Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation , Bill and Nancy Stanback, Cemala Foundation, Marion Stedman Covington Foundation, Educational Foundation of America, Foundation for the Carolinas and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Foundation, Amy Grissom and David Cohen and Ruth Ann Grissom, Robert Wilson Challenge Fund, and others. View a complete list of supporters.

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Bond Not Moving This Session Study Commission, cont...

“We’re obviously disappointed that the bill authorizing land and water conservation bonds did not pass.  The need is still dire. Each year North Carolina loses more than 100,000 acres of forests and farmland to the pressures of population growth and 3,000 miles of streams don’t meet state water quality standards,” said State Representative Lucy Allen.

“This is an economic issue as much as it is a quality of life issue,” said Senator Dan Clodfelter.  “Tourism, job recruitment, and industrial expansion are all dependent upon a good supply of clean water and conservation of areas that make North Carolina a special place to live.  This study commission will examine all options to help us protect our state’s natural and historic beauty.”

Despite more than 70 North Carolina House sponsors and more than 20 in the Senate the bill never got out of committee.  Bill supporters ran into roadblocks because Gov. Easley opposed adding additional general obligation bond debt this year.

“Each day, we lose more of the natural areas that are so important to protecting our children’s future.  And the price of land is skyrocketing,” said Kate Dixon, Land for Tomorrow executive director.  “We have a narrow window of opportunity to protect these places that are so important to our quality of life and the economy.”

The bonds were originally proposed by Land for Tomorrow, a diverse partnership of more than 225 organizations and local governments including representatives of business, farmers, foresters, community groups, health professionals, and conservation groups. The funding recommendations were based on a detailed plan to conserve land to safeguard drinking water, protect fish and wildlife habitat, preserve working farms, restore historic landmarks, expand parks and trails, and prevent polluted runoff from contaminating streams, rivers, and lakes.

Dixon added, “Having the support of more than half the General Assembly for our legislation is a positive sign that they believe these conservation efforts make sense.  We are optimistic that the study commission will examine the plan, strengthen it, and find a way to get it done before it is too late.”

If this legislation is passed, the study commission would report back no later than March 1, 2007.

For additional information about Land for Tomorrow, visit www.landfortomorrow.org.

Articles, Editorials, opinion pieces, and letters to the editor printed since the last e-newsletter:

1. Raleigh News & Observer, Letter to the Editor, "Saving More Land" by Kevin Brice -- July 10, 2006
   
2. Wilmington Start, Opinion, "State Seems Unwilling to Spring for Conservation" by Si Cantwell -- July 6, 2006
   
3. The Independent, Article, "Exile on Jones Street: No Land for Tomorrow" -- July 5, 2006
   
4. Fayetteville Observer, Editorial, "Our View: Legislators Should Let Voters Decide on Funding Preservation Effort" -- July 2, 2006
   
5. Asheville Citizen-Times, Article, "Coalition Hopes to Conserve NC's Land with $1 Billion Bond" by Kerra L. Bolton -- June 26, 2006
   
6. Hendersonville News, Opinion, "Bonds Would Help Us Preserve Natural Heritage" by Bud Hunter -- June 25, 2006
   
7. Asheville Citizen-Times, OpEd, "Mountain Land Options a Classic Dilemma: Love or Money" by John Ager -- June 23, 2006
   
8. Charlotte Observer, Editorial, "Land for Tomorrow; Bond issue would protect NC lands, waters, and farms" -- June 22, 2006
   
9. Smoky Mountain News, Article, "A moment of your time?" by Becky Johnson -- June 21, 2006
   
10. Smoky Mountain News, Opinion, "Saving Farms Is Not About Nostalgia" by Scott McLeod -- June 21, 2006
11. State Government Radio, "Billion Dollar Bond" and "Preservation Push" by Michelle Bank -- June 20, 2006
    
12. Associated Press Article, "Wednesday at the General Assembly" -- June 14, 2006 published in the Raleigh News & Observer, Winston Salem Journal, Fayetteville Observer, Wilmington Star, WCNC.com (Charlotte), WVEC.com (Norfolk, VA) -- June 15, 2006 published in the Durham Herald Sun
    
13. Smoky Mountain News, Article, "Land for Tomorrow: Will it pass the state legislature?" by Becky Johnson -- June 14, 2006 (see cover)
    
14. Smoky Mountain News, Article, "Farmers Increasingly Feel Forced Off Their Land" by Becky Johnson -- June 14, 2006
    
15. Raleigh News & Observer, OpEd, "Breathing Room for the State" by Governor Jim Hunt -- June 13, 2006
    
16. Chapel Hill News, OpEd, "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by Elizabeth Sutherland -- June 10, 2006
    
