Land for Tomorrow applauds Clean Water Management Trust Fund

Press release from North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund:

North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) continues to fund outstanding land and water conservation projects across the state.
During its September 16 meeting in Raleigh, the board approved funding for 23 land conservation projects that will safeguard water quality, provide recreational opportunities, preserve important cultural sites and wildlife habitat. Funds for these 23 projects totaled more than $9.3 million out of an overall $12.7 million allocated by the board, with the additional funds going to stream restoration and innovative stormwater projects.
Funded projects included top priorities for the North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation, Wildlife Resources Commission, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Cultural Resources. Projects receiving funding include:

•         $1 million for an addition to the NC Forest Service’s Headwaters Forest project on the North Fork of the French Broad River (Transylvania County)
•         $1 million for an addition to Chimney Rock State Park (Rutherford County)
•         $123,640 for an addition to the Department of Cultural Resources Bentonville Battlefield Historic Site (Johnson and Wayne Counties)
•         $1 million for an addition to the Wildlife Resources Commission’s Sandhills Game Land (Scotland County)
•         $180,444 to the Conservation Trust for North Carolina for the protection of a historic apple orchard adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway

A number of North Carolina’s local land trusts received awards, including the Carolina Mountains Land Conservancy, the Blue Ridge Conservancy, the Sandhills Area Land Trust, the Tar River Land Conservancy, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Eno River Association, the Land Trust for Little Tennessee, and the LandTrust for Central North Carolina.

Reid Wilson, executive director of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and a member of the Land for Tomorrow executive committee, applauded the board for continuing to fund conservation projects across the state, “The Clean Water Management Trust Fund took decisive action to conserve high priority natural lands that will protect drinking water supplies and clean air, preserve critical wildlife habitat, and expand recreational and cultural opportunities for North Carolina families.”
In its most recent budget, the General Assembly increased funding for the CWMTF to $14.1 million dollars for this fiscal year.  However, conservation advocates point out that additional funding is needed to meet the state’s needs.  During this annual funding cycle, local governments, conservation non-profits, and state agencies submitted a total of 105 applications totaling over $56 million, the majority of which did not receive funding.
“The legislature continues to show its support for land and water conservation by providing small increases to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund’s budget,” said Will Morgan, Director of Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy.  “However, additional funding is needed to meet the growing demand for conservation in our rapidly developing state.”

Water and land conservation is a critical goal as North Carolina’s population continues to grow. Not only is conservation the most cost-effective way to ensure future residents have clean drinking water, but it also provides the parks, recreation and quality of life that business leaders seek when expanding or relocating companies in our state.
Land for Tomorrow, a coalition of conservation, agriculture, wildlife, business and local government organizations, is committed to preserving and protecting North Carolina’s land and waters. Its goal is to increase public awareness of the need to protect lands that provide safe drinking water and clean air, strengthen our communities, promote job growth and enhance the quality of life for generations to come. For additional information about Land for Tomorrow, visitwww.land4tomorrow.org.