Digital Coast

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Coastal Barrier Resources System Boundaries

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Data Specifications

  • Area of Coverage: Digital boundaries are available for all 23 states and territories containing CBRS areas.
  • Date(s) Available: Dates of source boundary maps vary.
  • Format: ArcView Shapefile
  • Scale: 1:24,000
  • Accuracy: This data set was compiled to meet forty feet horizontal accuracy at the ninety-five percent confidence level relative to the official CBRS maps.

Overview


Sample of draft digital boundaries Proposed boundary (shown in green) accounts for accretion of Timbalier Island, Louisiana over time.

The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 designated undeveloped coastal barrier lands and associated aquatic habitat as part of the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). This law does not regulate how people can develop land in the CBRS, but transfers the full cost from Federal taxpayers to the individuals who choose to build so the Federal government does not encourage the development of these coastal barrier habitats.

The boundaries of CBRS units are depicted on a series of maps that have been enacted into law by Congress; these maps are controlling and dictate which lands are affected by the CBRA. Scans of all official CBRS maps in TIFF and PDF format are available. The boundaries depicted on these maps have also been digitalized and are available for the entire CBRS.