmott et al. 2013). For all avian species together, total relative abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual long-term average relative abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total predicted long-term average relative abundance of all individuals (of the included species in the group) in that cell. It is important to note these products represent and reflect relative abundance, not predicted absolute abundance. These species are included: Arctic tern; Atlantic puffin; Black guillemot; Black scoter; Bridled tern; Common eider; Common loon; Common murre; Common tern; Great black-backed gull; Long-tailed duck; Manx shearwater; Northern gannet; Razorbill; Red-throated loon; Roseate tern; Sooty tern; Surf scoter; Thick-billed murre;White-winged scoter. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Avian Higher Displacement Sensitivity Species Richness

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to an avian group species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer demonstrates relative vulnerability to displacement with offshore wind energy projects (Robinson Willmott et al. 2013). For all avian species together, total species richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted presence and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the model predicts density above a certain very low density threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total predicted abundance for the species. These species are included: Arctic tern; Atlantic puffin; Black guillemot; Black scoter; Bridled tern; Common eider; Common loon; Common murre; Common tern; Great black-backed gull; Long-tailed duck; Manx shearwater; Northern gannet; Razorbill; Red-throated loon; Roseate tern; Sooty tern;Surf scoter; Thick-billed murre; White-winged scoter. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to an avian species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. For all avian species together, total species richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted presence and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the model predicts relative abundance above a certain very low threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total predicted abundance for the species. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological richness or abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to an avian total relative abundance data map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. For all avian species together, total relative abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual long-term average relative abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total predicted long-term average relative abundance of all individuals (of the included species in the group) in that cell. It is important to note these products represent and reflect relative abundance, not predicted absolute abundance. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological richness or abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Bathymetric Contours

MarineCadastre.gov

This layer contains bathymetric contours which provide the size, shape and distribution of underwater features. The DEM utilized was the Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis which is a multi-resolution gridded global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) that includes cleaned processed ship-based multibeam sonar data at their full spatial resolution (~100m in the deep sea). The contours are depicted from zero to -100 meters (m) with a contour every 10 meters, a -101m to -500m with contours every 25 meters, and -501m+ with contours every 100m.
Beach nourishment projects occur throughout coastal states in the United States. These projects can be privately, federally or state funded. Material used in nourishment comes from a variety of sources (inland sources, dredged navigational channels or offshore sites). These data combine historical data compiled in the Western Carolina University Beach Nourishment Viewer database, as well as the National Beach Nourishment Database generated by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. The data contain attribute information on the general location of sand placement, primary funding source and funding type, volume of sediment emplacement (in cubic yards), length of beach nourished (in feet) and cost and inflated cost for over 2,000 beach nourishment episodes dating back to 1920.
Benthic cover (habitat) maps are derived from aerial imagery, underwater photos, acoustic surveys, and data gathered from sediment samples. Shallow to moderate-depth benthic habitat information assists ecosystem-based marine resource management. Many habitats, including hard and soft corals, are home to a diversity of marine organisms, which provide many important ecosystem services, including fishing, tourism, water quality enhancement, and shoreline protection. Coral reef ecosystems and associated bottom types are under increasing pressure from environmental and anthropogenic stressors. Mitigating these threats requires analyzing their spatial distribution, making benthic habitat mapping a key component to the conservation and management activities of state and federal agencies. This data currently contains geographic coverage for the following locations: American Samoa, Florida Keys, Guam, Hawaii, Majuro, Northern Marianas Islands, North West Hawaiian Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Palua, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Northeast Ecological Reserve, and the US Virgin Islands.
Feeding Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for Cetaceans include areas and months within which a particular species or population selectively feeds. These may either be found consistently in space and time, or may be associated with ephemeral features that are less predictable but can be delineated and are generally located within a larger identifiable area. BIAs were defined by compiling the best available information from scientific literature (including books, peer-reviewed articles, and government or contract reports), unpublished data (sighting, acoustic, tagging, genetic, photo identification), and expert knowledge. This information was then used to create written summaries and maps highlighting areas shoreward of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that are biologically important to cetacean species (or populations), either seasonally or year-round. Other BIA types include migratory corridor, reproduction, and small and resident population.

Biologically Important Areas for Cetaceans - Migratory Corridor

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Migratory Corridor Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for Cetaceans include areas and months within which a substantial portion of a species or population is known to migrate. BIAs were defined by compiling the best available information from scientific literature (including books, peer-reviewed articles, and government or contract reports), unpublished data (sighting, acoustic, tagging, genetic, photo identification), and expert knowledge. This information was then used to create written summaries and maps highlighting areas shoreward of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that are biologically important to cetacean species (or populations), either seasonally or year-round. Other BIA types include feeding, reproduction, and small and resident population.

Biologically Important Areas for Cetaceans - Reproduction

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Reproduction Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for Cetaceans include areas and months within which a particular species or population selectively mates, gives birth, or is found with neonates or other sensitive age classes. BIAs were defined by compiling the best available information from scientific literature (including books, peer-reviewed articles, and government or contract reports), unpublished data (sighting, acoustic, tagging, genetic, photo identification), and expert knowledge. This information was then used to create written summaries and maps highlighting areas shoreward of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that are biologically important to cetacean species (or populations), either seasonally or year-round. Other BIA types include feeding, migratory corridor, and small and resident population.

Biologically Important Areas for Cetaceans - Small and Resident Population

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Small and Resident Population Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for Cetaceans include areas and months within which small and resident populations occupying a limited geographic extent. BIAs were defined by compiling the best available information from scientific literature (including books, peer-reviewed articles, and government or contract reports), unpublished data (sighting, acoustic, tagging, genetic, photo identification), and expert knowledge. This information was then used to create written summaries and maps highlighting areas shoreward of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that are biologically important to cetacean species (or populations), either seasonally or year-round. Other BIA types include migratory corridor, reproduction, and feeding.
This layer represents the location of the submarine cables for the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) and Block Island Transmission System (BITS). The cables that connect directly to the wind farm will consist of the Inter Array cable, which will interconnect each turbine, and the Export cable, which connects the northernmost turbine with Block Island. The BITS will be a submarine cable that connects Block Island with the Rhode Island mainland which will deliver power to and from the mainland.
The Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) is a 30-megawatt offshore wind farm located approximately three miles southeast of Block Island. The BIWF will generate over 125,000 megawatt hours annually. Deepwater Wind began offshore construction in 2015. This dataset shows the locations of the BIWF wind turbine generators. For additional information, consult the project overview at: http://dwwind.com/project/block-island-wind-farm/.
The Navy and other military users of the marine environment are required to assess the impact of their activities on marine mammals to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The number of marine mammals that might be impacted by Navy activities must be estimated in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. A key element of this estimation is knowledge of cetacean densities in specific areas where those activities will occur. Data collected by NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) from 1986-2006 using accepted, peer-reviewed survey methods were used to develop models to forecast cetacean densities. This work represents an important step towards understanding marine mammal habitat use with respect to regions utilized by the U. S. Navy. MarineCadastre.gov has included Blue, Fin, Humpback, and Sperm whale models for the summer months as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. NOTE: Updated Pacific models should be available in mid-2017.
Aliquots are generated from full OCS blocks by sub-dividing each block into 16ths and allow for more detailed boundary delineation in offshore energy leasing. The aliquots use a letter designation in addition to their parent protraction number and OCS block number (i.e. NK-1802, 6822F). A full OCS block is 4800 x 4800 meters, while an aliquot measures 1200 x 1200 meters. Smaller, clipped aliquots are found along the Fed/State OCS boundary and along UTM zone borders. This dataset includes aliquots for 60 protractions out of the available 80 protractions in the Atlantic and 36 of 71 off the US West Coast . The remaining 56 protractions are located on the seaward edge of the OCS . Aliquots for these protractions will be produced at a later date as needed. Not to be used for official BOEM lease documents. Planning uses only.
This data set represents the most recent changes for the Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) Development Planning Areas in the Outer Continental Shelf. MHK Planning Areas in this dataset represent up to six different types of announcements within the US Federal Register that can be used to show the current status of an area that is being considered for wave, current, or tidal power development.
BOEM Planning areas are used to divide the Outer Continental Shelf into smaller more manageable regions for the purpose of planning and defining areas of potential lease sales within the Oil and Gas Leasing 5 year Program Plan. There are currently 26 planning areas within the OCS. Fifteen of these areas are in Alaska. Lease sales will usually occur for only one planning area at a time. The 5 year program identifies which planning areas may have sales within the next 5 years. If areas are not identified for potential lease sales in the 5 year program, new areas cannot be added for lease within that 5 year period.
This data layer shows the extent of the probable oil or gas plays identified within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Plays are groups of hydrocarbon pools that share a common history of generation, migration, reservoir development, and entrapment. Geologic classifications of each play and its potential are described in the associated reports for each region (see "More Info"). The analysis was based on seismic surveys analyzed by BOEM geologists. Other plays may exist in OCS waters that could be identified in future seismic survey results. The listed values in the attribute table represent the mean expected resource within an entire play. Bbo – billions of barrels of oil; Tcf – trillion cubic feet; BOE – barrel of oil equivalent – the amount of all potentially recoverable types of hydrocarbons in relation to the energy produced by a barrel of oil.
This data set represents the most recent changes for the Wind Development Planning Areas in federally managed offshore waters. Wind Planning Areas in this dataset represent up to seven different types of announcements within the US Federal Register that can be used to show the current status of an area that is being considered for Wind Power Development. For the areas represented here, once an area has changed from one type of area to another, it will be replaced entirely by the new area. In many cases the area may be more than one type of area at the same time. The Category or Info attribute will show the reader which type of category the area is. The types of areas and their descriptions can be found in the attributes section of the metadata record.

Bowers Ridge and Beringian Margin Bathymetry

University of New Hampshire

Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

California Seafloor Mapping Index

U.S. Geological Survey

The California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP) has divided coastal California into 110 map blocks, each to be published individually as USGS Open-File Reports or Scientific Investigations Maps at a scale of 1:24,000. For each map block, CSMP has created data layers for bathymetry, bathymetric contours, acoustic backscatter, seafloor character, potential benthic habitat, and offshore geology. In addition, CSMP has compiled regional-scale data layers for sediment thickness, depth to transition, transgressive contours, isopachs, and predicted distributions of benthic macro-invertebrates, as well as visual observations of benthic habitat from video cruises over the entire state. Note, however, that not all data layers are available for all map blocks, owing to insufficient data. Also, some map blocks may include additional data layers that record certain unique characteristics or features not present in other areas. Please note: Only the index layer is available in MarineCadastre.gov, not the seafloor data. This layer is currently only available to add to ArcGIS.com.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1977. The CWA’s goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. The Act regulates both the direct and indirect discharge of pollutants into navigable waters and waters of the contiguous zone, as well as onto adjoining shorelines, that may be harmful to the public or to natural resources. The term "navigable waters" means the waters of the United States, including the territorial seas. The term "territorial seas" means the belt of the seas measured from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters, and extending seaward a distance of three miles. The term "contiguous zone" means the entire zone established or to be established by the United States under article 24 of the Convention of the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. (Note: the article 24 boundaries differ from the contemporary extent of the territorial seas and contiguous zone.) Federal permits may be required by the EPA for routine discharges of wastes within the Outer Continental Shelf, out to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Coast Guard Jurisdictions

NOAA Office for Coastal Management

These data represent those waters of the United States that are within the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard. The jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard is defined within 33 U.S. Code Chapter 3 (Navigation and Navigable Waters), which specifies all navigable waters of the United States landward from the Exclusive Economic Zone.
To remove the federal incentive to develop coastal barriers, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) designated relatively undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts as part of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). This Act made these areas ineligible for most new federal expenditures and financial assistance. CBRA encourages the conservation of hurricane prone, biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting federal expenditures that encourage development, such as federal flood insurance. The CBRS data provided on MarineCadastre.gov are only representations of the official boundaries and are NOT to be considered authoritative. They can be used to help stakeholders determine whether or not properties or project sites may be affected by CBRA, but not to make official determinations. Please view the Source Info for specific restrictions and use constraints. Please note there are multiple layers within this service. Please zoom in to view these.
This dataset represents US counties and independent cities which have at least one coastal border and select non-coastal counties and independent cities based on proximity to estuaries and other coastal counties.

Coastal Critical Habitat Designations

MarineCadastre.gov

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the Federal government to designate critical habitat, areas of habitat essential to the species’ conservation, for ESA listed species. This dataset is a compilation of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service designated critical habitat in coastal areas. Critical habitat is defined as: Specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing that contain physical or biological features essential to conservation, which may require special management considerations or protection; and specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species if the agency determines that the area itself is essential for conservation. It is important to keep in mind that maps published before May 31, 2012 were only for illustrative purposes and the Federal Register text descriptions should be used for authoritative purposes. For designations published after May 31, 2012, the maps (and any clarifying textual descriptions) are the definitive source for critical habitat boundaries. See metadata for online linkages to reference full listings of proposed and final critical habitat areas.

Coastal Energy Facilities

MarineCadastre.gov

These data depict the location of facilities that generate electricity. The locations are created from the Environmental Protection Agency Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID). Only facilities in coastal states are shown. Contained within the database are records that define the fuel source and other characteristics of the facility that may benefit ocean planners. In some cases, the presence of a facility may indicate that certain power transmission infrastructure exists nearby. Absence of a facility or lack of sufficient capacity at a facility in a given area may also be an important characteristic in future energy planning activities.

