Payment

The two options that exist are reforestation of existing agricultural lands and the preservation of lands enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). CRP protects highly erodible and environmentally sensitive lands with grass, trees and other cover; agreements are 10 and 15-years in length. WRP is a voluntary program that offers financial incentives to landowners who have previously converted wetlands to cropland or pastureland. Agreement length is perpetual, 30-years or 10-years. Land enrolled in CRP or non-perpetual WRP is eligible for extending the life of the restoration through a carbon easement.

Reforestation of existing agricultural lands will yield 400-450 tons per acre over a 70-year period and 450-500 tons per acre on a 99-year period. Lands enrolled in CRP or will yield 350 tons per acre over a 55-60 year period (remainder of a 70-year period) or 400 tons per acre over an 84-89 year period (remainder of a 99-year period). Lands enrolled in WRP for 10-years or 30-years will yield 350 tons per acre over a 60 year period (remainder of a 70-year period) or 400 tons per acre over an 84-89 year period (remainder of a 99-year period), and 200 tons per acre over a 40 year period (remainder of a 70-year period) and 250 tons per acre over an 84-89 year period (remainder of a 99-year period), respectively.

The current payment to a landowner is approximately $1.00 per ton of carbon dioxide sequestered.

Back to Top
Back to For the Landowner