Conway Council approves agreement to pursue forest carbon credits on city land

The Conway City Council on Oct. 14 approved an agreement allowing Native State, a Conway-based forest carbon developer, to analyze city-owned land around the lake for potential carbon-credit projects and, if terms are acceptable, to enter a long-term enrollment agreement.

Proponents told the council the project could include existing forest management and afforestation of open pasture ground. "We develop carbon credits from trees and, by enrolling landowners, building projects, and we sell those to Fortune 500 companies all over the world," Andy Cameron with Native State said during the meeting. He said initial field estimates suggest "there may be 150 to 200 acres that potentially we may plant trees in and do what we call afforestation, and create another type of carbon credit there." Brett Carroll, representing Connolly Corp., said the title to the land is held by the city and recommended the mayor execute the agreement following review by the city attorney.

The council heard technical details about how the credits are measured and contracted. Cameron said carbon credits represent "1 metric ton" of carbon sequestered and described steps to prove additionality and permanence. He also told the council that existing-forest enrollments (IFM) in Native State's program carry 40-year obligations, while tree-planting contracts carry 60-year obligations: "These are non negotiable terms in terms of the length of contract," he said. Council members asked whether trees could be cut and were told the company offers two options: deferred harvest, where commercial harvest is foregone for 40 years, or select harvest where limited commercial cutting is allowed but is calculated so carbon accounting remains valid.

City Attorney Mister Finkbeiner confirmed he had reviewed the form of agreement; after a motion and second, the council voted 8-0 to approve entering into the agreement with Native State LLC for Conway Corporation and to authorize the mayor to execute it upon final review. Supporters framed the deal as offering watershed protection and a potential revenue stream for the city while proponents said professional foresters would prepare management plans and inventories before any changes were made.

Council members emphasized oversight and the long time horizons involved. Cameron said the program already enrolls landowners across multiple southern states and that the company has foresters, biometricians and wildlife biologists on staff to prepare and monitor projects.

The council vote authorizes staff to finalize and execute the agreement; no sale of credits or specific financial terms were announced at the meeting.