Coastal Maintained Channels

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This layer shows coastal channels and waterways that are maintained and surveyed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). These channels are necessary transportation systems that serve economic and national security interests. The possibility of silting is always present. Local authorities should be consulted for the controlling depth. NOS Charts frequently show controlling depths in a table, which is kept current by the US Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners. These data are intended for coastal and ocean use planning. Not for navigation.
This dataset represents US states and equivalent territorial units which have at least one coastal border.
This data represents the extent of the nation's coastal zone, as defined by the individual states and territories under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA). The CZMA was established to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance the resources of the nation's coastal zone. The zone generally extends seaward to the boundary of the Submerged Lands Act. The zone extends inland from the shorelines only to the extent necessary to control shorelands that have a direct and significant impact on coastal waters. Lands held in trust by the Federal Government have been included in this boundary unless otherwise noted, as accurately representing these could be erroneous. State jurisdiction extends to 3nm, except for Texas, Puerto Rico and Florida’s Gulf coast extends to 9nm. Great Lakes states have jurisdiction to the international boundary with Canada. The CZMA applies within the EEZ through the federal consistency provision (Sec. 307). Areas of state-defined federal consistency review locations can be found within the "Federal Consistency Geographic Location Descriptions" layer. This boundary is unofficial. For precise, regulatory boundaries, please contact the state or territorial coastal program office.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines

MarineCadastre.gov

U.S. collision regulation boundaries are lines of demarcation delineating those waters upon which mariners shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) and those waters upon which mariners shall comply with the Inland Navigation Rules. The waters inland of these lines are subject to the Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980. The waters outside these lines are subject to the International Navigation Rules of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS). The Coast Guard has the legal authority to effect regulatory changes to COLREGS. Creation of features was interpreted from descriptions published in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Part 80.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

MarineCadastre.gov

This data represents geographic terms used within the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund, provides a federal "superfund" to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. The CERCLA gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) power to seek out those parties responsible for any release of pollutants and contaminants, and assure their cooperation in the cleanup. If interested in knowing the location of Superfund sites, please refer to the layer called "Superfund Sites". When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

Congressional Districts

MarineCadastre.gov

This layer depicts the 116th Congressional Districts for the United States. Found within this layer is the listing of the 116th House of Representatives. Elected to a two-year term, each representative serves the people of a specific congressional district by introducing bills and serving on committees, among other duties. The districts are symbolized by the political party of the current representative.

Danger Zones and Restricted Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent the location of Danger Zones and Restricted Areas within coastal and marine waters, as outlined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Raster Navigational Charts (RNC). The CFR defines a Danger Zone as, "A defined water area (or areas) used for target practice, bombing, rocket firing or other especially hazardous operations, normally for the armed forces. The danger zones may be closed to the public on a full-time or intermittent basis, as stated in the regulations." The CFR defines a Restricted Area as, "A defined water area for the purpose of prohibiting or limiting public access to the area. Restricted areas generally provide security for Government property and/or protection to the public from the risks of damage or injury arising from the Government's use of that area." Other features in this dataset include: Danger Area, Missile Testing Area, Naval Operations Area, Prohibited Area, Restricted Airspace, Test Area, and Torpedo Testing Area. Authoritative information relating to these data may be found in Title 33, Chapter II of the CFR (Part 334).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) have developed a National Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges (database). The database is designed to compile and disseminate existing biological observations on deep-sea corals and sponges and their locations, and serve as a primary data outlet for new spatial data records from the DSCRTP’s funded research. These data are made available in standard formats that are useful to scientists, natural resource managers, and the public through an online map portal at https://deepseacoraldata.noaa.gov. Please note this layer may be slow to draw due to its geographic extent and breadth of data.

Deep-Sea Soft Coral Habitat Suitability

MarineCadastre.gov

Deep-sea corals, also known as cold water corals, create complex communities that provide habitat for a variety of invertebrate and fish species, such as grouper, snapper, and sea bass. The map depicts the relative likelihood of finding suitable habitat for soft corals at a given location and is a prediction based on a statistical model relating several environmental characteristics to the presence of soft corals using observations of soft coral. Soft corals, unlike stony corals, do not form calcium-based skeletons. A common example of a soft coral is a sea fan. Please also reference the “Deep-Sea Stony Coral Habitat Suitability” layer. Predictions from these habitat suitability models can be used to support conservation and management of deep-sea corals and to assist with targeting areas for mapping and exploration.

Deep-Sea Stony Coral Habitat Suitability

MarineCadastre.gov

Deep-sea corals, also known as cold water corals, create complex communities that provide habitat for a variety of invertebrate and fish species, such as grouper, snapper, and sea bass. The map depicts the relative likelihood of finding suitable habitat for stony corals at a given location and is a prediction based on a statistical model relating several environmental characteristics to the presence of stony corals using observations of stony corals. Stony coral are the primary reef-building corals and produce hard skeletons made of aragonite, a crystal form of calcium carbonate. Please also reference the “Deep-Sea Soft Coral Habitat Suitability” layer. Predictions from these habitat suitability models can be used to support conservation and management of deep-sea corals and to assist with targeting areas for mapping and exploration.

Deepwater Ports

MarineCadastre.gov

The Deepwater Port Licensing Program is the application process designed to promote the construction of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and oil deepwater ports. This license system was established by the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. MARAD DOT assesses the financial capability of potential licenses, prepares the project Record of Decision, and issues or denies the deepwater port license. If the license was denied, surrendered, or withdrawn they are not displayed in this layer. The licensed deepwater ports are: Delfin LNG (Louisiana), Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (Louisiana), Neptune LNG (Massachusetts), and Northeast Gateway (Massachusetts).

Department of Defense Offshore Wind Mission Compatibility Assessments

U.S. Department of Defense

This data set shows the results of a Department of Defense assessment of the compatibility of offshore wind development with military assets and activities. These data should not be used to infer compatibility or conflict between military assets or activities with any use other than offshore wind. The data set contains 4 categories of OCS lease blocks: No Restrictions - No significant conflicts were identified. Site Specific Stipulations - Potential conflicts exist and may require site specific mitigation measures. Recommended Wind Exclusion - Significant conflicts were identified. Not Assessed - DoD only assesses specific lease blocks as requested by BOEM and the appropriate coastal state task force. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.
Structures used to drill into the seabed for mineral exploration or to bring resources to the surface, particularly oil and gas. This is current and refreshed on a daily basis.
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service works with regional fishery management councils to identify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for every life stage of federally managed species using the best available scientific information. EFH Areas Protected from Fishing visually represent spatial information for areas in which the use of fishing gear has been restricted or modified to minimize the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, as required by Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This data set is a comprehensive list of fishery management measures implemented for the explicit purpose of protecting EFH but does not represent an exhaustive list of areas where fishing is restricted or prohibited by other state or federal regulations. A comprehensive data layer depicting all areas where fishing is restricted or prohibited is not known to be available, but the user is encouraged to consult the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Inventory’s MPAs with Fishing Restrictions data set, available on MarineCadastre.gov, for additional information. Users should use the ID tool to investigate each individual polygon that is of interest, since each area may contain multiple fishing gear restrictions.
This data represents geographic terms used within the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) administer the ESA. Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. All species of plants and animals, except pest insects, are eligible for listing as endangered or threatened. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties, and, for vertebrates, distinct population segments. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.
This data represents geographic terms used within the Energy Policy Act (EPA). The EPA addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up to date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

Environmental Protection Agency Region Boundaries

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This dataset delineates EPA Region boundaries extended to the 200nm exclusive economic zone and was created by U.S. EPA using 2011 TIGER/Line state boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Maritime Boundaries made available by NOAA Office of Coast Survey.
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps provide a summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs. They can be used when a spill occurs to inform responders, and can also be used by planners to identify vulnerable locations, establish protection priorities, and identify cleanup strategies. This data contains the aggregated ESI shoreline, with the following shoreline categories: armored; rocky and steep shorelines; beaches; flats; and vegetated. The symbolization is based on the highest numeric general ESI type present in the segment. The value in generalized shoreline field ranges from 1 to 5, with each value representing a broad Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) category. All ESI values have been mapped to the appropriate “general” field for this presentation.
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service works with regional fishery management councils to identify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for every life stage of federally managed species using the best available scientific information. The data in MarineCadastre.gov are developed by NOAA Fisheries using methods that reflect regional differences in both source data and management needs. Because of the variability in the quality and intended usage of these data, each should be considered individually when interpreting the accuracy and utility of the information that they provide. Please be sure to view the EFH Mapper (http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/efh/efhmapper/) and read the information under the Data Quality tab in the Help menu to fully understand the usage constraints for each data layer and the completeness and accuracy of the information.

Federal and State Waters

MarineCadastre.gov

This layer is representative of US State offshore waters derived from best scale nautical charts coastline out to the extent of the Submerged Lands Act (SLA) Boundary or closest approximation using US former 3 mile (old Territorial Sea) line. It also represents the area of waters normally attributed to US Federal Government oversight which is shown from the SLA boundary out to either the Exclusive Economic Zone or closest international boundary, whichever is closer. Some boundary delineations based on the SLA were approximated in this data set, including areas in Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington State. Although some state borders have not been legally defined offshore or are disputed, it was necessary to approximate these borders to produce this data set. The boundaries depicted in this data set are for visual purposes only. Note: The SLA boundary is generally 3 nautical miles seaward from the best NOAA charted coastline with exceptions offshore of Texas and the West Coast of Florida which are 3 marine leagues (approx. 9 nautical miles). Most SLA boundaries ambulate with shoreline change except those fixed by Supreme Court Decree.

Federal Consistency Geographic Location Descriptions

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent state geographic location descriptions (GLDs). Section 307 of the "Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972" (CZMA), called the “federal consistency” provision, gives states a strong voice in federal agency decision making, which they otherwise would not have, for activities that may affect a state’s coastal uses or resources. Federal agency, federal license or permit, and federal financial assistance activities are subject to federal consistency review if the activity occurs outside of the state’s coastal zone but within a GLD. This location description encompasses an area outside the coastal zone in which an activity would have reasonably foreseeable coastal effects. For activities outside of a state’s coastal zone to be automatically subject to federal consistency review, the state federal consistency list must identify the activity and its associated geographic location description. These data represents the GLDs for all states that have defined them.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions

Federal Emergency Management Agency

This layer represents the regions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Regional Offices manage, operate and maintain all delegated programs, functions and activities not managed, operated or maintained by headquarters organizational units. The FEMA Regional Offices serve as the primary organizational unit for liaison to states and local governments within each region, and non-governmental and private sector entities within each Regional Office's geographical area.

Federal Lightering Zones - Gulf of Mexico

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent federal and traditional lightering zones and prohibited lightering zones within the Gulf of Mexico. Lightering or lightering operation means the transfer of a cargo of oil in bulk from one oil tanker less than 150 gross tons to another oil tanker less than 150 gross tons, or a cargo of hazardous material in bulk from one vessel to another. Lightering includes all phases of the operation, from the beginning of the mooring operation to the departure of the service vessel from the vessel to be lightered, except when that cargo is intended only for use as fuel or lubricant aboard the receiving vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard has designated areas in which tankers may lighter cargoes of oil bound for coastal onshore terminals. Transfer of oil between vessels is to occur within 'Lightering Rendezvous Areas' and is prohibited in 'Prohibited Areas'. Not all ships choose to utilize the Lightering Rendezvous Areas depicted in this dataset, but all are required to avoid lightering in the Prohibited Areas.

Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Sand and Gravel Borrow Areas (Lease Areas)

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Sand and Gravel Borrow Areas (Lease Areas) are polygons which are maintained by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The polygons define areas where entities that have entered into or requested a Negotiated Non-Competitive Lease or Memorandum of Agreement with BOEM can dredge sand, gravel, or shell resources from the OCS. Section 8 (k) of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended by Public Law 103-426 (enacted in 1994), provides BOEM the authority to negotiate an agreement for the use of OCS sand, gravel, and shell resources for use in: (1) a project for shore protection, beach restoration, or coastal restoration undertaken by a Federal, State, or local government agency; or (2) for use in a construction project funded in whole or in part by, or authorized by, the Federal government. This dataset is a collection of proposed, previous and current authorized lease areas under BOEM's purview. The intent is to update the dataset when leases are proposed, added or renewed. Attribution consists of state, sand volume, and dates and identification properties associated with the lease. Revisions to the data, which would most often be to attribution, will occur regularly. BOEM is responsible for managing leasing within federal offshore waters only. Sand leases and resources within State waters are not available through this data layer.
These boundaries were created for BOEM administrative purposes only, such as delineating BOEM planning areas or determining shared state revenue sharing within the 3 nautical mile zone seaward of the SLA boundary known as the Revenue Sharing Boundary. They were created using the equidistant principle used to divide offshore areas between countries as defined within the UNCLOS. They are not meant to depict areas offshore as pertaining to or controlled by any particular state.
The Navy and other military users of the marine environment are required to assess the impact of their activities on marine mammals to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The number of marine mammals that might be impacted by Navy activities must be estimated in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. A key element of this estimation is knowledge of cetacean densities in specific areas where those activities will occur. Data collected by NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) from 1986-2006 using accepted, peer-reviewed survey methods were used to develop models to forecast cetacean densities. This work represents an important step towards understanding marine mammal habitat use with respect to regions utilized by the U. S. Navy. MarineCadastre.gov has included Blue, Fin, Humpback, and Sperm whale models for the summer months as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. NOTE: Updated Pacific models should be available in mid-2017.
This layer provides access to a fish species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Loyola University Chicago, and The Nature Conservancy. For all sampled fish species together, total richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ sampled presence (created from the Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation layers) and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the interpolated biomass is above a certain very low threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total interpolated biomass for the species. The legend for this map shows the estimated number of species from average annual interpolations (2km x 2km). Fish summary products were developed using the NEFSC fall survey data source. Fish group species richness represent the expected richness of a survey trawl done in that area, and are not representative of the true fish species richness in that location. This is the expected richness for the gear type used in NEFSC fall trawls, and does not account for each species’ catch-ability. These data are a fishery descriptor, not an ecosystem descriptor and are not meant to be used to determine absolute fish biomass hotspots. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to a fish species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Loyola University Chicago, and The Nature Conservancy. For all sampled fish species together, total richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ sampled presence (created from the Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation layers) and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the interpolated biomass is above a certain very low threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total interpolated biomass for the species. The legend for this map shows the estimated number of species from average annual interpolations (2km x 2km). Fish summary products were developed using the NEFSC spring survey data source. Fish group species richness represent the expected richness of a survey trawl done in that area, and are not representative of the true fish species richness in that location. This is the expected richness for the gear type used in NEFSC spring trawls, and does not account for each species’ catch-ability. These data are a fishery descriptor, not an ecosystem descriptor and are not meant to be used to determine absolute fish biomass hotspots. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to a fish biomass map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Loyola University Chicago, and The Nature Conservancy. For all sampled fish species together, total biomass maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total interpolated biomass of all individuals of the sampled species in that cell, for example forage fish. Note that individual fish species IDW maps and these aggregate maps have been cubic root transformed. The legend for this map shows the sum of the average annual interpolated biomass for all species and for all tows (2km x 2km). Fish summary products were developed using the NEFSC fall survey data source. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological richness or abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to a fish biomass map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Loyola University Chicago, and The Nature Conservancy. For all sampled fish species together, total biomass maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total interpolated biomass of all individuals of the sampled species in that cell, for example forage fish. Note that individual fish species IDW maps and these aggregate maps have been cubic root transformed. The legend for this map shows the sum of the average annual interpolated biomass for all species and for all tows (2km x 2km). Fish summary products were developed using the NEFSC spring survey data source. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological richness or abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Formerly Used Defense Sites (Unexploded Ordnances)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

These Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) are the locations from which military activity occurred and the various trajectory and ranges from these areas where weapons were deployed or tested. Therefore, this dataset acts as a possible proxy for Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) or hazardous material locations. UXOs are explosive weapons (bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation. Two related datasets that should be viewed in tandem are Unexploded Ordnance Areas displays known or possible former explosive dumping areas and Unexploded Ordnance Locations displays known or possible individual or tightly grouped unexploded ordnances on the ocean floor.

Gulf of Alaska Margin Bathymetry

University of New Hampshire

Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - BOEM 100 ft

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are BOEM contours shown at 100 ft intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - BOEM 100 m

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are BOEM contours shown at 100 m intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - BOEM 1000 ft

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are BOEM contours shown at 1000 ft intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - BOEM 500 ft

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are BOEM contours shown at 500 ft intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - BOEM 500 m

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are BOEM contours shown at 500 m intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - NOAA 100 m

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are NOAA contours shown at 100 m intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - NOAA 1000 ft

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are NOAA contours shown at 1000 ft intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - NOAA 500 ft

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are NOAA contours shown at 500 ft intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry Contours - NOAA 500 m

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Depth Contours derived from NOAA's NGDC bathymetric grids and from BOEM's seismic grid compilation. Both NOAA and BOEM contours are shown in meters or feet depending on the user's preference. The contours depicted in this layer are NOAA contours shown at 500 m intervals. Contours were created to compare and contrast the older NOAA NGDC grid to the newer BOEM gridded bathymetry described below: BOEM's deepwater Gulf of Mexico bathymetry grid- Created by mosaicing over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40 ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200 ft) and maximum (-11,000 ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.

Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Bathymetry with Hill Shade

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BOEM has accumulated a large database of X-Y-Z data from 3-D seismic data, as well as amplitude, which was gridded together to create one contiguous map across the deep water GOM. The resultant map is the highest and most consistent resolution regional map available to date. Created by mosaicking over 100 3D seismic surveys. XY grid size is 40ft and depth is in feet. Depth accurate to 0.1% (one-tenth of one-percent) of water depth in most places. Depth accuracy decreases slightly when approaching minimum (-200ft) and maximum (-11,000ft) depth extents due to the nature of the depth transformation method used. BOEM thanks the following companies for allowing BOEM use of their data to create this new map: CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., Houston, TX; Exxon; Geophysical Pursuit; PGS; Seitel; TGS; and WesternGeco, LLC.
These data depict annual average wind speed (meters per second) at 100 meters above sea level for the Gulf of Mexico offshore areas of the United States, for a seven year period from 2007 to 2013. The sampling resolution of 2km was generalized into polygons shown in the legend classes. Data include both point and polygon data sets intended to provide broad estimates of wind speed variation for the purposes of identifying potential offshore wind energy sites. They are not intended to provide specific estimates of energy production for the purpose of making offshore wind project investment or financing decisions in specific locations. The source data is National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit. Please see metadata for more detailed process information. Monthly averages are available within the downloads menu, either as GIS data or Esri REST map services.

Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Blocks with Significant Sand Resources

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Gulf of Mexico OCS Blocks with Significant Sediment Resources is a planning tool to assist in the management of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sediment resources, reduce multiple use conflicts, minimize interference with existing leases (e.g., oil and gas) and rights-of-way (e.g., submerged infrastructure, shipping lanes, military operations, etc.), and help avoid sensitive areas (e.g., archaeological sites, protected habitat). These OCS blocks represent areas within the OCS protraction grid where sand resources have been identified through reconnaissance and/or design-level OCS studies. Additional OCS studies may be necessary in order to refine and quantify the extents of sand resources within these areas. The Marine Minerals Program (MMP) within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for managing non-energy minerals (primarily sand and gravel) on the OCS. Access to and identification of potential OCS sand resources is critical for the long-term success and cost-effectiveness of many shore protection, beach nourishment, and coastal habitat restoration projects along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Habitat Areas of Particular Concern

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) are discrete subsets of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation.
Shallow-water (<30 m) benthic habitats digitized from satellite imagery. Areas were categorized by Type (coral, coraline algae, emergent vegetation, macroalgae, seagrass, turf) and percent cover. The minimum mapping unit was an acre. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Bauer, L., et al. 2016. Chap 3 Benthic Habitats and Corals. Pp 57-136. In: Costa, B.M., and M. S. Kendall (eds). 2016. Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. More detailed information can be found in: Battista, T.A., B.M. Costa, and S.M. Anderson. 2007. Benthic Habitats of the Main Hawaiian Islands. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS CCMA 152. Silver Spring, MD. 48 pp The download is for the entire Benthics geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes. This layer is: Shallow_CompiledHabitatRecords_Benthic_Habitat_Map.

Hawaii Bottomfish - Catch per unit effort (catch per fishing trip)

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Non-confidential fishery dependent catch data describing the numbers of pounds (lbs) of Deep 7 bottomfish caught per fishing trip. Landings are summarized by location based on the Hawaiian Commercial Fisheries Statistical Carts. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Stamoulis, K.A., et. al. 2016. Chapter 4: Fishes - Reef Fish. pp. 156-196. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. Dataset citation: DAR. 2014. Fishery-Dependent Data. State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources. Data Provided 28 October 2015. The download is for the entire Fisheries geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting species locations and benthic characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: BottomFishCommunities_CompiledDARFisheryRecords_Deep7_Catch_Summary.

Hawaii Brown Booby - Predicted Relative Abundance Aug - Oct

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Predicted relative abundance for Brown Boobys (Sula leucogaster) from August to October. These regional models were developed using a boosted zero-inflated count framework. Their purpose was to help inform future data collection efforts around the Main Hawaiian Islands. Models are based on data collected by NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center shipboard surveys. Data was from August to October 1998 – 2012, with the majority of data collected on two surveys in 2002 and 2010. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Winship A. J., et al. 2016. Chapter 7 Seabirds. Pp283-320 In: Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Seabirds geodatabase which includes 78 feature classes. This layer is: ModelPredictions_BrownBooby_RelativeDensity. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Presences of Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) detected on transects. Data collected by NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center shipboard surveys. Data was from August to October 1998 – 2012, with the majority of data collected on two surveys in 2002 and 2010. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Winship A. J., et al. 2016. Chapter 7 Seabirds. Pp283-320 In: Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Seabirds geodatabase which includes 78 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: SightingLocations_BrownBooby_Summer.
Presences of Humpback Whales detected on transects in the winter. Data comes from multiple sources including, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Cascadia Research Collective, and the University of Hawaii. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanSightingLocations_HumpbackWhale_Winter.

Hawaii Humpback Whale - Predicted Relative Abundance Winter

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Predicted relative abundance for Humpback Whales in the winter. These long-term, regional models are based on data from 1993 – 2014 collected by multiple sources. The purpose is to help inform future data collection efforts around the Main Hawaiian Islands. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanModelPredictions_HumpbackWhale_winter_RelativeAbundance. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
These data depict annual average wind speed (meters per second) at 100 meters above sea level for the Hawaii offshore areas of the United States, for a seven year period from 2007 to 2013. The sampling resolution of 2km was generalized into polygons shown in the legend classes. Data include both point and polygon data sets intended to provide broad estimates of wind speed variation for the purposes of identifying potential offshore wind energy sites. They are not intended to provide specific estimates of energy production for the purpose of making offshore wind project investment or financing decisions in specific locations. The source data is National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit. Please see metadata for more detailed process information. Monthly averages are available within the downloads menu, either as GIS data or Esri REST map services.
Probability that eddy rings will form off the Main Hawaiian Islands in the summer. Source data for this model comes from NASA Maps of Absolute Dynamic Topography (MADT) 1993 – 2014. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Costa, B. M., et al. 2016. Chapter 2 Environmental Setting. Pp 13-56 In: Costa, B.M., and M. S. Kendall (eds). 2016. Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Environmental_Settings geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting environmental characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is PhysicalOceanography_WaterMovement_Probability_of_Cyclonic_Eddy_Rings_Summer_Mean. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Probability that eddy rings will form off the Main Hawaiian Islands in the winter. Source data for this model comes from NASA Maps of Absolute Dynamic Topography (MADT) 1993 – 2014. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Costa, B. M., et al. 2016. Chapter 2 Environmental Setting. Pp 13-56 In: Costa, B.M., and M. S. Kendall (eds). 2016. Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Environmental_Settings geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting environmental characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is PhysicalOceanography_WaterMovement_Probability_of_Cyclonic_Eddy_Rings_Winter_Mean. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Predicted reef fish biomass (grams/square meter) values for Hawaii from boosted regression tree models. Models were based on 29 environmental datasets from 4 categories (topographic, benthic habitat composition, geographic, and oceanographic). For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Stamoulis, K.A., et. al. 2016. Chapter 4: Fishes - Reef Fish. pp. 156-196. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Fisheries geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting species locations and benthic characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is a compilation of 4 layers: ReefFishCommunities_ModelPredictions_[IslandName]_Total_Biomass_Mean. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Standardized total biomass values from underwater visual surveys for reef fishes in Hawaii. Data came from a variety of sources from 1992 - 2012 and were compiled by the University of Hawaii Fisheries Ecology Research Lab. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Stamoulis, K.A., et. al. 2016. Chapter 4: Fishes - Reef Fish. pp. 156-196. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. Dataset citation: https://fisheriesecologyresearchlab.wordpress. com/ The download is for the entire Fisheries geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting species locations and benthic characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: ReefFishCommunities_Compiled_Survey_Records.
Speed of sea surface currents around the Main Hawaiian Islands in the summer. Source data for this model comes from HYCOM +NCODA global 1/12° Reanalysis. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Costa, B. M., et al. 2016. Chapter 2 Environmental Setting. Pp 13-56 In: Costa, B.M., and M. S. Kendall (eds). 2016. Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Environmental_Settings geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting environmental characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is PhysicalOceanography_WaterMovement_SurfaceCurrent_Speed_Summer_Mean. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Speed of sea surface currents around the Main Hawaiian Islands in the winter. Source data for this model comes from HYCOM +NCODA global 1/12° Reanalysis. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Costa, B. M., et al. 2016. Chapter 2 Environmental Setting. Pp 13-56 In: Costa, B.M., and M. S. Kendall (eds). 2016. Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Environmental_Settings geodatabase which includes over 100 feature classes depicting environmental characteristics of the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is PhysicalOceanography_WaterMovement_SurfaceCurrent_Speed_Winter_Mean. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Hawaii Spinner Dolphin - Predicted Relative Abundance Summer

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Predicted relative abundance for Spinner Dolphins in the summer. These long-term, regional models are based on data from 1993 – 2014 collected by multiple sources. The purpose is to help inform future data collection efforts around the Main Hawaiian Islands. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanModelPredictions_SpinnerDolphin_summer_RelativeAbundance. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Hawaii Spinner Dolphin - Predicted Relative Abundance Winter

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Predicted relative abundance for Spinner Dolphins in the winter. These long-term, regional models are based on data from 1993 – 2014 collected by multiple sources. The purpose is to help inform future data collection efforts around the Main Hawaiian Islands. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanModelPredictions_SpinnerDolphin_winter_RelativeAbundance. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
Presences of Spinner Dolphins detected on transects in the summer. Data comes from multiple sources including, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Cascadia Research Collective, and the University of Hawaii. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanSightingLocations_SpinnerDolphin_Summer.
Presences of Spinner Dolphins detected on transects in the winters of 1993 – 2014. Data comes from multiple sources including, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Cascadia Research Collective, and the University of Hawaii. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Pittman, S.J., et. al. 2016. Chapter 6: Marine Mammals - Cetaceans. pp. 227-265. In: B.M. Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Marine Mammals geodatabase which includes 70 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: CetaceanSightingLocations_SpinnerDolphin_Winter.

