The proposed budget that Gov. Pat McCrory released last week cuts money to a grant program that protects water quality and sensitive land and continues the whittling of the state’s major environmental agency.
Legislature
Proposed Move of State Parks Causes Jitters
Some worry that the protection of natural resources will get shortchanged if Gov. Pat McCrory succeeds in moving state parks to the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, which is more geared toward attracting customers.
A Look Ahead at the Legislative Session
The N.C. General Assembly will start the new year with a few new faces, but the script will largely remain the same. Learn what’s on the environmental agenda in 2015.
One Commission to Review Them All
The Rules Review Commission could ultimately alter key rules for enforcing environmental policy. Learn who the members are, what their power is and which constitutional question they’re sparking.
Lawmakers Weaken Wetlands Protections
In what has become an annual rite, the N.C. General Assembly Friday passed more regulatory changes that weaken environmental protections. Small pockets of coastal wetlands were in the crosshairs this time.
Now You See It… Now You Don’t
Some controversial coastal provisions that were included in earlier versions didn’t make it into the final state budget that Gov. Pat McCrory signed yesterday.
An End of Session Twist
The Senate came short of passing an omnibus bill, including several controversial environmental provisions, previously seen and rejected by the House.
New Funding Formula Sinks Road Projects
The Mid-Currituck Bridge is one of many proposed road projects in Eastern N.C. that get short- changed in a new highway funding formula.
Environmental Bills Chug Along
Last week, while tempers flared in the N.C. General Assembly over the state budget, the long-awaited coal ash legislation passed the state Senate and the House approved its versions of a diverse set of regulatory changes.
Isolated Wetlands: A Primer
What’s so “isolated” about them and why do some legislators want to remove state protections?
Jennette’s Pier: Fishing for Answers
Locals are perplexed as to why the state House wants to sell Jennette’s Pier, a popular place in Nags Head for tourists, residents and school groups.
The House Budget and the Environment
The N.C. House released its version of the state budget, which contains a few conservation surprises.
Teaching Center and Budget Math
The N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching has made it through the N.C. Senate budget after being eliminated in Gov. Pat McCrory’s version. Next up is the N.C. House.
Budget Cuts Threaten Shellfish Monitoring
Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget proposal cuts university marine centers and closes a state office that monitors shellfish waters.
Senate Budget and the Environment
Medicaid cuts and teacher raises grabbed the headlines, but the N.C. Senate’s proposed state budget contains numerous provisions that would affect environmental policy on the coast.
Bill Would Restrict Permit Challenges
A bill being considered by the N.C. Senate would limit people’s ability to challenge air and coastal development permits and virtually eliminate state protection of certain wetlands.
