Western North Carolina Public Lands Council
formerly known as the North Carolina National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council
In 2010, the NC General Assembly passed legislation that was signed by Governor Beverly Perdue, that changed the name of the Council from the North Carolina Parks, Parkway, and Forest Development Council to the Western North Carolina Public Lands Council. The council oversees North Carolina parks, parkways and forests and promotes the protection, preservation and
sustainability of Western North Carolina`s natural and economic resources.
Since its creation in 1947, the Council has been actively involved in the protection of scenic and recreational resources in western North Carolina. Initially operating under the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Council consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. In the early 1990’s, oversight for Council activities was realigned to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Meeting Schedule:
May 11, 2012
at 89 Collins Street
near Great Smoky Mountain Railway in Bryson City Directions Agenda
July 13, 2012 Joint Meeting w/ TN Parks Council in Great Smoky Mtns. National Park
September 14, 2012
November 9, 2012
Please contact Judy Francis AICP, staff to the Council at (828) 296-4523 or judy.francis@ncdenr.gov if you will be attending and have special needs that will require advanced planning.
Meeting Summaries linked to dates below:
March 9, 2012
January 13, 2012
November 4 , 2011
September 30, 2011
July 22, 2011
May 13, 2011
February 11, 2011
November 5, 2010 - Acid Deposition presentation
September 24, 2010
July 30, 2010 (annual joint meeting with the Great Smoky Mountains Park Commission)
April 30, 2010
January 2010
November 2009
September 2009
May 2009
March 2009
January 2009
Outreach Materials
Resolutions
Headwaters Resolution
Council Duties and Responsibilities:
- the establishment of appropriate public access and facilities in the portion of the Smoky Mountains National Park lying in North Carolina
- the completion and enhancement of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
- advise/confer on management of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
- the establishment of other recreational areas in that part of North Carolina immediately affected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Pisgah or Nantahala national forests
- advise/confer with various individuals, organizations or agencies interested in development within the area
Council Accomplishments:
- helped secure support for Gorges State Park
- secured the Park’s vanity license plate that has generated over $1 million in revenue for GSMNP (as of 2007)
- closely monitored the North Shore Road resolution, advocating for cash settlement. Wrote first letter of settlement recommendation in 1997
- established a position on the roadless issue
- supported Land For Tomorrow bond issue
- laid groundwork for multi-state Air Quality Summit in 2000, which helped pass the NC Open Smokestacks Act
- encouraged education to increase awareness about climate change
- established good interaction with Tennessee on common issues
- addressed land conservation issues
Five Year Goals:
TO DISSEMINATE INFO ON SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IMPACTING PUBLIC LANDS IN THE WNC REGION
- To address air quality to improve viewsheds
- To inform local decision makers and area citizens of potential impact on region by global climate change and acid deposition
- To address water quality and quantity issues as they relate to impacts on public lands
- To assist local communities with appropriate land use planning as it relates to public lands
- To develop effective methods to relate agency concerns via communications with local officials
TO HELP SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION / PRESERVATION IN WNC
- To obtain full funding for trust funds used to acquire and enhance public lands in WNC such as Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund, Land & Water Conservation Fund
- To Help Distribute Info on Base Funding Needs For NPS & USFS (for Land Management, Maintenance & Acquisition)
TO ASSIST STATE & FEDERAL RESOURCE AGENCIES
- To Expand Facilities and Appropriations for State Parks/Forests in WNC
- To Expand Facilities and Appropriations for Federal Land Management Agencies in WNC
- Consider supporting continued funding for BRIDGE Program
- Insure adequate law enforcement capability for all public lands to protect the safety of the public and the park personnel and to enforce or mitigate against encroachment on public lands
TO ASSIST STATE & FEDERAL RESOURCE AGENCIES
- To help distribute information on base funding needs for the National Park Service and United States Forest Service
TO HELP SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION IN WNC
TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC LEADERS
For additional information about Council meetings or to schedule a Council member for a speaking engagement, contact Judy Francis, staff support for the Council, at (828) 296-4523.
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