This presentation outlines the evolution of and current standards for best practices in the planning, design, construction, and monitoring for aquatic organism passage (AOP) at road crossings. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in support of its National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants Program, has developed a new Implementation Guide “Aquatic Organism Passage” that describes best practices and how they have evolved. The grant program provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes for removal of or improvement to passage barriers. The presentation describes best practices nationwide describing how these practices may vary across the country. The presentation will describe the importance of clearly articulating project goals for AOP and tools for prioritization of retrofit and new construction projects, including consideration of ecosystem benefits, community benefits, sustainability and resilience, and implementation feasibility. The presentation will also describe typical components of successful AOP projects including the essential role of post-construction monitoring. Case studies across the United States illustrate the variety of methods and tools for effective AOP projects.
