CDFW photo by Brandon Amrhein Regional Conservation Planning Regional Conservation Investment Strategies Mitigation Credit Agreements On this page MCA Overview MCA Resources MCAs In Development Program Contact Sign up to receive updates about the RCIS Program in California. Subscribe(opens in new tab) MCA Overview A Mitigation Credit Agreement is a flexible, advance mitigation crediting mechanism that can only be developed within an approved Regional Conservation Investment Strategy (RCIS) boundary. Any individual or entity may develop an MCA as an MCA Sponsor. In order to create mitigation credits an MCA must implement one or more conservation or habitat enhancement actions described in the RCIS. The projected ecological improvements can create credits for a variety of targeted species, habitats, and/or other sensitive resources. The MCA Sponsor can use MCA credits to offset their own project impacts, or they can sell their excess credits to other entities that need mitigation. MCAs can generate credits that will mitigate for both permanent or temporary impacts and can be established on either private or public lands. Permanent credits must ensure the permanent protection of land. Non-permanent credits (for temporary impacts) may be possible when the associated land is protected for a set duration of time. If desired, MCA credits may be labeled, or designated, so they may be used by other local, state or federal agencies that need specific credit types specified in their permits. In order to create credits that can be used by multiple agencies the sponsor should coordinate with those entities early in the MCA development process. All MCA credits will be tracked as they are used and/or sold. All credit transactions and record keeping will be maintained on CDFW’s website. MCA Resources The following templates, checklists, and websites relate to MCAs. 2023 RCIS Program Guidelines (PDF)(opens in new tab) CDFW MCA Program Overview and Updates, Public Webinar, hosted by The Nature Conservancy from October 2023 – MCA Presentation (Video)(opens in new tab) MCA Template (Word) MCA Checklist (PDF)(opens in new tab) - A list of components necessary for an MCA to be considered “complete.” Framework Checklist (PDF)(opens in new tab) - A list of minimum requirements for sponsors interested in preparing a mitigation framework. MCA Credit Receipt Template (Appendix W of the MCA) (PDF)(opens in new tab) - Required documentation for each credit transaction including sale, use, and return of MCA credits. Land Survey Reference (PDF)(opens in new tab)- Requirements for legal descriptions and boundary locations associated with proposed MCA sites. Endowments and Mitigation Land Management - Endowment holder criteria and requirements. Mitigation Lands Entity Due Diligence- CDFW review process for proposed land managers, and Conservation Easement grantees (if applicable) associated with the MCA. CDFW's Template for Property Assessment Warranty (PAW) (Word)* Letter of Credit (LOC) Template(Word)* Conservation Easement (CE) Template (Word)* *Please note, these documents need manual replacing of the word “bank” with “MCA”, and replacing “BEI” with “MCA” in the referenced templates. MCAs In Development As MCAs are submitted they will be included in a table below. Program Contact For more information on MCAs, contact the RCIS Program Team at: RCIS@wildlife.ca.gov. Click the "Subscribe" button at the top of the page to sign up for updates about MCAs.
