Environment Steering Committee

Next Steering Committee Meeting:

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (Wake County)

environment

2023-2024 Environment Legislative Goals

Seek legislation to provide additional resources for preventative storm damage maintenance, such as stream clearing, and increase recurring funding to the state’s Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund.

Seek legislation for clean water funds throughout the state and to hold chemical manufacturers producing emerging contaminants such as PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS chemicals, and coal ash producers financially responsible for cleanup and mitigation of pollutants.

Support funding for a comprehensive approach to mitigate harmful and invasive species.

Support additional funding to assist local governments in managing recycling and solid waste including: scrap tires, manufactured homes, and electronics.

Support legislation amending NCGS §90A-53 to shorten the work experience in the field of environmental health practice necessary to receive a certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialists from two years to one year.

NCACC Environment Committee Guiding Principles

People have an inherent impact on the environment. Public policy must recognize the need to balance these human activities with protecting the environment.

Environmental laws should be justified by sound science and information, and also be based on a clear rationale and purpose for regulatory change.

The state and federal governments should fully communicate and engage with local governments when developing administrative rules and policies affecting the environment. Thorough analyses of health, environmental, and fiscal risks should also be completed by the issuing entity.

County governments should have an appropriate and reasonable amount of time to review and issue comments regarding state and federal environmental policies and proposals.

The state should provide as much flexibility and discretion to counties as possible for implementing and enforcing environmental policy; this includes enforcing and setting associated taxes or fees.

Steering Committee Membership List

The following committee appointments were confirmed the week of October 23. Appointments for the 2023-2024 committees will end July 31, 2024. Committee membership is limited to county commissioners, but county staff and affiliates are welcome to join meetings as non-member attendees. All steering committees will meet virtually in November. Check the NCACC Calendar for more details.

  • 2023-2024 Environment Steering Committee

    Environment

    Commissioners Todd McNeill (Ashe; Steering Committee Chair), Stoney Greene (Wilkes), Shevel Hunt (Craven), Wendy Jacobs (Durham), R.S. “Butch” Lawter Jr. (Johnston), Elaine Powell (Mecklenburg), Derrick Sims (Person), Terri Wells (Buncombe), Rob Zapple (New Hanover)