The 1993-1994 General Assembly is attempting to define its role in confronting several tough issues, including health insurance reform, the environment, and constitutional reform.
Industry officials, activists, lawyers and lawmakers are grappling with the issue of environmental protection. They are seeking a common ground from which to approach the issue. Covered: state law vs. federal law in regard to compliance.
Recently-passed environmental legislation will directly affect the agricultural industry. The new regulations are designed to ensure compliance with conservation goals.
When North Carolina businesses attempt to sell property contaminated by pollutants, they face environmental liability, often resulting in litigation or at least negotiation based on the level of environmental degradation.
A bill to commit the state land transfer tax to fund parks and natural areas and a bill to fund expanded coastal protection are among environmental legislation passed by the 1995 General Assembly.
The 1997 General Assembly passed a number of environmental laws, including one to reduce nutrient levels in some rivers. Several bills were proposed that would have weakened a city's annexation authority, but none passed.
Environmental laws affecting livestock and poultry industries require changes in farm practices, which in turn affects costs. Among recent environmental laws enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly are restrictions on siting new swine farms and swine lagoons, requirements on animal waste management, and livestock odor management.
Environmental issues were a top priority on the agenda of the 1997 North Carolina General Assembly. Among the areas generating legislation were swine farms, water quality issues, fisheries reform, solid and hazardous wastes, and coastal waterfront development.
Up until the 1950s, the government's attitude toward wetlands was to drain them. By the 1980s large areas of wetlands were gone. In the 1990s, wetlands were recognized for their valuable environmental functions, and now the government's focus is on preservation and restoration. Whisnant defines wetlands and discusses what federal and state laws govern them.
The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation is looking to increase the efforts being made by the Division of Environmental Management to eliminate the red sores on fish and crabs in the Tar-Pamlico basin.
The Nucor Steel Corporation has a total of three environmental organizations challenging their claims that they will not harm the environment in any way. There are several reasons the groups do not believe the corporation and want a thorough investigation conducted.