|
RC&D's Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Projects
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils across the
U.S. are leaders in implementing projects that offset or reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and develop other sources of energy. These RC&D projects
have been documented in The New York Times and Newsweek;
presented as examples of success before the U.S. Congress, state
legislatures and other prominent audiences.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation includes an expansive understanding of
how both energy development and use impact the global climate. Likewise,
this sample of RC&D projects reported to the National Association of
Resource Conservation & Development Councils reflects a broad spectrum
of activity that address global climate change issues. They also
demonstrate how successfully RC&D Councils can turn rapidly developing
national concerns into local action. Impacts are evaluated by factors
based on local community needs: these factors are as diverse as America's
communities. For this report, projects are grouped based on reported
impacts.
- Projects that benefit rural communities
- Projects that develop alternative sources of energy production
- Projects that impact the global atmosphere
1. Projects that benefit rural communities
All projects reported measure supplemental benefits to rural
communities. Benefits reported included increased manufacturing (jobs),
economic benefits, aesthetic benefits, preservation of heritage, community
survival, and benefits accrued for future generations.
Recognized benefits in all projects increase income for landowners
which helps preserve America's agricultural productive capacity. The
project in Wisconsin reports 50-year value paid in today’s dollars of
$693 per acre.
Developing alternate fuel sources is listed in South Dakota as an
employment benefit where development of an ethanol manufacturing plant
will create 12 "badly needed jobs." Small numbers of jobs or businesses
created diversifies economic opportunities for resource dependent rural
economies and can have a major impact in these relatively low population
communities.
Stabilizing farm income has become a national issue with federal
government spending approaching $20 billion over the last 3 years in
emergency supplemental appropriations to help offset low commodity prices
and provide disaster relief for farmers. All of these projects address
these issues by providing new or alternate income streams for farm
products and increasing application of soil conservation practices.
2. Projects that develop alternative sources of energy production
Within this group of projects are included those that reduce energy
consumption, result in changes in production, promote energy efficiency,
reduce dependence on fossil fuels, or develop alternative energy sources.
At this time, several projects such as the Northeast Bioenergy
Conference in New York involve educating large numbers of interested
people about establishing ethanol or wood fuel production capacity.
Attendees include agricultural producers, biofuels producers, USDA
employees and other industry and government officials. As the local
RC&D Councils organize these meetings, they usually include methods
within the conference to further develop local capacity to produce
alternative fuels.
Two RC&D Councils in South Dakota and Idaho are actively involved
in locating ethanol production plants within their regions. These Councils
see the benefits of providing jobs in rural communities as well as
development of outlets for local agricultural products.
The Wes-Min Hybrid poplar project converts cropland from annual crop
production to perennial hybrid poplar production. Trees grown can be
utilized to fuel a whole-log burning power generation plant. Growing trees
provides an alternative crop for landowners, reduces tillage, and
sequesters carbon as trees are growing. Construction and operation of a
local power plant creates jobs, increases farm income, and reduces
reliance on fossil fuels.
RC&D Councils in Montana and Wisconsin are exploring the potential
development of wind energy to reduce electricity costs and develop local
jobs.
The Blue Ridge RC&D in North Carolina has developed one of the most
intriguing projects reported by converting a closed landfill into an
economic development asset. Methane captured from the landfill is used to
supply power needs for greenhouses and a glass – blowing craft business at
the landfill. What was once a community eyesore has become an attraction
and created jobs where they are sorely needed. In addition, the
greenhouse gas methane is converted to less harmful CO2 and water.
Back to
top
3. Projects that impact the global atmosphere
Within this group of projects are those that measure project impacts in
terms of what is being removed from the atmosphere or those that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. This includes those projects
that impact the number of acres in forests, those that manage forests to
store carbon and those that manage non-forest land for the storage of
carbon.
Review of projects submitted reveals that RC&D Councils are
actively involved in the trading of carbon credits. Most activity relates
to forestry and the conversion of cropland to permanent vegetation. There
are several projects that focus on improved management of forests or
windbreaks as potential carbon sinks. Most notable is the program
developed under RC&D Council leadership in Montana that has created
carbon-trading scenarios with reputable companies and internationally
recognized scientists.
