U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP)
20220131
Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 3.0 Vector Analysis and Summary Statistics
3.0
vector and tabular digital data
PAD-US
Version 3.0
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/6196b9ffd34eb622f691aca7
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KLBB5D
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/6196b9ffd34eb622f691aca7
https://www.usgs.gov/gapanalysis/PAD-US
U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project
20220131
Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) Spatial Analysis and Statistics
3.0
geodatabase
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/61955a0bd34eb622f6908f88
U.S. Geological Survey
https://doi:10.5066/P9KLBB5D
Spatial analysis and statistical summaries of the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) provide land managers and decision makers with a general assessment of management intent for biodiversity protection, natural resource management, and recreation access across the nation. The PAD-US 3.0 Combined Fee, Designation, Easement feature class (with Military Lands and Tribal Areas from the Proclamation and Other Planning Boundaries feature class) was modified to remove overlaps, avoiding overestimation in protected area statistics and to support user needs. A Python scripted process ("PADUS3_0_CreateVectorAnalysisFileScript.zip") associated with this data release prioritized overlapping designations (e.g. Wilderness within a National Forest) based upon their relative biodiversity conservation status (e.g. GAP Status Code 1 over 2), public access values (in the order of Closed, Restricted, Open, Unknown), and geodatabase load order (records are deliberately organized in the PAD-US full inventory with fee owned lands loaded before overlapping management designations, and easements). The Vector Analysis File ("PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFile_ClipCensus.zip") associated item of PAD-US 3.0 Spatial Analysis and Statistics ( https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KLBB5D ) was clipped to the Census state boundary file to define the extent and serve as a common denominator for statistical summaries. Boundaries of interest to stakeholders (State, Department of the Interior Region, Congressional District, County, EcoRegions I-IV, Urban Areas, Landscape Conservation Cooperative) were incorporated into separate geodatabase feature classes to support various data summaries ("PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFileOtherExtents_Clip_Census.zip") and Comma-separated Value (CSV) tables ("PADUS3_0SummaryStatistics_TabularData_CSV.zip") summarizing "PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFileOtherExtents_Clip_Census.zip" are provided as an alternative format and enable users to explore and download summary statistics of interest (Comma-separated Table [CSV], Microsoft Excel Workbook [.XLSX], Portable Document Format [.PDF] Report) from the PAD-US Lands and Inland Water Statistics Dashboard ( https://www.usgs.gov/programs/gap-analysis-project/science/pad-us-statistics ). In addition, a "flattened" version of the PAD-US 3.0 combined file without other extent boundaries ("PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFile_ClipCensus.zip") allow for other applications that require a representation of overall protection status without overlapping designation boundaries. The "PADUS3_0VectorAnalysis_State_Clip_CENSUS2020" feature class ("PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFileOtherExtents_Clip_Census.gdb") is the source of the PAD-US 3.0 raster files (associated item of PAD-US 3.0 Spatial Analysis and Statistics, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KLBB5D ). Note, the PAD-US inventory is now considered functionally complete with the vast majority of land protection types represented in some manner, while work continues to maintain updates and improve data quality (see inventory completeness estimates at: http://www.protectedlands.net/data-stewards/ ). In addition, changes in protected area status between versions of the PAD-US may be attributed to improving the completeness and accuracy of the spatial data more than actual management actions or new acquisitions. USGS provides no legal warranty for the use of this data. While PAD-US is the official aggregation of protected areas ( https://www.fgdc.gov/ngda-reports/NGDA_Datasets.html ), agencies are the best source of their lands data.
