name: Department of Interior API Rate Limits
description: >-
  Rate limit policies across DOI bureau APIs. Most APIs are free federal
  services without published hard limits, but some enforce request throttling
  to ensure fair use. Registered API key holders generally receive higher
  allowances than anonymous users.
rateLimits:
  - api: NPS Data API
    baseURL: https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1
    tiers:
      - name: Anonymous (No Key)
        description: Limited access without an API key; specific limits not published
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: API key required in X-Api-Key HTTP header for most use cases
      - name: Registered Key Holder
        description: Free API key provides increased rate limits
        requestsPerHour: Higher than anonymous; specific value not published
        notes: >-
          Register at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/get-started.htm.
          Key sent as HTTP header: X-Api-Key or via query param api_key.

  - api: USGS Water Data APIs
    baseURL: https://api.waterdata.usgs.gov
    tiers:
      - name: Anonymous
        description: Open access without registration; lower rate limits apply
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: Access to OGC API endpoints, STAC, and Water Quality Portal
      - name: Registered API Key
        description: Free key registration unlocks higher rate limits
        requestsPerHour: Higher than anonymous; specific value not published
        notes: Register at https://api.waterdata.usgs.gov/signup/

  - api: USGS Earthquake Web Services
    baseURL: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/fdsnws/event/1
    tiers:
      - name: Public Access
        description: Open access; no API key required
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: >-
          Standard fair-use throttling applies. Heavy bulk usage may trigger
          temporary blocks. Bulk downloads recommended for large datasets.

  - api: USGS Mineral Resources Data API
    baseURL: https://mrdata.usgs.gov
    tiers:
      - name: Public Access
        description: Open access; no API key required
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: Standard fair-use expected for federal government data service

  - api: BLM GIS REST Services
    baseURL: https://gis.blm.gov/arcgis/rest/services
    tiers:
      - name: Public Access
        description: Open ArcGIS REST services; no API key required
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: >-
          ArcGIS Server-based services; heavy usage may trigger platform-level
          throttling

  - api: USGS ScienceBase
    baseURL: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog
    tiers:
      - name: Public Access
        description: Open catalog access; no API key required
        requestsPerHour: Not published
        notes: Authentication required for write operations; read is public

generalNotes: >-
  DOI bureau APIs are federal public services with no formally published
  rate limit figures. Users experiencing throttling should implement
  exponential backoff, use registered API keys where available, and consider
  bulk data downloads for large dataset needs. The USGS legacy WaterServices
  APIs (waterservices.usgs.gov) will be decommissioned in Q1 2027; migrate
  to api.waterdata.usgs.gov.