[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44133-44136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15351]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697; FRL-8450-2]


Office of Water; Notice of Availability and Comment Period for 
Draft Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Wetland Mapping Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of data availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Notice of Availability for a 90 Day Review and Comment Period 
is Hereby Given for the Draft Federal Geographic Data Committee's 
Wetland Mapping Standard.
    This document provides Federal, State, Tribal and local wetland 
managers and others with information on what data to collect when 
mapping wetlands that will be uploaded to the National Wetland 
Inventory (NWI) and incorporated as part of the wetlands layer of the 
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the USGS National Map. 
The intent of this standard is to support a consistent/seamless 
transition from traditional paper-based map products to technology-
based mapping products and serve as the national standard for mapping 
wetland inventories for building the wetlands layer of the NSDI.
    Although, this standard will not change the National Wetlands 
Inventory

[[Page 44134]]

Data produced prior to its implementation, this standard specifies a 
core set of data quality components necessary to add to the National 
Wetlands Inventory in a way that is consistent and supports multiple 
uses of the data, while meeting the requirements of the National 
Spatial Data Infrastructure. This standard is based largely on the 
existing draft standard used by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 
support of the NWI. The intent of the standard is to support current 
and future digital wetland mapping activities. The standard will 
provide specification of minimum data quality components for wetland 
mapping activities for inclusion into the NSDI that are funded or 
conducted by the Federal government. The National Wetlands Inventory 
digital wetland data serve as the foundation for the wetlands data 
layer of the NSDI. The standard balances the burden on the end-user 
community with the need for consistency and documented quality of 
digital mapping products. Additionally, this standard is created to 
coordinate wetland mapping with the National Hydrography Dataset, a 
national geospatial framework recognized by the Federal Geographic Data 
Committee (FGDC). Although this standard is structured to be extensible 
over time, the standard is deliberately developed with a forward-
looking perspective to accommodate technology and map scale 
enhancements, assure its long-term usability, and minimize the need for 
revisions and updates over time.
    This standard is intended for use by all Federal or federally-
funded wetlands mapping projects including those activities conducted 
by Federal agencies, states, and federally recognized tribal entities, 
non-governmental organizations, universities, and others. Specifically, 
if Federal funding is used in support of wetlands inventory mapping 
activities, then use of this standard is mandatory. The adoption of the 
standard for all other wetlands inventory mapping efforts (non-
federally funded) is strongly encouraged to maintain and expand the 
wetlands layer of the NSDI.
    The FGDC Wetlands Subcommittee is soliciting information, data, and 
views on issues of science pertaining to the information contained in 
this draft FGDC data standard.

DATES: Scientific views, data, and information should be submitted by 
November 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, data, or views, identified by 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697, by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting information.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of four copies.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include 
a total of four copies. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be 
made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your scientific information, data, or views, 
to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697. EPA's policy is that all 
information received will be included in the public docket without 
change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless it includes 
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not 
submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected 
through http://www.regulations.gov or [email protected]. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your information. If you send an e-mail 
directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your 
e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of 
the information that is placed in the public docket and made available 
on the Internet. If you submit information electronically, EPA 
recommends that you include your name and other contact information in 
the body of your information and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If 
EPA cannot read your information due to technical difficulties and 
cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider 
your information. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the 
EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., information claimed to be 
CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be 
publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket 
materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Water Docket, EPA/DC, EPA 
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Water 
Docket is (202) 566-2426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margarete Ann Heber, Wetland Division, 
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; phone (202) 566-1189; fax (202) 566-
1349; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does This Action Apply to Me?

    Entities potentially interested in today's notice are those that 
map wetlands and share that data with others.

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                                               Examples of potentially
                 Category                         affected entities
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State/Local/Tribal Government.............  Federal Government, States,
                                             municipalities, tribes.
Industry..................................  Builders, any entity sitting
                                             on a wetland.
Agriculture...............................  Farmers.
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    This table is not intended to be exhaustive. Other types of 
entities not listed in the table may also be interested.

B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare my Scientific Information, Data 
or Views for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI information to EPA through 
http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly identify the specific 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as 
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI). In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked

[[Page 44135]]

will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 
40 CFR part 2.
    2. Tips for Preparing Your Information, Data, or Views. When 
submitting scientific information, data or views, please remember to:
     Identify the docket number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives 
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible.
     Make sure to submit your information comments by the 
deadline identified.

C. How Can I Get Copies of the Draft Document and Related Information?

    On the FGDC Website at: http://www.fws.gov/nwi/Final%20Draft%20Wetlands%20Mapping%20Standard%2003_26_07.pdf.

II. Today's Notice

A. Why Do We Need To Map Wetlands?

    Currently, the wetland maps coverage of the United States is not 
complete. NWI is incomplete for about half the country. A mapping 
standard will allow any entity mapping wetlands to upload data to NWI 
using the same format. Wetlands are a critical ecological resource and 
in order to adequately manage them it is important to know what type of 
wetlands exist and where they are located. On a ten year cycle, the 
Fish and Wildlife Service produces reports to Congress on the status 
and trends of wetlands in the conterminous United States. These reports 
contain estimates of wetland losses and gains. A complete digital 
wetlands database will allow accurate calculation of wetland loss and 
gain to be made for specific areas. These digitial maps are also 
critical for looking at wetland loss and possible migration of wetlands 
in global climate change estimations.

B. How Was the Draft Standard Developed?

    The Wetland Subcommittee of the FGDC convened a workgroup to 
develop this draft standard. Stakeholder representation from the 
Federal, State, non-profit, and private sectors was included in the 
development of this standard to ensure that the end-user information 
requirements are reflected in the final product. Development of the 
content of this standard began in June 2006 with a 3-day meeting of the 
workgroup comprised of members representing multiple Federal agencies 
and stakeholder groups. It was emphasized again that the standard would 
benefit from a wide vetting process targeting diverse members of the 
end-user community. Workgroup members and vetting participants, as well 
as workgroup activities are listed in Appendix H of the draft Standard.

C. What Is Included in the Draft Standard

1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.
    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.

Activities

Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat.
Table 3. TMU and Producer Accuracy Requirements.
Table 4. Horizontal Accuracy (RMSE) Requirements.
1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.
    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.
Activities
Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat Type.
1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.

[[Page 44136]]

    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.
Activities
Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat Type.
Table 3. TMU and Producer Accuracy Requirements.
Table 4. Horizontal Accuracy (RMSE) Requirements.

    Dated: August 1, 2007.
David Evans,
Director, Wetlands Division.
[FR Doc. E7-15351 Filed 8-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P