The Coastal Eco USA data includes data from expert government agencies that reflect the location of certain coastal waters (CCW) and coastal beaches (CB). These data are for informational purposes only and are one information resource operators can consider when identifying areas that meet the definitions in 49 CFR 195.6. Operators should report mileage that could affect a Coastal Eco USA as part of their Ecological USA annual report mileage.

Section 120 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (PIPES Act of 2020) defines CCW as (i) the territorial sea of the United States; (ii) the Great Lakes and their connecting waters; and (iii) the marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence. Section 120 also defines a CB as any land between the high and low-water marks of CCW.

PHMSA gathered these data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and combined them into a single dataset for public download. You can read more about how PHMSA compiled this data and the NOAA and EPA data sources from the metadata document available below.

PHMSA is no longer distributing a separate copy of the Great Lakes USA Data because that data is included as part of this Coastal Eco USA data download.