RES-2011-036 Resolution Expressing Orange County’s Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 574

Browse Search

~~~ ~~~~ RES - 2011 - 036 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 574 Regarding Redirection of Excise Tax Proceeds Away from North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust Fund Whereas, the provision of parks, recreation and open spaces protects quality of life and. enhances public health by promoting outdoor activity, sports and exercise opportunities, as well as immense social, natural and economic benefits and an appreciation of our natural resources; and Whereas, the North Carolina F'arks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF) were created to preserve natural areas, protect water quality, create and expand parks, trails and game lands; and Whereas, legislators created these trust funds nineteen years ago and recognized the economic importance of balancing conservation and development, and in so doing dedicated a funding source for the trust funds, which receive almost all of their funding from the deed stamp excise tax from the sale of real estate; and Whereas, Orange County has specifically benefited from funding assistance for the acquisition of parks and open space, the construction of parks and recreation facilities, and the protection of important natural areas and wildlife habitat - receiving $1.25 million in PARTF grants since 2000 for Little River Regional Park and Natural Area, Cedar Grove Park and the long-awaited and recently opened Fairview Park - as well as other facilities within the municipalities of Orange County (including a future segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail); and Whereas, new legislation filed in the North Carolina House (HB 574) and Senate (SB 462) would take away half of the dedicated funding for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF), redirecting this revenue to the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund largely as a result of lobbying by homebuilders and realtors groups; and Whereas, tourism in North Carolina generated $17 billion in 2010,much of which comes from visitors to state parks, beaches and outdoor areas -areas that exist thanks to investment from these trust funds, and tourism brings $150 million annually to Orange County, much of it recreation-related; and Whereas, a study by the Trust for Public Land found that investing in conservation lands more than pays for itself with every $1 invested in land conservation returning $4 in economic value from natural resource goods and services alone; and