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N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Western North Carolina Public Lands Council - WNC Public Lands Council

Western North Carolina Public Lands Council

Winding Mountain Road

About the Western North Carolina Public Lands Council

Enabling Legislation

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 1990s, oversight for Council activities was realigned to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Enabling_Legislation_143B.pdf

Council Duties and Responsibilities

  • The establishment of appropriate public access and facilities in the portion of the Great 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 Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s vanity license plate that has generated more than $1 million in revenue for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (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 N.C. Clean Smokestacks Act
  • Encouraged education to increase awareness about climate change
  • Established positive interaction with Tennessee on common issues
  • Addressed land conservation issues

Five Year Goals

  1. To Disseminate Information on Specific Environmental Issues Impacting Public Lands in the Western North Carolina 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

  2. To Help Secure Additional Funding for Resource Conservation and Preservation in the Western North Carolina Region 

    • To obtain full funding for trust funds used to acquire and enhance public lands in Western North Carolina such as Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund
    • To help distribute information on base funding needs for National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service (for land management, maintenance and acquisition)

  3. To Assist State and Federal Resource Agencies 

    • To expand facilities and appropriations for state parks and forests in Western North Carolina
    • To expand facilities and appropriations for federal land management agencies in western North Carolina 
    • Consider supporting continued funding for BRIDGE Program
    • Ensure 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

  4. To Help Secure Additional Funding for Resource Conservation in the Western North Carolina Region 

    • To help distribute information on base funding needs for the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service

  5. To Establish Effective Channels of Communication with County Officials and Public Leaders
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Western North Carolina Public Lands Council • 2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 • • (828) 296-4523
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