Merged polygon feature class; should be used in conjunction with the merged line feature class "All_critical_habitat_line_YYYYMMDD".

Refer to the metadata in each feature class for more information on specific proposed or designated critical habitat.

The spatial data represent critical habitat locations; however, the complete description and official boundaries of critical habitat proposed or designated by NMFS are provided in proposed rules, final rules, and the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 226). Official critical habitat boundaries may include regulatory text that modifies or clarifies maps and spatial data. Proposed rules, final rules, and the CFR also describe any areas that are excluded from critical habitat or otherwise not part of critical habitat (e.g., ineligible areas), some of which have not been clipped out of the spatial data.

Both proposed and designated critical habitat are included in this feature class. Proposed critical habitat will be replaced by final designations soon after a final rule is published in the Federal Register. This feature class version may not include spatial data for recently proposed, modified, or designated critical habitat.