This vector analysis of the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) was created to provide land managers and decision makers with a general summary of management for biodiversity protection, natural resource management, and recreation access. The PAD-US inventory is an aggregation of data from managing entities, or best available sources, representing the U.S. protected areas network and contains many overlapping boundaries. These vector analysis files were created to remove overlapping features and "flatten" the data to facilitate spatial analysis and the calculation of area statistics. These vector analysis files also allow for other applications that require a representation of overall protection status without overlapping designation boundaries. Alternative formats are available including Comma-separated Value (CSV) tables and a rasterized version to facilitate the combination of protected areas data with other raster data (See PAD-US 3.0 Raster Analysis File associated with this data release; https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KLBB5D ). GAP Status Code, a measure of management intent to protect biodiversity, is used to prioritize overlapping management designations during the data "flattening" process, with highest priority given to GAP Status 1 areas. See the PAD-US Website https://www.usgs.gov/gapanalysis/PAD-US for more information.
20220131
publication date
As needed
-180.0000
180.0000
71.3600
-14.6000
None
NGDA Portfolio Themes
Protected Area
Land Manager
GAP Status Code
Land Stewardship
Land Ownership
Gap Analysis
Biodiversity
Conservation
Protection Status
IUCN Category
Federal Lands
Public Lands
Outdoor Recreation
Public Health
Public Open Space
Parks
Governmental Units
State Lands
Private Lands
Local Government Lands
Federal Agencies and Programs
Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Bureau of Reclamation
Tennessee Valley Authority
Department of Energy
Agricultural Research Service
USGS Thesaurus
Geography
Land-Use Change
USGS Metadata Identifier
USGS:6196b9ffd34eb622f691aca7
None
United States
Alabama (AL)
Alaska (AK)
Arizona (AZ)
Arkansas (AR)
California (CA)
Colorado (CO)
Connecticut (CT)
Delaware (DE)
Florida (FL)
Georgia (GA)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Illinois (IL)
Indiana (IN)
Iowa (IA)
Kansas (KS)
Kentucky (KY)
Louisiana (LA)
Maine (ME)
Maryland (MD)
Massachusetts (MA)
Michigan (MI)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
Missouri (MO)
Montana (MT)
Nebraska (NE)
Nevada (NV)
New Hampshire (NH)
New Jersey (NJ)
New Mexico (NM)
New York (NY)
North Carolina (NC)
North Dakota (ND)
Ohio (OH)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Pennsylvania (PA)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Carolina (SC)
South Dakota (SD)
Tennessee (TN)
Texas (TX)
Utah (UT)
Vermont (VT)
Virginia (VA)
Washington (WA)
West Virginia (WV)
Wisconsin (WI)
Wyoming (WY)
American Samoa (AS)
Mariana Islands (MP)
Guam (GU)
Puerto Rico (PR)
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (UM)
United States Virgin Islands (VI)
Common geographic areas
United States
None
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
These data are in the public domain.
The Digital Object Identifier https://doi.org:/10.5066/P9KLBB5D for PAD-US 3.0 Spatial Analysis and Statistics provides the persistent reference that should be used to obtain the data for use. The U.S. Geological Survey and all contributing data partners shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and (or) contained herein. All information is created with a specific end use or uses in mind. This is especially true for GIS data, which is expensive to produce and must be directed to meet the immediate program needs. These data were created with the expectation that they would be used for other applications; however, inappropriate uses are listed below. This list is in no way exhaustive but should serve as a guide to assess whether a proposed use can or cannot be supported by these data. For many uses, it is unlikely that PAD-US will provide the only data needed, and for uses with a regulatory outcome, authoritative agency data and field surveys should verify the result. PAD-US is recommended for users seeking general information about more than one agency or organization's lands. Users should seek authoritative source data directly to answer questions regarding one agency or those requiring more frequent updates. Ultimately, it will be the responsibility of each data user to determine if these data can answer the question being asked. Furthermore, the database is released on condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from its authorized or unauthorized use. Inappropriate uses include: Using PAD-US for applications or analyses associated with one agency or a particular unit (agencies are always the best and authoritative source of their land data and many publish updates more frequently than PAD-US). Using some data to map small areas, typically requiring mapping resolution at 1:24,000 scale as boundary quality varies by data source (See "State of PAD-US Data" - a graphical summary of inventory completeness, appropriate scale, and update frequency at: https://communities.geoplatform.gov/ngda-govunits/federal-lands-workgroup/) and using aerial photographs or ground surveys in areas where data are incomplete. Combining these data with other data finer than 1:100,000 scale (except for select federal agencies or states identified in "State of PAD-US Data") to produce new hybrid maps or answer queries. Generating specific areal measurements from the data finer than the nearest thousand hectares. Representing boundaries as a legal representation for regulation or acquisition. Establishing definite occurrence or non-occurrence of any feature for an exact geographic area. Determining abundance, health, or condition of any feature. Using the data without acquiring and reviewing the metadata. Using Designation Type (Des_Tp) and/or Unit Name (Unit_Nm) to query area (GIS_Acres) for specific designation types or Units in the Vector Analysis as these fields describe the result of the priorization process to remove overlapping designations. Use the full inventory geodatabase (PAD_US3_0.gdb, doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B) for Designation Type (Des_Tp) and/or Unit Name (Unit_Nm) queries to obtain the original boundary area.
