Caldwell Parish board agrees to solicit bids for carbon-credit forest management after debate over 40-year term

The Caldwell Parish School Board voted to solicit competitive bids for a forest management and carbon-offset agreement covering district-owned timberland after extended debate about contract length and local control.

Board members described two management options presented by staff: a select-harvest plan that would allow occasional timber sales and a deferred-harvest plan that would limit activity for decades. Staff described estimates that, under the proposal discussed, early credit sales could produce an initial payment in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars (staff cited estimates in the $155,000 to $323,000 range over early five-year periods) and smaller recurring payments thereafter. The company proposal discussed would allocate the district roughly 30% of proceeds up to a price threshold and larger shares if carbon prices rose.

Several board members objected to the company's proposed 40-year term and to perceived asymmetry in termination rights. "I'm not comfortable giving somebody 40 years to be in control of" district land, one board member said, calling the length "two generations" and urging stronger exit provisions. Another member noted a 25-year minimum was cited by a company representative during an earlier meeting and said the board should seek shorter or reviewable terms.

After discussion the board approved a motion to advertise the opportunity and solicit bids, with staff instructed to return with the bids and proposed contract language for legal review before any final agreement is signed. The board emphasized that no contract was being approved tonight and that legal counsel would review any proposed agreement.

Next steps: staff will prepare bid documents and advertise the opportunity; the board will review bids and draft contracts in a future meeting before taking a final vote.