HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2000-061 Resolution requesting Senators Edwards and Helms to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) Resolution
WHEREAS,the United States Senate is currently considering the Conservation and Reinvestment Act
(CARA), which would provide $3 billion dollars each year to land conservation programs, especially state
and local governments for land conservation, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives passed CARA on May 11 by a vote of 315-102, with
strong bipartisan support, and the bill has also been forwarded by the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee to the floor of the full Senate, and
WHEREAS, the State Parks system, the Orange County Lands Legacy program and area land trusts could
benefit greatly by the passage of this act and the investment in our nation's green infrastructure and critical
open spaces(over$47 million of which could be sent annually to North Carolina); and
WHEREAS, CARA would provide a dedicated source of funding for the Land and Water Conservation
Fund to the tune of$900 million per year, a fund that has recently been recommended to award a $262,000
grant for the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area, and
WHEREAS, private property rights and the flexibility of local government to maintain its tax base are not
compromised by providing the option to pursue enhanced protection of natural resources and development
of recreational opportunities for citizens through purchase of environmentally significant properties, and
WHEREAS, conservation leaders in North Carolina have urged local governments to ask North
Carolina's senators to support CARA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Commissioners call upon Senators
Edwards and Helms to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act, and that a letter to this end be
dispatched from the Chair to both senators.
This,the 15`h day of August, 2000
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Moses Carey, Jr.,
Chair
ATTEST
Beverly Blythe, Clerk to the Board