Approval Period Initiated for New Methodology for Deltaic Wetland Restoration

Nonprofit American Carbon Registry (ACR), part of Winrock Intl., announced an open public comment period for a carbon offset methodology, “Restoration of Degraded Deltaic Wetlands of the Mississippi Delta,” that will both quantify how wetland restoration work can combat climate change and provide a way to help pay for rebuilding the Gulf of Mexico's disappearing coastal wetland.

The new wetland offset methodology is the first carbon offset methodology to target deltaic wetland restoration, and also uses a modular format, which provides flexibility for numerous types of wetland restoration techniques and facilitates methodology expansion. Also featured is the incorporation of hydrologic management of nutrient-rich waters as a restoration technique, including options for diversion of river water into wetland, introduction of nonpoint source runoff into wetlands, and discharge of treated municipal effluent into wetlands.

The primary hurdle to implement Mississippi Delta restoration is the price, estimated between $10 billion for near-term restoration to $150 billion for broader restoration and protection measures. Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast recently estimated that between $20 billion and $50 billion will realistically be available for funding over the next 50 years, but acknowledged a budget up to five times that size could be needed. Under the new methodology, carbon credits created by restoring wetlands can be registered and sold to help finance additional wetland restoration, said methodology developer Sarah Mack of Tierra Resources LLC.

Source: Entergy Corp.