Regional Conservation Investment Strategies

Field of purple flowers with mountains
CDFW photo by Brandon Amrhein
 
 

An RCIS can use a variety of existing information, including research and recovery plans for species and natural resources as well as projected development plans, to assess the area's existing conditions. An RCIS also includes guidance for the types and locations of conservation and mitigation projects that would provide ecological benefits to the area based on its existing conditions. Any public agency or federally recognized tribe may choose to propose an RCIS, which is developed in collaboration with local entities and stakeholders and is reviewed and approved by CDFW. Once approved, an RCIS becomes publicly available and can be used by anyone to help identify conservation or mitigation projects. An RCIS is a comprehensive guidance document, not a binding regulatory plan. RCISs are initially approved for 10 years but can be extended.

Additional Resources

RCIS Submittals

RCIS Name Status Current Documents Proponent & Website
North Bay Baylands RCIS Draft – The public review period is now closed
Complete RCIS (PDF) Bay Area Metro
San Bernardino County RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW March of 2024 Complete RCIS (PDF) San Bernardino County Transportation Authority SBC RCIS website
Santa Cruz County RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW January 2023 Complete RCIS (PDF)  Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission SCC RCIS website
Kaweah Groundwater Subbasin RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW September 2022 Complete RCIS (PDF)
East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency KGS RCIS website
Antelope Valley RCIS
Final - Approved by CDFW December 2021 Complete RCIS (PDF)
Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority
Monterey County RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW May 2021 Complete RCIS (PDF)
Transportation Agency for Monterey County MC RCIS website
East Bay RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW February 2021 Chapters (PDF)
Appendices (PDF)
California State Coastal Conservancy
Mid-Sacramento Valley RCIS
Final - Approved by CDFW January 2021 Complete RCIS (PDF)
Reclamation District 108
Yolo RCIS
Final - Approved by CDFW October 2020 Chapters (PDF)
Appendices (PDF)
Yolo Habitat Conservancy &
CA Dept. of Water Resources
Santa Clara County RCIS Final - Approved by CDFW November 2019, amended November 2020 Complete RCIS (PDF)
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority SCC RCIS website

RCIS In Development

RCIS Name Status Proponent & Website
San Joaquin Valley RCIS Currently in development. Public meeting to be held April 24, 2024 at 5pm. Please see the Notice of Public Meeting (PDF)(opens in new tab) for more information. Reclamation District 2092 SJV RCIS website(opens in new tab)

RCIS Program Map

See the below static map or the Interactive Map for locations of RCISs that are in development or review as well as RCISs that have been approved.

Map showing locations and status of RCISs throughout the state.

Program Contact

For further information about the RCIS Program, contact the RCIS Program Team at: RCIS@wildlife.ca.gov. Click the "Subscribe" button and the top of the page to sign up for updates about the RCIS Program.

Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090