To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local Conservation Programs include:
Guilford County
New Hanover County
Orange County
Town of Cary
Wake County
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,572.2 | $32,054,219 |
| 2007 | 1,832.0 | $27,345,252 |
| 2006 | 900.6 | $15,533,718 |
| 2005 | 1,356.1 | $15,210,344 |
| 2004 | 1,154.0 | $21,373,356 |
| 2003 | 987.5 | $24,519,278 |
| 2002 | 750.8 | $15,844,657 |
| 2001 | 2,677.2 | $45,997,164 |
| 2000 | 1,253.7 | $14,952,513 |
| 1999 | 51.6 | $3,088,349 |
| 1998 | 85.7 | $649,068 |
| Totals | 12,621.4 | $216,567,919 |
A Memorandum of Agreement between the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established the Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) on July 22, 2003. The programs mission is to “restore, enhance, preserve and protect the functions associated with wetlands, streams and riparian areas, including but not limited to those necessary for the restoration, maintenance and protection of water quality and riparian habitats throughout North Carolina.” Revenue for EEP is derived from the Department of Transportation for offsetting impacts of transportation-infrastructure projects. In addition, EEP also leverages other funding sources for the initiative.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 766.6 | $3,015,803 |
| 2007 | 2,227.6 | $6,898,261 |
| 2006 | 3,837.8 | $11,142,207 |
| 2005 | 7,961.5 | $17,250,904 |
| 2004 | 19,538.4 | $47,689,516 |
| 2003 | 7,811.6 | $33,435,863 |
| 2002 | 284.1 | $933,437 |
| 2001 | 6.4 | $0 |
| Total | 42,434.0 | $120,365,993 |
The North Carolina General Assembly established the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) in 1996 to help finance projects that specifically address water pollution problems including the protection and conservation of watersheds through land acquisition.* In support of a million-acre conservation goal established in 2000 the General Assembly agreed to increase funding for CWMTF to $100 million per year (up from approximately $30 million) beginning in 2003. The CWMTF is administered by a 21–member, independent CWMTF Board of Trustees and is housed for administrative purposes in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). CWMTF funds about one third of the grant requests that it receives. About 25 percent of the Trust Fund is used towards land acquisition.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17,100.6 | $52,690,170 |
| 2007 | 43,013.4 | $45,348,482 |
| 2006 | 69,368.0 | $69,795,749 |
| 2005 | 37,333.0 | $60,306,283 |
| 2004 | 17,482.0 | $35,956,631 |
| 2003 | 47,768.6 | $56,908,100 |
| 2002 | 21,054.4 | $32,439,900 |
| 2001 | 21,523.0 | $22,599,673 |
| 2000 | 25,908.7 | $36,377,545 |
| 1999 | 20,747.0 | $20,176,906 |
| 1998 | 30,229.0 | $35,590,300 |
| Total | 351,527.7 | $468,189,739 |
The Farmland Preservation Trust Fund** was originally established in 1986, and in 2005, the Legislature renamed the program, The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. At that time the description was broadened to include three grant areas: conservation easements, agricultural agreements and programs that develop sustainable or viable agriculture. The Commissioner of Agriculture administers the Trust Fund and a 19-member advisory committee was established to help direct funds and the application process. Revenue is derived from annual allocations from the General Fund.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,190.2 | $1,425,300 |
| 2007 | 406.3 | $0 |
| 2002 | 231.7 | $206,000 |
| 2001 | 1,332.5 | $345,750 |
| 2000 | 1,183.2 | $1,659,300 |
| 1999 | 1,158.4 | $317,219 |
| 1998 | 1,181.4 | $329,718 |
| Total | 7,683.6 | $4,283,287 |
The Natural Heritage Trust Fund was established in 1987 and provides funding to select state agencies for the acquisition of important natural areas to conserve the state’s ecological diversity and cultural heritage, and to inventory the state’s natural heritage resources.*** A twelve-member appointed Board of Trustees and the Natural Heritage Program in the Office of Conservation & Community Affairs in DENR administer the fund and award grants. Revenue is generated through 25 percent of the real estate transfer tax and by $10 of each vanity license plate sale.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 22,080.3 | $65,280,199 |
| 2007 | 19,286.3 | $33,398,895 |
| 2006 | 16,842.1 | $25,953,341 |
| 2005 | 16,511.9 | $21,271,148 |
| 2004 | 19,528.2 | $14,578,077 |
| 2003 | 21,217.8 | $10,519,255 |
| 2002 | 22,732.3 | $9,173,882 |
| 2001 | 17,713.0 | $10,762,089 |
| 2000 | 17,760.8 | $11,994,809 |
| 1999 | 21,743.0 | $12,030,830 |
| 1998 | 21,560.5 | $9,112,300 |
| Total | 216,976.2 | $224,074,829 |
On July 16, 1994 The North Carolina General Assembly established the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to fund improvements in the state's park system, and to provide grants for local governments and to increase the public's access to beaches. At the same time, The Parks and Recreation Authority, an eleven-member appointed board, was also created to allocate funds from PARTF to the state parks and to the grants program for local governments. The Trust Fund receives 75 percent of the states portion of the real estate transfer tax and a portion of the fees for personalized license plates.
The Trust Fund is allocated in three ways
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,078.3 | $51,539,811 |
| 2007 | 4,974.7 | $46,284,800 |
| 2006 | 2,944.6 | $28,226,201 |
| 2005 | 6,426.5 | $43,511,217 |
| 2004 | 4,000.9 | $17,244,295 |
| 2003 | 2,328.3 | $15,759,580 |
| 2002 | 2,149.8 | $6,702,034 |
| 2001 | 3,720.3 | $7,958,672 |
| 2000 | 6,088.3 | $15,054,932 |
| 1999 | 7,914.9 | $11,051,495 |
| 1998 | 3,546.1 | $4,532,108 |
| Total | 47,172.7 | $247,865,146 |