| The Branch of Resource and Mapping Support provides coordination, support, and guidance for the Service’s implementation of three laws that promote the protection, conservation, and restoration of our Nation’s fish and wildlife resources and habitats: (1) the Coastal Barrier Resources Act; (2) the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and (3) the National Wetlands Inventory. The Service implements these laws at the field and regional levels through the Ecological Services and the Fisheries Programs.
To help the Fish and Wildlife Service meet the unique challenges associated with implementing these laws, the Branch provides support by:
- developing policy, guidance, and legislative initiatives to address the challenges faced by the regions and fields;
- communicating program needs to the Administration;
- coordinating the activities of regional and field offices, and different Service Programs when appropriate, to ensure consistency of policy implementation and adherence to established protocols;
- providing technical support when needed; and
- facilitating communication at a national level with other agencies and stakeholder organizations.
 The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 established the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System, comprised of undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts. The law encourages the conservation of these hurricane prone, biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting within the System, Federal expenditures funds that encourage development, such as Federal flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. These areas can be developed however, but Federal taxpayers do not underwrite the investments. CBRA saves taxpayer dollars and encourages conservation at the same time. CBRA has saved over $1 billion and will save millions more in the future. The Service’s role is to maintain the enacted by Congress that depict the System, and to advise Federal agencies, private landowners, and Congress regarding whether properties are in or out of the System, and what kind of expenditures are allowed in the System.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) directs the Service to conserve and manage sea and marine otter, walrus, polar bear, manatee, and dugong. The Service does this by working with partners to conduct population censuses, gather biological information, rescue and rehabilitate stranded and/or injured marine mammals, develop conservation and management plans, promulgate regulations prescribing permissible means to carry out activities that incidentally take marine mammals, and create national and international management agreements.
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service produces information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation’s wetlands and deepwater habitats. The National Wetlands Inventory information is used by Federal, State, and local agencies, academic institutions, U.S. Congress, and the private sector. Congressional mandates in the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act requires the Service to map wetlands, and to digitize, archive and distribute the maps. With funding from other Federal, State, Tribal, local and private organizations, the Service has produced final maps for much of the nation. About half are digitized and available to the public on the Internet. Private companies provide NWI data in various other media. Hard-copy maps are available through Cooperator-run Distribution Centers.
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