USGS Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)
PAD-US Team
PAD-US Dataset Manager
mailing address
PO Box 25046, MS 302
Denver
Colorado
80225
USA
1-888-275-8747
pad-us@usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2022, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 3.0 Spatial Analysis and Statistics: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/:10.5066/P9KLBB5D
Environment as of Metadata Creation: Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Version 1909 (Build 18363) ; Esri ArcGIS 10.8.1.14362, PAD_US3_0.gdb
As a compilation of many data sets, attribute completeness and accuracy may vary. Federal data providers reviewed the translation of their spatial data files into the PAD-US schema and the aggregated database. In addition, the PAD-US Team reviewed PAD-US Vector Analysis File attribute accuracy and consistency.
Boundary discrepancies (mostly small slivers) between agency datasets and major overlaps associated with fee ownership (mostly between federal and state lands) in the PAD-US Fee layer of the PAD-US 3.0 geodatabase (PAD_US3_0.gdb, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B ) have been identified and are shared with agency data-stewards, who will edit source files as resources allow. Users are encouraged to review topology overlap errors associated with the PAD-US 3.0 Fee Overlap Assessment (See Process Step 10, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B ) for reference. Duplicates were identified in the PAD_US3_0.gdb. Some are legitimate while others are difficult to remove without further information and will be edited over time as legacy data are replaced. In addition, overlapping designation boundaries are intersected into fee simple lands in the Vector Analysis prioritization process; however, many designation boundaries include private or other inholdings and may result in inflated area calculations by land manager. Only protected areas within the full extent of legal Census state boundaries are included in the Vector Analysis Files. The Marine feature class in the full PAD-US inventory was not included in this analysis of PAD-US lands and inland waters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Protected Areas Center is the authoritative source of marine protected area statistics (https://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/dataanalysis/mpainventory/).
The PAD-US inventory is now considered functionally complete with the vast majority of land protection types represented in some manner, while work continues to increase update frequency and improve data quality. Estimated completeness of the PAD-US 3.0 inventory is available in Steward Reports at www.protectedlands.net/data-stewards/. Qualitative completeness estimates by federal agency balance acres inventoried and the quality of data/attributes in each inventory, including fee owned parcels, easement interests and major designations. For example, federal agencies estimate the percent completeness of lands data submitted for PAD-US 3.0 as: NPS (95%), USFS (99%), FWS (89%), BLM (85%), NRCS (85%), and NOAA (95%). The estimated completeness of state aggregations is available from www.protectedlands.net/data-stewards/ (state map). A graphical summary of the "State of PAD-US data" (fee lands only) illustrating spatial data quality and update frequency of the PAD-US, federal, and state agency data is available at: https://communities.geoplatform.gov/ngda-govunits/federal-lands-workgroup/. USGS continually seeks to improve inventory completeness and spatial data quality in collaboration with agency data-stewards as described in "Completing America's Inventory of Public Parks and Protected Areas: An Action Plan for 2016 - 2020" (2016) available at www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/science/pad-us-vision .
