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COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
The Joint Legislative Commission on Land and Water Conservation met five
times and held three public hearings in Asheville, Greensboro, and Greenville after
the adjournment of the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly on July
28, 2006. The 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.
The Commission was charged with identifying and evaluating existing State
funding sources for historical preservation, for acquiring public lands for various
conservation purposes, and for related economic development. In addition, the
Commission was charged with collecting information from North Carolina and
other states and jurisdictions regarding incentive- based techniques and
management tools used to protect land and water resources.
LAND ANDWATERCONSERVATIONNEEDS
The State's land and water conservation needs, including preservation of the
State's cultural heritage, have been well established. Land and water conservation
and cultural and historic preservation are important for many reasons. In addition
to the benefits of maintaining some of the world's most beautiful natural areas,
conservation of our natural cultural resources will lead to benefits such as economic
growth and job creation, protection of the public health, enhancement of our
citizens' quality of life, and the protection of native species of flora and fauna.