The wetlands polygons included in this data set are extracted from the Land Use 2002 layer. Displayed are all polygons that have a TYPE02 code of 'WETLANDS'. While these wetland delineations are not regulatory lines, they represent important resource data in identifying potential wetland areas. These wetland data have a somewhat involved delineation history. Non-tidal wetlands were first mapped in a separate effort under the Freshwater Wetlands Mapping Program (FWW), based on 1986 photography. Although the original FWW maps were produced as a separate data set, they were incorporated into a state wide composite land use/land cover (LU/LC) data set also being initially mapped from the 1986 photography. The FWW delineations were integrated into the LU/LC data layer in their entirety as originally delineated, with all line work and coding intact. The tidal wetlands were being mapped as part the LU/LC mapping effort itself. This integrated data set, including the FWW delineations, and the remaining land use/land cover delineations for areas outside of the FWW polygons, which included tidal wetland areas, became the initial 1986 LU/LC layer for the NJDEP. Beginning in 1995, NJDEP acquired new aerial imagery, and began updating the initial integrated LU/LC layer from 1986 based on this newer imagery. The 1986 layer was examined with the new imagery, and areas of change delineated, with any new line work and land use codes needed to map the changes added to the base data set. This updated LU/LC layer is identified as Land Use 1995 in this application. Included in the change analysis were any non-tidal wetland polygons mapped in the original FWW mapping effort, as well as any tidal wetland polygons mapped in the 1986 LU/LC mapping effort. More recently, new photography was acquired in the spring of 2002, and this photography was used in a second land use update project. The Land Use 1995 layer was examined over the 2002 imagery, and an updated layer based on the 2002 imagery was created, available in this application as 'Land Use 2002'. The layer displayed here is the selection of all wetlands, both tidal and non-tidal, as included in that 2002 land use layer. As with all original wetland delineations delineations, this data set is intended to serve as a resource for analysis rather than regulatory delineations. The NJDEP may change the line work of any wetlands polygon based on more in depth analysis and field inspection for regulatory purposes.

Please note that this file is large, ~150 MB, and may take a substantial amount of time to download especially on slower internet connections.Shapefile (NJ State Plane NAD 1983) download: Click "Open" or Click hereThis data was created by combining two separate data sets, the land use/land cover layer from the Integrated Terrain Unit Maps (ITUM) for this county and the freshwater wetlands (FWW) layer generated under the New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Mapping Program. The Arc/INFO LULC coverage has been converted to an ArcView shapefile for distribution. The ITUM land use/land cover was photo interpreted from 1986 color infrared (CIR) 1:58000 aerial photos, and delineated using a modified Anderson et al. 1976, classification system to 1:24000 rectified photo-basemaps. These basemaps complied with National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS) as individual quadrangles but were not produced from a sophisticated aero-triangulation photogrammetric solution. Minimum mapping unit = 2.5 acres. The ITUM land use/land cover was integrated with three other sources (soils, USGS floodprone areas, and 1906 Atlas Sheet Geology) based on coincident features. The four data layers have subsequently been split out into four separate themes for distribution and use. Beginning in 1998, the NJDEP does not support the data as a single integrated ITUM theme but rather as four separate themes. Freshwater wetlands delineations were made on 1986 orthophoto quarterquad basemaps (1:12000) by photo interpretation of 1986 CIR photos. The classification system used was a modified Cowardin system (Cowardin, et al., 1979). All freshwater wetland polygons greater than 1 acre in area and all linear freshwater wetland features greater than 10 feet in width were mapped. The 1986 quarterquad basemaps meet NMAS and are orthophotos.

Self Service Web Map used in Self Service Mapping Application to make maps with Open Data layers.

