Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) 20141203 Helena, Montana Montana State Library https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/MSDI/Wetlands/Archive/WetlandRiparian20141203.zip http://mslapps.mt.gov/Geographic_Information/Data/DataList/datalist_Details.aspx?did={f57e92f5-a3fa-45b2-9de8-0ba46bbb2d46} The Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework represents the extent, type, and approximate location of wetlands, riparian areas, and deepwater habitats in Montana. These data delineate the areal extent of wetlands and deepwater habitats as defined by Cowardin et al. (1979) and riparian areas as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2009). The Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework consists of features that were manually digitized at a scale of 1:4,500 or 1:5,000 from orthorectified digital color-infrared aerial imagery collected during the summers of 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2013 by the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). These data are intended for use in publications at a scale of 1:12,000 or smaller. This layer consists of one feature dataset: NHP_Layers. The NHP_Layers feature dataset contains the digital wetland and riparian mapping and consists of the feature class WetRip. This feature class consists of data that have undergone three rounds of internal quality assurance/quality control procedures by the MTNHP. To provide current geospatially referenced information on the status, extent, characteristics, and functions of wetlands, riparian areas, and deepwater habitats to promote the understanding and conservation of these resources. These data provide consultants, planners, and resource managers with information on the location and type of wetlands and riparian areas in Montana. These data do not show precise wetland boundaries and should not be compared to boundaries delineated from ground surveys. Wetland polygons are classified in accordance with the Wetlands Classification Standard endorsed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC): Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. FWS/OBS-79/31. Riparian polygons are classified in accordance with the publication U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation. 2009. A System for Mapping Riparian Areas in the Western United States. The Wetland and Riparian Framework layer is one of the 15 Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure Framework layers. The goal of the layer is to have statewide digital wetland and riparian data for Montana. Mapping is completed to the Wetlands Mapping Standard endorsed by the FGDC in 2009 (FGDC-STD-015-2009). As projects are completed, they are submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion in the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Due to a lag time between submittal and availability, this layer may contain data that have been submitted to the NWI but are not yet available for download from the NWI website http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Data-Download.html 20141203 Publication date In work Semi-annually -116.451402 -103.558465 49.180617 44.115422 ISO 19115 Topic Category biota environment inlandWaters Wetlands Deepwater habitats Hydrography Surface water Swamp, marsh, fen, pond Riparian Floodplain NWI Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure MSDI Wetland and Riparian Framework Montana None. Acknowledgement of the Montana Natural Heritage Program is appreciated in products derived from these data. Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in a different manner than that used in this layer. There is no attempt, in either the design or products of this inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any federal, state, or local government or to establish the geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies. Persons intending to engage in activities involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should seek the advice of appropriate federal, state, or local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory programs and proprietary jurisdictions that may affect such activities. Information in this data layer is not intended to be used as a precise locator of wetland boundaries, for site specific planning or management, or for regulatory purposes. Proper use of wetland and riparian mapping requires knowledge of the inherent limitations of this mapping. It is suggested that users also consult other information to aid in wetland detection, such as U.S. Department of Agriculture soil survey reports and other wetland maps that may have been produced by state and local governments. The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time. Montana State Library mailing address

