Look for complete geospatial metadata in this layer's associated xml document available from the download link

* Metric Name: Marbled Murrelet Critical Habitat  

* Tier: 2  

* Data Vintage: 01/2011  

* Unit Of Measure: Binary, 0/1  

* Metric Definition and Relevance: This data layer depicts lands designated as critical habitat under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act for the Marbled Murrelet in California. Critical habitat is the specific area within the geographic range of the species, occupied by the species at the time it was listed, that contain the physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of endangered and threatened species and that may need special management or protection. Critical habitat may also include areas that were not occupied by the species at the time of listing but are essential to its conservation. 

Critical habitat designations affect only Federal agency actions or federally
funded or permitted activities. Critical habitat designations do not affect
activities by private landowners if there is no Federal “nexus”—that is, no
Federal funding or authorization. Federal agencies are required to avoid
“destruction” or “adverse modification” of designated critical habitat. The
ESA requires the designation of “critical habitat” for listed species when
“prudent and determinable.”

  

* Creation Method: Polygon layer from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife BIOS downloaded and converted to raster by RRK team. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determined that the critical
habitat for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), as designated in
1996 and revised in 2011, meets the statutory definition of critical habitat
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The current
designation includes approximately 3,698,100 acres (1,497,000 hectares) of
critical habitat in the States of Washington, Oregon, and California.

Final rule published at[ 61 FR
26256](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/61-FR-26256) and effective on
June 24, 1996, as revised at[ 76 FR
61599](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/76-FR-61599), and effective on
November 4, 2011.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service originally proposed to designate critical
habitat for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) in
Washington, Oregon, and California on January 27, 1994 (59 FR 3811). Based on
comments received on the original proposal and additional information, the
Service published a

supplemental proposed designation of critical habitat for the marbled murrelet
on August 10, 1995 (60 FR 40892).

The marbled murrelet is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered
Species Act (Act). It is a small seabird of the Alcidae family that forages in
the near-shore marine environment and nests in large trees in coniferous
forests. Located primarily on Federal land, and to a lesser extent on State,
county, city, and private lands, this

final critical habitat rule would provide additional protection requirements
under section 7 of the Act with regard to activities that are funded,
authorized, or carried out by a Federal agency. Section 4 of the Act requires
the Service to designate critical habitat for listed species on the basis of
the best scientific information available and to consider the economic and
other relevant impacts of including particular areas in the designation.

  

* Credits: California Department of Fish and Wildlife CWHR version 9.0 (CDFW); 2014  \\- Feature class name: ds157