Hawaii Wedge-tailed Shearwater - Predicted Relative Abundance Aug - Oct

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Predicted relative abundance for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) from August to October. These long-term, regional models were developed using a boosted zero-inflated count framework. Their purpose was to help inform future data collection efforts around the Main Hawaiian Islands. Models are based on data collected by NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center shipboard surveys. Data was from August to October 1998 – 2012, with the majority of data collected on two surveys in 2002 and 2010. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Winship A. J., et al. 2016. Chapter 7 Seabirds. Pp283-320 In: Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Seabirds geodatabase which includes 78 feature classes. This layer is: ModelPredictions_WedgetailedShearwater_RelativeDensit. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Hawaii Wedge-tailed Shearwater - Presences Aug - Oct

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Presences of Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) detected on transects. Data collected by NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center shipboard surveys. Data was from August to October 1998 – 2012, with the majority of data collected on two surveys in 2002 and 2010. For the full dataset description go to linked Publication under the Additional Information tab and see: Winship A. J., et al. 2016. Chapter 7 Seabirds. Pp283-320 In: Costa and M.S. Kendall (eds.). Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands. BOEM and NOAA. OCS Study BOEM 2016-035 and NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214. 359 pp. The download is for the entire Seabirds geodatabase which includes 78 feature classes depicting species locations and predictive models for the Main Hawaiian Island. This layer is: SightingLocations_WedgetailedShearwater_Summer.
These data show the point locations of High Frequency (HF) radar systems across the United States. HF radars measure the speed and direction of ocean surface currents in near real time. These radars, which can operate under any weather conditions, measure currents over a large region of the coastal ocean, as far as 200 km offshore. They are located near the water’s edge, and do not need to be situated atop a high point of land. Dozens of institutions own and operate HF radars within the United States, and many are coordinated through the US Integrated Ocean Observing System. Ocean surface current data from these radars are shared on national servers by the National Data Buoy Center and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The Navy and other military users of the marine environment are required to assess the impact of their activities on marine mammals to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The number of marine mammals that might be impacted by Navy activities must be estimated in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. A key element of this estimation is knowledge of cetacean densities in specific areas where those activities will occur. Data collected by NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) from 1986-2006 using accepted, peer-reviewed survey methods were used to develop models to forecast cetacean densities. This work represents an important step towards understanding marine mammal habitat use with respect to regions utilized by the U. S. Navy. MarineCadastre.gov has included Blue, Fin, Humpback, and Sperm whale models for the summer months as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. NOTE: Updated Pacific models should be available in mid-2017.
This layer is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Area Representation (LAR) data set. The LARs illustrate land areas for Federally-recognized tribes. The purpose of the American Indian and Alaska Native LAR data set is to depict the external extent of Federal Indian reservations and the external extent of associated land "held in trust” by the United States, “restricted fee” or “mixed ownership” status for Federally recognized tribes and individual Native Americans. This data set includes other land area types such as Public Domain Allotments, Dependent Indian Communities and Homesteads. This GIS data set is prepared strictly for illustrative and reference purposes only and should not be used, and is not intended for legal, survey, engineering or navigation purposes.
This entry provides access to avian relative abundance maps made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. The individual Avian species maps represent the results of predictive modeling applied to data from the Northwest Atlantic Seabird Catalog (US Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Eastern Canada Seabirds at Sea database (Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada). Relative density model results are the long-term average relative abundance of individuals per unit area. It is not possible to infer absolute abundance because of how the survey data were collected and compiled, and how the models were generated. Individual species models are found in the Map Service link under MDAT/Avian_Abundance. There are also folders in MDAT for 90% Confidence Interval and the Coefficient of Variation. View the Source Info link to download individual species models with supporting statistical measures of model uncertainty and documentation. Note: viewing in the National Viewer is not enabled for this layer.
These data predict the likelihood of suitable deep-sea coral habitat maps made available by the NOAA Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP). The data represent predicted habitat suitability for several taxa of deep-sea corals. Predictions were modeled using a statistical machine-learning algorithm called maximum entropy (MaxEnt). Data provided by DSCRTP and other contributors with environmental and oceanographic data were used to generate the predictive models of deep-sea coral distribution. These models are used to produce regional maps of deep-sea coral habitat. In these regions, deep-sea coral occurs on the continental shelves and slopes, at ocean depths of approximately 50 to greater than 2,000 meters. Model predictions are organized into five hierarchical categories that permit comparison of the data across coral taxa and across regions. The categories correspond to the predicted likelihood of suitable deep-sea coral habitat occurring. Note: viewing in the National Viewer is not enabled for this layer.
This entry provides access to the individual fish data layers made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Loyola University Chicago, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). In 2019, MDAT member TNC produced fish biomass and distribution products in partnership with OceanAdapt (a collaboration between the Pinksy Lab at Rutgers University and the National Marine Fisheries Service) and the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center for 81 individual fish species in spring and fall. These products are also bubble plots of raw observations and IDW surfaces at a 2km x 2km resolution for bottom trawl data from NEFSC during 2010-2017 (fall) and 2010-2016 (spring). All units are kilograms per tow. Survey samples for fall trawls were collected primarily in September and October, with some in November and a small number in December. Spring survey samples were collected from February to April. Note: viewing in the National Viewer is not enabled for this layer.
This entry provides access to individual marine mammal species maps made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. Individual marine mammal species maps are available that represent the results of distance sampling modeling methodology applied to over 20 years of aerial and shipboard cetacean surveys, linked with remote sensing and ocean model environmental covariates. Mammal abundance products are available monthly (or annually for different species) and show predicted abundances of animals for the given time period. Individual species models are found in the Map Service link. There are also map service folders under MDAT for 95% and 5% Confidence Interval, the Coefficient of Variation, and Standard Error. View the Source Info link to download individual species models with supporting statistical measures of model uncertainty and documentation. Note: viewing in the National Viewer is not enabled for this layer.

Kemps Ridley Turtle, Atlantic Fall Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Kemps Ridley Turtle, Atlantic Spring Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Kemps Ridley Turtle, Atlantic Summer Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Kemps Ridley Turtle, Atlantic Winter Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Atlantic Fall Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Atlantic Spring Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Atlantic Summer Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Atlantic Winter Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Fall Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Spring Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Summer Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Leatherback Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Winter Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.
The revenue sharing boundary was established under Section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. It provides for eligible states to claim a percentage of the share of oil, gas, or wind energy revenues when a federal lease is within three miles of the Submerged Lands Act (SLA) boundary.
Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Loggerhead Turtle, Atlantic Fall Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Atlantic Spring Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Atlantic Summer Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Atlantic Winter Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Fall Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Spring Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Summer Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Loggerhead Turtle, Gulf of Mexico Winter Density

U.S. Navy

The Navy is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission and is also responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In order to comply with these mandates, up-to-date, area-specific marine mammal and sea turtle density estimates for the Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent Navy training regions are required. MarineCadastre.gov has included Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtle models for all seasons as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Mariana Trench, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands Bathymetry

University of New Hampshire

Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act

MarineCadastre.gov

This data represents geographic terms used within the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act. The Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act legally establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. The mission of the NOAA Marine Debris Program is to use research, prevention, and reduction activities to investigate and solve problems that stem from marine debris, in order to protect and conserve our Nation’s marine environment and ensure navigation safety. The Act outlines three central program components for the MDP to undertake: 1) mapping, identification, impact assessment, removal, and prevention; 2) reducing and preventing gear loss; and 3) outreach. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

Marine Mammal Low Frequency Sound Sensitivity Abundance

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to a marine mammal group abundance map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer represents species that are sensitive to low sound frequencies that range between 7 hertz to 22 kilohertz (Southall et al. 2008). For low frequency sensitive cetacean species together, total abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total predicted abundance of all individuals of the included species in that cell. The legend for this map shows the predicted animals per 100 square kilometers. The species included in the Low Frequency Sound Sensitivity Abundance layer are: Blue whale; Bryde's whale; Fin whale; Humpback whale; Minke whale; North Atlantic right whale; Sei whale. Increasing ship traffic, construction, mining, and military activities all generate background and/or acute noise events that can disrupt the animal’s ability to communicate with each other, to hear predators or prey, or in general cause them to avoid an area they otherwise would occupy or pass through. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Marine Mammal Medium Frequency Sound Sensitivity Abundance

Marine-Life Data and Analysis Team

This layer provides access to a marine mammal group abundance map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. This layer represents species that are sensitive to medium sound frequencies that range between 150 hertz to 160 kilohertz (Southall et al. 2008). For medium frequency sensitive cetacean species together, total abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the total predicted abundance of all individuals of the included species in that cell. The legend for this map shows the predicted animals per 100 square kilometers. The species included in the Medium Frequency Sound Sensitivity Abundance layer are: Atlantic spotted dolphin; Atlantic white-sided dolphin; Blainville's beaked whale; Bottlenose dolphin; Clymene dolphin; Cuvier's beaked whale; False killer whale; Fraser's dolphin; Gervais' beaked whale; Killer whale; Long-finned pilot whale; Melon-headed whale; Northern bottlenose whale; Pantropical spotted dolphin; Risso's dolphin; Rough-toothed dolphin; Short-beaked common dolphin; Short-finned pilot whale; Sowerby's beaked whale; Sperm whale; Spinner dolphin; Striped dolphin; True's beaked whale; White-beaked dolphin. Increasing ship traffic, construction, mining, and military activities all generate background and/or acute noise events that can disrupt the animal’s ability to communicate with each other, to hear predators or prey, or in general cause them to avoid an area they otherwise would occupy or pass through. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Marine Mammal Protection Act

MarineCadastre.gov

This data represents geographic terms used within the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA or Act). The MMPA prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "take" of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S. The MMPA gives the Secretary of Commerce, working through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, authority and duties under the Act for all Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions, except walruses), and gives authority for other species of marine mammals to the Secretary of the Interior, working through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Secretaries are also required to prepare and periodically revise stock assessments of marine mammal stocks (section 117). In addition, the Secretary of Commerce must publish in the Federal Register and revise at least annually a list of commercial fisheries that categorizes the fisheries based on the incidence of serious injury and mortality of marine mammals (section 118(c)). When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.
This layer provides access to the marine mammal species richness map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. For all cetacean species together, total richness maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted presence and counting the total number of species present in each cell. A species is considered present in a cell if the model predicts density above a certain very low density threshold. That threshold is determined by defining the smallest area holding 95% of the total predicted abundance for the species. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological richness or abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.
This layer provides access to the marine mammal total abundance map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. For all cetacean species together, total abundance maps are calculated in a GIS by stacking each individual species’ predicted annual abundance layers and summing the values of the cells. The result is the annual total predicted abundance of all individuals of the included species in that cell. A list of included species is found in the Publication link. The legend for this map shows the predicted animals per 100 square kilometers. The summary map products provide a means to distill multiple layers and time periods into simplified maps and build a general understanding of the ecological abundance in a particular area. Development of these maps required decisions and thresholds that are explained in the Metadata and Publication links. These decisions were made after conducting research, testing of several options, and incorporating feedback from expert work group members. Understanding these decisions and thresholds is crucial to proper interpretation of these map products. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Marine Place Names

MarineCadastre.gov

These data display coastal and offshore marine place names. These are general names for areas of the sea as published on the NOAA Nautical Charts. Different marine place names are displayed depending on the scale you are zoomed into on the map. This layer was created by extracting the Natural Features, Sea Area Named Water Areas from all scale bands in the NOAA Electronic Navigation Charts. The Undersea Feature Place Names layer has additional names that are found beyond the 12 mile territorial sea.

Marine Protected Areas Inventory

NOAA National MPA Center

The MPA Inventory is a comprehensive catalog that provides detailed information for existing marine protected areas in the United States. The inventory provides geospatial boundary information (in polygon format) and classification attributes that seek to define the conservation objectives, protection level, governance and related management criteria for all sites in the database. The comprehensive inventory of federal, state and territorial MPA sites provides governments and stakeholders with access to information to make better decisions about the current and future use of place-based conservation. Data are updated annually and are available for download. Please see the MPA Inventory metadata for more details. This layer provides a generalized version of the MPA Inventory to allow for quicker visualization of the complex spatial boundary data.
Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Military Operating Area Boundaries

U.S. Navy

An Operating Area (OPAREA) Complex boundary is the bounded area in which national defense training exercises and system qualification tests are routinely conducted. OPAREA boundaries are formally established by national designation and by international treaty for national defense training purposes, and allow for specific exercises and training events to be coordinated with other federal, state, and local agencies, and also the general public, as in Notices to Mariners (NOTMARS). Includes the OPAREA, range complex boundaries and study areas. The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

Military Regulated Airspace: Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Navy

Military regulated airspace areas depict the Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) and Airspace Corridor areas. The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

Military Ship Shock Boxes: Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Navy

A location, which is not considered a Military Range, where ship shock trials (explosives are detonated underwater against surface ships) can be conducted by Naval Sea System Command on new classes of Navy ships. Ship shock trials consist of a series of underwater detonations that propagate a shock wave through a ship’s hull under deliberate and controlled conditions simulating near misses from underwater explosions. A representative ship from a new ship class is exposed to detonations to assess the ability of the ship and crew to withstand near-miss situations. Charges can be used in any combination during the execution of a shock trial.The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

Military Special Use Airspace: Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Navy

Military Special Use Airspace is airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, and/or wherein limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities (FAA Order 7610.4K CHG 1, Section 1.3). Limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of the airspace activities. Special use airspace includes any associated underlying surface and subsurface training areas. The types of SUA are Special Use Airspace (SUA), Alert Area, Controlled Firing Area, Military Operating Area (MOA), Special Operation Area (SOA), Prohibited Area, Restricted Area, Warning Area and Altitude Reservations (ALTRV). DoD Special Use Airspace (SUA) from the NGA Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF). The source datasets are updated on a regular basis. The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

Military Submarine Transit Lanes: Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Navy

Submarine transit lanes are areas where submarines may navigate underwater, including transit corridors designated for submarine travel. The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

Military Surface Grid Areas: Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Navy

A regular pattern of polygons that represent arbitrary delineations of an Operating Area (OPAREA). The MarineCadastre.gov team worked with the Navy to provide this data, which is a subset of the Navy's Common Operating Picture, for ocean planning purposes.

