Joint Legislative Commission on Land and Water Conservation, report to the 2007 General Assembly of North Carolina

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Land and Water Conservation Study Commission
Created by S. L. 2006- 223
Executive Summary of Commission Report
The Land and Water Conservation Study Commission was established to consider funding
options for a major initiative for conservation of land, water, and historic resources that
was proposed in HB 2827/ SB 1907 during the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General
Assembly.
Commission Charge:
 To identify and evaluate existing State funding sources for historical preservation, for
acquiring public lands for various conservation purposes, and for related economic
development related to land and water conservation and historic preservation.
 To collect information from other states regarding incentive- based techniques and
management tools used to protect land and water resources.
 To recommend a way to address the funding needs of land and water conservation.
 To hold public meetings in three different areas of the State.
Commission Findings:
Land and water conservation, including preservation of the State's cultural heritage, benefits
the State in many ways: economic growth and job creation; protection of the public health;
enhancement of our citizens' quality of life; and protection of native species of flora and
fauna.
A number of factors have converged in recent years to make now a key time in protecting
the environment of the State for generations to come: population growth; rapid development
of land; and an unusually high percentage of large tracts of land for sale.
The State- established trust funds, coupled with other conservation- oriented entities, have a
strong history of serving the conservation needs of North Carolina and of coordinating with
one another: Natural Heritage Trust Fund; Parks and Recreation Trust Fund; Clean Water
Management Trust Fund; Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund;
the Wildlife Resources Commission; the Ecosystem Enhancement Program; the State
Historic Preservation Office and State Historic Sites; the conservation tax credit; and the
present- use value property taxation system.
There are at least seven ' best practices' related to land and water conservation and cultural
and historic preservation: substantial state investment in these areas; enabling local
financing; providing state incentives for projects; allowing for the purchase of development
rights; supporting public- private partnerships; conservation tax credits; and partnerships
with federal agencies. The State has been active in each of these areas, but the Commission