Regions
- California
Clients
Partners
California Regional Conservation Investment Strategies
California's infrastructure, agricultural, and habitat needs require smart, locally driven solutions that drive water security, economic prosperity, and efficiency. As infrastructure agencies and local governments invest in flood control and transportation projects, they are also working to create net benefit for species and water supplies.
Recognizing the need to streamline permitting and reduce delays, the California legislature created Regional Conservation Investment Strategies (RCIS) in 2016. These voluntary, locally led plans help synchronize regional conservation priorities with economic goals and foster strategic habitat investments.
Once an RCIS is approved, Mitigation Credit Agreements (MCAs) can be developed and approved as advance crediting mechanisms that define robust and transparent methods to assess and quantify habitat improvements, and financial and legal requirements needed to ensure long-term conservation success. This market-based approach reduces timelines and supports effective use of taxpayer dollars to support regional economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Kaweah Subbasin RCIS
EI serves as a core member of the Kaweah Subbasin RCIS, which advances an innovative approach for addressing land use and groundwater management under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Over the next two decades, major agricultural regions of California will transition to sustainable use of groundwater, as mandated by SGMA. Balancing groundwater demand and supply will require shifting to less water-intensive agriculture. This RCIS complements the groundwater sustainability plans in the Kaweah Subbasin to create a regionally-coordinated approach to integrated landscape management that supports the local agricultural economy and important wildlife habitat, while sustainably managing water supplies into the future.
San Joaquin Basin RCIS
EI, along with our partners at ESA, is leading to development of the San Joaquin Basin RCIS, sponsored by Reclamation District 2092. EI is also leading Steering Committee and other stakeholder input into the plan.
The San Joaquin region is facing threats from frequent water supply shortages and increased flood risk. An RCIS is needed to ensure that future investments in flood and water management in the San Joaquin Basin are designed to advance, rather than hinder, habitat and ecosystem objectives. This RCIS will serve as a comprehensive framework that directs action to generate meaningful improvements, incentivize investment, and increase community resilience.
Mid-Sacramento Valley RCIS
EI supported on one of California's first RCIS's, the Mid-Sacramento Valley RCIS, approved in December 2020. Sponsored by the Mid & Upper Sacramento Regional Flood Management Plan Group, this plan focuses on maintaining agricultural productivity in the region and enabling faster approvals of flood safety projects while implementing conservation strategies that improve habitat for species such as Swainson’s hawks and giant garter snakes.
Southport MCA
EI was part of the project team for the first pilot MCA led by the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. This MCA was drafted for the Southport Levee Improvement Project, under the Yolo RCIS. The project restored natural hydrologic and geomorphic processes to a mostly urbanized section of the Sacramento River, creating 120 acres of valuable floodplain habitat to support seasonally inundated wetlands, riparian habitat, and shaded riverine aquatic habitat. The MCA can provide advance mitigation for planned future projects under the West Sacramento Levee Improvement Program, a comprehensive series of projects designed to achieve the flood risk-reduction goals identified by the City of West Sacramento.
Key Staff
Orange County Water Quality Improvement Plan
Multi-Benefit Incentive Program Implementation in San Diego County
Regional Conservation Investment Strategies & Mitigation Credit Agreements
Southern California Landscape Optimization Service