MPA Inventory - Marine Monuments

NOAA National MPA Center

This layer is derived from the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Inventory which is a comprehensive catalog that provides detailed information for existing marine protected areas in the United States. This derived layer shows the MPA Inventory polygons of Marine National Monuments. These are designated by presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act of 1906, which authorizes the president to establish national monuments on federal lands that contain "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest." The data provides geospatial boundary information and classification attributes for the conservation objectives, protection level, governance, and related management criteria for each site.

MPA Inventory - Marine National Parks

NOAA National MPA Center

This layer is derived from the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Inventory which is a comprehensive catalog that provides detailed information for existing marine protected areas in the United States. This derived layer shows the MPA Inventory polygons of Marine National Parks. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the "Organic Act" creating the National Park Service, a federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for maintaining national parks and monuments then managed by the department. The data provides geospatial boundary information and classification attributes for the conservation objectives, protection level, governance, and related management criteria for each site.

MPA Inventory - MPAs by Fishing Restriction

NOAA National MPA Center

This layer is derived from the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Inventory which is a comprehensive catalog that provides detailed information for existing marine protected areas in the United States. This derived layer shows the MPA Inventory polygons symbolized by the commercial or recreational fishing prohibition or restriction based on individual state or federal laws. This layer is NOT exhaustive and only reflects areas that qualify as a MPA as determined by NOAA's MPA Center. A comprehensive data layer depicting all areas where fishing is restricted or prohibited is not known to be available but the user is encouraged to consult the EFH Areas Protected from Fishing data set available on MarineCadastre.gov for additional information. Users are encouraged to use the ID tool to investigate each individual polygon that is of interest as many different types of restrictions and prohibitions may apply for a single area, and areas may be fishery, gear, or seasonally dependent.

MPA Inventory - MPAs by Government Level

NOAA National MPA Center

This layer is based on an inventory compiled by the NOAA Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center and contains federal, state, and territorial MPA sites in the United States symbolized by the type government responsible for each site. This layer includes NOAA’s protected areas, the National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves. The inventory provides geospatial boundary information and classification attributes for the conservation objectives, protection level, governance, and related management criteria for each site. A small number of MPAs in the complete inventory cover very large areas based on a given fishing restriction alone. Those polygons were excluded from this layer to increase usability and are included in the MPA Inventory - MPAs by Fishing Restriction layer.

NASCA Submarine Cables

MarineCadastre.gov

These data show the locations of in-service and out-of-service submarine cables that are owned by members of NASCA and located in U.S. territorial waters. More information on the cables can be found in the “Source Info” under the Uses and Metadata link. Other cables may exist in U.S. waters that are owned by non-NASCA members; those may be found in the “NOAA Charted Submarine Cables” dataset. Cable locations within 100 meters of land were removed from the dataset at the request of NASCA. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the owners. Additional information can be found at http://www.n-a-s-c-a.org/; those requiring more detailed submarine telecom cable charting information are requested to submit any requests for information to CableCharts@n-a-s-c-a.org.

National Environmental Policy Act

MarineCadastre.gov

This data represents geographic terms used within the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States and established national environmental policies for the country. NEPA mandates federal agencies to consider the impacts of their activities—including the issuance of federal permits, Federal funding, and other federal agency actions—on the environment, and to ensure that information about these environmental impacts is available to the public before final decisions are made. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) promulgates regulations that require agencies to create their own NEPA implementing procedures. These procedures must meet the CEQ standard while reflecting each agency’s unique mandate and mission. Consequently, NEPA procedures vary from agency to agency. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

National Marine Fisheries Service Regions

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

To support regional management efforts, MarineCadastre.gov has developed geographic representations in each of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) regions. Connect with NOAA Fisheries and learn more about fishery management efforts in each of the respective regions by visiting: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/. When viewing the layer in a map, links to the individual region's websites can be found by using the Identify tool and clicking on a region in the map.
These data represent geographic terms used within the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA). The NMSA was originally enacted as Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. The primary objective of the NMSA is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken historical vessels, unique habitats, and submerged lands. National marine sanctuaries consist of designated marine waters, submerged lands, and can extend up to the mean high water line. Marine waters include those within the 200NM Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as state waters. For sanctuaries established within state waters or submerged lands, the Governor of the States has the authority to veto the sanctuary, regulations, or particular terms of designation. The NMSA also provides authority for cooperation with other nations and organizations in special marine areas located outside of the United States. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

National Park Service Regions

U.S. National Park Service

The National Park Service is a bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. The organization consists of a headquarters office, seven regional offices and multiple park and support units.

National Register of Historic Places: Locations

U.S. National Park Service

This data represents properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), classified as historic, and depicted as points. Collectively, the geo-spatial dataset is intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all cultural resources that are listed on the NRHP. Its creation stems from the regulatory processes of managing cultural resources that are consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and other laws related to cultural resources. These regulations require the use of spatial data in support of decisions and actions related to cultural resource management. Both the geodatabase and available map service contain ONLY unrestricted vector data. There are approximately 5,000 additional items listed on the NRHP that have been deemed “sensitive” and are not available for release to the public. However, the geodatabase does contain a table showing a listing of ALL listed resources on the national register with information included such as the resource name, date of certification, and the number of contributing resources related to each property. If interested, please see the companion dataset titled “National Register of Historic Places: Districts”.
In 1984, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a program to map deep water portions of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by selecting the long-range side scan sonar system GLORIA (Geological Long-Range Inclined ASDIC). The USGS selected side-scan sonar as the mapping tool because it could be used to obtain information on geologic processes. The intensity of back-scattered sound from the seafloor is a function of the gradient or slope of the seafloor, surface roughness, and sediment characteristics such as texture. The darkness or brightness of a feature or an area on the sonographs and completed mosaics is therefore a function of how much sound is reflected from the seafloor. The recorded digital data are processed and used to construct digital maps of the seafloor.
The usSEABED database contains data for the entire U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and is an ongoing task of the Marine Aggregates Resources and Processes and National Benthic Habitats Studies (Pacific) projects, USGS Coastal and Marine Geology teams in Santa Cruz, CA, Woods Hole, MA, and St. Petersburg, FL, and the University of Colorado. This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the extracted (EXT) output of the dbSEABED mining software. The EXT data is usually based on instrumental analyses (probe or laboratory) but may apply to just a subsample of the sediment (eg. No large shells).
Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Upon consideration and robust analysis of data from extensive stakeholder engagement and more than 20 studies on environmental, social, economic, regulatory, and infrastructure issues, New York state has identified the Area for Consideration as the most desirable area for future offshore wind development. The Area for Consideration presents the fewest conflicts with ocean users, natural resources, infrastructure, and wildlife, and has the greatest potential for the cost-effective development of offshore wind energy to meet the state’s goals. The state’s submission of these areas are intended to provide information for BOEM to initiate BOEM’s Area Identification and assessment process to locate new WEAs offshore New York. No state or Federal agency or entity has committed to any specific course of action with respect to the development of such future wind projects. Neither these areas, nor the studies associated with developing them commits any governmental entity to any specific course of action. In the event BOEM conducts an auction and awards a future lease at a new WEA, that lease will be required to meet all additional state and Federal permit or license approvals prior to proceeding with the development of an offshore wind project.
Nutrient data were obtained from the Bio-ORACLE project and represent a long-term composite of data from 2000 to 2014. The map layer represents mean nitrate concentration (micromoles per liter) in surface waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Additional data available for download here provide six nutrient concentrations at three different depths within the water column (surface, mean depth, and maximum depth). Data have a common spatial resolution of 5 arc minutes and were assessed using a cross-validation framework against in situ quality-controlled data.

NOAA Charted Submarine Cables

MarineCadastre.gov

These data depict the occurrence of submarine cables in and around U.S. navigable waters. The geographic extent of these data is greater than the “NASCA Submarine Cables” dataset. The purpose of these data products are to support coastal planning at the regional and national scale. These data are derived from 2010 NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) and 2009 NOAA Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs). Abandoned cables, or cables that have been removed may appear within this data set. Features defined as cables were compiled from the original sources, exclusive of those features noted as 'cable areas'.

NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries

NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program

This layer is based on an inventory compiled by the NOAA Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center and contains data for sites managed by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters. The network includes a system of 12 national marine sanctuaries and Papahanaumokuakea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments. The data provides geospatial boundary information and classification attributes for the conservation objectives, protection level, governance, and related management criteria for each site.
Bathymetric Attributed Grid (BAG) is a non-proprietary file format for storing and exchanging bathymetric data developed by the Open Navigation Surface Working Group. BAG files are gridded, multi-dimensional bathymetric data files and are the standard NOS hydrographic data file for public release. Current versions of the BAG file contain position and depth grid data, as well as position and uncertainty grid data, and the metadata specific to that BAG file, providing end users information about the source and contents of the BAG file. WARNING: These data not to be used for navigation. Although these data are of high quality and useful for planning and modeling purposes, they are not suitable for navigation. For official navigation products, please refer to the U.S. nautical charts available from the NOAA Office of Coast Survey. http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov

North Atlantic Right Whale Seasonal Management Areas

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

These data represent Seasonal Management Area locations where regulations implement speed restrictions in shipping areas at certain times of the year along the coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. The purpose of the regulations is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with ships as designated by 73 FR 60173, October 10, 2008, Rules and Regulations. Sunset clause removed 78 FR 73726, December 9, 2013. 50 CFR 224.104 - Speed restrictions to protect North Atlantic Right Whales

North Atlantic Right Whale: December Abundance

Duke University

This layer provides access to an individual marine mammal species map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. Mammal abundance products are available monthly (or annually for different species) and show predicted abundances of animals for the given time period. The North Atlantic Right Whale is the most endangered species of large whale in the Atlantic, with a population of approximately 500 individuals. A large portion of the population maintains a coastal/continental shelf distribution, and this distribution overlaps with currently identified renewable energy development sites. Both December and June abundance layers are provided to highlight the distinct migration patterns of this species, which exhibits four different seasonal distributions. The legend for this map shows the predicted animals per 100 square kilometers. Additional individual species models are found in the Map Service link under MDAT/Mammal_Abundance. There are also folders for 95% and 5% Confidence Interval, Coefficient of Variation, and Standard Error. View Source Info link to download individual species models with supporting statistical measures of model uncertainty and documentation. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

North Atlantic Right Whale: June Abundance

Duke University

This layer provides access to an individual marine mammal species map made available by the Marine-life Data and Analysis Team (MDAT) led by the Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, and including NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Loyola University Chicago. Mammal abundance products are available monthly (or annually for different species) and show predicted abundances of animals for the given time period. The North Atlantic Right Whale is the most endangered species of large whale in the Atlantic, with a population of approximately 500 individuals. A large portion of the population maintains a coastal/continental shelf distribution, and this distribution overlaps with currently identified renewable energy development sites. Both December and June abundance layers are provided to highlight the distinct migration patterns of this species, which exhibits four different seasonal distributions. The legend for this map shows the predicted animals per 100 square kilometers. Additional individual species models are found in the Map Service link under MDAT/Mammal_Abundance. There are also folders for 95% and 5% Confidence Interval, Coefficient of Variation, and Standard Error. View Source Info link to download individual species models with supporting statistical measures of model uncertainty and documentation. Note: this raster layer is not compatible with ArcGIS Online.

Ocean Current Resource Potential: Mean Power Density

Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Ocean surface currents are the continuous flow of water driven by wind, gravity, and density gradients in the ocean. This data depicts ocean surface current mean power density within U.S. waters. Ocean currents vary greatly in terms of their dominating driving forces, spatial locations, and temporal and spatial scales. Due to this vast and complex nature of the ocean, there is presently no deterministic method for observing or predicting the entire range of ocean currents. Therefore, this study relies on numerical model data because of its high resolution both temporally and spatially as well as its statistically significant duration (~ 7 years). Measurements consisting of observational drifter data are available all over the ocean with adequate temporal resolution, and therefore are used to validate model data and to select the optimal model for regions where several are available. Mean surface current power density is measured in watts per meter squared (W/m2).
Ocean surface currents are the continuous flow of water driven by wind, gravity, and density gradients in the ocean. This data depicts ocean surface current mean speed within U.S. waters. Ocean currents vary greatly in terms of their dominating driving forces, spatial locations, and temporal and spatial scales. Due to this vast and complex nature of the ocean, there is presently no deterministic method for observing or predicting the entire range of ocean currents. Therefore, this study relies on numerical model data because of its high resolution both temporally and spatially as well as its statistically significant duration (~ 7 years). Measurements consisting of observational drifter data are available all over the ocean with adequate temporal resolution, and therefore are used to validate model data and to select the optimal model for regions where several are available. Mean current speed is measured in meters per second (m/s).

