What's New
In their version of the state's spending plan, Senate budget writers dealt a blow to land
conservation when they cut out $54 million in new funding for land conservation.
The House version of the budget had included critical new funding for conserving farmlands, forests, wetlands, and other open spaces.
The two chambers will negotiate a final version of the budget by the end of June.
Environment North Carolina research shows that at least $250 million in new funding is needed if North Carolina is to meet its goal of preserving one million acres of open space by 2010.
How You Can Help
Ask your senator to restore new land and water conservation funds to the state's budget.
Brief Summary
From the Smokies to the foothills to the Outer Banks, North
Carolina has more than its share of natural beauty.
But every day, we lose another 300 acres of our cherished open space—an area
the size of 20 Wal-Marts—to development.
Rapid, unplanned growth contaminates our rivers and streams
and destroys fish and wildlife habitat. What’s more, it threatens the future of
some of the state’s best-loved green spaces.
Eight years ago, state leaders proposed the protection of an
additional 1 million acres of special natural areas. With an infusion of extra
land conservation funding, we can reach the million acre goal, and protect Hanging
Rock, the Uwharries, the Cypress Swamps,
Joe Mountain,
and hundreds of other natural areas like them across the state.
More.
