California Carbon Sequestration and Climate Resiliency Project Registry: whole orchard recycling projects.

Existing law requires the Natural Resources Agency, no later than July 1, 2023, to establish and maintain the California Carbon Sequestration and Climate Resiliency Project Registry for the purpose of identifying and listing projects in the state that drive climate action on the state's natural and working lands and are seeking funding from state agencies or private entities. Existing law provides that carbon sequestration projects listed on the registry may include natural and working lands-based carbon sequestration projects and direct air capture projects. Existing law authorizes the agency, in collaboration with relevant state agencies and in consultation with diverse stakeholders, to create an application process for applicants to have their projects located in the state listed on the registry, as provided. This bill would expand the list of projects that may be included on the registry to include whole orchard recycling projects. The bill would define "whole orchard recycling" to mean the onsite grinding or chipping of whole trees during orchard removal, and incorporation of the ground or chipped biomass into the topsoil prior to replanting.