Ocean Disposal Sites

MarineCadastre.gov

In 1972, Congress enacted the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act) to prohibit the dumping of material into the ocean that would unreasonably degrade or endanger human health or the marine environment. Virtually all material ocean dumped today is dredged material (sediments) removed from the bottom of waterbodies in order to maintain navigation channels and berthing areas. Other materials that are currently ocean disposed include fish wastes, human remains, and vessels. Ocean dumping cannot occur unless a permit is issued under the MPRSA. In the case of dredged material, the decision to issue a permit is made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, using EPA's environmental criteria and subject to EPA's concurrence. For all other materials, EPA is the permitting agency. EPA is also responsible for designating recommended ocean dumping sites for all types of materials. Disposal sites with a status of “Available” are available for use and these include all selected and designated sites. Sites with a status of “Discontinued” include all discontinued, historical, or terminated sites. The site with a status of “prohibited” are not available for use, dumping is prohibited. Finally, when the source information did not explicitly state the status of a site, the status was listed as “unknown”.
Ocean sediment thickness contours and water depths ranging from 0 – 18,000 meters. These contours were derived from a global sediment thickness grid distributed by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The NCEI grid was compiled from various existing sediment thickness maps and drilling cores, and has a cell resolution of 5 arc seconds. Sediment thickness data is typically acquired through two methods. Seismic (or sub-bottom) profile technologies rely on powerful pulses of low-frequency sound which penetrate the substrate and return information about substrate thickness, character, and stratification. The data are collected along transect lines and require interpolation to create comprehensive maps. Sediment thickness is also determined by direct measurement through coring, which provides more detailed information but only at discrete sites. Coring data can also be interpolated to form area maps, and to help interpret the seismic data.
This layer reflects the number of overlapping dominant use areas for all uses combined. The data show ocean use patterns for separate uses of ocean areas in New England, the West Coast, and Hawaii. The data were gathered from ocean use experts and users through a series of participatory mapping workshops held throughout the region in 2010. Data include level of use (no use, general use or dominant use) for individual uses, as well as summary layers by sector (e.g. non-consumptive, fishing, and industrial) and all uses combined. General use refers to areas where a use is known to occur with some regularity regardless of its frequency or intensity, while dominant use areas are ocean areas routinely used by most users most of the time within the seasonal patterns for that use.
Mean wave power density estimates represent naturally available US wave energy, derived from measurements observed during a 51-month study period. Measurements were taken from 42,000 grid points out to a distance of 50 nautical miles from shore. Values represent the average instantaneous power generated by a meter length of wave crest per grid point. In accordance with accepted global practice, wave power density is measured in kilowatts per meter of wave crest aggregated across a unit diameter circle. Data were classified using quantiles. Bathymetric effects are known to have a large effect on wave characteristics at depths shallower than ~20m on the east coast and ~50m on the west coast. Reliable site-specific information in shallow waters can only be produced using results from models with higher spatial resolution that include shallow-water physics. Results may not be accurate in the shallower waters of the inner continental shelf. These areas are indicated by dark gray regions. For more information pertaining to these areas please refer back to the source.

Offshore Wind Technology Depth Zones

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent coastal bathymetric depth, measured in meters at depth values of -30, -60, and -900. Technology has been demonstrated on a commercial scale in shallow zone depths (0-30m) with foundation types including monopile, gravity base, and suction buckets designs. In the transition zone (30-60m), technology has not been demonstrated on a commercial scale. However, several small scale projects have been successfully installed and commissioned, with foundation types including tripod, jacket, and tripile designs. Several pilot projects have been successfully demonstrated in the deepwater zone (60 - 900m), with foundation types including spar, semi-submersible, and tension leg platform designs.
Surface borehole drilled into the ocean floor within the Outer Continental Shelf for purposes of mineral exploration and mining. A database of well boreholes is maintained by Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). This is current and refreshed on a daily basis.
Opportunity zones are economically-distressed communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Localities qualify as opportunity zones if they have been nominated for that designation by the state and that nomination has been certified by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury via his delegation of authority to the Internal Revenue Service. Opportunity zones were added to the tax code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017. Opportunity zones may help determine where resources should be allocated for onshore infrastructure related to ocean activities, such as pipelines, transformer yards, and power facilities. This data set displays qualified opportunity zones at the U.S. Census Tract level.
This data represents geographic terms used within the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA or Act). The Act defines the United States outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying seaward of state submerged lands and waters (as defined in the Submerged Lands Act) which are under U.S. jurisdiction and control. Under the OCSLA, the Secretary of the Interior is responsible for the administration of mineral exploration and the development of the OCS. The OCSLA has been amended several times, most recently as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended OCSLA Section 8 to give jurisdiction of alternate energy-related uses on the outer continental shelf to the Department of the Interior. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.
Outer Continental Shelf Lease Blocks are used to assist in leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. Blocks are numbered areas depicted on the OPDs or Leasing Maps. Most are of a uniform size according to the projection and type of map on which they are depicted, but many are of non-uniform size and shape due to their proximity to an adjacent map, projection zone, or boundary. Blocks should always be referred to with their parent protraction name or number since block numbers repeat from one protraction to the next.
This layer represents the areas of the Outer Continental Shelf that have been withdrawn from disposition by leasing. The withdrawal of these areas prevents consideration of these areas for future oil or gas leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production.
This layer represents the program areas of the Outer Continental Shelf that have been included in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program. On November 18, 2016, the final proposal, the Proposed Final Program (PFP), was published. The PFP schedules 11 potential lease sales in two program areas in all or parts of 4 OCS planning areas: 10 sales in the combined Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Program Area, and one sale in the Cook Inlet Program Area offshore Alaska. No lease sales are scheduled for the Pacific or Atlantic OCS. The download files for this layer are current; however the REST service seen in the viewer is pending update. Please download the files if you need the most current version of the layer.
Official Protraction Diagrams (OPDs) are drawings showing subdivisions of the OCS intended for leasing purposes and depict all the related OCS blocks. OPDs are named for the most prominent geographic feature within the protraction and by the United Nations International Map Numbering System. Protractions in the middle latitudes are 2 degrees longitude by 1 degree latitude. In the Gulf of Mexico, similar maps known as Leasing Maps exist off the coast of TX and LA and are also made available as part of this map layer.

Pacific Northwest Physiographic Habitat

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Physiographic habitat types for the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California continental margin. This layer, SGH V4.0, presents updated mapping from previous versions to include local surveys of: Grays Bank (WA), NOAA Sponge Reef (WA), OOI WA Inshore (WA), Nehalem (OR), Cape Falcon Fault (OR), Newport (OR), Stonewall Bank (OR), Siltcoos (OR), Coquille Bank (OR), H12130 (OR), H12131 (OR), Eureka (CA), and the Northern San Andreas Fault (CA). The data layer now extends coverage from the continental margins of Washington and Oregon into Northern California. Data coverage extends from the shoreline to the base of the continental slope spanning both state and federal waters. The physiographic habitat types displayed in this layer are: continental rise, continental shelf, continental slope, basin, ridge, canyon wall, canyon floor, channel, gully, glacial formation and mass wasting zone. Please note that the data used to develop this map of physiographic habitat is patchy and of variable quality. Where data density is low, e.g. mid-shelf regions, errors of omission (undetected changes in habitat type) are possible. Where data quality is poor misclassifications or habitat type are possible. Data layers depicting the distribution and quality of data used to develop the SGH V4.0 map for Washington, Oregon, and Northern California are available at: http://bhc.coas.oregonstate.edu/geoportal.

Pacific Northwest Predicted Outcrop

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

This data set predicts the probability of rock outcrop (0-1) over the continental margin of the United States West Coast adjacent to Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.

Pacific Northwest Primary Lithological Habitat

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

This map service features the primary lithologic seabed (primary habitat) component of the Surficial Geological Habitat maps for Washington, Oregon, and Northern California continental margin. The parent dataset depicts seafloor substrate types as interpreted from a multitude of seafloor mapping surveys, including multibeam sonar, sidescan sonar, sediment grab samples, cores samples, seismic reflection profiles, and still or video images. The general purpose of the seafloor habitat map is to provide organizations and the public with a seafloor habitat map for the U.S. West Coast. This dataset has been developed since 2002 and is now at version 4.0. Primary Lithology (primary habitat) types for the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California continental margin. Data coverage extends from the shoreline to the base of the continental slope spanning both state and federal waters. The physiographic habitat types displayed in this layer are: continental rise, continental shelf, continental slope, basin, ridge, canyon wall, canyon floor, channel, gully, glacial formation and mass wasting zone. Please note that the data used to develop this map of primary lithology is patchy and of variable quality. Where data density is low, e.g. mid-shelf regions, errors of omission (undetected changes in habitat type) are possible. Where data quality is poor misclassifications or habitat type are possible. Data layers depicting the distribution and quality of data used to develop the SGH V4.0 map for Washington, Oregon, and Northern California are available at: http://bhc.coas.oregonstate.edu/geoportal.

PaCSEA Seabird Density - All Surveys 2011-2012 Birds/km2

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This All Surveys layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during all six surveys in 2011 – 2012. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the February 2012 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the January 2011 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the July 2012 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the June 2011 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the October 2011 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.
This data set was created as a summary layer to represent the original PaCSEA bird transect counts at a consistent scale for display within MarineCadastre.gov. This layer displays the average density for All Birds (birds/sq km) detected in blocks that were surveyed during the September 2012 survey. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). While the actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys, this summary representation uses the same 6.8 x 6.8 km polygons to display estimates of bird density for all surveys. The actual transect areas are also included in a single file for all 6 surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.

PaCSEA Seabird Density 7km - Original 2011-2012

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

This layer displays the density of birds (birds/sq km) detected in the Pacific Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment (PaCSEA) 2011 – 2012. This data set was created by USGS and displays seabird density in bins created by dividing the actual flight lines for each survey into 6.8 km sections. PaCSEA involved repeated low-elevation aerial surveys along 32 broad-scale transects to quantify seabirds from shore to the 2000-m isobath. Transects were spaced 15 nautical miles (nmi) apart, between Fort Bragg, California (39° N) and Grays Harbor, Washington (47° N). Surveys were conducted from fixed wing aircraft flying 160 km/h at 60-m above sea level. All birds within a 150 m transect (75 m per side) were counted. Six surveys were conducted with 3 surveys each year (winter, summer, and fall). The actual area sampled varied slightly among surveys. Please consult the metadata file for information and file access for the original study products.

Permitted Marine Hydrokinetic Projects

MarineCadastre.gov

This data represents pending or issued preliminary permits* or issued licenses for marine hydrokinetic projects that produce energy from waves or directly from ocean currents or tides. The status of these projects is administered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Listings found for maximum capacity and average annual production are estimates obtained from applications submitted to FERC by the licensee. Actual numbers upon build-out could vary. This dataset excludes any sites considered inland. *Preliminary permits provide the applicant three years to explore project feasibility and prepare a license application. Although studies are often carried out during this time, it does not authorize construction, operation, or maintenance of a hydropower project. Such permissions must be obtained from the appropriate authority. Potential applicants can obtain a successive permit if they have pursued the preparation of a license application in good faith and with due diligence. Only a small portion of preliminary permits lead to licenses.
Nutrient data were obtained from the Bio-ORACLE project and represent a long-term composite of data from 2000 to 2014. The map layer represents mean phosphate concentration (micromoles per liter) in surface waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Additional data available for download here provide six nutrient concentrations at three different depths within the water column (surface, mean depth, and maximum depth). Data have a common spatial resolution of 5 arc minutes and were assessed using a cross-validation framework against in situ quality-controlled data.

Pilot Boarding Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

Pilot boarding areas are general locations at sea, depicted on NOAA navigational charts where pilots familiar with local waters board incoming vessels to navigate their passage to a destination port. Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register in foreign trade with specific draft characteristics. Individual ports may have additional pilotage regulations. See 46 CFR 15.812 for additional detail. Pilots can rendezvous with ships anywhere within a Pilot Boarding Area. The data are derived from the NOAA navigational charts or from descriptive information found in the United States Coastal Pilot. This dataset is one of two related datasets which should be used in tandem. The sister dataset, of point geometry indicate more precise locations, where pilots rendezvous with ships, and is titled Pilot Boarding Stations. This dataset does not contain information regarding the hazards and considerations necessary to approach each port.

Pilot Boarding Stations

MarineCadastre.gov

Pilot Boarding Stations are specific point locations depicted on NOAA navigational charts where pilots rendezvous with ships. Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register in foreign trade with specific draft characteristics. See 46 CFR 15.812 for additional detail. Individual ports may have additional pilotage regulations. It represents precise locations depicted on NOAA navigational charts or described in United States Coastal Pilots where pilots rendezvous with ships. This dataset is one of two related datasets which should be used in tandem. The sister dataset, polygons, is titled Pilot Boarding Areas. This dataset does not contain information regarding the hazards and considerations necessary to approach each port.

Pipeline Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

Pipeline areas are any area which contains one or more types of pipelines. Within protected waters such as harbors, rivers, bays, estuaries or other inland waterways, the location of pipelines is indicated as "Pipeline area" on NOAA nautical charts and maps. These areas found on the charts contain no other information as to the character or ownership of the installation. Engineers furnish copies of all permits issued for pipelines to NOAA, with their recommendation of whether or not the installation should be shown on the nautical charts. Decisions to publish these pipeline areas on nautical charts lie solely within NOAA’s discretion. The extent of the limits of the area is governed by local conditions but shall include the immediate area which overlies a pipeline. Ordinarily, the area will depict the full pipeline area but should not exceed 500 feet on each side of the location of the pipeline.

Principal Ports

MarineCadastre.gov

Principal Ports are defined by port limits or US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and exclude non-USACE projects not authorized for publication. The determination for the published Principal Ports is based upon the total tonnage for the port for the particular year; therefore the top 150 list can vary from year to year. The Principal Port file contains USACE port codes, names, and commodity tonnage summaries (total tons, domestic, foreign, imports and exports). All units for the values are in tons.

Proposed Coastal Critical Habitat Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

When a species is proposed for listing as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service must to the maximum extent prudent and determinable propose and designate critical habitat. This dataset is a compilation of the proposed critical habitat areas from NOAA and USFWS listed species in coastal areas. To become officially designated as critical habitat, an area is published as a proposed Federal regulation in the Federal Register. After a period of public review, the comments are adjudicated and the final boundaries of the critical habitat area are published in the Federal Register. When areas are officially designated, they move into the Coastal Critical Habitat Designations layer on MarineCadastre.gov. Because MarineCadastre.gov updates data on a pre-defined cycle, it is possible that proposed layers have been adopted or removed prior to being reflected in this layer. It is important to keep in mind that maps published before May 31, 2012 were only for illustrative purposes and the Federal Register text descriptions should be used for authoritative purposes. For designations published after May 31, 2012, the maps (and any clarifying textual descriptions) are the definitive source for critical habitat boundaries. See metadata for online linkages to reference full listings of proposed and final critical habitat areas.
NOAA raster navigational charts (RNCs) are geo-referenced, digital images of NOAA navigational charts. The NOAA_RNC map service provides a seamless collarless mosaic of the NOAA Raster Nautical Charts. Source charts are updated once per month; the updates are developed according to the standard set by the International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication S-61. This map service is not to be used for navigation.

