The goal of the CCS is for impacts from anthropogenic disturbances to be offset by habitat enhancement and protection that results in a net benefit for greater sage-grouse habitat in the State of Nevada.
The CCS ensures net benefit to Greater sage-grouse habitat by using a scientifically rigorous habitat quantification tool to assess both debit and credit projects, mitigation ratios to ensure more functional-acres are gained than lost, and several standards to ensure credits are additional and durable. Functional acres for both credit and debit projects are multiplied by a mitigation ratio, which incorporates the Management Importance and Meadow Factor. The Management Importance Factor (Priority, General, and Other Habitat Management Area) are 5% higher for debit projects than for credit projects. A 5% functional gain is automatically incorporated into the functional acre calculation.
In addition to the Mitigation Ratio, the Proximity Ratio is multiplied by the final debit score according to how far the offsetting credit project is located. The Proximity Ratio ranges for 0% to 15% increase in credit obligation. The combination of Mitigation and Proximity Ratios results in a net benefit for sage-grouse habitat in Nevada.