All reported projects are exploring the possibility of increasing farm
income through improved soil management on cropland. The projects cited
recognize the potential of sequestering millions of metric tons of carbon.
The Montana group sees this as a way to achieve market incentives for
application of conservation practices on farm.
Recommendations
The United States Congress in creating the RC&D Program in Public
Law 97-98 established the program purpose as "…to accelerate the
conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources to improve
the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and
standard of living in authorized RC&D Areas." The law also
establishes environmental improvement and energy conservation as elements
to be addressed in RC&D Area Plans.
America's Resource Conservation and Development Councils are very
active in the areas of carbon sequestration and biofuels production. Other
active projects that were not reported in this call for papers include at
least one other state where RC&D Councils are active in Carbon trading
and 2 other states where RC&D Councils are demonstrating the on-farm
production of energy from methane capture systems.
Projects reported involve education activities in the form of locally
sponsored conferences and workshops, organization development in the
formation of task forces and committees, and on the ground projects.
On the ground projects demonstrate large-scale practices of tree
plantings and cropland management, energy production facility development,
and the development of local businesses that utilize alternative fuels.
As of August 2001 there are several federal agencies that are active in
the arena global warming. These include the United States Department of
Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department Of
Energy and others. All seem to be struggling to develop a concerted
national effort that will develop proven technology and implement that
technology on the ground in a way that benefits all Americans. RC&D
councils are proving that they can accomplish all agendas as long as
recognized local needs are met and that GHG mitigation projects can
benefit rural communities, farmers, and the environment.
The National Association of RC&D Councils can fill a needed role in
this effort by providing communications links to 368 designated RC&D
Areas and 20 applicant areas that serve almost 90% of US counties. We can
coordinate and work with federal partners such as USDA, EPA and DOE to
make opportunities available to a broad spectrum of people across the
nation who can then develop projects to transfer technology and implement
these new concepts.
Back to
top
Name of Council: Wes-Min RC&D Council
State: Minnesota
Name of Project: The Wood Energy Project
Brief description: This project began in 1994 as a cooperative research
and development project funded primarily through Biofuels Feedstock
Development Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The purpose of the
project is to collect cost and yield data about the growing of hybrid
poplar in West Central Minnesota on 1,800 acres of privately owned
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Created jobs, enhanced economic
choices, created pulp and paper alternatives to native aspen, offered
renewable energy choices, informed the public about the trees, and provide
opportunity for research to be conducted on these trees.
Contact Person: Dean Schmidt, Coordinator - 320-763-4733
Name of Council: Randall RC&D Council
State: South Dakota
Name of Project: Platte Ethanol Plant
Brief description: Randall RC&D provided technical advice in
initial stage and $1,500.00 seed money to help feasibility study. Plant
would utilize locally grown corn. Organized as Limited Liability
Corporation.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Would provide about 12 new
badly needed jobs, stabilize price of corn, and provide stable feed supply
for local fat cattle operations.
Contact Person: Les Labahn, Coordinator -
leslie.labahn@sd.usda.gov
Name of Council: Golden Sands RC&D Council
State: Wisconsin
Name of Project: Community Supported Agricultural Diversification
Brief description: A project funded through the Wisconsin
Department of Ag., Trade and Consumer Protection to connect farmers and
community economic development entities for the purpose of increasing
markets for groundwater-friendly crops.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Attract and establish
profitable markets and motivating farmers to change their lifestyles.
Contact Person: Bill Ebert - 715-343-6214
ebertb@co.portage.wi.us
Name of Council: Golden Sands RC&D Council
State: Wisconsin
Name of Project: N/A
Brief description: The Golden Sands RC&D Coordinator serves
on a statewide, multi-agency/discipline committee, the Wisconsin Carbon
Work Group", as a NRCS representative of the RC&D Program.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Bill Ebert - 715-343-6214
ebertb@co.portage.wi.us
Name of Council: Western Maryland RC&D Council
State: Maryland
Name of Project: Washington County Waste-to-Energy Project
Brief description: The Washington County Waste-to-Energy
Project, whose mission is to design, construct, and evaluate technologies
that will produce useable, clean energy foe bio-waste, oily wastes, solids
for animal waste, and other feedstock.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: The project will gather
substantial data on the various feedstock and energy products and assess
the efficacy of their use under a range of criteria, economic, social,
environmental, etc.
