| dwa | |
Data format: Shapefile File or table name: dwa Coordinate system: Universal Transverse Mercator Theme keywords: environment, biota, environment, biota, deer wintering area, Natural Resource Protection Act, Significant Wildlife Habitat |
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| Abstract: Mapped deer wintering areas (DWAs), rated high, moderate or indeterminant, in organized towns statewide (see Deer Wintering Area and Travel Corridor document, MDIFW, 12/22/99). DWAs were mapped by regional biologists and were then transferred to mylar 7.5 minute quads for digitizing. |
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Metadata elements shown with blue text are defined in the Federal Geographic Data Committee's (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM). Elements shown with green text are defined in the ESRI Profile of the CSDGM. Elements shown with a green asterisk (*) will be automatically updated by ArcCatalog. ArcCatalog adds hints indicating which FGDC elements are mandatory; these are shown with gray text.
Mapped deer wintering areas (DWAs), rated high, moderate or indeterminant, in organized towns statewide (see Deer Wintering Area and Travel Corridor document, MDIFW, 12/22/99). DWAs were mapped by regional biologists and were then transferred to mylar 7.5 minute quads for digitizing.
This data set was developed in accordance with Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) . Under this act, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is designated as the authority for determining significant wildlife habitats (SWHs). It is further specified that MDIFW must first map SWHs before they are offered for protection under the law except when they occur in another protected resource.
The NRPA definition of ""Significant Wildlife Habitat"" means the following areas to the extent that they have been defined and mapped by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: 1) habitat, as defined by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, for species appearing on the official state or federal lists of endangered or threatened species, 2) high and moderate value deer wintering areas and travel corridors as defined by MDIFW, 3) high and moderate value waterfowl and wading bird habitats, including nesting and feeding areas as defined by MDIFW, 4) critical spawning and nursery areas for Atlantic sea run salmon as defined by the Atlantic Salmon Authority (ASA) and 5) shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas, vernal pools and seabird nesting islands as defined by MDIFW.
These data are provided by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for preliminary assessment to identify candidate Significant Wildlife Habitat under the Natural Resources Protection Act. Users must assume responsibility in determining the usability of this data for their purposes. Providing public access to wildlife habitat data is not intended as a subsitute for consultation with MDIFW staff regarding permit applications or environmental reviews. Digital maps retain the accuracy of their source materials. The best use of data mapped at scales of 1:500,000 and 1:250,000 is in statewide planning and studies; at 1:100,000 in regional planning and studies; at 1:62,500 and 1:24,000 in detailed studies and local planning; and at 1:12,000 and 1:5,000 or larger scales in parcel level studies and detailed local planning. In the use of Maine GIS data, please check sources, scale, accuracy, currentness and other available information. Please confirm that you are using the correct copy of both data and metadata from the Maine GIS Data Catalog. The Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) provides notice of updates and corrections directly to the Maine GIS Technical Group and Maine GIS Users, through the MEGISTECH and MEGISUSER list servers. To subscribe please contact MeGIS through the Maine Office of Information Technology (OIT) Customer Support Center (CSC) at (207) 624-7700. To request data correction in, or provide updates to Maine GIS data, please use the contact information contained in the metadata. Updates, corrections, and feedback, incorporated in the Maine GIS database are made in accordance with "Data Standards for Maine Geographic Information Systems", 2002, and coordinated by MEGIS in consultation with the Maine GIS Executive Council.
650 State Street
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Metadata imported.
Metadata imported.
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Area of polygon in acres
Area of polygon in square map units (meters)
computer generated attribute
Unique polygon identifier
computer generated
unique polygon identifier
computer generated
Numeric town code
MEGIS
Unique identifier for DWA
MDIFW
Perimeter of polygon in map units (meters)
computer generated
Current rating of DWA (as of this time, all DWAs are rated as indeterminate)
MDIFW
Name of town(s) in which DWA is located
MDIFW
A deer wintering area is defined as a forested area used by deer when snow depth in the open/hardwoods exceeds 12 inches, deer sinking depth in the open/hardwoods exceeds 8 inches and mean daily temperatures are below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Non-forested wetlands, non-stocked clearcuts, hardwood types, and stands predominated by Eastern Larch are included within the DWA only if less than 10 acres in size. Agricultural and development areas within DWAs are excluded regardless of size. Evaluation (rating procedure): Deer wintering areas are evaluated based on three criteria: 1) quality of softwood shelter, 2) intensity of deer use, and 3) size. Information on the quality of softwood shelter and intensity of deer use are based on ground survey plots within the final boundary of the DWA being evaluated. The acreage of the DWA is determined after the final outline of the DWA has been drawn. The final rating of the DWA is determined by summing the scores for the three criteria and assigning a rating as follows: high (score of 10-12), moderate (score of 7-9.9) or low (score of 0-6.9). A regional biologist may recommend a rating change with justification and approval by the management section supervisor. No delisting criteria for regulated NRPA DWAs have been developed. Currently all DWAs are rated as indeterminate.
650 State Street
650 State Street
