The North Carolina Coastal Federation achieved one of its key policy goals recently when the North Carolina General Assembly approved legislation that includes $3.3 million for the preservation of the Stroud Property on Bogue Sound in Carteret County.
Protecting this property from development was at the top of the federation’s to-do list for the 2019 legislature.
The funding from the state represents the last investment needed to complete an effort involving the federation, Carteret County and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (MCAS Cherry Point) to preserve the 74-acre property.
A big thank you to all the legislators who supported this effort, including Sens. Harry Brown and Norman Sanderson as well as Reps. Pat McElraft and Chuck McGrady.
Here are some of the appropriations the federation continues to track during the ongoing budget process:
- $1.5M to continue restoration of sanctuary oyster beds in the Pamlico Sound.
- $50,000 for a market study for the North Carolina oyster industry – a key priority of the Strategic Plan for the oyster industry in North Carolina.
- $30,000 in matching funds to draw down federal support for oyster crop insurance pilot program – another Strategic Plan priority.
- $100,000 for engineering plans to replace a 50-year old pump station and protect 300+ Hyde County structures from catastrophic flooding – and improve Lake Mattamuskeet water quality – a key recommendation of the recently completed Lake Mattamuskeet Restoration Plan.
- $100,000 for the federation’s Crab Pot Clean Up Program.
For more information about the federation’s work in Raleigh, visit here for legislative updates and other advocacy updates.
