Critical Habitat

Last updated on 2/22/2011 11:27:19 PM.

Overview

These data identify, in general, the areas where final critical habitats exist for species that are listed as endangered or threatened. Critical habitats are areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. These data provide notice to the public and land managers the importance of these areas to the conservation of this species. Special protections and/or restrictions are possible in areas where federal funding, permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur, or are required.

Data Input

These data were obtained from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Geospatial Services website. The critical habitat data on this site are maintained by the Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) Team. Only the polygon data were used in this data set. The line features, which are available from the aforementioned site, were not included. After the data were downloaded, they were re-projected to GCS NAD 83 to match the datum/projection of the other data layers in WFDSS.

Disclaimer

The GIS files and their associated coordinates are not the legal source for determining the critical habitat boundaries of species described within this data set. Inherent in any data set used to develop graphical representations, are limitations of accuracy as determined by, among others, the source, scale, and resolution of the data. While the Service makes every effort to represent the critical habitat shown with these data as completely and accurately as possible (given existing time and resource constraints), the USFWS gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. In addition, the USFWS shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Graphical representations provided by the use of these data do not represent a legal description of the critical habitat boundary. The user is referred to the critical habitat textual description in the appropriate final rule for this species as published in the Federal Register. These data are to be used only in the context of the definition and purpose of critical habitat. This primarily relates to Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act. These data may be used for planning and land management purposes. They are not to be used for legal survey use.

Source - USFWS Metadata Critical Habitat

Caution: The data displayed in WFDSS are intended for STRATEGIC USE ONLY. Always verify the positional accuracy of the data with local knowledge.

Data Information

Data source:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/table/critical-habitat.html

Extent:

National

Projection/Datum:

GCS, NAD 83

Metadata:

USFWS Critical Habitat Portal

Data Layer Download:

USFWS Critical Habitat Portal

Interactive Map:

USFWS Critical Habitat Interactive Map

 

Relevant Websites and References

Critical Habitat GIS Team Contacts

The WFDSS application is "data rich". It requires data which is spatially oriented and graphically displays information to support wildland fire and other natural resource decisions. Due to the type and number of interagency spatial data sets required in April 2009 an interagency GIS Team was formed to provide data support for WFDSS. This Team is responsible for acquiring, consolidating, and validating their agency spatial and tabular data. In addition this team developed and maintained communications among local, regional, and national agency personnel to improve the collection process and provide explicit guidance on data needs. The members of the WFDSS GIS Team are:

Table 1: WFDSS GIS Team Contacts

WFDSS GIS Team Contacts

Amanda Rumsey
Data Scientist, Wildland Fire Management, RD&A
208.830.0160
send email

 

Susan McClendon
WFM RD&A GIS Specialist
208.258.4244
send email

Jill Kuenzi
USFS-NIFC
208.387.5283
send email

 

Joseph Kafka
BIA-NIFC
208.387.5572
send email

Andrew Bailey
USFWS - NIFC
208-387-5345
send email

Skip Edel
NPS-NIFC
303.969.2947
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Julie Osterkamp
BLM-NIFC
801.520.8702
send email

 

Jennifer L. Jenkins BLM-Alaska Fire Service 907.356.5587 send email