The Measure
The Delta Stewardship Council, in conjunction with the California Air Resources Board and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, investigates the opportunity for the development of a carbon market whereby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta farmers could receive credit for growing native marsh and wetland plants.
Measure Details
Through subsidence, a process of soil oxidation that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the Delta emits 1 to 2 million tons of carbon dioxide. In the Delta there are many opportunities to reverse or halt these emissions. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (Delta Conservancy) Delta Carbon program explores opportunities to connect Delta farmers with carbon markets. As a result of this program, the American Carbon Registry (ACR) adopted the California Wetland Protocol. This carbon offset methodology for California wetland restoration allows farmers to quantify carbon emission reductions from their operations and sell those on voluntary carbon markets. The Delta Conservancy and its partners are currently working with the California Air Resources Board to get the wetland protocol certified for trading within the cap and trade market formed by The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (also known as AB 32).
Delta Plan Strategy
Plan to Protect the Delta’s Lands and Communities
Delta Plan Recommendation
DP R7. Subsidence Reduction and Reversal. The following actions should be considered by the appropriate State agencies to address subsidence reversal:
- State agencies should not renew or enter into agricultural leases on Delta or Suisun Marsh islands if the actions of the lessee promote or contribute to subsidence on the leased land, unless the lessee participates in subsidence reversal or reduction programs.
- State agencies currently conducting subsidence reversal projects in the Delta on State-owned lands should investigate options for scaling up these projects if they have been deemed successful. The California Department of Water Resources should develop a plan, including funding needs, for increasing the extent of their subsidence reversal and carbon sequestration projects to 5,000 acres by January 1, 2017.
- The Delta Stewardship Council, in conjunction with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Delta Conservancy, should investigate the opportunity for the development of a carbon market whereby Delta farmers could receive credit for carbon sequestration by reducing subsidence and growing native marsh and wetland plants. This investigation should include the potential for developing offset protocols applicable to these types of plants for subsequent adoption by the CARB.