Agenda - 12-05-2005-6d - Laserfiche WebLink

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Land for Totnorxow began its work by interviewing business, govemment and nonproFit leaders from across the state and polling registered voters and fumland owners to learn tnore about what people in North Carolina dunk about conservation. We studied conservation finance techniques used in North Carolina and other states to develop a better understanding of options available to increase funding at the federal, state and local levels. Based upon this information, zeseaxch into land and lstoric properties in North Cazolina and current programs to protect dtem, and advice from more than one hundred experts, the Coalition presents this report, .Snniug tJ~e Gaadlrerl Lm+d .A Frue-] ear Plan far Lmerlirrs iu NarlJr Carolir+a5 Laud, Hirlo~~ and Fnlrrre, which: • Examines changes in land use and ownersltlp that :ue creating econotnic, public health, ecological and quality of hfe challenges vt urban and rural areas. • Recommends how the state can address these challeuges by increasing funding for land conservation and historic preservation. • Recommends the following five-year conservation goals: • Rivers, Wetlands, Floodplains and Coastal Waters - 6,000 miles of stream banks and flood plains • Wotking Farms - 50,000 acres of productive farmland • Working Forests - 25,000 acres • Local Parks and Trails - 35,000 acres and needed trail and park facilities • State Parks and Trails - G0,000 acres and needed trails and facilities • Game Lands and Other Natural Areas - 150,000 acres • Historic Places -Restore 350 historic landmarks for public use and protect .3,000 acres of important archeological sites and land around State Historic Sites • Land Visible from Scenic Highways - 50,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Paflway and other scenic highways • Urban Forests - In¢ease tree canopy in areas that are not meeting air quality standards • Fstunates that the projected cost to North Carolina state government to meet these conservation goals is an additional $200 million annually for five years which can be used to leverage federal, local and private matching funds. • Recommends creating one new initiative to help communities take advantage of their critical land and historic places to create sustainable jobs and n higher quality of life. • Recommends building on the Sta[e's excellent existing conservation trust funds, One North Carolina Naturally program and the creative, vibrant wank of local govermnents, nonprofits and community groups to accomplish these goals. Land for Tomorrow presents this plan as a proposal for discussion. We hope it will be used by legislators, state agencies, citizens and organizations to craft an action plan to save North Carolina's critical land and historic places and ensure a bright future Eox our citizens and communities. If we're successful in [his effort, our children and grandchildren will still think of North Cazolina as the "goodliestland" with: • Clean air and water • Places to enjo}' the beauty of North • Sustainable jobs and vibrant communities • Tbriving farms and forests Carolina, to exercise, to hunt and fish Places of lstoric significance and ecological value In 1971, North Carolina voters approved rlrucle lIV, Section V of the State Constitution, which mandates that we must use "every appropriate way to preserve as part of the common heritage of dtis State its forests, wetlands, estuaries, beaches, historical sites, opcnlands and places of beauty." Lnplementing Sauiug !be Gaorllrert Lnud is the best way to follow through on that Constitutional comtniunent We must protect North Carolina's critical land and Mstoric places now. There will be no second chance.