The wetlands polygons included in this data set are extracted from the Land Use 2012 layer. Displayed are all polygons that have a TYPE12 code of 'WETLANDS'. While these wetland delineations are not regulatory lines, they represent important resource data in identifying potential wetland areas. The 2012 LU/LC data set is the fifth in a series of land use mapping efforts that was begun in 1986. Revisions and additions to the initial baseline layer were done in subsequent years from imagery captured in 1995/97, 2002, 2007 and 2012. This present 2012 update was created by comparing the 2007 LU/LC layer from NJDEP's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database to 2012 color infrared (CIR) imagery and delineating and coding areas of change. Work for this data set was done by Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA, under direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Geographic Information System (BGIS). LU/LC changes were captured by adding new line work and attribute data for the 2012 land use directly to the base data layer. All 2007 LU/LC polygons and attribute fields remain in this data set, so change analysis for the period 2007-2012 can be undertaken from this one layer. The classification system used was a modified Anderson et al., classification system. An impervious surface (IS) code was also assigned to each LU/LC polygon based on the percentage of impervious surface within each polygon as of 2007. Minimum mapping unit (MMU) is 1 acre. ADVISORY: This metadata file contains information for the 2012 Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) data sets, which were mapped by USGS Subbasin (HU8). There are additional reference documents listed in this file under Supplemental Information which should also be examined by users of these data sets. As stated in this metadata record's Use Constraints section, NJDEP makes no representations of any kind, including, but not limited to, the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use, nor are any such warranties to be implied with respect to the digital data layers furnished hereunder. NJDEP assumes no responsibility to maintain them in any manner or form. By downloading this data, user agrees to the data use constraints listed within this metadata record.Somerset County data extracted & processed from the latest NJDEP dataset by the Somerset County Office of GIS Services (SCOGIS) on April 05, 2024

In New Jersey, the Legislature decided to incorporate the EPA Priority Wetland List into the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act and Rules to ensure that the State program complied and is consistent with the federal program. As a result, the New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Act prohibited the use of certain general permits within areas on this list. Wetlands are identified as EPA priority based on the following factors: 1. Unique habitat for fauna of flora; 2. Unusual or regionally rare wetland types; 3. Ecologically important and under threat of development; 4. Important to surface water systems; 5. critical to protect water supplies; and 6. Valuable for and provide flood "storage capacity. All priority areas are listed by specific geographic area. Specific geographic areas include particular wetland areas with a defined geographic boundary (e.g., Great Piece Meadows) or a particular wetland system with defined boundaries (e.g., wetlands of the Passaic River Basin). Note on dates: Original 1989; Updated 03/1994; Digitized 01/01/2014 to 06/01/2014

The E-LOI dataset is a composite of boundaries for wetlands and transition areas associated with Freshwater Wetland Letter of Interpretation (LOI) applications submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Land Resource Protection (NJDEP LRP) within the Watershed and Land Management Program (WLM). This group of layers contains site boundaries, footprint of disturbance boundaries, wetland boundaries and transition area boundaries. These layers contain information on the name and license number of the surveyor, accuracy of the data, type of LOI application, NJDEP File number and dates or status associated to the application.

Self Service Mapping Application created for public use. The users of this map can turn layers on and off, query features by Municipality, and print out a map of their identified location with or without an aerial image.

This data set contains boundary layers for the Brigantine Division of the E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

National Wildlife Refuges are federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The primary source for boundary information is the USFWS Realty program (status maps, legal surveys). An effort by the USFWS Region 5 (northeast states - ME,NH,VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ, MD, DE, WV, VA) Realty Division, Cartography and Spatial Data Services Branch has resulted in digital refuge boundaries for all refuges in the northeast at a scale of 1:24,000.

The purpose of this data is to serve as a spatial reference of refuge boundaries for other data layers in GIS and mapping applications. It is specifically not intended to be used as a land survey or representation of land for conveyance or tax purposes.

Status maps were registered to geographic coordinates, boundaries were digitized and labeled. Digital files were updated using survey and collateral data, then stepped through 3 levels of quality-control review for spatial and thematic accuracy.

[Summary provided by U.S. Fish

This data set contains boundary layers for the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

National Wildlife Refuges are federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The primary source for boundary information is the USFWS Realty program (status maps, legal surveys). An effort by the USFWS Region 5 (northeast states - ME,NH,VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ, MD, DE, WV, VA) Realty Division, Cartography and Spatial Data Services Branch has resulted in digital refuge boundaries for all refuges in the northeast at a scale of 1:24,000.

The purpose of this data is to serve as a spatial reference of refuge boundaries for other data layers in GIS and mapping applications. It is specifically not intended to be used as a land survey or representation of land for conveyance or tax purposes.

Status maps were registered to geographic coordinates, boundaries were digitized and labeled. Digital files were updated using survey and collateral data, then stepped through 3 levels of quality-control review for spatial and thematic accuracy.

