AB 2087 (2016)  establishes a conservation planning tool called a Regional Conservation Investment Strategy (RCIS) with the goals to:

1. Identify high-value conservation and habitat enhancement opportunities within a region that will aid in species recovery, adaptation to climate change, and resiliency in the face of development pressures.
2. Provide a science-based guide for voluntary
   conservation and mitigation actions implemented by
   a state agency, local governments, non-government
   organizations (NGOs) or private entities.

In addition to providing important biological information that policy makers and land-use planners may use to balance wildlife and development interests, an RCIS also allows public and private entities to enter into Mitigation Credit Agreements (MCAs). MCAs create mitigation credits in advance of development impacts by implementing conservation or enhancement actions to achieve the goals and strategies outlined in an RCIS. In exchange, infrastructure entities or other developers may use this advance mitigation tool to offset impacts of future development projects. RCISs may be used to guide mitigation funding to key areas of biological importance. A state agency or private entity may enter into an MCA if the mitigation site is within an approved RCIS area.