OCS Subdivision Polygons

Metadata

These polygon features represent the areas comprising the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as defined by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). In the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the term "Outer Continental Shelf" is defined as "(1) all submerged lands lying seaward and outside of the area of lands beneath navigable waters as defined in the Submerged Lands Act, and of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control or within the exclusive economic zone of the United States and adjacent to any territory of the United States; and (2) does not include any area conveyed by Congress to a territorial government for administration (43 USC 1331)."

Under international law, the continental shelf extends to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to 200nm from the baseline, whichever is greater. Where the outer edge of the continental margin extends beyond 200 nm from the baseline, the outer limits of the continental shelf are determined in accordance with Article 76 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf, in areas beyond 200 nm, are established by the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) Project led by the Department of State, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

These polygon features show the delineation between the U.S. continental shelf areas and the extended continental shelf areas.

This feature class is NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact boundaries. This file is to be used for cartographic purposes only. These data should not be used to calculate area.