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Compliance Offset Protocol
U.S. Forest Projects
Adopted: June 25, 2015
California Environmental Protection Agency
AIR RESOURCES BOARD
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Purpose and Definition .................................................................................. 1
1.1. Purpose ................................................................................................................. 1
1.2. Definitions ............................................................................................................. 1
Chapter 2. Eligible Activities Quantification Methodology ........................................... 11
2.1. Reforestation ....................................................................................................... 11
2.2. Improved Forest Management ............................................................................ 13
2.3. Avoided Conversion ............................................................................................ 13
Chapter 3. Eligibility....................................................................................................... 15
3.1. General Eligibility Requirements ......................................................................... 15
3.2. Location .............................................................................................................. 25
3.3. Offset Project Operator or Authorized Project Designee ..................................... 26
3.4. Additionality ......................................................................................................... 26
3.4.1. Legal Requirement Test................................................................................ 27
3.4.2. Performance Standard Evaluation ................................................................ 28
3.5. Permanence ........................................................................................................ 30
3.5.1. Project Life and Minimum Time Commitment ............................................... 31
3.5.2. Identifying a Reversal ................................................................................... 31
3.5.3. Compensating for a Reversal ....................................................................... 33
3.6. Offset Project Commencement ........................................................................... 34
3.7. Project Crediting Period ...................................................................................... 35
3.8. Regulatory Compliance ....................................................................................... 36
Chapter 4. Offset Project Boundary Quantification Methodology ............................... 36
4.1. Reforestation ....................................................................................................... 36
4.2. Improved Forest Management ............................................................................ 39
4.3. Avoided Conversion ............................................................................................ 43
Chapter 5. Quantifying GHG Emission Reductions and GHG Removal Enhancements
Quantification Methodology ........................................................................................... 46
5.1. Reforestation Projects ......................................................................................... 48
5.1.1. Estimating Baseline Onsite Carbon Stocks................................................... 48
5.1.2. Estimating Baseline Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ........................... 50
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5.1.3. Determining Actual Onsite Carbon Stocks .................................................... 51
5.1.4. Determining Actual Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ............................ 51
5.1.5. Calculating Secondary Effects ...................................................................... 52
5.2. Improved Forest Management Projects .............................................................. 54
5.2.1. Estimating Baseline Onsite Carbon Stocks Private Land .......................... 55
5.2.2. Estimating Baseline Onsite Carbon Stocks Public Land ............................ 66
5.2.3. Estimating Baseline Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ........................... 67
5.2.4. Determining Actual Onsite Carbon Stocks .................................................... 68
5.2.5. Determining Actual Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ............................ 69
5.2.6. Calculating Secondary Effects ...................................................................... 69
5.3. Avoided Conversion Projects .............................................................................. 70
5.3.1. Estimating Baseline Onsite Carbon Stocks................................................... 70
5.3.2. Estimating Baseline Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ........................... 74
5.3.3. Determining Actual Onsite Carbon Stocks .................................................... 75
5.3.4. Determining Actual Carbon in Harvested Wood Products ............................ 75
5.3.5. Calculating Secondary Effects ...................................................................... 76
Chapter 6. Monitoring Quantification Methodology .................................................... 76
Chapter 7. Reporting ..................................................................................................... 78
7.1. Listing Requirements .......................................................................................... 78
7.1.1. All Forest Offset Projects .............................................................................. 78
7.1.2. Reforestation Projects .................................................................................. 83
7.1.3. Improved Forest Management Projects on Private Lands ............................ 84
7.1.4. Improved Forest Management Projects on Public Lands ............................. 85
7.1.5. Avoided Conversion Projects ........................................................................ 85
7.2. Offset Project Data Report .................................................................................. 86
7.2.1. Annual Reporting .......................................................................................... 87
7.2.2. Additional Reporting for Verification Years ................................................... 90
Chapter 8. Verification ................................................................................................... 91
8.1. Full Verification ................................................................................................... 92
8.1.1. Sequential Sampling ........................................................................................ 95
8.1.1.1. Paired Plots ............................................................................................. 101
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8.1.1.2. Unpaired Plots ......................................................................................... 102
8.2. Less-Intensive Verification ................................................................................ 103
8.3. Verification of Multiple Reporting Periods ......................................................... 103
8.4. Verification Team .............................................................................................. 104
Appendix A. Developing an Inventory of Forest Project Carbon Stocks Quantification
Methodology ................................................................................................................ 105
Appendix B. Modeling Carbon Stocks Quantification Methodology .......................... 114
Appendix C. Estimating Carbon in Wood Products Quantification Methodology ...... 117
Appendix D. Determination of a Forest Projects Reversal Risk Rating ...................... 132
Appendix E. Reforestation Project Eligibility ................................................................ 137
Appendix F. Determining a Value for Common Practice Quantification Methodology
.................................................................................................................................... 139
Appendix G. References ............................................................................................. 141
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Chapter 1. Purpose and Definition
1.1. Purpose
(a) The purpose of the Compliance Offset Protocol U.S. Forest Projects (protocol) is
to quantify greenhouse gas emission reductions and greenhouse gas removal
enhancements associated with the sequestration of carbon achieved by
increasing and/or conserving forest carbon stocks.
(b) AB 32 exempts quantification methodologies from the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA);1 however those elements of the protocol are still regulatory. The
exemption allows future updates to the quantification methodologies to be made
through a public review and Board adoption process but without the need for
rulemaking documents. Each protocol identifies sections that are considered
quantification methodologies and exempt from APA requirements. Any changes
to the non-quantification elements of the offset protocols would be considered a