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Identification Information

Title:	EnviroAtlas - Percent Stream Buffer Zone As Natural Land Cover for the Conterminous United States
Originator:	US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Publication Date:	20130301
Abstract:	This EnviroAtlas dataset shows the percentage of land area within a 30 meter buffer zone along the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) high resolution stream network, and along water bodies such as lakes and ponds that are connected via flow to the streams, that is classified as forest land cover, modified forest land cover, and natural land cover using the 2006 National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) for each Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) 12-digit hydrological unit (HUC) in the conterminous United States. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).
Purpose:	This EnviroAtlas dataset is useful for evaluating the potential value of ecosystem services provided by riparian vegetation zones. This information, which has been summarized by 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs), could be used either alone or in conjunction with other data layers to help identify areas for potential stream buffer restoration or protection from further development. These data can help inform investigations into sources of water quality issues such as sedimentation, nutrients, pesticides, or biological impairment and where this could perhaps be improved through buffer restoration. After finding out the percentage of a particular 12-digit HUC with natural vegetation, an area can be more intensively investigated by using the stream line data layer in conjunction with the base aerial imagery to help identify areas for potential restoration. Areas upstream can also be investigated for their potential influence on local issues. Adequate riparian buffers are one of many Best Management Practices (BMPs) and are increasingly being used in nutrient trading schemes and payments for ecosystem services. The overall goal of EnviroAtlas is to employ and develop the best available science to map indicators of ecosystem services production, demand, and drivers for the nation.
Progress:	Completed
Frequency:	As needed

Time Period of Content

Single Date

Date:

2006

Currentness:

Publication date

West Bounding Longitude:	-128.02839229
East Bounding Longitude:	-65.20336449
North Bounding Latitude:	51.6773602
South Bounding Latitude:	22.7348894

Constraints

Access:	None.
Use:	None. Please check sources, scale, accuracy, currentness and other available information. Please confirm that you are using the most recent copy of both data and metadata. Acknowledgement of the EPA would be appreciated.

Theme Keywords

Theme Topics:

Environment and Conservation

Distribution Information

Distribution Liability:	https://edg.epa.gov/EPA_Data_License.htm
Address Type:	mailing address
City:	Research Triangle Park
State:	NC
Postal Code:	27711
Telephone:	000-000-0000

Metadata Reference Information

Address Type:	mailing address
City:	Research Triangle Park
State:	NC
Postal Code:	27711
Telephone:	000-000-0000
Metadata Standard Name:	FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version:	FGDC-STD-001-1998

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