Emissions and potential emission reductions from hazardous fuel treatments in the WESTCARB region (including 4 appendices)

This report summarizes efforts by Winrock International and the WESTCARB Fire Panel to develop a methodology for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits of project activities to reduce emissions from wildland fires in low to mid elevation mixed conifer forests. These efforts focused on low to mid elevation mixed conifer forests and included a conceptual framework developed to aid in determining the full impacts of hazardous fuels treatments, four workshops with carbon and fire experts, numerous consultant activities, and field measurements of hazardous fuels treatments in Shasta County, California and Lake County, Oregon. The task of developing a rigorous methodology to quantify baseline emissions from wildland fires and emission reductions attributable to fuel reduction is complex due to the methodological challenges of modeling fire behavior and emissions, the relatively low annual risk of fire for any given potential project location, and the emissions resulting from fuels treatments. Given (current hazardous fuel removal technologies and) the low probability of fire on any given acre in any given year, hazardous fuel reduction treatments in the forest types addressed in this report cannot directly generate offsets. However, careful design of fuel treatments building from the methodology employed in this analysis can minimize risks to lives and property while also minimizing emissions. Integration of fire and an avoided emissions framework with other ecosystem services will go even further toward a sustainable approach to ecosystem management

Opportunity assessment for establishing hybrid poplars in California, Oregon and Washington, and Summary of the carbon storage potential for fast growing species (hybrid poplar) in Oregon

Hybrid poplar (Populus spp.), a short rotation woody crop, is of growing interest in the West Coast States of California, Oregon and Washington. This increased interest has been driven in recent years by hybrid poplar’s potential as a bioenergy crop or multiple wood products crop in combination with the potential revenue from carbon credits. This report aims to identify eligible lands within the West Coast States for the planting of hybrid poplar crops using a geographic information System (GIS) framework. . The eligible lands will be evaluated for their suitability based on a spatial analysis of environmental variables (datasets) that best predict the growth and productivity of hybrid poplar. The resulting suitability map is then analyzed against current research on the growth and productivity of hybrid poplar under different site conditions, which can then be related to carbon sequestration. The results showed that California has the most eligible land with around 14 million acres, but the majority of these acres would need irrigation. Washington State has the second largest amount of eligible land with 8 million acres, with around 27% of it suitable for planting with limited to no irrigation. Oregon has 5 million acres with nearly one third suitable for limited to no irrigation hybrid poplar plantations. Of these eligible lands the most suitable could produce an average of 3-4 t C/ac.yr, moderate suitability of 2-3 t C/ac.yr, and lands with poor suitability would average 1-2 t C/ac.yr. Revenue from a dedicated bioenergy plantation on a 6 year rotation is estimated to be $737-$976/acre with $86-$325/acre of that being earned from carbon credits. Revenue from a wood products plantation on a 20 year rotation is estimated to be $9,396-$10,989/acre with $425-$1,592/acre of that being earned from carbon credits. This study identifies counties or localities that may have considerable opportunities for hybrid poplar plantations, and can aid project developers in assessing those opportunities

Reforestation as a Forest Carbon Project: An Outreach Toolkit for Conservation Organizations and Landowners

This toolkit includes a series of presentations that can be used for educational purposes to describe the basics of forest carbon projects. These presentations were developed as a result of years of experience working on forest carbon projects domestically and internationally, and in particular, from experience working in Shasta County as a part of the WESTCARB project. Much of the information they contain is the result of lessons learned in Shasta County.  The presentations are intended to give an overview and provide a basic foundation of knowledge; they are not intended to prepare individuals to develop a forest carbon project from start to finish. If individuals or organizations have further interest in learning about or pursuing a forest carbon project, they should contact a forester, project developer or other specialist who has detailed knowledge of and experience in terrestrial carbon projects and markets

Reforestation as a Forest Carbon Project: An Outreach Toolkit for Conservation Organizations and Landowners

This toolkit includes a series of presentations that can be used for educational purposes to describe the basics of forest carbon projects. These presentations were developed as a result of years of experience working on forest carbon projects domestically and internationally, and in particular, from experience working in Shasta County as a part of the WESTCARB project. Much of the information they contain is the result of lessons learned in Shasta County.  The presentations are intended to give an overview and provide a basic foundation of knowledge; they are not intended to prepare individuals to develop a forest carbon project from start to finish. If individuals or organizations have further interest in learning about or pursuing a forest carbon project, they should contact a forester, project developer or other specialist who has detailed knowledge of and experience in terrestrial carbon projects and markets

Opportunity assessment for establishing hybrid poplars in California, Oregon and Washington, and Summary of the carbon storage potential for fast growing species (hybrid poplar) in Oregon

Hybrid poplar (Populus spp.), a short rotation woody crop, is of growing interest in the West Coast States of California, Oregon and Washington. This increased interest has been driven in recent years by hybrid poplar’s potential as a bioenergy crop or multiple wood products crop in combination with the potential revenue from carbon credits. This report aims to identify eligible lands within the West Coast States for the planting of hybrid poplar crops using a geographic information System (GIS) framework. . The eligible lands will be evaluated for their suitability based on a spatial analysis of environmental variables (datasets) that best predict the growth and productivity of hybrid poplar. The resulting suitability map is then analyzed against current research on the growth and productivity of hybrid poplar under different site conditions, which can then be related to carbon sequestration. The results showed that California has the most eligible land with around 14 million acres, but the majority of these acres would need irrigation. Washington State has the second largest amount of eligible land with 8 million acres, with around 27% of it suitable for planting with limited to no irrigation. Oregon has 5 million acres with nearly one third suitable for limited to no irrigation hybrid poplar plantations. Of these eligible lands the most suitable could produce an average of 3-4 t C/ac.yr, moderate suitability of 2-3 t C/ac.yr, and lands with poor suitability would average 1-2 t C/ac.yr. Revenue from a dedicated bioenergy plantation on a 6 year rotation is estimated to be $737-$976/acre with $86-$325/acre of that being earned from carbon credits. Revenue from a wood products plantation on a 20 year rotation is estimated to be $9,396-$10,989/acre with $425-$1,592/acre of that being earned from carbon credits. This study identifies counties or localities that may have considerable opportunities for hybrid poplar plantations, and can aid project developers in assessing those opportunities