17. Oxford Public Ledger, Editorial, "Green referendum deserves a chance (pdf 385 KB)" -- June 1, 2006
    
18. Watauga Democrat, Article, "State Funds Helps Protect Land and Water" -- May 29, 2006
    
19. Fayetteville Observer, Editorial, "Greening: Over View: A major bond issue to preserve land and water is essential to the state's future" -- May 28, 2006
    
20. Franklin Times, Article,  "Local Legislative Watch: Senate 7 - Doug Berger/House 49 - Rep Lucy Allen (pdf 500 KB)" -- May 27, 2006
    
21. Watauga Democrat, OpEd, "Planting Seeds of Conservation" by James Coman -- May 26, 2006
    
22. Salisbury Post, Editorial, "Land for Tomorrow; Turning Point Ahead for N.C." -- May 26, 2006
    
23. News Reporter (Whiteville), Editorial, "Thumbs Up (pdf 250 KB)" -- May 25, 2006
    
24. News Reporter (Whiteville), Article, "Bond Sought for More Public Lands (pfd 800 KB)" by Lee Hinant -- May 25, 2006
    
25. News-Journal (Raeford), Article, "Land Use Group Supports $1 Billion Bond Plan (pdf 700 KB)" by Victoriana Summers -- May 25, 2006
    
26. Franklin Press, Article, "Conservationists Seek Bond Referendum (pdf 550 KB)" by Michael Lewis -- May 24, 2006
27. Topsail Voice (Hampstead), Article, "State Funds to Help Pender County Protect Land and Water (pdf 2 MB)" -- May 24, 2006
    
28. Raleigh News & Observer, Editorial, "Tomorrow's Land" -- May 23, 2006
    
29. Asheville Citizen Times, OpEd, "Facing the Last Stand for Forests in Western North Carolina -- May 23, 2006
    
30. Asheville Citizen Times, Calendar Brief, "Home & Garden Briefs: Kenilworth Gardens tour this weekend -- May 19, 2006 and May 23, 2006
    
31. Triad Business Journal, Article, "Preservationists Push for $1 Billion Bond Vote (pdf, 400 KB)" by Todd Cohen -- May 18, 2006
32. Times-Leader (Grifton), Article, "Local Projects Have Received State Funding (pdf, 500 KB)" -- May 17, 2006
    
33. Elizabeth City Daily Advance, Article, "Extra $1B sought to conserve N.C. Land" by David Macaulay -- May 15, 2006
    
34. Watauga Democrat, Article, "State Funds Helps Protect Land and Water" -- May 11, 2006
35. Commonwealth Progress (Scotland Neck), Article, "Picnic in Park Highlights Land for Tomorrow (pdf 695 KB)" -- May 10, 2006
    
36. Associated Press Article, "Wednesday at the General Assembly" -- May 10, 2006 published in the Raleigh News & Observer, Charlotte Observer, Winston-Salem Journal, Fayetteville Observer, WVEC.com (Norfolk, VA), WCNC.com (Charlotte), Myrtle Beach Sun News
    
37. Asheville Citizen Times, Article, "Conservationists Want Voters to Decide on Funds for Land Protection" by Julie Ball -- May 7, 2006

Since the last newsletter, almost 40 local governments and organizations have become Land for Tomorrow partners.

Counties, Municipalities, and Soil & Water Conservation Districts

1. Cabarrus County
2. Town of Carrboro
3. Chatham County
4. Gaston County
5. Town of Harrisburg
6. Henderson County
7. City of Hickory
8. Town of Hot Springs
9. City of Jacksonville
10. Town of Mars Hill
11. Town of Mount Pleasant
12. Orange Soil & Water Conservation District
13. Pasquotank County
14. Randolph County
15. Town of Ruth
16. Rutherford County
17. Town of Rutherfordton
18. Stokes Soil & Water Conservation District
19. Surry County
20. Union County

Public and Private Organizations

1. Appalachian Community for Progressive Sustainability
2. Appalachian Trail Conservancy
3. Cabarrus County Parks & Recreation Commission
4. Cabarrus County Watershed Improvement Commission
5. Durham Open Space and Trails Commission
6. Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Tourism Development Authority
7. Environmental and Conservation Organization
8. Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Land Use Advisory Commission
9. Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
10. City of High Point Parks & Recreation Commission
11. NC Botanical Garden Foundation, Inc. (Executive Committee)
12. Partnership for Watauga's Future
13. Real Estate: Town and Country Realty, Asheville
14. Real Estate: Alacarte Real Estate Services Group
15. Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
16. Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership for Davidson County
17. Triad Environmental Action
18. Watts Hospital Hillandale Neighborhood
19. Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission