Stage 1: Responsible Biomass Sourcing and Rapid Burial

Our projects begin with the careful collection of woody debris from local land-clearing and forestry operations. Only non-merchantable residues-material that would otherwise be burned or left to decay-are used, as confirmed by landowner affidavits, satellite imagery, and field data. Merchantable timber is excluded due to market and logistical constraints. Biomass is typically transported directly to the vault and buried within 7 days, minimizing pre-burial decay and ensuring maximum carbon retention.

Stage 3: Grading, Upland Creation, and Floodplain Restoration

Excess soils from excavation, primarily geologic clays and sandy subsoils, are skillfully mounded above the vault and used to elevate flood-prone areas nearby. This practice not only protects the vault but also improves site hydrology, increases usable land, and enhances resilience against flooding-all while maintaining the natural flow of surface water and minimizing ecological disturbance.

Stage 5: Long-Term Reforestation, Stewardship, and Monitoring

Our ultimate goal is true ecosystem restoration. Successive plantings of native trees and shrubs accelerate natural succession, and over decades, vault sites become indistinguishable from neighboring forests. Deep-rooted species enhance stabilization and groundwater recharge, while the entire ecosystem benefits from increased biodiversity and wildlife habitat. All vaults are mapped, measured, and tracked, with regular site visits to ensure cap integrity and ongoing ecological health.

Robust Monitoring and Verification:
CSI employs a state-of-the-art gas monitoring system (GMS) embedded in each vault cap to detect any escape of CO₂ or CH₄. Quarterly measurements using NDIR sensors and contingency protocols ensure vault integrity, with thresholds set conservatively to trigger remediation if needed. Independent geotechnical and environmental assessments confirm that the vaults are stable, isolated from groundwater, and pose minimal risk to air, water, or soil quality.

Regulatory and Scientific Validation

• Independent Environmental Assessment:
  Third-party reviews confirm no significant risk to surface water, groundwater, soils, or air. The project is not a landfill, uses no hazardous materials, and is classified as “composting” under Texas rules.

• Conservative Carbon Accounting:
  LCA assumptions are intentionally conservative, with real-world monitoring showing actual decomposition and GHG escape rates far lower than modeled. Ongoing research and sensor upgrades aim to further refine and validate these results.

• Risk Management:
  CSI maintains a detailed risk register, regularly updated to address operational, financial, and environmental risks, with robust mitigation strategies in place.

Stage 2: Engineered Vault Construction and Soil Capping

Each vault is excavated entirely within the thick, low-permeability clays of the Lissie Formation, well above the water table and aquifer layers. Woody debris is stacked and compacted to maximize contact with surrounding clay, reducing voids and oxygen availability. After stabilization through natural liquefaction and compaction, the vault is sealed with a 6–12 foot compacted clay cap-far thicker than a typical landfill cap-creating a robust, oxygen-limited barrier that preserves carbon and inhibits gas migration.

Stage 4: Soil Improvement and Early Vegetative Recovery

The combination of buried woody debris and fresh capping soil creates a unique, evolving soil profile. Like traditional hugelkultur, the buried wood acts as a moisture reservoir and slow-release nutrient source, gradually transforming the overlying cap into a fertile, resilient substrate. Shortly after closure, native grasses and pioneering plants are seeded to prevent erosion and kick start ecological recovery. Monitoring shows rapid establishment of lush ground cover and early successional shrubs within a few seasons.

Project Benefits

• Avoided Emissions:
  By burying instead of burning woody debris, each vault prevents hundreds to thousands of tonnes of CO₂ emissions, in addition to the carbon permanently sequestered underground. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling-using conservative IPCC-aligned assumptions and a 10–15% buffer for uncertainty-shows net carbon removal exceeding 4,800 tonnes CO₂e per vault over 100 years.

• Restorative Land Use:
  Surplus clays and excavated soils are used for floodplain uplift and site improvement, increasing usable land and long-term property value while supporting ecological resilience.

• Soil Quality and Hydrology:
  Buried wood enhances water retention and soil fertility, creating a self-sustaining, moisture-rich environment that supports rapid revegetation and long-term forest health.

• Permanent, Auditable Storage:
  All vaults are mapped, measured, and tracked, with transparent, third-party-validated carbon accounting. The project is fully compliant with TCEQ, Puro.earth, and international standards (ICROA/ICVCM), and aligns with Texas HB 3060’s expanded definition of carbon recycling.

• Community and Environmental Benefits:
  The project supports local jobs, pays property taxes, improves infrastructure, and maintains open access for neighbors and wildlife. No permanent fencing or infrastructure is installed, ensuring minimal disturbance and long-term land stewardship.

• Legacy Forests:
  Each vault is designed to become part of a thriving, mature forest, maximizing both climate and biodiversity benefits for generations to come.

Conclusion

By integrating waste management, soil improvement, carbon sequestration, and reforestation, Carbon Sequestration, Inc. turns what was once a disposal problem into an enduring climate solution and a model for holistic land renewal. Our approach is scientifically rigorous, regulatory compliant, and independently validated-delivering transparent, permanent, and audit-able climate benefits while restoring land and supporting local communities!