Campaign Unavailable

The House and Senate have each passed their version of the state budget for 2008-09 and are now in the throes of final budget negotiations.  While there are many important environmental programs that are at risk, we want to highlight three especially critical ones.

Imagine 20 new Wal-Marts being built every day – that’s how much land we are losing to pavement and development in North Carolina.  300 acres of forest, farms and wetlands lost every day. The House budget included $50 million for Land for Tomorrow to preserve this open space, and $4 million for the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, but the Senate budget stripped out all land conservation funding. 

To manage our water resources wisely, North Carolina needs a good water supply model for each river basin that explains how water sources, existing uses, and flows are related.  Without such a model, it is nearly impossible to evaluate the likely impacts of proposed new withdrawals.  Models have been developed for two basins; we have 15 to go.  The Senate budget includes $500,000 for water basin supply planning, but funding is not in the House budget.

North Carolina has lost thousands of acres of coastal shellfishing waters due to pollution. Oysters are an important part of coastal ecosystems and economies.  The Senate budget includes $6 million for oyster hatcheries to try to restore populations, but the House budget does not include any oyster funding. 

Take a moment to let your legislator know that these programs are important!  Adding your own words about why these are important to you will make your email more effective.