Contact Person: Topper Sherwood -
toppers@starpower.net
Back to
top
Name of Council: Pembina Trail RC&D Council
State: Minnesota
Name of Project: Aububon Carbon Project
Brief description: This project involves planting trees on
160 acres It will be under CRP agreement for 15 years followed by staying
in trees after that.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: One project of 160 acres and
70,000 trees.
Contact Person: John A. Schmidt - 218-253-2646 x103
Name of Council: Columbia-Blue Mountain RC&D Council
State: Oregon
Name of Project: 1. Carbon Sequestration Cropland Research
2. Carbon Sequestration Buffer Research
3. Carbon Sequestration Demonstration Project
Brief description: 1. Revisiting a cropland transect on 15 farms
where soil carbon was measured 20 years ago. Obtaining cropland history
and measuring soil carbon again to see how it has been affected. 2.
Measuring soil carbon in several stream buffer types and monitoring the
progress in carbon build up over time as the buffer matures. 3.
Demonstrating how farmers could sequester carbon sell credits and monitor
carbon build up in partnership with power plants and other Northwest
carbon emitters.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: 1. Valuable information on
various cropping systems and the effects on carbon sequestration and soil
health. 2. Valuable data that is not currently available to predict carbon
sequestration in stream buffers that also "buffer" the effects of carbon
dioxide emissions. 3. A verifiable and credible process to show how
farmers can improve conservation and benefit from carbon produced.
Contact Person: Karl Niederwerfer, Coordinator 541-278-6113
Name of Council: North Cal-Neva RC&D Council
State: California / Nevada
Name of Project: Carbon Sequestration & Biomass Project
Brief description: In early planning stages to conduct a one-day
workshop for landowners and agencies in our areas to learn about
opportunities with these concerns.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: No impact yet.
Contact Person: Mark Steffek
Name of Council: Sangre de Cristo RC&D Council
State: Colorado
Name of Project: Wood as Fuel for Power Plant Project
Brief description: Project to provide a steady supply of wood
chips to a coal fired power plant that is permitted to burn up to 5% wood.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Reduce waste to landfills,
reduce non-renewable energy use, enhance the economy by developing a
market for wood resources, reduce wildfire risk through development for
market for timber removed for fire mitigation purposes, improve forest
health.
Contact Person: Jane Wustrow
Back to
top
Name of Council: Sangre de Cristo RC&D Council
State: Colorado
Name of Project: Culebra Range Community Coalition
Brief description: Project includes a diverse group of ranchers,
foresters, sawmill operators, and agencies working to find economic uses
for small diameter trees removed to improve forest health and reduce
wildfire risk. One of the options under consideration is establishment of
a co-generation plant.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Enhance the economy,
improve forest health, and reduce wild fires risk, reduce non-renewable
energy use.
Contact Person: Jane Wustrow
Name of Council: Blue Ridge RC&D Council
State: North Carolina
Name of Project: Landfill Methane Initiative
Brief description: We currently have one project site in
operation in Yancey County, using landfill methane gas to heat
greenhouses, and also for fuel for a glass blowing and pottery studio.
This site is called Energy/Xchange and has been featured in the
New York Times and also on CNN. We have currently begun
installation on a second collection system at Avery County. The Task Force
is currently working through the details of what, other than a Regional
Horticultural & Forestry Center will be at that site.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: The impact of these
projects has been strong.
Contact Person: Becky Wallace - ssteury@boone.net
Name of Council: Two Rivers RC&D Council
State: Illinois
Name of Project: Kerr Lake Improvement
Brief description: The owner of the lake wants to install a
wind or solar powered generator to provide electricity to the camping
area. However, this project is on hold, because the lake is part of a
strip mine and the coal company has not fully released it back to the
owner.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Martha Sheppard, Coordinator -
marthashep@hotmail.com
Name of Council: Northwest Regional RC&D Council
State: Montana
Name of Project: Wood Fuel Study
Brief description: Conduct a wood fuel study in NW Montana to
determine wood quantities, location, availability, and potential to
generate electricity.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: This project will lead to
new partnerships and potential investments in generating plants to produce
electricity in NW Montana. Providing this new market for what is now waste
wood will create jobs in harvesting, removal, transporting, construction,
and electricity generation etc.
