In June 2000, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the million acre goal into law (G.S. 113A-241). This law says it will be the goal of the State of North Carolina to protect an additional million acres of farmland, open space and other conservation land by December 31, 2009. The law directs the secretary of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources to oversee the realization of the million acre goal. A coordinator was hired in the fall of 2000 to oversee the Million Acre Initiative.