Coastal Services Center

A Free Resource for Boundary Developers

This handbook, written by the Federal Geographic Data Committee's (FGDC) Marine Boundary Working Group and sponsored by the National Marine Protected Areas Center, represents the current best practices for marine boundary delimitation.

Marine managed areas (MMA) are geographic areas designed to protect or manage resources within the marine environment, and their effectiveness is dependent on the development of sound boundaries. At the same time, the rise of geographic information systems (GIS) and other technologies in the management and use of marine resources is increasing the demand for digital boundaries.

This publication provides a short, useful guide—best practices—for writing boundary descriptions for federal, state, or local MMAs within U.S. waters and for developing those boundaries within a GIS environment.

The best practices presented within this handbook are listed under three broad categories, or steps, that outline the general boundary delimitation process and the knowledge that a boundary developer must draw upon. These steps include:

• Step 1. Conceptualize the Marine Managed Area: This step explores the context and circumstances surrounding the creation of a new MMA that a boundary developer should examine as part of the development process.
• Step 2. Describe the Marine Boundary: This step provides guidance for writing the description of a marine boundary.
• Step 3. Generate the Digital Boundary: This step points boundary developers to authoritative data sources and provides sound practices for developing, documenting, and disseminating digital boundary files.

How to Obtain a Copy

A printed copy of this handbook may be obtained through the Center's clearinghouse.

Click here to download an electronic copy of Marine Managed Areas: Best Practices for Boundary Making. Next, click here to subscribe to the Marine Boundary Working Group's electronic mailing list. Subscribers will receive information on handbook updates and related events.

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