Contact Person: Greg Larson - 406-293-8885
Back to
top
Name of Council: Edisto Savannah RC&D Council
State: South Carolina
Name of Project: Bio-Diesel Project
Brief description: SC-Dept of Ag on Bio-Diesel project utilizes
a 20% mix o Soybean oil. Plans are to process the soybeans in SC, try to
get it in our state fuel system and also to sell it to other state without
adequate supply.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Peter Zeck - 803-649-4221 x6
Name of Council: West Central Highlands RC&D Council
State: Idaho
Name of Project: Ethanol Feasibility Study
Brief description: Idaho is sponsoring an Ethanol Feasibility
Study for SW Idaho to site a plant here to utilize excess commodity
production to boost farm economies, stabilize the lost of prime farmlands
to development, create jobs and to address clean air issues in the region.
The project is at the request of County Commissioners, is funded by a
partnership of USDA/RD, Idaho Energy Division and other local funding.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: We need funding help for
technical assistance to conduct regional education, develop the business
plan and cooperative entity to fund the potential project.
Contact Person: Russ Manwaring -
wchrcd@mindspring.com
Name of Council: Southwest Badger RC&D Council
State: Wisconsin
Name of Project: WI Carbon Pilot
Brief description: The project will convert 30 acres of highly
erodible cropland to a hardwood forest. The landowner will be paid a
one-time payment of $665 per acre. The Wisconsin Electric Power Company
was the purchaser of the credits. In Wisconsin we have formed a WI Carbon
Work Group that has worked to develop the carbon-crediting program. That
group is made up of representatives from RC&D, NRCS, DNR, industry,
private conservation organizations, and farmers.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Steven Bertjens -
steve.bertjens@wi.usda.gov
Name of Council: Wy' East RC&D Council
State: Oregon
Name of Project: Carbon Sequestration
Brief description: Wy' East RC&D and Deschutes Resource
Conservancy have made an application to the Oregon Climate Trust for a
carbon sequestration project that ties CREP/CCRP into a long term
contract.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Merlin Berg - 541-296-2391 x117
Back to
top
Name of Council: Top of Ohio RC&D Council
State: Ohio
Name of Project: Top of Ohio RC&D Tree Planting Program
Brief description: We have a full service tree planting program
in which we contract with landowners to purchase and plant bare-root tree
seedings in our ten county area in west central Ohio. We have been doing
this for several years.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Jim Rush - jim.rush@oh.usda.gov
Name of Council: Columbia Pacific RC&D Council
State: Washington
Name of Project: Forest Carbon Sequestration
Brief description: Developing a system for landowners to
calculate carbon additionally for various forest management alternatives
with a monitoring program. The program is being developed for us through
seven Universities, the University of Washington being the lead.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Landowners will be able to
utilize the system for the sale of carbon credits dealing with
forestlands.
Contact Person: Jim Walls - jwalls@colpac.org
Name of Council: Columbia Pacific RC&D Council
State: Washington
Name of Project: Wave Energy
Brief description: Next week a funder will let know if they are
going to fund a feasibility study for a machine that develops electricity
from wave action.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Ability to produce energy,
gain a carbon credit and sell the energy on the open market.
Contact Person: Jim Walls - jwalls@colpac.org
Name of Council: Columbia Pacific RC&D Council
State: Washington
Name of Project: Investigation of Alternative Strategies for Layout
and Administration of Fuel Removal Projects
Brief description: In partnership with the University of
Washington we will be investigating several markets for forest thinnings
to reduce fire hazards on National Forest. One effort we will be doing is
a co-generation plan in Lakeview, OR that is a combination geothermal and
biomass energy plant. If feasible, we already have the investors willing
to look at investing in the plant, approximately $25 million.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Providing energy to the
grid while reducing fire hazards. Marketing and forest management plans
can be duplicated in other areas.
