[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39465-39466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19121]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC); Responses to Comments 
Received During Public Review of Wetlands Classification System

ACTION: Notice of availability of responses to comments.

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SUMMARY: The Wetlands Subcommittee of the Federal Geographic Data 
Committee (FGDC) requested input from the public (Federal Register 60 
(129), July 6, 1995) on a proposal to adopt the ``Cowardin'' 
classification system (Cowardin, L.M., et al. 1979. ``Classification of 
wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States.'' U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-79/31) as the FGDC standard for wetland 
classification. Responses to the Notice were received from 14 
individuals, agencies, or organizations. Relevant questions were pooled 
by category and answers prepared. Interested individuals may receive a 
copy of the questions and the Wetland Subcommittee responses by 
contacting Ms. Jennifer Fox (see ADDRESSES). The questions and 
responses may also be viewed and downloaded from the Internet from the 
Wetlands Subcommittee Home Page at the following URL address: http://
www.nwi.fws.gov/fgdcwet.html

ADDRESSES: Requests for written copies of the responses to comments 
should be sent to Ms. Jennifer Fox, FGDC Secretariat, U.S. Geological 
Survey, 590 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, 
Virginia 20192.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

[[Page 39466]]

Ms. Jennifer Fox at 703-648-5514.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intent of the standard is to move toward 
a system that allows communication about wetlands and their features in 
a National context. Doing so enhances the ability of all agencies and 
individuals to interpolate and extrapolate wetland resource data, 
wetland loss and gain data, and restoration efforts in the same 
semantic and ecological context. Adoption of the standard will not 
change the current status of National Wetlands Inventory maps produced 
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Adoption of the standard will 
not affect wetland regulatory efforts undertaken by any Federal, State, 
or local unit of government. The next action is for the Wetlands 
Subcommittee to submit the standard to the FGDC Coordination Group and 
the FGDC Steering Committee.

    Dated: July 19, 1996.
Richard E. Witmer,
Acting Chief, National Mapping Division.
[FR Doc. 96-19121 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
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