Western North Carolina Growth
Growing pains of rural countries as development overwhelms communities and nature
NC Legislature Passes Mountain Bill
Recognizing the importance of protecting the outstanding natural resources of North Carolina's mountain region, the General Assembly on August 7 passed the Mountain Resources Act with broad bipartisan support.
The act creates a Mountain Resources Commission tasked with coordinating multiple, ongoing local efforts to conserve water quality, wildlife habitat, native forests, scenic beauty and other natural resources in the mountain counties. The commission will support existing programs in the mountain communities by recommending new strategies and seeking federal and foundation support for mountain planning.
SELC played a lead role in working with the legislature over the past year on this concept as part of our long-term strategy to advance sound local and regional planning in the mountain region. We cultivated support from the mountain area Councils of Government as well as the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government officials, which helped ultimately to persuade the whole mountain delegation to back the bill. In addition, we coordinated with other conservation groups who advocated for the measure, including the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Western North Carolina Alliance, and The Nature Conservancy.
We are hopeful that the commission will generate momentum for a number of local environmental and land use policy proposals already in the works, and that it will serve as a vital forum and a source of resources for mountain communities on these issues for years to come.
Case Summary
The mountains and towns of western North Carolina have been a prime destination for generations of vacationers, outdoor adventurers, retirees and others seeking the region’s beauty and bounty.
Over the last several years, a boom in housing and other development and the environmental impacts of this mostly uncontrolled growth have begun to pose a tremendous threat to the region’s natural heritage, economic health and quality of life. New gated communities and other mega-developments are proposed almost weekly, overwhelming the infrastructure of local communities and profoundly altering the landscape.
Sprawling Growth, Vanishing Landscape
Local counties have few, if any, regulations over development, which increasingly is felling native forests, marring scenic views, polluting mountain streams and worsening tailpipe pollution due to increased traffic. Rural development is also putting pressure on supplies of drinking water from aquifers that are slow to recharge.
In Buncombe County, an average of 2,800 acres of rural land has been subdivided for development each year since 1991. At this pace, the county will have no rural land left in 60 years.
Dangerous Views
One of the most disturbing trends is construction on mountaintops and steep slopes. While such development might provide new homeowners optimal mountain views, it leads to muddied streams, and worse, can trigger landslides, which have destroyed dozens of homes in recent years. In Buncombe County, steep-slope development accounts for 30 percent of all new construction.
A Tipping Point
The region has reached a tipping point and local governments, legislators and citizen groups across western North Carolina are seeking solutions to address the impacts of unchecked growth. From our Asheville office, SELC is stepping up our involvement in these critical issues to safeguard the natural resources and treasured landscapes of western North Carolina.
More background on this case:
Western North Carolina Growth: Focus on Watauga County >>