A controversial shellfish aquaculture bill appeared stalled at the week’s end, but the N.C. General Assembly has already approved dozens of coastal provisions in their rush to wrap up the session by the end of the month.
Gov. Roy Cooper, citing Wednesday legislative leaders’ “authoritarian power grab,” vetoed the budget approved last week, a move Republicans are expected to override.
Among other coastal provisions, Republicans’ state budget proposal released Monday commits $15 million for a dredge for Oregon Inlet and $5 million to the N.C. Policy Collaboratory for GenX research.
Gov. Roy Cooper and DEQ officials warned that the latest proposed legislation in response to health concerns about GenX and other emerging contaminants could be problematic.
The process for this year’s state budget, which includes key items for the coast such as beach renourishment and a private-public partnership to purchase a dredge for Oregon Inlet, is facing criticism.
GenX-related bills filed late last week in the N.C. General Assembly quickly drew criticism from environmental groups and a former regulator that they could create unintended consequences in the enforcement of existing pollution laws.
House and Senate leaders and legislators from New Hanover, Brunswick and Cumberland counties met behind closed doors Wednesday to try and hammer out a compromise on legislation to address GenX and other chemicals in the southeast region’s drinking water.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday his budget proposal, which includes a return of the revenues from deed stamp taxes on real estate transactions to state conservation funds.
Researchers with grants from the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory are proposing new, simpler ways to test for GenX and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and to encourage more frequent water sampling.
Republicans in the House Committee on N.C. River Quality blasted them as ‘political,’ but UNC Wilmington and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials say their study reports on GenX and other contaminants in the water supply are accurate.
