Data Management Plan

This data set contains vector lines and polygons representing the shoreline and coastal habitats of Central California classified according to the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) classification system. This data set comprises a portion of the ESI data for Central California. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources.

Process Steps:

• 2006-05-01 00:00:00 - The shoreline habitats on the original ESI maps, published in 1994, were re-examined and updated by a coastal geologist using two methods: interpretation of contiguous oblique digital aerial photography acquired in 2004 (www.californiacoastline.org) and verification via overflights and ground surveys conducted in April 2005. The overflights were conducted at elevations of 400-600 feet and slow air speed. During these overflights, the ESI shoreline classification was verified and changes were denoted on hardcopy 1:24,000-scale U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps. Where appropriate, revisions to the existing shoreline were made. Where necessary, multiple types were described for each shoreline segment.The above digital and/or hardcopy sources were compiled to create the ESI data layer. Depending on the type of source data, three general approaches are used for compiling the data layer: (1) hardcopy maps are digitized at their source scale; (2) digital data layers are evaluated and used "as is" or integrated with the hardcopy data sources; and (3) overflight classifications are digitized from the scanned and registered hardcopy field maps. After the initial shoreline classification, these data are edgematched and checked for logical consistency errors. Review maps are plotted at 1:24,000 scale for verification of polygonal and linear attributes. See the Lineage section for additional information on the type of source data for this data layer. The compiled ESI, biology, and human-use data are plotted onto hardcopy draft maps. Following the delivery of draft maps to the participating resource experts, a second set of interviews is conducted to review the maps. If necessary, edits to the ESI data layer are made based on the recommendations of the resource experts, and final hardcopy maps and digital data are created.

Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor). ESI data are processed into multiple formats to make them useful to a wider community of GIS/mapping users. Distribution formats include a Geodatabase; ARC export, MOSS, and Shape files; and MARPLOT map folders. An ArcMap .mxd file, an ArcView 3.x ESI project, and an ESI_Viewer product are also included on the distribution CDs for ease of use of the ESI data. The database files are distributed both in the NOAA standard relational database format (see NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 115) and in a simplified desktop flat file format. This metadata document includes information on both of these database formats.;