Alternative Text Description for Coastal Barrier Resources System

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) for Florida and portions of adjacent states. The map shows designated undeveloped coastal barrier areas that fall under federal protection according to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. These areas are represented as distinct polygon features outlined along Florida's extensive coastline, the Florida Panhandle, and portions of southern Georgia and Alabama.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida and extends into neighboring states. Major cities labeled include Miami, Cape Coral, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Pensacola, and Savannah in the map extent. The map shows Florida's distinctive peninsula shape extending southward, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of America to the west. The Florida Keys island chain is visible extending southwest from the southern tip of the mainland. Adjacent state territories shown include southern portions of Georgia and Alabama to the north, with county and regional boundaries visible but de-emphasized.

KEY INSIGHTS

CBRS units are concentrated along Florida's extensive coastline, forming an almost continuous pattern around the state's perimeter. The densest concentration of designated areas occurs along the southwestern Gulf coast from the Panhandle through the Tampa Bay region, along the Atlantic coast near Jacksonville, and throughout the Florida Keys. The Panhandle region shows a distinct linear pattern of barrier island designations extending from Pensacola eastward. Notably, large portions of Florida's interior show no CBRS designations, as these protected areas are specifically limited to coastal barrier environments. The spatial distribution reveals that nearly all of Florida's coastal barrier systems have been included in this federal designation program.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Coastal Barrier Resources System

This layer represents federally designated undeveloped coastal barrier areas protected under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act.

CBRS Designated Areas (brown hatched polygons with brown outlines)

Appearance:

Polygons are rendered with brown diagonal hatching or striping pattern and outlined in brown. The hatching creates a distinctive textured appearance that contrasts with the light gray base map.

Distribution:

Features appear along nearly all of Florida's coastline, including both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America shores. Significant concentrations appear along barrier islands, coastal peninsulas, and island chains.

Notable locations:

Spatial patterns:

CBRS units follow the natural geography of barrier islands and coastal formations. Linear arrangements are prominent along the Panhandle's barrier island chain. In the Florida Keys, polygons form a discontinuous chain pattern following the island arc. Along both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, features tend to cluster in areas of barrier island complexes rather than appearing on mainland shorelines. The distribution pattern reflects the location of undeveloped coastal barriers suitable for conservation designation.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents official CBRS boundaries designated by Congress or adopted by the Secretary of the Interior and maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The digital polygons shown are representations of CBRS boundaries and should not be considered authoritative for determining eligibility for federal financial assistance such as federal flood insurance. Properties in close proximity to CBRS boundaries (within 20 feet) should obtain official determinations by following procedures outlined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The official CBRS maps are the controlling documents for all official determinations.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This data set is produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and contains areas designated as undeveloped coastal barriers in accordance with the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), 16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., as amended. Official maps are created through digital methods and maintained by the Service. Data source layer: CBRS_DEC24NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087).

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria is applied. The map displays all CBRS designated areas within the geographic extent.

Scale Information:

The map shows regional-scale coverage appropriate for viewing the distribution of CBRS units across Florida and adjacent states. Individual polygon boundaries are visible at this scale.

Coordinate System:

NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087).

Time Period of Content:

December 2024. CBRS maps are updated as boundaries are revised through Congressional enactment or administrative adoption by the Secretary of the Interior.

Limitations:

These digital polygons are representations of official CBRS boundaries and are not authoritative. CBRS boundaries are subject to misrepresentations including misalignments with third-party base layers and projection issues. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not responsible for misuse or misinterpretation of this digital data set. Official CBRS maps should be consulted for all official determinations, and are available at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices and online.

Map Coverage:

The map covers the entire state of Florida and extends into southern portions of Georgia and Alabama to provide geographic context. The Straits of Florida are visible at the southern extent of the map.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.