DEVELOPING COASTAL MAPPING PROTOCOLS: AN INTERAGENCY APPROACH FOR THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL NATIONAL PARKS

A comprehensive geologic resource inventory is necessary for the effective management of our coastal national parks. In coastal areas, surficial and subsurface geology are intertwined with park flora, fauna, soil, water and cultural resources. In addition, relative sea level rise, geologic hazards, and anthropogenic modifications create an immediate need for detailed geologic mapping in coastal areas. A workshop held on June 25-27, 2002 at Canaveral National Seashore, brought together 38 federal, state and private industry employees. The participants, including coastal geologists, park managers, resource specialists, information technology specialists and inventory & monitoring coordinators, worked to establish coastal mapping protocols for the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean regions within the National Park Service. Workshop participants discussed mapping needs and formulated a list of specific mapping units for coastal areas. The chosen major coastal map divisions include Anthropogenic, Supratidal, Intertidal, Subtidal, and Riverine features. This list of coastal map units will be revised as park-specific needs are identified during individual coastal park scoping sessions. One goal of this project is to provide seamless coverage from emergent to submergent geologic features. We are also investigating effective methods to characterize subsurface geology in coastal areas. Adjacent areas outside of park boundaries are also of interest, but will probably be mapped in lesser detail. Through interagency partnerships, including USGS, NASA, state, academic, and private industry, the National Park Service will map important geologic resources in coastal national parks. The final mapping products will enable park managers to effectively monitor changes in coastal areas, and will aid in the understanding of geologic processes affecting coastal health and sustainability.