Gov. Hunt Makes Clean Water Top Environmental Priority in 1998
RALEIGH -- Gov. Jim Hunt said today that his top environmental priority in his budget this year will be an aggressive clean water effort to build on the state’s progress to protect and restore its waterways.
"This administration’s No. 1 environmental priority is protecting and restoring our state’s water quality,” Hunt said during a canoe trip with local leaders and the Eno River Association at Eno River State Park in Durham. “We’ve pushed hard to step-up water quality monitoring; reduce nutrients released into our rivers; support pfiesteria research; and crack down on polluters.
“But we still have work to do. My budget this year will include the most comprehensive and progressive clean water effort in our state’s history to make sure that we stay on the right track when it comes to cleaning up our waterways.”
The Governor’s budget recommendations, expected to be released next week, also include important funding for protecting our natural heritage and environmental education.
Hunt's clean water package will:
Expand monitoring and research to combat pfiesteria and other water quality problems. - The Governor called for expanded testing of coastal recreational waters to ensure the health and well-being of our people and our visitors. The proposal would expand the effort to inland waters.
Continue and expand rapid response efforts on the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Rivers. - Last May, Gov. Hunt established a Rapid Response Team, based in New Bern, to investigate fish kills on the Lower Neuse. The team has been able to get better, more up-to-date information on water quality conditions at the time of the kills and has been collecting additional monitoring data throughout the year. Hunt's package will allow the Neuse River team's efforts to continue and adds a team for the Tar-Pamlico.
Strengthen the state sedimentation and erosion control program. Last June, Hunt called for an aggressive plan of action to combat sediment pollution -- the largest pollutant by volume in North Carolina's waterways. The Gov.'s recommendations will strengthen state and local programs developed through the state's Sedimentation Control Commission.
Boost the state's water quality compliance and enforcement efforts. Last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) implemented a stronger compliance and enforcement effort to reduce pollution. Hunt's clean water package will support the state's efforts to crack down on water polluters.
Support the state's river basin planning efforts. Hunt's package will include critical support for DENR's river basin planning program which develops water quality protection plans for each of the state's 17 river basins.
Strengthen fisheries protection. The Marine Fisheries Reform Act provided significant legislative support for the state's efforts to maintain a healthy coastal environment and to help the fishing industry and recreational fishermen. Hunt's package will provide critical support for the state's efforts to restore and protect fisheries stocks.
As Governor, Hunt has pushed to protect and restore North Carolina's waterways. Last month he announced a $2.9 million plan to step up water quality monitoring, invest more in pfiesteria research and improve response to fish kills. Last year, he signed into law the Clean Water Responsibility Act, which includes a moratorium on hog facilities, allows counties to zone large hog farms, cracks down on animal waste, and limits nutrient levels in rivers and streams. The bill also authorizes the state to develop a plan to improve the quality of North Carolina's waterways.
Hunt has also led the fight for fisheries reform, environmental education efforts, improved animal and municipal waste operations, safer drinking water and stepped up enforcement for those who violate water quality regulations. Last year, at Hunt's direction, the state's Environmental Management Commission approved a plan to reduce the amount of harmful nutrients being released into the troubled Neuse River by 30 percent.
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Contact Person: Sean Walsh, (919) 733-5612
Date Posted: April 20
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