diff --git a/R/buffer_fxn.R b/R/buffer_fxn.R
index b996bed..ca6e02f 100644
--- a/R/buffer_fxn.R
+++ b/R/buffer_fxn.R
@@ -1,23 +1,52 @@
+#' Buffer calculation for West Coast groundish assessments
+#' 
+#' @details 
 #' Buffer calculation for U.S. West Coast Groundfish Stocks
 #' Applies the time-varying sigma approach based on the 2019
-#' approach.
-#' @param years the years to generate buffer values for
-#' @param sigma the sigma value to use (cat 1 = 0.50, cat 2 = 1.0, cat 3 = 2.0)
-#' @param pstar managment uncertainty value (i.e., 0.45, 0.40)
+#' approach described in: 
+#' Wetzel, C.R. and O.S. Hamel, 2023. Applying a probability harvest control rule
+#' to account for increased uncertainty in setting precautionary harvest limits
+#' from past stock assessments. Fisheries Research 262: 106659. 
+#' 
+#' @param years Years to generate buffer values. The first year should align with
+#' the year of the assessment. Input should be vector of years to calulculate
+#' West Coast groundfish buffers for (e.g., years = 2021:2032).
+#' @param sigma The initial sigma value to use based on West Coast groundfish
+#' assessment categories (cat 1 = 0.50, cat 2 = 1.0, cat 3 = 2.0). For categories
+#' 1 and 2 the sigma will be time-varying. 
+#' @param pstar The management risk tolerance determined by the PFMC (i.e., 0.45, 0.40).
+#' 
 #' @examples
 #' get_buffer(years = 2011:2032, sigma = 1.0, pstar = 0.4)
 #' @author written by Chantel Wetzel
 #' @export
 #'
 get_buffer <- function(years, sigma, pstar){
-	y = 1:(length(years) - 1)
-	r = 0.075 # the rate of change in sigma approved by the SSC
+  
+	y <- 1:(length(years) - 1)
+	if (sigma != 2.0) {
+	  # the rate of change in sigma approved by the SSC in 2019
+	  r <- 0.075	  
+	} else {
+    r <- 0
+	}
+	
 	# This is the equation for the rate of change in sigma
-	sigma_calc =  c(sigma, sigma * (1+(y-1)*r))
-	buffer = exp(stats::qnorm(pstar, 0, sigma_calc))
+	sigma_calc <-  c(sigma, sigma * (1+(y-1)*r))
+	buffer <- exp(stats::qnorm(pstar, 0, sigma_calc))
+	max_buffer <- exp(stats::qnorm(pstar, 0, 2.0))
 	# Set the buffer for fixed catch years to 1.0
-	buffer[1:2] = 1
-	out = cbind(years, round(buffer, 3))
+	buffer[1:2] <- 1
+	category_3 <- which(buffer < max_buffer)
+	if (length(category_3) > 0) {
+	  buffer[category_3] <- max_buffer 
+	}
+	
+	out <- data.frame(
+	  year = years, 
+	  buffer = round(buffer, 3)
+	  )
+	
 	return(out)
 }