Abstracts Business

Changing land uses for the Hoopa Valley Tribe: is sequestration of carbon a viable project from a triple bottom line perspective?

by Julia Lee Hostler

Since gaining political status as a sovereign nation from the Federal Government, the Hoopa Valley Tribe has been able to use its natural resources as a way to provide income for Tribal operations, employment for its membership and to increase the overall economic well-being of the Tribal people. Now that timber resources are declining, the market for the timber industry has fallen as a result of the depressed housing market, and economic venture of a modular home factory has not met expectations, the Tribe is seeking alternate sources of revenue to help meet its annual budget that provides invaluable services to its membership and the community at large. The Hoopa reservation consists of heavily wooded terrain, and because of this valuable resource there has been substantial interest by outside investors and brokers of carbon credits. The Tribe has entertained the idea of carbon sequestration as a potential source of income since the process of sequestration is compatible with current values of the Tribal people and consistent with processes of the previously established Forest Management Plan (FMP), which largely protects and promotes a healthy sustainable forest. The Hoopa Tribe has been extremely successful in the development of a highly productive timber company and at the same time mindful of the environment through the development of its FMP. Further research has identified potential problems as well as opportunities if the Hoopa Valley Tribe was to undertake the steps necessary to register the forestland for carbon sequestration. Considerations of Tribal sovereignty, the positive aspects of healthy forest management and timber harvesting practices, along with current information about the emerging carbon market and other Tribes??? experience with this new type of economic resource are important considerations. One of the main emerging questions pertaining to this venture is to determine at what level should the Hoopa Valley Tribe be involved, if at all, in carbon sequestration. Furthermore, as indicated in the Forest Management Plan, the Tribe has a specific value system with cultural influences that determine how the forest is managed and acceptable uses of the land in general, which concretely dictate the involvement of a cultural committee and must ensure alignment with local culture and customs prior to undertaking any particular project or activity. This paper evaluates the possibility of entering into a carbon sequestration project and address the concerns and unique challenges for the Hoopa Valley Tribe. Advisors/Committee Members: Lancaster, Kathryn.