Opal Mountain is a premier carbon forestry investment consisting of approximately 16,981 acres in a large private block with exceptional wildlife, recreation, and water resources. Approximately, 14,100 acres of the property has been developed as a long-term California compliance carbon sequestration project. Opal Mountain is one of the largest compliance market carbon projects in the Pacific Northwest listed on the American Carbon Registry. The Opal Mountain owner is also in the process of developing an additional 14,200 acres of timberland, as an Improved Forest Management Washington compliance carbon project. The combined projects are projected to generate more than 1,000,000 carbon credits (tCO2e) over the next 20 years.
California's Air Resource Board, the regulatory entity that manages GHG emissions in the State of California, estimates that carbon costs will reach $90-$140 per ton (one ton equals one credit) over the next 5-10 years depending on certain economic scenarios and policy assumptions (report provided upon request)
The Opal Mountain carbon project was certified in 2021 using the American Carbon Registry's methodology for improved forest management on nonfederal U S forestlands. The project is enrolled in the Californian compliance market with a 99-year rolling compliance obligation. During this term the project is expected to be verified every six years.
Presently, the United States does not yet have a national carbon market, while California and Washington are the only two states to implement cap and trade programs (i.e. compliance markets). Carbon projects on Opal Mountain and Cherry Creek are or will be enrolled in the compliance markets of both California and Washington state. Such programs are essential for delivering the Paris Agreement objective of limiting global average temperature increase as cap-and-trade programs limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Apart from its outstanding suitability as a carbon forestry investment, the Opal Mountain property is rich in biodiversity and wildlife which could be enhanced further, thus offering a multitude of options to combine with other ecologic objectives land values in the area are also robust with upside potential.
There are approximately 30 miles of streams and creeks that create the headwaters of Trout Creek/Deschutes River and the John Day River. The property includes a private access easement to the John Day River. With Cascade Mountains views from Mt Bachelor to Mt Rainier as its backdrop, the topography ranges from timber covered slopes, grassy hillsides, steep canyons, and meadows. The property has an elevation range of 5,700 feet down to 2,700 feet with over four miles bordering the Ochoco National Forest allowing for diverse wildlife habit and abundant recreation. The Opal Mountain property is expected to generate attractive annual positive cash flow from outfitting, conservation, and carbon projects. Sustainable timber management, redevelopment and recreation create significant long-term appreciation opportunities.