This data layer depicts the Special Designations that have been placed upon the lands and waters administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North America, U.S. Trust Territories and Possessions. These special areas, such as wilderness, are primarily designated by the U.S. Congress. The primary source for this information is the USFWS Realty program.
The intended application of this data layer is as a cadastral framework for use with other data layers in GIS and mapping applications. It is specifically not intended to be used as a land survey or representation of land for conveyance or tax purposes.
The SpecialDesignation feature class is an aggregated data layer derived by appending separate regional feature data sets into a single national set. The spatial and positional accuracy of this information will vary depending on the original source data and methods utilized. Data sources are not listed in this document but are maintained for each region and can be requested. We strive to improve the accuracy of this data and incorporate more reliable information when available.
publication date
This data layer was compiled for use with natural resource mapping and GIS applications. It is inappropriate to use these data for legal purposes.
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 622
Up to three levels of quality-control review are conducted with corrections being incorporated after each review until the dataset is deemed acceptable. SpecialDesignation utilizes coded domains to limit coding errors.
Polygons are closed and adjusted to the most accurate geographic features, usually on a USGS 7.5' topographic quad.
SpecialDesignation is a dynamic data layer, updates and revisions are ongoing.
This data layer has been verified against USGS 1:24,000-scale and 1:63,360-scale Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs) or 1:12,000-scale Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quads (DOQQs) where available. For some areas not covered by USGS, nautical charts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are used.
Spatial and attribute information
Processes vary by region.
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 622
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Area of feature in internal units squared.
ESRI
Complex Name - Name of a number of stations combined under one management structure
USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Organization Name - Official name given to a Service organization that has been assigned an official five-digit numeric organization code by the Washington Office, Division of Financial Management
USFWS Data Element Standard for Organization Name
Organization Code - Unique five-digit numeric codes assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Financial Management, to Service organizations where personnel are assigned and all unstaffed land management units. Organization codes may also be assigned to meet an administrative requirement.
USFWS Division of Financial Management
Interior-USFWS number - Unique 1-6 character code assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Realty, to each organizational unit, area, or project site over which the Service has some type of jurisdiction.
USFWS Data Element Standard for IFWS Number
Document Number - Number of the legal document creating the special designation.
USFWS Division of Realty
Literals - Unique alpha codes assigned by the Washington Office, Division of Realty, that identify the organizational units, areas, and project sites on Service-owned lands.
USFWS Data Element Standard for Literals
Designation Type - The specific type of special designation.
USFWS Division of Realty
Designation Date - Date that the special designation became effective.
USFWS Division of Realty
Reach Miles - Number of river reach miles within the special designation.
USFWS Division of Realty
Comments - Additional information
USFWS Division of Realty
Organization Type - Administrative categories that identify Service organizations by their primary facility function, program activities, specialized duties and responsibilities, and/or operational status.
USFWS Data Element Standard for Organization Type
Administrative Site
USFWS Division of Realty
Coordination Area
USFWS Division of Realty
Fisheries Research Station
USFWS Division of Realty
Farm Service Administration
USFWS Division of Realty
Fish Technology Center
USFWS Division of Realty
National Fish Hatchery
USFWS Division of Realty
National Wildlife Refuge
USFWS Division of Realty
Wildlife Management Area
USFWS Division of Realty
Waterfowl Production Area
USFWS Division of Realty
Wildlife Research Center
USFWS Division of Realty
FWS Region - Regional offices within the Service that have responsibility for program and/or administrative activities within a geographically-defined area
USFWS Division of Realty
Pacific Region, Region 1
USFWS, Realty
Southwest Region, Region 2
USFWS, Realty
Great Lakes - Big Rivers Region, Region 3
USFWS, Realty Division
Southeast Region, Region 4
USFWS, Realty
Northeast Region, Region 5
USFWS, Realty
Mountain - Prairie Region, Region 6
USFWS, Realty Division
Alaska Region, Region 7
USFWS, Realty Division
Pacific Southwest Region (California and Nevada), Region 8
USFWS, Realty Division
Geographic Information System Acres - Acres determined by GIS software for each polygon
USFWS Division of Realty
Document Acres - Acres indicated in deed or other official document
USFWS Division of Realty
Designated Name - Name given to the special designation.
USFWS Division of Realty
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 622
Although these data and information have been processed successfully on a computer system at the USFWS, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data, and information, and aggregate use with other data and information. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data and information. The USFWS shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data and information described and/or contained herein.
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 622