Conservation and the Economy Can Work Together
Judy Francis, Western Regional Field Officer
Resource-Based Economic Development

Judith Francis was recently elected director-at-large of the National Association of County Planners (NACP). NACP, an affiliate of the National Association of Counties, works to strengthen the relationship between county planners, elected officials, and other county officials while working closely with other planning organizations such as the American Planning Association and the National Association of Regional Councils.

A variety of conservation partners in the mountain counties are working with DENR on projects including slope development criteria, landslide hazards, trail planning and conservation design. Clearly, local governments want to encourage “context sensitive” projects, so they are seeking creative ways to address the impacts of inappropriate development on the environment and character of the region.

One method communities can use that encourages appropriate development while enhancing the local economy is a place-based economic development, or PBED, strategy. A promising approach used by a growing number of communities in North Carolina, PBED is based on the premise that a sustainable local economy should be planned and developed in a manner that is sensitive to the possibilities and limitations of that particular place.

Place-Based Economic Development (PBED):
• focuses on unique features of a particular landscape or culture.
• is locally driven and capitalizes on existing local assets (natural, cultural, historic).
• requires a balanced, long-term approach to sustainability of resources.
• depends upon creative entrepreneurship, collaboration and long-range vision.

Place-based economic development requires a new way of thinking about the inherent connections between our land, heritage, economy and each other. Through PBED, communities seek economic, environmental and social returns on investment. The place-based economic development strategy applies mostly to communities that are struggling with the loss of conventional types of industry, but where natural resources can support recreational tourism and healthy lifestyles as well as working landscapes such as farms and forests.

Typical PBED projects include eco/cultural/heritage tourism, alternative agriculture and marketing of local crops, local craft/product promotion, manufacture and use of alternative forms of energy, sustainable forestry, reuse/recycle projects, and related support industries. PBED is not a “cure all,” but rather one component of a diversified economy that is flexible enough to meet global, national, regional and local economic shifts in a manner that helps the entire community.

Place-based economic development strategies are an emerging phenomenon in North Carolina. These initiatives hold tremendous potential for our citizens’ economic, environmental and social well-being, but they will not succeed without additional support from both public and private sectors. We’ll have more information about PBED partnerships in future newsletters.

Where Have All the Herring Gone?
Jimmy Johnson, Eastern Regional Field Officer
CHPP Coordination and Implementation

On Easter Monday, the 58th annual River Herring Festival in Jamesville once again brought crowds of people to this small town on the Roanoke River. Historically, nets swollen with fish had been part of the show, but this year was different since both the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission had enacted a moratorium on the possession of herring caught in North Carolina’s joint and coastal waters. Even though the Marine Fisheries Commission had allowed for 7,500 pounds of herring to be caught for the festival, the only herring available came from South Carolina. Throughout the festival area, folks were talking about the lack of fish and how the once robust fishery had dwindled to nothing, asking “Where did those fish go?”

The reasons for the drop in the herring population include the loss of spawning grounds, poor water quality and overfishing. Much work needs to be done before any semblance of a fishery can ever return. This work will take time and money - two things that are in short supply for fishermen in eastern North Carolina. Gov. Mike Easley understands that need. So, his proposed budget includes two technician positions to work directly on issues impacting herring. Rep. Edith Warren and Sen. Clark Jenkins are also trying to help with the money part of the equation. They have introduced complementary bills in their respective legislative chambers. The bills seek money to help answer other critical questions, including predation, methods to enhance spawning success, data deficiencies and immediate research needs. The Division of Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commission are working together with the Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Environmental Defense to identify, prioritize and remove impediments to suitable spawning and nursery area habitats in the Albemarle Sound watershed as well as identifying potential habitat restoration sites.

The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is a key part of all these discussions. It won’t be next year, but with so many partners working toward a solution, the Jamesville Herring Festival will once again feature river herring that spawned and were caught in North Carolina. It is going to take a lot of effort, but in the end it will be well worth it.

Everybody’s Talking about Working Lands
Jerry Dorsett, Central Regional Field Officer
Working Lands Coordination and Implementation

Working lands are high on the priority list for many natural resource agencies and NGOs. Strong cooperation and support among many partners for working lands protection is what makes this effort successful. In recent months, the topic of working lands has been featured on the agenda at numerous meetings in the mountains, piedmont and coastal plain.

In December, DENR worked with the Southwestern Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Piedmont Conservation Council to coordinate two regional working lands workshops. More than 100 participants from conservation districts and land trusts discussed how to enhance working relationships and maximize resources. A similar workshop is planned for the coastal region this fall.

In January, the annual meeting of the N.C. Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts included presentations and displays by many partners, such as the Farm Bureau, American Farmland Trust and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This opportunity to connect with conservation districts statewide produced many follow-up requests for information and assistance to implement working lands tools locally.

The Haywood Soil & Water Conservation District hosted a workshop for a five county region in April. Participants included landowners, land trusts, conservation districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development Program and county governments. Several speakers, including Dr. Ted Feitshans from N.C. State University, discussed preservation tools, the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District program, present use value taxation, and land trust efforts in working with conservation districts. Representatives from four conservation districts explored how to start a voluntary agriculture district or enhanced voluntary agriculture district and county agriculture protection plan in their respective counties.

The VAD program has reached a milestone, now that half the state’s counties adopted a VAD ordinance. We continue to work with several partners, including the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, the Farm Bureau and American Farmland Trust, to develop a strategy for adoption of VAD ordinances in the remaining 50 counties.
A number of conservation districts have facilitated working lands workshops during the past six months, including Pamlico, Brunswick, Caldwell, Davie, Lee, Moore, Onslow, Randolph, Rowan and Scotland counties. Districts that are interested in conducting this type of event can contact Jerry Dorsett, or their DSWC area coordinator for assistance.