04/25/2007

By MARGARET LILLARD  / Associated Press

Environmental groups warned Wednesday that the state will lose 2 million acres of farmland and forests over the next 20 years as development continues to spread across North Carolina.

The state has already lost almost 2.4 million acres of open land — or about 325 acres per day — over the past two decades, according to a report based on federal data by Environment North Carolina and Land for Tomorrow. The groups urged state leaders to develop long-range plans to protect open land in the future, and support legislation that would use a $1 billion bond issue to finance conservation projects.

"As this report shows, we can't afford to keep studying the issue," said Elizabeth Ouzts, Environment North Carolina's state director.

The projections were based on development rates in North Carolina during the past 20 years, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Developed land in the state has increased by 65 percent over the last two decades, compared to population growth of 40 percent. In the coming 20 years, developed areas will increase by 38 percent while the population grows by 30 percent, according to the report.

Data shows the state's larger urban areas will suffer significant losses: cropland will disappear entirely in the Triangle as it loses 37 percent of its natural areas, while the Charlotte area will lose 30 percent of its undeveloped spaces.

Land for Tomorrow director Kate Dixon praised the state's recent agreement to buy Chimney Rock Park for $24 million from private owners and its part in the March 2006 purchase of more than 77,000 acres in eastern North Carolina from International Paper.

But she said more concerted, long-range efforts are needed to protect open land in the future.

"Now in North Carolina, there is more and more land that is on the market every day. It is changing hands constantly," Dixon said. "Where those two particular opportunities, the General Assembly and the governor jumped in to recommend immediate action, that brinksmanship just cannot continue to work in the future."

The groups also urged support of legislation to create a referendum on a $1 billion bond issue to fund preservation of land, water and historic sites, as recommended by a study commission formed last year.

The money would be parceled out over five years to buy farmland, forests, stream and river buffer property, and historic sites through state trust funds that are already being used to pay for preservation around the state.

The Natural Heritage Trust Fund on Wednesday announced $12.3 million in grants to preserve more than 6,800 acres. The projects include almost $4 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to help buy property at four natural areas, and nearly $4.8 million for the Wildlife Resources Commission to help buy some of the former International Paper land and three other tracts.

The bond funding legislation also would create and finance a new program called Landing Jobs to promote jobs and other economic opportunities related to protected properties.

The bill's chief House sponsor, Rep. Lucy Allen, D-Franklin, noted that conservation is one of several interests competing for debt funding this year. But she said the subject is particularly urgent.

"There are going to be no second chances," she said. "As a former school board member and former mayor, I have many times heard people say, 'Yes, we need to do that but now is not the time.' ... I will tell you, there will not be another chance like we have right now to do this."

Similar legislation failed last year, the "short session" of the last two-year General Assembly. Allen said she believes the conservation bonds will do better this year, despite competing requests including school construction, transportation, and sewer and water projects.

She noted that the House and Senate bills for conservation funding are sponsored by a majority of members in each chamber.

"The conversation that's going on now really has increased awareness of the need," she said. "There's a growing awareness that these are our heritage and this is our legacy to pass on."