Report on Net Ecological Gain

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) requested that the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) inform its work on the development of a net ecological gain (NEG) standard for public projects as part of the response to a proviso contained within Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5092 (2021).

WSAS convened a committee of scientific and technical experts to develop a definition, goals, objectives, and performance metrics for the net ecological gain standard, assess how sufficient existing standards have been in achieving endangered species recovery, and make recommendations about monitoring and indicators for no net loss and net ecological gain. The scope of work was divided into two report chapters.

This report contains two chapters which should be cited separately. The first chapter synthesizes the committee’s perspectives on a proposed definition for net ecological gain, considerations for defining net ecological gain, and goals and objectives for achieving net ecological gain. The committee interpreted the charge as producing a definition of net ecological gain that would be relevant to Washington State, as well as providing examples of specific goals and objectives for how the definition should be applied to ecosystems or projects.

The second chapter focuses on (1) assessing whether and why existing standards of ecological protectiveness, such as no net loss (NNL) standards, have been sufficient or insufficient to protect ecological health and achieve endangered species recovery and (2) providing recommendations for developing: performance metrics for the NEG standard, indicators to assess NNL and NEG, establishment of a monitoring system, and incorporation of climate science predictions into NNL and NEG standards. The committee also presents suggestions for subsequent activities that may facilitate next steps toward successful implementation of NEG in Washington State.