As a compilation of many data sets, attribute completeness and accuracy may vary. Federal data providers reviewed the translation of their spatial data files into the PAD-US schema and the aggregated database. In addition, the PAD-US team summarized and reviewed the final database and each feature class for overall attribute accuracy and consistency.
A formal accuracy assessment of the vertical positional information in the data set is not applicable.
U.S. Census Bureau
20190809
TIGER/Line 2020 116th Congressional District National Shapefile
vector digital data
Washington, DC
Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.2020.html
https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2020/CD/tl_2020_us_cd116.zip
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20210128
publication date
CENSUS Congressional District
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by congressional districts.
U.S. Census Bureau
20210128
TIGER/Line 2020 County and Equivalent Entity National Shapefile
vector digital data
Washington, DC
Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.2020.html
https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2020/COUNTY/tl_2020_us_county.zip
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20210128
publication date
CENSUS Counties
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by counties or equivalent entities.
U.S. Census Bureau
20210128
TIGER/Line 2020 Urban Area National Shapefile
vector digital data
Washington, DC
Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.2020.html
https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2020/UAC/tl_2020_us_uac10.zip
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20210128
publication date
CENSUS Urban Areas
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by urban areas.
U.S. Census Bureau
20210128
TIGER/Line 2020 State and Equivalent Entity National Shapefile
vector digital data
Washington, DC
Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau
https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.2020.html
https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2020/STATE/tl_2020_us_state.zip
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20210128
publication date
CENSUS State
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by state.
U.S. Department of the Interior
20180801
Unified Interior Regional Boundaries
vector digital data
Washington, DC
U.S. Department of the Interior
https://www.doi.gov/employees/reorg/unified-regional-boundaries
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20180801
publication date
DOI Regions
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by DOI Region.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
20150701
2015 Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Network Areas
vector digital data
USA
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/55b943ade4b09a3b01b65d78
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20150701
publication date
LCC
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
20100501
North American (CEC) Ecoregion Level 1
vector digital data
Corvallis, OR
U.S. EPA Office of Research & Development (ORD) - National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
https://gaftp.epa.gov/EPADataCommons/ORD/Ecoregions/cec_na/na_cec_eco_l1.zip
https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions-north-america
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20100501
publication date
NA CEC Eco Level 1
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by Level 1 North American Ecoregions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
20100501
North American (CEC) Ecoregion Level 2
vector digital data
Corvallis, OR
U.S. EPA Office of Research & Development (ORD) - National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
https://gaftp.epa.gov/EPADataCommons/ORD/Ecoregions/cec_na/na_cec_eco_l2.zip
https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions-north-america
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20100501
publication date
NA CEC Eco Level 2
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by Level 2 North American Ecoregions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
20130416
Level III Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States
vector digital data
Corvallis, OR
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) - National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
https://gaftp.epa.gov/EPADataCommons/ORD/Ecoregions/us/us_eco_l3.zip
https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-continental-united-states
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20130416
publication date
US Eco Level 3
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by Level III United States Ecoregions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
20130416
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States
vector digital data
Corvallis, OR
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) - National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
https://gaftp.epa.gov/EPADataCommons/ORD/Ecoregions/us/us_eco_l4.zip
https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-continental-united-states
Digital and/or Hardcopy
20130416
publication date
US Eco Level 4
Provide alternative boundary lines to support data summaries by Level IV United States Ecoregions.
