We have good reason to be optimistic about our state’s economic and environmental outlook, thanks to numerous projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
More than 1,220 jobs have been created in North Carolina with economic recovery money administered by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
People are going back to work on projects that will improve drinking water, reduce diesel engine emissions, clean up scores of contaminated sites, restore oyster habitats and improve our forests.
One such project I’ve been particularly impressed with involves restoring longleaf pines at Bladen Lakes State Forest. This week, I joined state Sen. Margaret Dickson and state Rep. William Brisson, Bladen County officials and others on a tour of the forest led by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources.
We saw some of the 500-plus acres of longleaf pine seedlings already planted by the seven employees and additional contractors hired for the job. The workers are planting pine seedlings and using chainsaws, brush saws and prescribed burning to remove competing understory vegetation.
By reestablishing longleaf pines, we aim to return the largest state-owned forest to its natural ecosystem filled with a tree species capable of withstanding raging wildfires and providing an ideal habitat for the red cockaded woodpecker and other endangered species.
To learn more, go to www.enr.state.nc.us and click on the “NCDENR American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” link under Current Events.