The North Carolina General Assembly approved $100 million for the Clean Water
Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) in our current state budget. The budget also restores
the $250,000 cut in Natural Heritage Trust Fund and retains the $1,000,000 cut
in the Parks and Recreational Trust Fund for operations. The North Carolina
Wildlife Federation (NCWF) has been working for years to reach this $100 million
level for the CWMTF.
The 1996 General Assembly of North Carolina established the CWMTF to help local governments, state agencies and conservation non-profit groups finance projects to protect and restore surface water quality.
The projects funded by the CWMTF include wetland, river and stream bank restorations, buffer acquisition and new wastewater treatment technologies. The Fund has protected more than 1560 miles of riparian buffers, preserved 134,000 acres of land, assisted 60 local governments with wastewater improvements, funded 45 restoration projects, and funded 16 storm water projects. The Fund assisted in the preservation of Van Swamp, Buckridge, Horseshoe Lake, South Mountains State Park, Lake Logan, Mountain Island Lake and helped to create North Carolina's newest state park, Jocassee Gorges State Park.
Please contact your NC senator or
representative and thank them for committing to the protection of our states
natural resources and wildlife habitat. To find you representatives click here.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
July 1, 2005
Dear Committee Member,
I am writing on behalf of 12,000 members and 23 affiliate
wildlife clubs of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation to urge Representatives
of the General Assembly to fully fund the Clean Water Management Trust Fund
(CWMTF) at the Senate’s $100 million level. GS 143-15.3B requires the General Assembly
to appropriate this minimum amount to the CWMTF each year.
The
Land and Water Trust Funds were created by the General Assembly to go beyond business as usual
and find more effective, more innovative strategies and technologies to preserve
and enhance North Carolina’s natural quality. The CWMTF, established in 1996, makes grants available
to local governments, state agencies and conservation non-profits to help finance
projects that specifically address water pollution problems.
Hundreds
of acres of natural areas are lost every day in North Carolina. 100,000 acres of farmland and forests across
the state are developed each year. More
than 2,600 miles of the state’s waters are now too polluted to meet North Carolina’s
minimum standards for fishing, swimming and drinking. The CWMTF has been a crucial tool in helping
to offset this loss of wildlife habitat and water quality. The CWMTF has awarded 630 grants for a total
of $485.6 million, protecting 3,198 miles of riparian buffers and 273,057 acres
of land. CWMTF grants have leveraged
an additional $783.8 million in private and other public funds – a terrific
investment.
The
CWMTF scope of funded
projects include: Wetlands and stream restoration;
buffer acquisition; stormwater management; repair of septic tanks and removal of straightpipe
sewage discharge mechanisms; creation of greenways; implementation of best management
practices for agriculture; improvements to wastewater treatment and collection
systems; preservation
of the Buckridge Coastal Reserve and Mountain Island Lake; and, creation of
North Carolina’s newest and perhaps most spectacular park, the 7,100 acre Gorges
State Park.
More than a third of all North Carolinians like to hunt, fish or watch wildlife, and many of CWMTF’s most significant land and water conservation projects have involved the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Anglers, hunters and wildlife watchers living nearby, across the region and around the world pump $2.8 billion annually into our state’s economy by participating in these outdoor recreational activities. $100 million a year is a small price to pay for our natural treasures, especially when considering the increase in land costs if we postpone conservation action until later. This is precisely why the General Assembly approved an extra $5 million to help purchase the 17,829 acre Rollins Tract in the South Mountains State Park – again, a terrific investment.
CWMTF’s
grants enhance our quality of life and economy in addition to protecting water
quality, wildlife habitat and recreational activities. We have a golden opportunity to protect natural assets
far into the future by making conservation investments today. Please fully fund this very important conservation
vehicle and help protect our natural resources for ourselves and our grandchildren.
Sincerely,
Larry
Thompson
Executive Director