Credit Development

The development of credit projects encompasses enhancement and/or restoration of habitat, quantification of credits that will be generated by the project, development of a management plan, securing of financial assurances, and signing a participant contract. After determination of available credits, the sale price of credits is based on market value and determined in private negotiations between landowners and mitigation buyers. When credits are sold or transferred to fulfill a mitigation obligation, landowners commit to achieving performance standards for the projects for at least a 30-year period. Landowners can continue agricultural and livestock operations compatible with greater sage-grouse habitat needs throughout the contract term.

Available credits are the result of credit projects that have: 

- Preserved/enhanced/restored and willing to commit to protect high quality greater sage grouse (GRSG) habitat for at least 30 years upon sale of credits.     

- Interest in selling credits to a mitigation buyer or transferring credits to offset a debit project and fulfilling the durability requirements of the Conservation Credit System (CCS).    

And have worked with partners to:    

- Quantify the habitat function on their project site using the CCS Habitat Quantification Tool (HQT) and verify the credits available for sale or transfer.   

- Develop an approved management plan to be implemented upon sale or transfer of credits.

Anticipated credits reflect credit projects moving forward that have high quality greater sage grouse (GRSG) habitat or plans to enhance/restore the project area to high quality habitat for GRSG as well as interest from the project proponent in selling credits to a mitigation buyer or transferring credits and enrolling in the CCS. Habitat measurements and efforts to utilize the HQT have already been completed for some but not all of these projects. 

Interactive Mapping Tool with Credit Project Details

A new interactive tool to showcase Conservation Credit System Projects is now available. 

• To establish contact with these credit project proponents regarding the available or anticipated credits, please contact the SETT.
• If you anticipate purchasing credits to offset an anthropogenic disturbance, please review the information on the Proximity Ratio in the CCS Manual on the Program Documents page.
• If you are interested in the credit development process, refer to the Get Involved in the Program page for more information.