The Forest Project and Verification Protocols provide guidance to calculate, report, and verify GHG emission reductions associated with reforestation, improved forest management, and avoided conversion projects. Version 3.0 of the protocol was adopted by the Reserve Board in September 2009 and minor revisions were made in October 2009. The Forest Project Protocol Version 3.1 is available for public use and is applicable across the United States.

• Forest Project Protocol Version 3.1 (October 22, 2009)
• Forest Project Verification Protocol Version 3.0 (September 1, 2009)
• Project Implementation Agreement (September 1, 2009)

• Appendix F Assessment Area Data (February 2, 2010)
• Appendix F Mill Efficiency Data (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections Overview Map (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections North Central (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections Northeast (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections Northwest (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections Southeast (February 2, 2010)
• Supersections Southwest (February 2, 2010)

• GIS Supersection Shape File

Note on Appendix F and the FIA Data Tables:

The updated Appendix F will be incorporated in Version 3.2 of the FPP, scheduled to be released by the end of February. Projects submitted under 3.1 must continue to use the Appendix F data associated with that version. Projects can be resubmitted under 3.2 once the updated version is released. Please note that the FIA statistic is based on the above-ground portion of the tree and is stratified into high and low site classes where it was possible to do so. This will result in the guidance in Section 6.2 related to baseline development being modified to reflect the above-ground portion of the tree only. Guidance for use of the updated Appendix F will be provided in greater detail as soon as possible.

Extended Deadline for Submitting Pre-Existing Forest Projects

Because the assessment area data required by the Forest Project Protocol Versions 3.0 and 3.1 have only recently been made available, the Reserve is extending the deadline for submitting pre-existing forest projects (i.e., projects that started more than six months prior to being submitted to the Reserve for listing).

Under the extended deadline, projects with start dates that are after January 1, 2001, may be submitted to the Reserve for listing until April 30, 2010. On May 1, 2010 and thereafter, projects must be submitted within six months of their start dates in order to be listed.

Protocol Revisions

The Forest Project Protocol is not currently undergoing revision.

Protocol Development & Previous Versions

Use the links below to access information about the original protocol development process and previous versions of the Forest Protocol. Public comments, staff responses to public comments, workgroup participants, and other supporting documents can also be found here.

Click a version of the protocol below to access more information:

• Version 3.1 (October 22, 2009)
• Version 3.0 (September 1, 2009)
• Version 2.1 (September 6, 2007)
• Version 1.0 (June 13, 2005)

Please contact Policy Team with questions or comments.

Biomass Equations

• Biomass Equations (May 13, 2009)
• Volume Equations (May 13, 2009)