Operational Guidelines (May 1, 1997 version with updated Appendices through March 19, 2001)

**The guidance under Appendix 1 was prepared in 1983 before the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996, which established new requirements regarding essential fish habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This Appendix habitat conservation policy statement has been superceded, in part, by agency guidance regarding essential fish habitat requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For current agency guidance regarding EFH, see the following information:

• Essential Fish Habitat Regulatory Guidelines
  
• Essential Fish Habitat Statute and Regulations

Note: The Operational Guidelines represent NOAA Fisheries' guidance, pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, for the development, review, approval, and implementation of FMPs, amendments, and other related fishery management actions. The document serves as a guide for the rulemaking aspects of the fishery management process under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Operational Guidelines are currently undergoing revision as part of the Regulatory Streamlining Project. Once adopted in final by NOAA Fisheries, the revised Operational Guidelines will be posted to this website.