Refuge boundaries define areas that are approved by U.S. Congress for acquisition into the National Wildlife Refuge System, or are currently owned by USFWS. Arcs are coded with an item "boundary" with the type of boundary line; polygons are coded with an item "status" that describes their ownership status.

[Summary provided by U.S. Fish

Descriptive information about each surface elevation table (SET), including data owner, installation info, coordinates, surveyed relative elevations, and other notes. These are important secondary data that support the data layer “Surface Elevation Table Data”.

The E-LOI dataset is a composite of boundaries for wetlands and transition areas associated with Freshwater Wetland Letter of Interpretation (LOI) applications submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Land Resource Protection (NJDEP LRP) within the Watershed and Land Management Program (WLM). This group of layers contains site boundaries, footprint of disturbance boundaries, wetland boundaries and transition area boundaries. These layers contain information on the name and license number of the surveyor, accuracy of the data, type of LOI application, NJDEP File number and dates or status associated to the application.

This application allows a user to do a thorough search of the regulatory jurisdictions and environmental conditions that can affect the use or development of a property. Such conditions as wetlands, threatened and endangered species, flood hazard areas, and special development areas such as the New Jersey Pinelands area and Highlands area, can impact what development or redevelopment can occur in certain areas. there are also select years of aerial imagery that correspond to specific program regulation milestones, including the 1970 imagery for wetlands determination, and 1977 for the Tidelands Program.

The information provided in this map application can help a property owner determine what permits may be required prior to starting a Land Use application.

This application uses publicly available Geographic Information System data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and ESRI.

This data represents the tidal wetland vegetation types delineated on the 1970 Wetlands Basemaps. The wetlands depicted are below the Revised Upper (Inland) Wetlands Boundary. Each wetland type has its own letter, number or combination letter/number code hand drawn within a vegetation type boundary on scanned photograph geotiffs. There are 953 geotiffs which are indexed and correspond to the Riparian Tidelands Grid. Other non-vegetated codes, such as Water or Beach are included but are not part of the original code document of report. All digitizing has been heads-up over the basemaps in inventory and may omit areas indiscernible. The collection is incomplete.

The E-LOI dataset is a composite of boundaries for wetlands and transition areas associated with Freshwater Wetland Letter of Interpretation (LOI) applications submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Land Resource Protection (NJDEP LRP) within the Watershed and Land Management Program (WLM). This group of layers contains site boundaries, footprint of disturbance boundaries, wetland boundaries and transition area boundaries. These layers contain information on the name and license number of the surveyor, accuracy of the data, type of LOI application, NJDEP File number and dates or status associated to the application.

This is the primary website for the New Jersey Tidal Wetland Monitoring Network (NJTWMN). The NJTWMN is a collection of more than 15 research organizations, universities, and non-profits, including NJDEP which was a founding member. The main mission of the NJTWMN is to identify the current conditions and trends of tidal wetlands in New Jersey to improve resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems by providing data to prioritize restoration efforts and support informed management decisions.This website is designed to share information about wetland monitoring in New Jersey with researcher, managers, and other interested stakeholders. This main page is primarily intended to provide background information about the NJTWMN, summarize the long-term monitoring data in an embedded map application, and detail the methodology and best practices used by network members.These monitoring efforts are aimed at answering the question “is marsh elevation keeping pace with sea-level rise?”. To help answer this question, we used long-term monitoring datasets to estimate elevation change rates at Surface Elevation Table (SET) stations throughout the state. Then, we compared these elevation rates to the sea-level rise (SLR) rates at the nearest NOAA National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) station. Long-term SLR rates were estimated using the full NWLON station dataset whereas short-term SLR rates were estimated from the 19-years of NWLON data preceding the most recent SET measurement.Additional wetland metrics including vertical accretion rates, shallow subsidence, and vegetation are also available on the map.

This data set contains wetland mitigation bank service areas for bank sites throughout the State of New Jersey. Wetland mitigation banks are mitigation projects constructed in advance of wetland impacts by a bank operator for the purpose of providing compensatory mitigation for disturbances to freshwater and coastal wetlands authorized by land use permits. A service area is the area in which a mitigation bank can sell its credits and is usually delineated by a watershed management area(s) or portions thereof.