A Python scripted process ("PADUS3_0_CreateVectorAnalysisFileScript.zip") prioritized overlapping designations (e.g. Wilderness within a National Forest) in the full PAD-US inventory based upon their relative biodiversity conservation (e.g. GAP Status Code 1 over 2), public access values (in the order of Closed, Restricted, Open, Unknown), geodatabase load order (easements over designations over fee owned lands) and simplified the PAD-US 3.0 Combined Fee, Designation, Easement vector file (also includes Military Lands and Tribal Areas from the Proclamation and Other Planning Boundary feature class) by the following PAD-US attributes: Manager Type, Manager Name, Designation Type, Unit Name, GAP Status Code, and Public Access. The GAP Priority (GAP_Prity) field was added during prioritization to facilite Raster Analysis File development from the Vector Analysis File as rasterization priorizes higher numbers (Gap_Sts 1 becomes Gap_Prity 9, Gap_Sts 2 becomes Gap_Prity 8, Gap_Sts 3 becomes Gap_Prity 7, Gap_Sts 4 becomes Gap_Prity 6, Non-PADUS areas included through the boundaries of interest listed below become Gap_Prity 5). Boundaries of interest to stakeholders (State, Congressional District, County, Department of the Interior Region, EcoRegions I-IV, Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Urban Areas) were incorporated into the Vector Analysis File to support data summaries. Domain descriptions from each Vector feature class was exported from the "PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFileOtherExtents_Clip_Census.gdb" and summarized by: Manager Type, Manager Name, Public Access, GAP Status Code, State Name, GIS Acres (format double), Boundary Extent (e.g. County, Congressional District), Boundary Name (e.g. specific County Name, specific Congressional District name), and Boundary ID (e.g. County FIPS code) to create Comma Separated Value (CSV) tables ("PADUS3_0SummaryStatistics_TabularData_CSV.zip") as an alternative format for web applications (e.g. PAD-US Lands and Inland Waters Statistics Dashboard, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/gap-analysis-project/science/pad-us-statistics ). The "flattened" version of the PAD-US 3.0 Combined Fee, Designation, Easement vector file is also available without the other extent boundaries listed above, to support user needs for vector analysis files that require a representation of overall protection status without overlapping designation boundaries.
20211020
Vector
GT-polygon composed of chains
USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic USGS version
29.5
45.5
-96.0
23.0
0.0
0.0
coordinate pair
0.0001
0.0001
meters
D North American 1983
GRS_1980
6378137.0
298.257222101
PADUS3_0Fee_Designation_Easement_DOD_Trbl_FlatVectorSingPart_ClipCensus Attribute Table
Entity_Type_Definition: The PAD-US 3.0 Combined Fee Designation Easement Vector Analysis geodatabase (PADUS3_0VectorAnalysisFileOtherExtents_Clip_Census.gdb) includes a layer for each area of interest (State, Congressional District, County, Department of the Interior Region, EcoRegions I-IV, Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Urban Areas) and a table containing attribute information associated with the data set.
Producer Defined
OBJECTID
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Shape
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Coordinates defining the features.
Mang_Type
General land manager description standardized for the U.S. See PAD-US Data Manual for “Agency Name to Agency Type Crosswalk” or geodatabase look up table for full domain descriptions. https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
Producer Defined
FED
Federal
Producer defined
TRIB
American Indian Lands
Producer defined
JNT
Joint
Producer defined
LOC
Local Government
Producer defined
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
Producer defined
PVT
Private
Producer defined
STAT
State
Producer defined
UNK
Unknown
Producer defined
DIST
Regional Agency Special District
Producer defined
TERR
Territorial
Producer defined
Mang_Name
Land manager or administrative agency standardized for the U.S. See PAD-US Data Manual or geodatabase look up table for 'Agency Name' for full domain descriptions. https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
Producer Defined
DOD
Department of Defense
Producer defined
TRIB
American Indian Lands
Producer defined
FWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Producer defined
NPS
National Park Service
Producer defined
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Producer defined
OTHF
Other or Unknown Federal Land
Producer defined
JNT
Joint
Producer defined
CITY
City Land
Producer defined
CNTY
County Land
Producer defined
UNKL
Other or Unknown Local Government
Producer defined
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
Producer defined
PVT
Private
Producer defined
OTHS
Other or Unknown State Land
Producer defined
SDNR
State Department of Natural Resources
Producer defined
SDOL
State Department of Land
Producer defined
SPR
State Park and Recreation
Producer defined
UNK
Unknown
Producer defined
REG
Regional Agency Land
Producer defined
RWD
Regional Water Districts
Producer defined
BLM
Bureau of Land Management
Producer defined
DOE
Department of Energy
Producer defined
OTHR
Other
Producer defined
USACE
Army Corps of Engineers
Producer defined
USBR
Bureau of Reclamation
Producer defined
USFS
Forest Service
Producer defined
SFW
State Fish and Wildlife
Producer defined
SLB
State Land Board
Producer defined
ARS
Agricultural Research Service
Producer defined
SDC
State Department of Conservation
Producer defined
TVA
Tennessee Valley Authority
Producer defined
BPA
Bonneville Power Administration
Producer defined
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Producer defined
GU
Guam Government
Producer defined
MP
Mariana Islands Government
Producer defined
Des_Tp
The prioritized unit's land management description or 'Designation Type', standardized for the U.S. (e.g. 'Area of Critical Environmental Concern', 'Wilderness Area', 'State Park', 'Local Recreation Area', 'Conservation Easement'). See the PAD-US Data Manual for a crosswalk of 'Designation Type' from source data where 'Local Designation Type' may include related designations in various formats (e.g. NWSR, National Recreation River, National Scenic River, Eligible - Recreational, Eligible - Wild, etc.) or the geodatabase look up table for 'Designation Type' domain descriptions. 'Designation Type' supports PAD-US full inventory geodatabase queries and the categorical assignment of conservation measures (i.e. 'GAP Status Code', 'IUCN Category') and 'Public Access' in the absence of other information. Using Designation Type (Des_Tp) to query area (GIS_Acres) for specific designation types in the Vector Analysis File is not appropriate as these fields describe the result of the Vector Analysis prioritization process to remove overlapping designations and the original designated area may no longer be represented. Use the full inventory geodatabase (PAD_US3_0.gdb, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B ) for Designation Type (Des_Tp) queries of interest.