Regulated Navigation Areas

U.S. Coast Guard

This dataset represents Regulated Navigation Areas as specified by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33 parts 147 and 165 pertaining to the United States Coast Guard. A regulated navigation area is a water area within a defined boundary for which regulations for vessels navigating within the area have been established. Regulations might be permanent, temporary, or subject to certain conditions. Please reference the CFR for general regulations to be aware of when navigating in or around these areas. Not to be used for navigation.
The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA) (33 U.S.C. Sec. 401 et seq.) is the initial authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regulatory permit program to protect navigable waters in the development of harbors and other construction and excavation. Section 10 of the RHA (33 U.S.C. Sec. 403) prohibits the unauthorized obstruction or alteration of any navigable water of the U.S. This section provides that the construction of any structure in or over any navigable water of the U.S., or the accomplishment of any other work affecting the course, location, condition, or physical capacity of such waters is unlawful unless the work has been recommended by the Chief of Engineers and authorized by the Secretary of the Army. The Secretary’s approval authority has since been delegated to the Chief of Engineers. Activities requiring section 10 permits include structures (e.g., piers, wharfs, breakwaters, bulkheads, jetties, weirs, transmission lines) and work such as dredging or disposal of dredged material, or excavation, filling, or other modifications to the navigable waters of the United States.
These data represent aquatic vascular vegetation beds dominated by submerged, rooted, vascular species or submerged or rooted floating freshwater tidal vascular vegetation. This is NOT a complete collection of seagrasses on the seafloor, nor are the locations to be considered exact. The presence and location of the seagrasses have been derived from multiple state and local sources. These sources should be referenced for the most authoritative and recent seagrass data.
These data represent 230,000 sq km of seismic data interpretation, mapping over 32,000 seafloor seismic amplitude anomalies in the Gulf of Mexico using 3-D time-migrated seismic surveys. This mapping program means to understand the distribution of natural hydrocarbon seeps and the related benthic fauna, and to characterize other seafloor features related to the geological framework of the seafloor. These areas show anomalously high or low amplitude response over the background response. Four classes of water bottom anomalies interpreted to be caused by hydrocarbon seepage include High-Positive, Low-Positive/Negative, Pockmarks and Water-Column Gas Plumes. Seven classes of water bottom anomalies that are non-seep related include Cretaceous, Cretaceous Talus, Fan, Salt, Slump, Relic Patch Reefs/Confirmed Relic Patch Reefs, and Channels.
Structures used to transport oil and gas from offshore platform or terminal to inshore facility. These structures are usually submerged. This is current and refreshed on a daily basis.
Shipping zones delineate activities and regulations for marine vessel traffic. Traffic lanes define specific traffic flow, while traffic separation zones assist opposing streams of marine traffic. Precautionary areas represent areas where ships must navigate with caution, and shipping safety fairways designate where artificial structures are prohibited. Recommended routes are predetermined routes for shipping adopted for reasons of safety. Areas to be Avoided are within defined limits where navigation is particularly hazardous or it is exceptionally important to avoid casualties and should be avoided by all ships or certain classes of ships. Shipping Lanes and Regulations layer was created by extracting ENC (.000) files published by Marine Chart Division, OCS, NOAA. The web service was developed by CSDL/OCS/NOAA. Data will be refreshed weekly.

Sigsbee and Florida Escarpment Bathymetry

University of New Hampshire

Multibeam bathymetry (in meters) collected to support a potential claim of an extended continental shelf by the United States, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76. These data include full-coverage multibeam sonar measurements in water depths of approximately 1000 to 5000 m in order to precisely define the location of the 2500-m isobath and the "foot of the slope". The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center is a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Nutrient data were obtained from the Bio-ORACLE project and represent a long-term composite of data from 2000 to 2014. The map layer represents mean silicate concentration (micromoles per liter) in surface waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Additional data available for download here provide six nutrient concentrations at three different depths within the water column (surface, mean depth, and maximum depth). Data have a common spatial resolution of 5 arc minutes and were assessed using a cross-validation framework against in situ quality-controlled data.
The Navy and other military users of the marine environment are required to assess the impact of their activities on marine mammals to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The number of marine mammals that might be impacted by Navy activities must be estimated in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. A key element of this estimation is knowledge of cetacean densities in specific areas where those activities will occur. Data collected by NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) from 1986-2006 using accepted, peer-reviewed survey methods were used to develop models to forecast cetacean densities. This work represents an important step towards understanding marine mammal habitat use with respect to regions utilized by the U. S. Navy. MarineCadastre.gov has included Blue, Fin, Humpback, and Sperm whale models for the summer months as examples of these models. Please view the publication for specific details on the development and use of these models. NOTE: Updated Pacific models should be available in mid-2017.
The Submerged Lands Act (SLA) boundary line (also known as State Seaward Boundary or Fed State Boundary) defines the seaward limit of a state's submerged lands and the landward boundary of federally managed OCS lands.
This layer represents active Superfund Sites published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) to address the dangers of abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste dumps by developing a nationwide program for: emergency response; information gathering and analysis; liability for responsible parties; and site cleanup. CERCLA also creates a Trust Fund (or 'Superfund') to finance emergency responses and cleanups. EPA's Superfund program has helped protect human health and the environment by managing the cleanup of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites and responding to local and nationally significant environmental emergencies.
Data depicts tidal stream mean current within U.S. waters. Tidal streams are high velocity sea currents created by periodic horizontal movement of the tides. Tidal stream energy is derived from the kinetic energy of the moving flow. A numerical model was used for simulating the tidal flows along the coast of the entire United States. Model results were calibrated with available measurements of tidal currents from NOAA tidal current stations. It should be noted that tidal currents and associated power per unit area can have significant spatial variability; therefore currents at one location are generally a poor indicator of conditions at another location, even nearby. Tidal current (velocity) is measured in meters per second (m/s).

Tidal Stream Resource Potential - Mean Power Density

Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Data depicts tidal stream mean power within U.S. waters. Tidal streams are high velocity sea currents created by periodic horizontal movement of the tides. Tidal stream energy is derived from the kinetic energy of the moving flow. A numerical model was used for simulating the tidal flows along the coast of the entire United States. Model results were calibrated with available measurements of tidal currents from NOAA tidal current stations. It should be noted that tidal currents and associated power per unit area can have significant spatial variability; therefore currents at one location are generally a poor indicator of conditions at another location, even nearby. Tidal power (energy) is measured in watts per meter squared (W/m2).

Tropical Cyclone Storm Segments

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent a unique subset of the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) data set. Features represent IBTrACS storm track segments that 1) are attributed to the North Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins; 2) do not cross the International Date Line; 3) occur in or after 1900; 4) have maximum wind values above 33 knots; and 5) are attributed as extratropical, subtropical, or tropical. Furthermore, those storm segments that were attributed as tropical within the source data were modified to the appropriate storm category based on the maximum wind speed value per segment.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Exposure (Eastern Pacific)

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent modeled, historical exposure of U.S. offshore, coastal, and international waters to tropical cyclone activity within the Eastern Pacific Ocean basin (1900-2016). BOEM Outer Continental Shelf Lease Blocks were used to construct the grid by which exposure was quantified. Exposure was quantified using intersecting storm tracks, overlapping wind intensity areas, and mathematical return intervals. Symbology is based on the modeled occurrence of tropical storm force (34-knot) or greater winds per grid cell. Due to the way winds were calculated differently over land and over water, the interpretation of wind exposure metrics within coastal areas should be interpreted carefully. Data represent past climatology only and do not suggest predicted future impacts or exposure. Use the Identify tool to explore the data further, and reference the lease blocks layer for more information.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Exposure (North Atlantic)

MarineCadastre.gov

These data represent modeled, historical exposure of U.S. offshore, coastal, and international waters to tropical cyclone activity within the North Atlantic Ocean basin (1900-2016). BOEM Outer Continental Shelf Lease Blocks and equivalent areas for coastal and international waters were used to construct the grid by which exposure was quantified. Exposure was quantified using intersecting storm tracks, overlapping wind intensity areas, and mathematical return intervals. Symbology is based on the modeled occurrence of tropical storm force (34-knot) or greater winds per grid cell. Due to the way winds were calculated differently over land and over water, the interpretation of wind exposure metrics within coastal areas should be interpreted carefully. Data represent past climatology only and do not suggest predicted future impacts or exposure. Use the Identify tool to explore the data further, and reference the lease blocks layer for more information.

Undersea Feature Place Names

MarineCadastre.gov

The GEOnet Names Server (GNS) provides access to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' (BGN) database of geographic feature names. The database is the official repository of foreign place-name decisions approved by the BGN. Geographic coordinates are approximate and are intended for general location. Place name information is based on the Geographic Names Data Base, containing official standard names approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names and maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The geographic names in this database are provided for the guidance of and use by the Federal Government and for the information of the general public. The names, variants, and associated data may not reflect the views of the United States Government on the sovereignty over geographic features.

Unexploded Ordnance Areas

MarineCadastre.gov

Unexploded ordnances (UXO) are explosive weapons (bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation. Ocean disposal of munitions was also an accepted international practice until 1970, when it was prohibited by the Department of Defense. In 1972 Congress also passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act banning ocean disposal of munitions and other pollutants. This dataset represents known or possible former explosive dumping areas and UXOs. This is NOT a complete collection of unexploded ordnances on the seafloor, nor are the locations considered to be accurate. Two related datasets should be viewed in tandem: Unexploded Ordnance Locations displays known/possible individual or tightly grouped unexploded ordnances on the ocean floor and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) displays areas identified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers where unexploded ordnances may exist.

Unexploded Ordnance Locations

MarineCadastre.gov

Unexploded ordnances (UXO) are explosive weapons (bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation. Ocean disposal of munitions was an accepted international practice until 1970, when it was prohibited the Department of Defense. In 1972 Congress also passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act banning ocean disposal of munitions and other pollutants. This dataset represents known or possible individual or tightly grouped unexploded ordnances on the ocean floor. This is NOT a complete collection of unexploded ordnances on the seafloor, nor are the locations considered to be accurate. Two related datasets should be viewed in tandem: Unexploded Ordnance Areas displays known or possible former explosive dumping areas and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) displays areas identified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers where unexploded ordnances may exist.

Unofficial State Lateral Boundaries

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The approximate location of the boundary between two states, seaward of the coastline and terminating at the Submerged Lands Act Boundary. Because most state boundary locations have not been officially described beyond the coast, are disputed between states, or in some cases the coastal land boundary description is not available, these lines serve as an approximation that was used to determine a starting point for creation of BOEM’s Outer Continental Shelf Administrative Boundaries. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Divisions

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This data represents the USACE Civil Works District boundaries. This dataset was digitized from the NRCS Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). Where districts follow administrative boundaries, such as County and State lines, National Atlas and Census datasets were used. USACE District GIS points of contact also submitted data to incorporate into this dataset. This dataset has been simplified +/- 30 feet to reduce file size and speed up drawing time. Please use the identify tool to access the full name for each district boundary and other useful information.

US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Boundary

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The US Army Corps of Engineers has been regulating activities in the nation's waters since 1890. Until the 1960s the primary purpose of the regulatory program was to protect navigation. Since then, as a result of laws and court decisions, the program has been broadened so that it now considers the full public interest for both the protection and utilization of water resources. These boundaries represent USACE regulatory districts. Attribute information includes an address, telephone number and website for each district.
Digital version of the Anglers' Guide to the United States Atlantic Coast. This is a digital conversion of the National Marine Fisheries Service original hardcopy anglers' atlases between the years of 1974-1976 to assist the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in marine spatial planning efforts, specifically the siting of renewable energy projects on the outer continental shelf (OCS). Other elements from this guide have been pulled out into geospatial data including caution points, lines, and areas, as well as a digital map index. Please note this layer is only available to add to ArcGIS.com, not the National Viewer.

US Coast Guard Districts

U.S. Coast Guard

Districts of the U.S. Coast Guard.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Regions

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Regions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

US Historical Lighthouses

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Historical lighthouses along our coasts often have strong cultural significance. Many of these structures still stand and a few are still operational. Some of these are protected and serve as tourist attractions. Planners might want to consider the view from these historical buildings when considering development of structures within sight of the top of the lighthouse. This dataset includes lighthouses and their heights in coastal areas of the United States (including Puerto Rico) that may or may not be official or active aids for navigation. Not for navigation.
This data represents the extent of US state submerged lands under the Submerged Lands Act. The Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. §§ 1301 et seq.) grants coastal states title to natural resources located within their coastal submerged lands and navigable waters out to three geographical miles from their coastlines (three marine leagues for Texas and Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastlines). The Submerged Lands Act defines “natural resources” to include oil, gas, and all other minerals, and fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters, sponges, kelp, and other marine animal and plant life,” yet expressly excludes “water power, or the use of water for the production of power” 43 U.S.C. § 1301(e). The term “coast line” is “the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters” (43 U.S.C. § 1301(c)). Some boundary delineations are approximated, including areas in Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington State. The official delineation of the Submerged Lands Act in these locations has not yet been established by BOEM. Please reference BOEM’s official Submerged Lands Act Boundary in these locations to determine where this boundary is approximated and where it is official. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

US/Canada Land Boundary

NOAA Office of Coast Survey

Official boundary between the United States and Canada. The boundary was established using coordinates produced by the International Boundary Commission.