The dataset is a feature class representing the Freshwater Wetlands (FWW) and Hydric Soils in Southern New Jersey as defined by the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. The 1986 Freshwater Wetlands from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) were used as the base layer and hydric soils from a Pinelands Integrated Terrain Unit Mapping (ITUM), derived from a dataset from the NJDEP, were added to create the layer. The boundaries are intended to provide reasonable representation of the FWW and hydric soils for planning purposes. They are not survey grade and are not definitive. This information is NOT to be used for describing actual or true wetland boundaries. A wetlands delineation will be required in order to determine the full extent of wetlands and/or buffers on a property and the NJPC's determination on a proposed development application shall constitute the definitive determination of the presence, absence, or extent of wetlands/buffers on a parcel.

This is a subset of slope mapping which constitues the Steep Slope Protection Area in the Highlands Region showing areas that are a minimum of 5,000 square feet for any combination of the following categories of steep slopes: Severely Constrained Slopes: All lands with slopes of 20% or greater and lands within Riparian Areas with slopes of 10% and greater Moderately Constrained Slopes: All non-Riparian Area lands having a slope of 15% to less than 20% which are forested Constrained Slopes: All non-Riparian Area lands having a slope of 15% to less than 20% which are non-forested with one or more of the following characteristics: a) highly susceptible to erosion; b) shallow depth to bedrock; or c) a Soil Capability Class indicative of wet or stony soils. Limited Constrained Slopes: All non-Riparian Area lands having a slope of 15% to less than 20%, which are non-forested, are not highly susceptible to erosion, and do not have a shallow depth to bedrock or a Soil Capability Class indicative of wet or stony soils. Steep slopes within the Highlands Region play an important ecological, recreational, scenic, and functional role. Steep slopes and rocky ridgelines provide specialized habitats that are home to rare plant and animal species. Areas of steep slope provide popular recreational opportunities including hiking, climbing, and wildlife observation. Ridgelines, hillsides, and steep slopes provide scenic views and vistas, which contribute to the rural character of the Highlands Region and help to define the landscape. Disturbance of areas containing steep slopes can trigger erosion and sedimentation, resulting in the loss of topsoil. Silting of wetlands, lakes, ponds, and streams damages and degrades wetland and aquatic habitats, especially trout streams that are found throughout the Highlands and receive the State’s highest water quality protections. Steep slope disturbance can also result in the loss of habitat quality, degradation of surface water quality, silting of wetlands, and alteration of drainage patterns. These processes, when severe, can also result in land slumping and landslides that can damage both developed property and ecosystems. The severity and extent of slopes, soil characteristics, and land cover all affect the potential for damages from the disturbance of steep slopes. The identification and classification of steep slopes is important in order to effectively manage critical natural resources in the Highlands Region.

In 2001 ENSP partnered with Rutgers University Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA) to develop a method for mapping potential vernal pools throughout New Jersey. Through an on-screen visual interpretation of digital orthophotography, CRSSA identified over 13,000 potential pools throughout the state. A subset of these pools was field verified and confirmed, with an 88% accuracy rate (Lathrop et al. 2005), to meet the physical characteristics to qualify as a vernal pool.In accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:7A-1.4, the term "vernal habitat" includes a vernal pool - or the area of ponding - plus any freshwater wetlands adjacent to the vernal pool. The Department here includes mapping of vernal habitat locations that relies upon data developed by the Department and Rutgers University Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA) to identify sites that should be field checked for possible identification as vernal habitats areas. DEP staff is in the process of field-verifying these pools. The Department also maps vernal habitat areas based upon on-the-ground assessment of sites not captured by the CRSSA mapping. These vernal habitat locations, all of the CRSAA-identified sites, as well a sites identified by on-the-ground reconnaissance, are categorized as either "potential vernal habitat location" or "vernal habitat location."

This layer includes vernal habitat in Sussex County in areas other than the Highlands.Vernal Habitat- In 2001, the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) partnered with Rutgers University Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA) to develop a method for mapping potential vernal pools throughout New Jersey. The resulting dataset, vernal habitat is included in the NJ Landscape project. Vernal habitat includes some freshwater wetlands and vernal pools. Vernal pools are defined as temporary pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals. They are usually devoid of fish and allow the safe development of amphibian and insect species.