See Online PAD-US Data Manual available at https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
NP
National Park
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NM
National Monument
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NCA
Conservation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NF
National Forest
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NG
National Grassland
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PUB
National Public Lands
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NT
National Scenic or Historic Trail
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NWR
National Wildlife Refuge
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
WA
Wilderness Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
WSR
Wild and Scenic River
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
WSA
Wilderness Study Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
MPA
Marine Protected Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NRA
National Recreation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NSBV
National Scenic, Botanical or Volcanic Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
NLS
National Lakeshore or Seashore
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
IRA
Inventoried Roadless Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
ACEC
Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
RNA
Research Natural Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
REC
Recreation Management Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
RMA
Resource Management Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
WPA
Watershed Protection Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
REA
Research or Educational Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
HCA
Historic or Cultural Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
MIT
Mitigation Land or Bank
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
MIL
Military Land
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
ACC
Access Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SDA
Special Designation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PROC
Approved or Proclamation Boundary
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
FOTH
Federal Other or Unknown
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
ND
Not Designated
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
TRIBL
Native American Land Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SP
State Park
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SW
State Wilderness
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SCA
State Conservation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SREC
State Recreation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SHCA
State Historic or Cultural Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SRMA
State Resource Management Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
SOTH
State Other or Unknown
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LP
Local Park
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LCA
Local Conservation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LREC
Local Recreation Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LHCA
Local Historic or Cultural Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LRMA
Local Resource Management Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
LOTH
Local Other or Unknown
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PCON
Private Conservation
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PPRK
Private Park
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PREC
Private Recreation or Education
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PHCA
Private Historic or Cultural
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PAGR
Private Agricultural
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PRAN
Private Ranch
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
PFOR
Private Forest Stewardship
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
POTH
Private Other or Unknown
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
CONE
Conservation Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
RECE
Recreation or Education Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
HCAE
Historic or Cultural Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
AGRE
Agricultural Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
RANE
Ranch Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
FORE
Forest Stewardship Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
OTHE
Other Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
UNKE
Unknown Easement
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
UNK
Unknown
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
OCS
Outer Continental Shelf Area
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
FACY
Facility
Designation Type Domain Code and Description
Unit_Nm
The name of the protected area prioritized in the Vector Analysis File in the PAD-US Unit Name Standard (i.e. full name including the designation type in Proper Case without acronyms, unit identifiers, special characters, space or return errors), complimenting PAD-US 'Local Name'. As null values are not permitted in this standardized field, categorical assignments are sometimes made from the 'Manager Name' field and an automatically-incremented number for each protected area when data gaps occur in source files. This field is in a state of transition as data-stewards move toward common standards. It is not appropriate to use Unit Name (Unit_Nm) to query area (GIS_Acres) for specific protected areas or Units in the Vector Analysis File as these fields describe the result of the priorization process to remove overlapping designations and the original area may no longer be represented. Use the full inventory geodatabase (PAD_US3_0.gdb, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B ) for Unit Name (Unit_Nm) queries to obtain the original area of the boundary.
