Old North State to Disperse $128 Million for Conservation

This week, the General Assembly and the Governor signed into law the state budget for 2007 and 2008, which included $128 million over two years for land and water conservation (it isn't $1 billion over five years, but it does show commitment and it helps meet immediate needs):

$100 million in COPs bonds (Certificates of Participation) to be distributed to the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (to be paid back through those same funds)
$20 million in COPs bonds to Division of Marine Fisheries for beach access projects (to be paid back through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund)

$8 million of appropriations to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust FundThank your legislators and the Governor for these critical funds