AOP News & Events

Posted June 18, 2024

FHWA AOP Implementation Guide

The Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Implementation Guide (Guide) supports transformative practices for waterway-transportation crossing design for successful removals of AOP barriers. The Guide does not present a single approach, as there are many approaches. Instead, it provides general principles for successful application allowing flexibility to meet site-specific goals, context, and constraints. The Guide is intended for non-experts, and it describes AOP goals and how they vary based on the location and needs. It provides an overall context of the magnitude of AOP barriers nationwide and explains differences between bridges and culverts. Given the vast number of AOP barriers, the Guide provides an overview of criteria that can be used to prioritize the most important projects to achieve specific goals. It also provides an overview of the AOP project delivery process, noting the key elements of planning, project delivery, monitoring, and adaptive management that make projects successful in removing AOP barriers. Finally, the Guide includes descriptions of six case studies that illustrate the material presented along with lists of other technical resources that readers may consult.