Loan Guarantees for Rural Forest Owners to Access Environmental Credit Markets.
This Act establishes a program providing federal loan guarantees (up to $150 million) to entities that help rural private forest landowners participate in voluntary environmental credit markets, such as carbon markets. The goal is to create new income streams for these landowners, particularly those with small acreage, helping them maintain ownership and sustainable forest use of their land. The program emphasizes high environmental integrity and minimizes disruption to traditional timber markets.
Key points
The government guarantees up to $150 million in loans/bonds to finance projects connecting rural forest owners with environmental credit markets.
Provides a new financial opportunity for small-acreage forest owners to earn income from sustainable practices like carbon storage.
Projects must meet strict ecological standards, including using native tree species on historically forested land and avoiding negative impacts on biodiversity.
Expired
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