Contact Person: Jim Walls - jwalls@colpac.org
Back to
top
Name of Council: Hudson Mohawk RC&D Council
State: New York
Name of Project: Northeast Agroforestry and Carbon Conference
Brief description: It is a three-day conference in Binghamton,
NY comprised of general sessions and workshops of such topics as Using
Temperate Agroforestry Systems for Carbon Sequestration, Carbon
Sequestration 101, Carbon Credits for Cash, etc.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: The impact-increased
knowledge in agroforestry and carbon management, hopefully yielding
healthier forests and income generation.
Contact Person: Kristy Moore, HMRCD
Name of Council: Environmental Impact RC&D Council
State: North Carolina
Name of Project: Preserving Old Growth and Second Growth Longleaf
Pine Forest Reforestation of Second Growth Longleaf Pine
Brief description: Both projects deal with working to protect
and reestablish Longleaf Pine Ecosystems that are on the decline in North
Carolina and the southeast since the early 1900's. Carbon sequestration
for this conifer is high due to its long growth cycle and physiology.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: John Caviness - eircd@utinet.net
Name of Council: Central Savannah River RC&D Council
State: Georgia
Name of Project: No-Till Drill Demonstration
Brief description: RC&D Councils own many no-till drills and
other no-till equipment that is leased out to landowners to demonstrate
and promote no-till. The soil and water districts are a partner in the
project. Many field days have been held to promote no-till and it's many
benefits. We have documented thousands of gallons of fuel saved and
thousands of tons of soil saved from the more than 250,000 acres of
no-till planted with the RC&D equipment.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: N/A
Contact Person: Greg Kist, Coordinator - 706-798-7967
Name of Council: Pee Dee RC&D Council
State: South Carolina
Name of Project: Pee Dee Carbon Sequestration
Brief description: We are currently in the planning stage for a
project to provide research for the establishment of a Carbon
Sequestration/Credit Exchange program in the Pee Dee River Hydrologic Unit
in SC. We have established a Geographic Information System for the area
including, spatial data sets for the FSA tract and field boundaries as
well as natural resource data, soils, streams, roads, tax parcels, etc.
This GIS system will be used to track research sites used to establish a
benefit index for various types of conservation practices relating to soil
carbon storage. This GIS system will also be used to track monitor
sequestration sites that are contracted for credit.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: This effort, when fully
implemented will provide an incentive for agricultural and silivicultural
producers to establish practices which increase carbon sequestration
resulting in an improved environment.
Contact Person: David Arthur, Coordinator -
david.arthur@sc.usda.gov
Back to
top
Name of Council: Southeast Conference
State: Alaska
Name of Project: Sustainable Forest Demonstration
Brief description: Assist with stabilizing forest economy and
maintain watershed integrity.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: Just getting started
Contact Person: Bob Tribelhorn - 907-465-3145 x22
Name of Council: South Central Dakota RC&D Council
State: North Dakota
Name of Project: Logan County Direct Seeding Demonstration Plot
Brief description: The Logan County Soil Conservation District
(SCD) started a 160-acre direct seeding demonstration plot in 1998 to show
our producers the benefits of farming practices with zero soil
disturbances. The plot consists of 13 fields 12 acres in size, consisting
of multiyear rotations. The SCD wanted to be able to show comparisons of
soil quality between zero-tillage, conventional tillage and rangeland, so
during the year SCD staff along with the local NRCS staff collect soil
data on four sites.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: The ARS would like to be
able to make estimates of carbon sequestration rates under different
management treatments. The scientists will monitor how quickly changes can
be noticed in response to management. The Council believes that
alternative farming techniques and uses will be the only solution for the
farming communities in the Midwest to survive financially.
Contact Person: Carol Peterson, Coordinator - South Central Dakota
Name of Council: Wy' East RC&D Council
State: Oregon
Name of Project: Deschutes Riparian Afforestation Project
Brief description: The Wy'East RC&D along with other project
partners plan to sequester on public and private land in the Deschutes
Basin in Oregon. Partners include: DRC, ERT, Mt. Jefferson and the Wy'East
RC&D.
Benefit - Actual & Anticipation: The partners have already
received express interest in participation from farmers, ranchers, county
road agencies, state and local government.
Contact Person: Merlin Berg
Back to
top
RC&D Making Things Happen
|
