Board hears forest carbon-credit pitch, refers proposal for committee review

Mark Brown, a Caldwell Parish resident, presented a vendor proposal to enroll parish forestland in a voluntary carbon-credit program registered with the American Carbon Registry, describing it as "a 40-year program." He told the board the company provides an aerial inventory, establishes permanent plots audited by the registry, and projects that landowners would receive an upfront advance ("$20 per acre" on forested acres) followed by periodic credit payments.

Brown outlined a sample projection for a 751-acre block that estimated roughly $324,000 in payments within the first five years and a 40-year cumulative projection of approximately $634,900 under current price assumptions. He explained the proposal separates existing, banked credits from new-growth credits and described an index-based royalty structure (a 30% base royalty with higher tiers as market prices rise).

Board members raised questions about costs, risks and contract length. One member asked whether the district would be "locked into" a 40-year agreement; Brown replied that enrollment is contractual and described the program as long-term. Board members expressed interest but said they needed more technical details and legal review before deciding whether to participate.

The board agreed to hear more information at a Building & Lands committee meeting; participants set a follow-up meeting date (the board scheduled a committee meeting for July 30 at noon to review details and documentation). No formal approval to enter contracts was made at the meeting; the board directed staff to review terms, require registry verification and report back to the committee.