Federal Geographic Data Committee
Wetlands Subcommittee

The Wetlands Subcommittee of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is responsible for coordination of wetlands geospatial data layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). This subcommittee is the mechanism for the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of base cartographic data financed in whole or in part by Federal funds.

The wetlands geospatial data layer is defined as the fundamental data set that is produced to provide the classification, location, and extent of wetlands and related habitats, such as deepwater and riparian habitats. It is used in general purpose graphic and digital cartographic products. These data represent the wetland features of the United States and its territories. Used individually or collectively the data can provide the framework upon which other themes of geographic data can be referenced. Examples of these cartographic data include roads, streams, contours, boundaries, and geographic and other coordinate reference systems.

Organization and Membership

• Charter
• Participating Federal Agencies
• Federal Agency Representatives
• Non-Federal Collaborating Partner Organizations
• Working Groups

Wetland Standards

The wetlands classification standard was approved by the Standards Working Group and the FGDC Coordination Group in 1996. (These standards may be changed as a result of future review. For information about where a standard is in the FGDC standard development process, please check the Standards Working Group home page.) The final draft wetlands mapping standard has been approved by the FGDC Coordination Committee and is currently pending final approval by the FGDC Steering Committee, on April 16, 2009. The proposed national riparian mapping standard, while still actively used as an FWS agency standard, is in abeyance within the FGDC national approval process pending modification.

• National Wetlands Classification Standard (Cowardin et al.)
• Final Draft Wetland Mapping Standard pending approval by the FGDC
  
• Proposed Riparian Mapping Standards

Other

• Status of the Wetlands Layer
• Wetlands Mapper, displaying the Wetlands Layer of the NSDI for viewing and downloading