Credit System Currency and Functional Acre Approach
Credits are
the currency of the Credit System. A credit consists of verified habitat value
that is made durable for the defined duration of the project through financial
assurances and contract requirements to maintain habitat performance standards.
Credits are primarily awarded for meeting habitat performances standards, not
for implementing conservation practices.
Credits are
used to offset debits, which represent units of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat
value lost by anthropogenic disturbances. The credit obligation is the quantity
of credits required to offset a debit project.
The Credit
System measures habitat value in units of functional acres. Function refers to
the role of the habitat in providing life history requirements for Greater
Sage-Grouse, and includes the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic
disturbances. Function is expressed as a percent function in relation to
fully-functioning habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse. Functional acres are the
product of percent function and acres within the relevant area assessed as illustrated
below.