NMFS California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy - Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of Habitat Conservation

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southwest Region (SWR) developed the California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy to establish and support a goal of protecting eelgrass and its functions, including spatial coverage and density of eelgrass beds.  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).  The intent of the policy is to help ensure consistent and effective mitigation of unavoidable impacts to eelgrass habitat throughout California and to ensure there is no net loss of habitat functions.  It is anticipated that the adoption and implementation of this policy will provide for enhanced success of eelgrass conservation in California.

The policy includes detailed guidance and recommendations for: (1) avoiding and minimizing impacts to eelgrass, (2) surveying eelgrass beds, (3) assessing impacts to eelgrass, and (4) mitigating for impacts to eelgrass.  It also encourages local comprehensive management strategies and allows for modifications to specific elements of the policy for temporary, local impacts to eelgrass.

This policy will serve as the guidance for NMFS SWR staff and managers for developing recommendations concerning eelgrass issues through Essential Fish Habitat consultations, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultations, and National Environmental Policy Act reviews throughout California.  This policy also will inform NMFS SWR’s position on eelgrass issues in other roles as a responsible, advisory, or funding agency or trustee.