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Helena Montana 59620-1800 406-444-5354 Montana Relay 711 406-444-0266 geoinfo@mt.gov The Wetland and Riparian Framework was created by the Montana Natural Heritage Program. The minimum mapping unit is 0.1 acres for wetland polygons and 0.5 acres for riparian polygons, although polygons smaller in size can be mapped if interpretable and mappable. Linear features such as streams, canals, or ditches are mapped if they are 15 feet (3 meters) or greater in width at a mapping scale of 1:4,500. The Wetland and Riparian Framework is either complete, in progress, or scheduled to be mapped for approximately 80% of Montana. This data set represents the extent of wetlands, riparian areas and deepwater habitats that can be determined with the use of remotely sensed data and within the timeframe for which the maps were produced. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data, and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. Error is inherent in the interpretation of aerial imagery, thus detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the mapped boundaries or classification. Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery and/or field work. Differences may exist in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on the ground. The horizontal accuracy minimum requirement is commensurate with the base imagery scale. The base imagery scale for this layer is 1:12,000. The minimum horizontal accuracy requirement is 5 meters. Montana Natural Heritage Program 20141203 20141203 Mapping is completed by individual project area. Mapping project areas are largely determined by the project funder. Once a project area is selected, a shapefile of the project boundary is sent to the NWI and the USGS Wisconsin Internet Mapping Center. A file geodatabase is sent by the USGS containing the empty wetland and riparian feature class. Wetland and riparian mapping is created in this feature class. Image analysts with MTNHP use 1-meter resolution color-infrared aerial ortho-rectified imagery to develop photo signatures and interpret wetlands and riparian areas. This imagery serves as the base imagery from which wetland and riparian data are produced. Wetland and riparian mapping data are produced through on-screen digitizing performed at a mapping scale of 1:4,500. Ancillary data layers such as multiple imagery years, topographic maps, digital elevation models, and hydrography data are used to improve mapping accuracy. Wetland polygons are classified according to the FGDC Wetlands Mapping Standard (2009), which is based upon the Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). Riparian polygons are classified according to the USFWS A System for Mapping Riparian Areas in the Western United States (2009). Mapping is completed for U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 quadrangles. Once mapping is complete for an individual quadrangle, the image analyst runs several verification checks to fix any errors in polygon attribution. Any topology errors are also fixed to eliminate overlapping polygons. Three rounds of internal quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures are conducted for each mapped quadrangle once the above steps are completed. Up to three MTNHP image analysts who did not complete the mapping perform the QA/QC duties for each completed quadrangle. The image analyst who mapped the quadrangle makes any necessary corrections based on comments made during each round of QA/QC. Once final edits are complete, verification checks are completed a second time. Data are incorporated into the WetRip layer. Data are also sent to the NWI for review and approval. Mapping within the wetland and riparian layer is edge-matched with surrounding areas to produce a seamless layer. 20141203 Karen Newlon Montana Natural Heritage Program mailing address

PO Box 201800

Helena MT 59620-1800 406-444-0915 knewlon@mt.gov State Plane Coordinate System 2500 45.000000 49.000000 -109.500000 44.250000 600000.000000 0.000000 meters North American Datum of 1983 Geodetic Reference System 80 6378137.000000 298.257222 NHP_Layers ObjectID Internal feature number. SHAPE Feature geometry. ATTRIBUTE This field contains a series of codes that describe the wetland or riparian type. The FULL_CLASS field contains an explanation of the codes. WETLAND_TYPE General description of wetland or riparian classification. ACRES The areas in acres of the mapped polygon. SHAPE_Area Area of feature in square meters Positive real numbers that are automatically generated. SHAPE_Length Length in meters. SYSTEM The wetland or riparian system of the mapped polygon. P Palustrine R Riverine L Lacustrine Rp Riparian Subsystem The wetland or riparian subsystem of the mapped polygon. 1 Lotic (applies to Riparian system only) 2 Lentic (applies to Riparian system only) 1 Limnetic (applies to Lacustrine system only) 2 Littoral (applies to Lacustrine system only) 2 Lower Perennial (applies to Riverine system only) 3 Upper Perennial (applies to Riverine system only) 4 Intermittent (applies to Riverine system only) CLASS The wetland or riparian class of the mapped polygon. EM Emergent vegetation SS Scrub-shrub vegetation FO Forested vegetation AB Aquatic bed RB Rock bottom UB Unconsolidated bottom RS Rocky shore SB Streambed US Unconsolidated shore WATER_REGIME The duration of flooding. Applies to wetland polygons only. J Intermittently flooded A Temporarily flooded B Saturated C Seasonally flooded E Seasonally flooded/Saturated F Semipermanently flooded G Intermittently exposed H Permanently flooded K Artificially flooded SPECIAL_MODIFIER Modification of the wetland polygon. Applies to wetland polygons. b Beaver d Partially drained/ditched f Farmed h Diked/impounded x Excavated NWICode A combination of the System, Subsystem and Class fields. Major_Class This is the first character of the Attribute field, except in the case of Riparian attributes, which are designated with a lower case r. P Palustrine R Riverine L Lacustrine r Riparian FULLCLASS Full textual description of the wetland or riparian type, depth, bottom type, standing water status, and special modifiers. Montana State Library mailing address

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Helena Montana 59620-1800 406-444-5354 Montana Relay 711 406-444-0266 geoinfo@mt.gov Downloadable Data The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time. 20141203 Montana Natural Heritage Program Jamul Hahn mailing and physical address

PO BOX 201800

Helena MT 59620-1800 406-444-4793 jhahn@mt.gov FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001-1998 {f57e9415-a51a-46d2-9f18-0ba46bbb2f66}