Conservationists held off some of the worst ideas proposed during this legislative session. This week in CIB:

Legislative Watch: Environmental Wins of the 2016 Session

Sometimes important wins come in the form of damage not done. That was the case with the North Carolina General Assembly’s “short session” this year. Conservation advocates, allies, and bipartisan supporters of better judgment succeeded in blocking some of the worst proposals made this year on key environmental issues.

As is often the case in life, a measure of luck also helped. House and Senate conferees were hammering away in the last days of the session on a collection of the latest “regulatory reform” (i.e., environmental protection repeal) bills. A few especially controversial topics were delaying the conclusion—and then the Senate decided to wrap matters up and leave with the deals still hanging. Some observers believe that the House’s surprise rejection of Senate strongman Tom Apodaca’s controversial overhaul of Asheville city government helped spark the abrupt departure.

Let’s take a look at some of the bad ideas that didn’t pass:

Draconian restrictions on wind energy development which would have barred wind energy farms from most of the state—in the name of ‘military operations protections’ that in fact were not requested by the military. (Early warning, though: Bill sponsors have already promised to bring back this bad idea for another push next year.)

Unnecessary permitting requirements designed to hinder solar energy development (added state bonding, filing, and general red tape requirements).

Elimination of the state’s electronics recycling program.

Broad elimination of riparian buffer protections and nutrient management plans that reduce pollutants impacting sensitive watersheds (provisions affecting the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Catawba basins, as well as the Randleman Reservoir watershed).

Hodgepodge of other cutbacks of environmental protections and land use rules (most of the latest round of “rules reform” bills).

Finally, we point to one of the few real positive environmental moves in this year’s budget, an increase of $8.6 million in funding to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), for an annual total of $22.4 million. (For comparison purposes, though, don’t forget that before the current state leaders came into power, North Carolina was investing up to $100 million a year in CWMTF projects. We’re a long way down from that peak.) There was also an increase in recurring annual appropriations of $315,000 to the Natural Heritage Program, for an annual total of $765,000.

We bring you this list of positives now in part to give credit where due, and in part to encourage all our friends and allies to continue your advocacy efforts on behalf of our shared environment. Even during the dark times—like North Carolina state government today—those efforts are extremely important and can have critical positive impacts.

At the same time, don’t forget the anti-environmental measures which did pass: new coal ash legislation letting Duke Energy off the hook for urgently needed cleanups, the blocking of badly needed cleanup plans for key water supply reservoirs (Jordan and Falls), and other cutbacks. Ultimately, the only way to prevent a continuing retreat on clean water, air, and land in our state is to elect new leadership committed to a clean, green, and healthy North Carolina.

Who we elect matters to our environment and health—and the election this November will be as important to our environmental future as any in our lifetimes.

Campaign Watch: Early Voting Advocacy

With the importance of this fall’s elections in mind, we encourage our friends and supporters to get involved in helping to ensure the broadest possible opportunities for all our citizens to vote. One key way to do that is to see to it that one-stop early voting is as convenient and accessible as possible.

Our friends at Democracy NC are asking citizens to help support accessible early voting opportunities this month as county boards of election finalize their early voting arrangements for the November election. To learn more about the issues involved, when your county’s meetings will be held, and how you can help, see here.

Administrative Watch: High Arsenic Levels Found in Water Supply Lake Near Power Plant

Mecklenburg County officials have acknowledged finding high arsenic levels in Mountain Island Lake—Charlotte’s principle water supply lake—near where Duke Energy has been draining water from coal ash storage pits. Reported levels reached almost ten times the state safety threshold for arsenic in surface waters.

Officials assert that there was no risk to public drinking water because the contamination was not found at these levels near the drinking water supply intake. Duke says it stopped draining the water into the lake after getting the county test results. However, Duke said it expected to resume discharges of the coal ash pond water after a new treatment system is ready, and that it expects to get a state permit allowing arsenic in lake water near its discharge at over seven times the state safety threshold.

Of course they do. The McCrory Administration has already assured us that There Is No Danger to the Public from Duke.

Education & Resources: How’s Your Waterway?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced an interesting and handy tool for citizens to check up on the status of the local waters nearest you. It’s called “My Waterway” and it’s available in regular website and mobile app formats. It provides maps, as well as information on pollutants, sources, and even what’s proposed to deal with problems. The mobile app offers location-specific information for those who don’t know the waterways for the area they’re in. See the fact sheet with links here.

Conservationists: Stanback Intern Laura Marie Davis

NCLCV welcomes our Stanback Interns each summer to join our team of citizen advocates for a clean, green, and healthy North Carolina. This week, meet 2016 Stanback Intern Laura Marie Davis.

That’s our report for this week.