For Immediate Release:
Monday, March 16, 2020
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today announced $968,738 in Environmental Enhancement Grants for projects in central North Carolina and the Triad.
Awards include:
Orange County
Eno River Association will receive $193,738 to acquire 117 acres to be included in the Eno River State Park.
“This project will link together two disconnected sections of the Eno River State Park,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Doing so will provide educational and recreational opportunities while also protecting 6,000 linear feet of stream.”
Wilkes and Surry Counties
The Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) will receive $150,000 to purchase 241 acres of wildlife habitat and high-quality waters and transfer land to the Town of Elkin for public hiking trails, water quality preservation, and wildlife habitats.
“This project will protect the Town of Elkin’s public drinking water source,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “As Attorney General, it is my job to protect the water we drink – and this project does just that.”
“The state’s unsettled budget situation nearly cost PLC the opportunity to complete this great project,” said Kevin Redding, Piedmont Land Conservancy Executive Director. “Thanks to this EEG grant, we can move forward and protect a small town’s drinking water supply watershed, create high quality trails for local citizens and visitors to enjoy, and conserve some of our region’s finest natural habitat.”
Davidson and Montgomery counties
Three Rivers Land Trust will receive $375,000 to acquire 2,400 acres, including 31 miles of shoreline along the Yadkin River.
“I am pleased to support this effort to preserve this rich land along the Yadkin River,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Doing so will protect and preserve this important resource.”
“Three Rivers Land Trust is thrilled to have been awarded $375,000 from the Environmental Enhancement Grant Program to go towards the Alcoa Tuckertown Lands Acquisition,” said Travis Morehead, Executive Director of Three Rivers Land Trust. “This project is important on a variety of levels, from public access to water quality to natural area protection, and we are grateful to EEG for contributing these funds towards making this acquisition possible.”
Moore County
Little Nine Conservancy will receive $150,000 to purchase a conservation easement on 100 acres to protect woodlands for educational and recreational uses.
“There is so much to learn and enjoy from our environment,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “This land in Moore County will do exactly that. I am proud to support this project.”
“Little Nine Conservancy is thankful for the Environmental Enhancement Grant,” said Gus Sams, President of Little Nine Conservancy. “This grant will be used to pursue a conservation easement to protect the headwaters of the Aberdeen Creek, part of the Lumber River Basin, and the surrounding natural habitat.”
Ashe County
New River Conservancy will receive $100,000 to rehabilitate the headwaters of the New River, including restoring 1.22 miles of degraded streambank and riparian buffer. It will also protect 165 acres of land in the watershed.
“Clean water is critically important to our health and environment,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “This project will rehabilitate the New River and maintain it for years ahead.”
About the EEG Program
These funds are distributed through the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program, which began after an agreement between the Attorney General’s Office and Smithfield Foods in 2000. Under that agreement, Smithfield provides $2 million each year to the Attorney General’s Office to fund environmental projects across the state.
Due to ongoing litigation, this year’s is the first grant cycle since 2016. In 2020, Attorney General will distribute more than $3.5 million to 27 grantees.
Contact:
Laura Brewer (919) 716-6484
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