Regional characterization for the Arizona: potential of riparian areas for carbon sequestration

In Arizona, riparian areas are important because of the limited amount of water and rapid population growth, that leads to the need for better management of riparian areas. We use PATHDISTANCE spatial model, incorporating rivers, water bodies, slope and elevation to model the extent of potential riparian areas in Arizona. We examined the geophysical potential of landform, rock formation and soil type factors for four native riparian woody vegetation types: cottonwood/willow, conifer/oak, mesquite and mixed broadleaf. To identify the suitable area for afforestation with these native riparian tree species, we analyzed the geophysical potential across the shrub/scrub land cover class (NLCD 2001) for three elevation strata. Total area identified for afforestation was estimated per native riparian tree species and potential carbon sequestration for 20, 40 and 80 year periods was estimated based on field carbon data collected along the Lower Colorado River. The analysis showed that area suitable for afforestation with conifer/oak could sequester more than 4 million t CO2e after 80 years, while riparian areas suitable for growing cottonwood /willow, mesquite and mixed broadleaf species have greater sequestration capacity - 97 million, 98 million and 89 million CO2e, respectively, after 80 years

Project Idea Note: afforestation/restoration of riparian areas along Santa Cruz River, Arizona USA

Riparian forests are crucial ecosystems linking the aquatic and the terrestrial environment. As a result, these riverine systems process large fluxes of energy, nutrients and life at various spatial and temporal scales. This project idea is for the revegetation of approximately 2,634 acres of riparian lands along the middle and lower reaches of the Santa Cruz River in the U.S. Five different properties were chosen for the implementation of this project. The revegetation project would generate a wide array of social and environmental benefits, such as: carbon sequestration, maintenance of water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and aesthetics and human recreation improvement. In terms of sequestered carbon, the project would result in the uptake of as much as 150,000 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050. Unfortunately, the implementation of this project was considered unfeasible in economic terms. Prices of the verifiable emission reductions (VER) would have to reach levels that are unlikely in the near future. For this project to break-­‐‑even between costs and benefits (IRR = 0%) the price of the negotiated VER would have to reach US$67.00. Assuming a current estimate of US$ 7.00 it is unlikely this project can be implemented only using revenues from carbon sequestration

Project Idea Note: afforestation/restoration of riparian areas along Santa Cruz River, Arizona USA

Riparian forests are crucial ecosystems linking the aquatic and the terrestrial environment. As a result, these riverine systems process large fluxes of energy, nutrients and life at various spatial and temporal scales. This project idea is for the revegetation of approximately 2,634 acres of riparian lands along the middle and lower reaches of the Santa Cruz River in the U.S. Five different properties were chosen for the implementation of this project. The revegetation project would generate a wide array of social and environmental benefits, such as: carbon sequestration, maintenance of water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and aesthetics and human recreation improvement. In terms of sequestered carbon, the project would result in the uptake of as much as 150,000 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050. Unfortunately, the implementation of this project was considered unfeasible in economic terms. Prices of the verifiable emission reductions (VER) would have to reach levels that are unlikely in the near future. For this project to break-­‐‑even between costs and benefits (IRR = 0%) the price of the negotiated VER would have to reach US$67.00. Assuming a current estimate of US$ 7.00 it is unlikely this project can be implemented only using revenues from carbon sequestration

Final Report on WESTCARB fuels management pilot activities in Shasta County, California

This report summarizes efforts by Winrock International, WM Beaty and Associates, and other Shasta County, California partners to implement hazardous fuel reduction/biomass energy pilot activities in WESTCARB Phase II (2006-10). Wildfire is a significant source of GHG emissions in California and throughout the WESTCARB region. WESTCARB developed methodologies to evaluate, validate and demonstrate the potential of reducing hazardous biomass for biomass energy to contribute to GHG mitigation and adaptation. The report describes hazardous fuel reduction pilot activities on private lands in Shasta County; pre- and post-treatment measurements to quantify forest carbon impacted by treatment and/or fire; and analysis of data from these pilots to determine the net GHG impact of the fuel reduction treatments

Final Report on WESTCARB fuels management pilot activities in Lake County, Oregon

This report summarizes work by Winrock International, Lake County Resources Initiative (LCRI), and other Lake County, Oregon partners to implement hazardous fuel reduction/biomass energy pilot activities in WESTCARB Phase II (2006-10). Wildfire is a significant source of GHG emissions in Oregon and throughout the WESTCARB region. WESTCARB developed methodologies to evaluate, validate and demonstrate the potential of reducing hazardous fuel for biomass energy to contribute to GHG mitigation and adaptation. The report describes hazardous fuel reduction pilot activities on Federal and private lands in Lake County; pre- and post-treatment measurements to quantify forest carbon impacted by treatment and/or fire; analysis of data from these pilots to determine the net GHG impact of the fuel reduction treatments; and related work by LCRI to facilitate continued hazardous fuels reduction efforts in Lake County