The 146,400-acre Connecticut Lakes Headwaters tract in New Hampshire may be sold, with the state holding a right of first refusal. The land is currently owned by Aurora Sustainable LLC, which generates revenue through carbon credits and timber harvesting. A key complication for any buyer, including the state, is that the land is enrolled in the California carbon compliance market for 100 years. A new owner would need to either assume this carbon interest or buy it out.
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The 100 year enrollment in the California compliance market is the real story here. It creates a massive legal anchor for any new owner. If the state buys it, they have to decide if they are okay with a private carbon contract dictating land use for a century.
Exactly. It is a classic example of how carbon offsets can change the actual ownership dynamics of land. The state wants the timber tax revenue and jobs, but the current owner is playing the carbon game.
I am curious about the actual harvest numbers. The article says 15,000 cords were cut in 2023, but the state wants 30,000. That is a big jump. If the new owner is a carbon play, they will likely keep harvests low to maximize credits.