See Online PAD-US Data Manual available at https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
Unit_Nm
U.S. Geological Survey
Pub_Access
Level of 'Public Access' permitted (Open, Closed, Restricted, Unknown). See PAD-US Data Manual for full domain descriptions. https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
Producer Defined
XA
'Closed' occurs where no public access is allowed (e.g. land bank property, special ecological study areas, military bases, many easements, etc.)
Producer defined
UK
'Unknown' is assigned where information is not currently available.
Producer defined
OA
'Open' requires no special requirements for public access to the property (may include regular hours of availability)
Producer defined
RA
'Restricted' requires a special permit from the owner for access, a registration permit on public land (e.g. self-permitting Wild and Scenic River, backcountry Wilderness registration) or has highly variable times when open to use
Producer defined
GAP_Sts
'GAP Status Code' is a measure of management intent to conserve biodiversity. See PAD-US Data Manual for full domain descriptions. https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
Producer Defined
4
'GAP Status Code 4' - no known mandate for biodiversity protection
Producer defined
3
'GAP Status Code 3' - managed for multiple uses – subject to extractive (e.g. mining or logging) or OHV use
Producer defined
2
'GAP Status Code 2' - managed for biodiversity – disturbance events suppressed
Producer defined
1
'GAP Status Code 1' - managed for biodiversity – disturbance events proceed or are mimicked
Producer defined
Gap_Prity
GAP Status Code reclassified to maintain prioritization during Raster Analysis File development process. The GAP Priority (GAP_Prity) field was added during Vector Analysis File prioritization to facilitate rasterization as rasters prioritize higher numbers (Gap_Sts 1 becomes Gap_Prity 9, Gap_Sts 2 becomes Gap_Prity 8, Gap_Sts 3 becomes Gap_Prity 7, Gap_Sts 4 becomes Gap_Prity 6, Non-PADUS areas included through the boundaries of interest to stakeholders (State, Congressional District, County, Department of the Interior Region, EcoRegions I-IV, Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Urban Areas).
Producer Defined
Not applicable
NAME
The location name (NAME) of the state or territory by United States Postal Service abbreviation (STUSPS). The U.S. Census Bureau States and Equivalent data serve as the common standard to apply 'State Name' and to integrate state jurisdictional boundaries into the PAD-US. See the PAD-US Data Manual for more information.
See Online PAD-US Data Manual available at https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/science-analytics-and-synthesis/gap/pad-us-data-manual
NAME
U.S. Geological Survey
GIS_Acres
GIS calculated acreage for each polygon.
Producer Defined
Not applicable
SHAPE_Leng
Length in km2 of the polygon or area of interest
Producer Defined
7.06673517047
35502931.507
SHAPE_Area
Area in km2 of the polygon or area of interest
Producer Defined
2.35343614595
126085030253.0
U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase
mailing and physical address
Building 810, Mail Stop 302
Denver
Colorado
80225
USA
1-888-275-8747
sciencebase@usgs.gov
Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
Digital Data
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/6196b9ffd34eb622f691aca7
None
20220706
USGS Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)
PAD-US Team
PAD-US Dataset Manager
mailing address
PO Box 25046, MS 302
Denver
Colorado
80225
USA
1-888-275-8747
pad-us@usgs.gov
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998