California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy Overview Noaa Fisheries

California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy Overview Noaa Fisheries Noaa fisheries published the california eelgrass mitigation policy and implementing guidelines (cemp) in october 2014. this policy states our goal of no net loss of eelgrass habitat function in california and provides guidance for conducting surveys, impact assessment, and compensatory mitigation. Eelgrass warrants a strong protection strategy because of the important biological, physical, and economic values it provides, as well as its importance to managed species under the magnuson stevens fishery conservation and management act (msa).

California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy Overview Noaa Fisheries Given the success of the southern california eelgrass mitigation policy over its 20 year history, this policy reflects an expansion of the application of the southern california policy with minor modifications to ensure a high standard of statewide eelgrass management and protection. Summary of mitigation projects, including the year, type of mitigation, region of california, approximate location, impact area in square meters, and if the most recent milestones were met during the 2021 cemp review. Should the post project or 12 month survey demonstrate a loss of eelgrass greater than the 1⁄2 meter wide corridor, then mitigation pursuant to sections 1 11 of this policy shall be required. California eelgrass mitigation policy – established an appropriate eelgrass survey protocol to evaluate impacts from coastal development projects and mitigation requirements to ensure no net loss of habitat function.

California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy Overview Noaa Fisheries Should the post project or 12 month survey demonstrate a loss of eelgrass greater than the 1⁄2 meter wide corridor, then mitigation pursuant to sections 1 11 of this policy shall be required. California eelgrass mitigation policy – established an appropriate eelgrass survey protocol to evaluate impacts from coastal development projects and mitigation requirements to ensure no net loss of habitat function. The national marine fisheries service’s california eelgrass mitigation policy provides guidance to california regulatory agencies regarding existing federal laws that require no net loss of eelgrass habitat function. For all of california, compensatory mitigation should be recommended for the loss of existing eelgrass habitat function, but only after avoidance and minimization of effects to eelgrass have been pursued to the maximum extent practicable. The july 2020 eelgrass mitigation plan (mts 2020) has been updated to reflect the most recent harbor wide eelgrass survey data (mts 2023), and address comments from national marine fisheries service. The intent of the cemp is to help ensure consistent, effective, and appropriate mitigation of unavoidable impacts to eelgrass habitat throughout california. it is anticipated that the adoption and implementation of this policy will provide for enhanced success of eelgrass mitigation in california.

California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy Overview Noaa Fisheries The national marine fisheries service’s california eelgrass mitigation policy provides guidance to california regulatory agencies regarding existing federal laws that require no net loss of eelgrass habitat function. For all of california, compensatory mitigation should be recommended for the loss of existing eelgrass habitat function, but only after avoidance and minimization of effects to eelgrass have been pursued to the maximum extent practicable. The july 2020 eelgrass mitigation plan (mts 2020) has been updated to reflect the most recent harbor wide eelgrass survey data (mts 2023), and address comments from national marine fisheries service. The intent of the cemp is to help ensure consistent, effective, and appropriate mitigation of unavoidable impacts to eelgrass habitat throughout california. it is anticipated that the adoption and implementation of this policy will provide for enhanced success of eelgrass mitigation in california.