Chapter 173-446 WAC – Cap-and-Invest Offsets - US Forest Protocol
Ecology is considering amendments to update Chapter 173-446 WAC, Climate Commitment Act Program Rule. This rulemaking may consider amendments to address new and revised Cap-and-Invest offset protocols, including WAC 173-446-505 and WAC 173-446-580.
Offsets are projects or programs designed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In the Cap-and-Invest Program, offset projects must also provide direct environmental benefits to Washington. Offsets allow businesses to balance out a small portion of the negative impacts of their emissions by funding a project that benefits the environment, such as capturing methane on dairy farms or planting trees in urban areas. For additional information, visit our site on Cap-and-Invest offsets.
We announced the Cap-and-Invest Offsets rulemaking in September 2023. This rulemaking focuses on updating the U.S. Forest offset protocol. This is a distinct rulemaking process from the WAC 173-446-Offsets - ODS Protocol rulemaking adopted on July 21, 2025.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Sept. 12, 2023
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
Sept 13, 2023 - Early 2026Public input & involvement
We are holding public meetings tprovide information about the rulemaking and seek your input. To get updates about these meetings and this rulemaking, join our email list.
U.S. Forest Protocol Draft rule language (Sept. 5, 2025)
- Draft rule language (Chapter 173-446 WAC)
- Proposed revisions to U.S. Forest Protocol
- Draft U.S. Forest Protocol
- Draft Legal Constraint Tool*
- Draft Harvest Wood Products Calculator*
- Draft Ecology Assessment Area Dataset*
A geospatial dataset of wildfire and disease buffer pool contributions is available upon request. Please contact CCAOffsets@ecy.wa.gov to request this dataset.
*Links will automatically download Excel files when clicked
U.S. Forest Protocol Draft rule language (July 15, 2025)
- Draft rule language (Chapter 173-446 WAC)
- Proposed revisions to U.S. Forest Protocol
- Draft U.S. Forest Protocol
U.S. Forest Protocol public meeting
July 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Register for the public meeting to ask questions and provide feedback on the draft rule language and considered revisions to the U.S. Forest protocol.
Cap-and-Invest Program rulemakings community forum
Aug. 13, 2025 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Register for the community forum where we will provide an overview of the Cap-and-Invest Program, linkage, and offsets and summarize the updates we’re considering in our current rulemakings. Please join to ask questions and share your views about how these updates may impact you or your community.
Public comment period (informal)
July 15, 2025, at midnight - Aug. 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
See comments about the draft rule language and considered revisions to the U.S. Forest protocol.
Public comment period (informal)
Sept. 5, 2025, at 12 p.m. - Sept. 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Provide comments on the updated draft rule language and considered revisions to the U.S. Forest protocol.
| Meeting/Date | Documents | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental justice working group Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
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Cap-and-Invest Program rulemakings- Community forum Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025 2 - 3:30 p.m.
|
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol public meeting |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Office Hours Not recorded |
|
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
cancelled | |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
cancelled | |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Environmental justice listening session |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
Offsets rulemaking public meeting |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
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U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Meeting recording |
|
U.S. Forest protocol working group |
Presentation | Not recorded |
|
Offsets rulemaking informational meeting |
Presentation |
1 Webinar information
Register for each meeting to get your meeting ID and passcode.
To hear the meeting better or to call in only, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 253‑215‑8782.
Related links
Contact information
Kayla Stevenson (she/her)
Environmental Planner
kayla.stevenson@ecy.wa.gov
360-972-0313
Stay informed
Join our email list
Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.