Item Description:
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Work Order PR00008783 for land-based carbon sequestration measurement and modeling with the University of Minnesota, 01/01/27-03/31/29, NTE $450,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Work Order PR00008783 with the Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide land-based carbon sequestration measurement and modeling for the period from January 1, 2027 to March 31, 2029, with a not-to-exceed amount of $450,000, be approved; that following review and approval of the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the Work Order on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Work Order PR00008783 is a continuation of a multi-year project through the Hennepin-University Partnership (HUP), managed by the county to incorporate carbon sequestration from natural land features – like forests, prairies, and wetlands – into the county’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory (Resolution 24-0391). The project is developing a methodology for quantifying land-based GHGs, estimating avoided emissions associated with land protection activities, assessing potential sequestration of carbon through various natural resource projects at a parcel-scale, and developing a framework that will guide the county’s approach to using nature-based climate solutions to meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals, including the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Land-based carbon emissions and sequestration were not included in the GHG inventory that was completed as part of the development of the Climate Action Plan due to the complicated nature of the methodologies involved. However, carbon sequestration accounts for more than 10% of the required structural reductions to meet the net zero by 2050 goal. Existing roles, responsibilities and programming, like tree planting, conservation easement acquisit...
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