USGS Sediment Texture

U.S. Geological Survey

This dataset is a compilation of over 27,000 sediment samples from many cruises conducted by USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center over the time period from 1955-2014. Information contained in the data includes sampling device and depth as well as locational and project related information. Additional information on grain size fractions and statistics are also included. Please note the original USGS data download contains all the sample points in their sediment texture database. The layer shown in the map service only contains the samples in US waters.
This layer shows location and facility information from EPA's Facility Registry Service (FRS) for the subset of facilities that link to the Permit Compliance System (PCS) or the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) module of the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS). PCS tracks NPDES surface water permits issued under the Clean Water Act. Under NPDES, all facilities that discharge pollutants from any point source into waters of the United States are required to obtain a permit. The permit will likely contain limits on what can be discharged, impose monitoring and reporting requirements, and include other provisions to ensure that the discharge does not adversely affect water quality. Using vigorous verification and data management procedures, FRS integrates facility data from EPA's national program systems, other federal agencies, and State and tribal master facility records and provides EPA with a centrally managed, single source of comprehensive and authoritative information on facilities. The layer is hosted by the EPA and becomes visible when zoomed in to a scale of 1:288,895.

Weather Radar Impact Zones

NOAA National Weather Service

These data represent an inventory of the national impacts of wind turbine interference with NEXRAD radar stations. This inventory was developed by the NOAA Radar Operations Center (ROC) to establish variable zones that delineate the possible impacts that wind turbines may have on radar operations. The inventory scheme includes four zones that take in to account terrain, distance, and the number of elevation angles impacted. ROC requests various degrees of consultation with the developer depending on the zone. No Build - No wind turbines permitted. Mitigation Zone - Significant impacts likely. Consultation Zone - Significant impacts possible. Notification Zone - Impacts not likely. Data shown here are not available for download at the request of the data provider.

Weather Radar Stations (Federal)

NOAA National Weather Service

These data represent Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) and Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) stations within the US. The NEXRAD radar stations are maintained and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The TDWR radar stations are maintained and operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both radars are pulsed Doppler types that measure reflectivity out to 460km, and radial velocity and spectrum width out to 300km (NEXRAD) and 90km (TDWR). Both radars automatically scan the atmosphere from the surface to 70,000ft using a rotating parabolic antenna.

West Coast Bottom Trawl Fishing Extent (2002-2006)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the spatial extent of commercial bottom trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 1 Jan 2002 –11 Jun 2006. Each of the three coastal states administers a commercial logbook program, for which records are uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database. Database records were utilized for commercial trips using bottom trawl gear types (e.g., “small” footrope, “large” footrope, flatfish, selective flatfish, and roller trawl) regardless of fishery sector (e.g., limited entry, open access). Records from the majority of state-managed trawl fisheries (e.g., pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, sea urchin) are not included in PacFIN and thus are not represented. Tows targeting one state-managed trawl fishery –California halibut –are submitted to PacFIN and thus are included in this data layer.

West Coast Bottom Trawl Fishing Extent (2006-2010)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the spatial extent of commercial bottom trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 12 Jun 2006 –31 Dec 2010. Each of the three coastal states administers a commercial logbook program, for which records are uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database. Database records were utilized for commercial trips using bottom trawl gear types (e.g., “small” footrope, “large” footrope, flatfish, selective flatfish, and roller trawl) regardless of fishery sector (e.g., limited entry, open access). Records from the majority of state-managed trawl fisheries (e.g., pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, sea urchin) are not included in PacFIN and thus are not represented. Tows targeting one state-managed trawl fishery –California halibut –are submitted to PacFIN and thus are included in this data layer.

West Coast Bottom Trawl Fishing Intensity (2002-2006)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the relative intensity of commercial bottom trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 1 Jan 2002 –11 Jun 2006. Each of the three coastal states administers a commercial logbook program, for which records are uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database. Database records were utilized for commercial trips using bottom trawl gear types (e.g., “small” footrope, “large” footrope, flatfish, selective flatfish, and roller trawl) regardless of fishery sector (e.g., limited entry, open access). Records from the majority of state-managed trawl fisheries (e.g., pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, sea urchin) are not included in PacFIN and thus are not represented. Tows targeting one state-managed trawl fishery –California halibut –are submitted to PacFIN and thus are included in this data layer. Please note: raster layers served in a map service are not compatible when viewed in ArcGIS.com.

West Coast Bottom Trawl Fishing Intensity (2006-2010)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the relative intensity of commercial bottom trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 12 Jun 2006 –31 Dec 2010. Each of the three coastal states administers a commercial logbook program, for which records are uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database. Database records were utilized for commercial trips using bottom trawl gear types (e.g., “small” footrope, “large” footrope, flatfish, selective flatfish, and roller trawl) regardless of fishery sector (e.g., limited entry, open access). Records from the majority of state-managed trawl fisheries (e.g., pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, sea urchin) are not included in PacFIN and thus are not represented. Tows targeting one state-managed trawl fishery –California halibut –are submitted to PacFIN and thus are included in this data layer. Please note: raster layers served in a map service are not compatible when viewed in ArcGIS.com.

West Coast Canopy-Forming Kelp, 1989-2014

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

These data include the general extents of canopy-forming kelp surveys from 1989 to 2014 and a compilation of existing data sets delineating canopy-forming kelp beds along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Canopy-forming kelp includes species of the genera Nereocystis (bull kelp) and Macrocystis (giant kelp). It does not include the understory kelp genera, such as Laminaria or Alaria. The source data were created from remote-sensing surveys (aerial photos and digital imagery) which often used different survey methods from area to area or year to year. The data depict all kelp observations from all surveys, merged into continuous polygons with the internal boundaries removed (dissolved). This depiction is sometimes referred to as the "maximum extent." Different sections of the coast have been surveyed during different time periods. The number of surveys per section of coast ranges from 1 to 25 surveys. The kelp survey extent data depict the general sections of coastline that were surveyed, how many times they were surveyed, the years of the survey, and which source data were included in the final kelp data compilation.

West Coast Commercial Fishing Closures, 2015

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

These data delineate state and federally managed ocean areas off the West Coast of the United States that are closed to or have restrictions on commercial fishing for fish and invertebrates as of June 2015. These areas include marine protected areas, marine reserves, essential fish habitat conservation areas, and other types of conservation areas. Closures and restrictions may be year-round or seasonal. The data do not include all spatially explicit fishing regulations. The focus of these data is on fishing closures and restrictions that generally persist through time, and do not include many fishing management measures that are used to open and close areas dynamically to manage species, harvests, and seasons. Some areas where access is prohibited or restricted are included because these act as “de-facto" closures or restrictions to fishing.
These data depict Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) conservation areas off Washington, Oregon, and California. The coordinate locations are from NMFS' Final Rule to implement Amendment 19 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (71 FR 27408; May 11, 2006). In order to minimize to the extent practicable adverse effects from fishing, the final rule prohibits fishing with various gear types within these areas. Consult the text of the final rule for specific details about each area and the management measures. The prohibitions are listed in Section 660.306 and the official coordinates are listed in Sections 660.397, 660.398, and 660.399 of the final rule.
Created as part of a 2012 BOEM study on outer continental shelf (OCS) renewable energy space-use conflicts, this data contains the commercial and recreational fishing locations off the Pacific coast of Washington, Oregon and California. The purpose of the study was to begin to identify potential space-use conflicts between OCS renewable energy development and other uses of the ocean environment and recommend measures that BOEM can implement in order to promote avoidance or mitigation of such conflicts, thereby facilitating responsible and efficient development of OCS renewable energy resources. The ethnographic data was created by engaging individuals and small groups in one on one guided discussions, and making handwritten shapes on paper maps to depict fishing locations. These commercial and recreational fishing locations have since been condensed into a single layer. These are displayed by showing the sum of reported species for a particular area.

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl Fishing Extent (2002-2006)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the spatial extent of commercial mid-water trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 1 Jan 2002 – 11 Jun 2006. Records of mid-water trawl tows were compiled from two data sources: 1) Logbook data originating from the state logbook programs and uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database, and 2) observer records from the At-Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP). These two data sources represent the shoreside and at-sea hake fleets, respectively. Included in the A-SHOP data are observations of tribal fishing in the at-sea hake sector.

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl Fishing Extent (2006-2010)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the spatial extent of commercial mid-water trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 12 Jun 2006 –31 Dec 2010. Records of mid-water trawl tows were compiled from two data sources: 1) Logbook data originating from the state logbook programs and uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database, and 2) observer records from the At-Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP). These two data sources represent the shoreside and at-sea hake fleets, respectively. Included in the A-SHOP data are observations of tribal fishing in the at-sea hake sector.

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl Fishing Intensity (2002-2006)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the relative intensity of commercial mid-water trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 1 Jan 2002 –11 Jun 2006. Records of mid-water trawl tows were compiled from two data sources: 1) Logbook data originating from the state logbook programs and uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database, and 2) observer records from the At-Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP). These two data sources represent the shoreside and at-sea hake fleets, respectively. Included in the A-SHOP data are observations of tribal fishing in the at-sea hake sector. Please note: raster layers served in a map service are not compatible when viewed in ArcGIS.com.

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl Fishing Intensity (2006-2010)

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

This data layer depicts the relative intensity of commercial mid-water trawling off the U.S. West Coast from 12 Jun 2006 –31 Dec 2010. Records of mid-water trawl tows were compiled from two data sources: 1) Logbook data originating from the state logbook programs and uploaded to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) regional database, and 2) observer records from the At-Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP). These two data sources represent the shoreside and at-sea hake fleets, respectively. Included in the A-SHOP data are observations of tribal fishing in the at-sea hake sector. Please note: raster layers served in a map service are not compatible when viewed in ArcGIS.com.
These data depict annual average wind speed (meters per second) at 100 meters above sea level for the West Coast offshore areas of the United States, for a seven year period from 2007 to 2013. The sampling resolution of 2km was generalized into polygons shown in the legend classes. Data include both point and polygon data sets intended to provide broad estimates of wind speed variation for the purposes of identifying potential offshore wind energy sites. They are not intended to provide specific estimates of energy production for the purpose of making offshore wind project investment or financing decisions in specific locations. The source data is National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit. Please see metadata for more detailed process information. Monthly averages are available within the downloads menu, either as GIS data or Esri REST map services.

West Coast Recreational Fishing Closures, 2015

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

These data delineate state and federally managed ocean areas off the West Coast of the United States that are closed to or have restrictions on recreational fishing for fish and invertebrates as of June 2015. These areas include marine protected areas, marine reserves, essential fish habitat conservation areas, and other types of conservation areas. Closures and restrictions may be year-round or seasonal. The data do not include all spatially explicit fishing regulations. The focus of these data is on fishing closures and restrictions that generally persist through time, and do not include many fishing management measures that are used to open and close areas dynamically to manage species, harvests, and seasons. Some areas where access is prohibited or restricted are included because these act as “de-facto" closures or restrictions to fishing.

West Coast Rockfish Conservation Areas, 2015

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

These data delineate Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCA) off the West Coast of the United States for 2015. There are three types of areas closures depicted in this layer: Commercial Trawl Non-Groundfish, Commercial Trawl Groundfish, and Commercial Non-Trawl Groundfish. These areas represent closures to commercial fishing for non-groundfish with trawl gear, closed to commercial fishing for groundfish with trawl gear, or areas are closed to commercial fishing for groundfish with non-trawl gear, respectively. Closures may vary seasonally. Boundaries are lines that connect a series of coordinates that approximate particular depth contours. North/south boundaries are designated by specific lines of latitude. Keep in mind that Rockfish Management Areas are fairly dynamic and may change as often as 5 times per year. See the Source Info link for the latest information.

West Coast USA Current and Historical Estuary Extent

Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership

This layer represents historical up-to-present maximum tidal wetlands, or estuaries, for the West Coast of the contiguous United States. The layer includes areas currently inundated by the tides -- "current tidal wetlands" – from ocean to head of tide, including the freshwater tidal zone. It also includes "historical tidal wetlands", or areas that were historically inundated by tides, but are no longer inundated by tides due to human alterations to the landscape. The tidal wetland mapping combines NOAA's extreme water level models with high-resolution LIDAR digital elevation models (DEMs) to map areas subject to tidal inundation. The mapping was further refined using additional data sources such as the National Wetland Inventory, local knowledge, and aerial photo interpretation. Although the mapping does not yet distinguish current from historical (disconnected) tidal wetlands, a future mapping phase (currently in the data development phase) will provide that information.
These data represent the Biotic Component (BC) of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) for estuaries of the West Coast of the contiguous United States. The BC is organized into a branched hierarchy of five nested levels: biotic setting, biotic class, biotic subclass, biotic group, and biotic community. Classes and subclasses of the BC are determined by the dominant biota (defined as the most abundant in terms of percent cover) of the substrate. Following the methods developed by the Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) – Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) and NOAA’s Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) were cross-walked into select classifications at various levels of the Biotic Component. These classifications were applied to estuaries currently part of the Pacific Estuarine and Marine Fish Habitat Partnership’s (PMEP) inventory (n=444), within the “West Coast USA Current and Historical Estuary Extent” (PMEP) layer.
In 1981, NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) implemented the Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS) to assist in planning hydrographic survey operations and to catalog and store a substantial volume of reported wrecks and obstructions that are considered navigational hazards within U.S. coastal waters. As part of the hydrographic survey planning process, these records are reviewed and those records which require additional field investigation are assigned to specific field units for verification. The results of these investigations eventually become part of the AWOIS record so that a permanent history of a wreck or obstruction is always available. AWOIS is not a comprehensive record of wrecks in any particular area. There are wrecks in AWOIS that do not appear on the nautical chart and there are wrecks on the nautical chart that do not appear in AWOIS. Updates to AWOIS are ongoing; however, it will never completely address every known or reported wreck. For more information regarding this data and the definitions of the symbols please reference the publication link under additional information.