Blogs

Why stop a consultant’s recommendation to spend $3 million of taxpayers’ funds to put cement next to Bolin Creek? 

This portion of Bolin Creek between Estes and Homestead is unique because it encompasses 400+ acres of assets that include a natural creek, wildflowers such as the coneflower, and wildlife such as coyotes, salamanders, heron and woodpeckers. The Adams Tract was acquired by Carrboro and the County for preservation four years ago. Next to this gorgeous forest sits the P.H. Craig tract, as yet unprotected, and finally the 300 acres of UNC property that will be protected by contract under the recently signed Development Agreement.

All together these intact woods are of immense beauty and significance, as noted by the Inventory of Significant Natural Areas of Orange County.  A scientific baseline, moreover, was established by the Eco System Enhancement Program Local Watershed Plan for Little Creek (which includes Bolin Creek).

Cross posted from www.NCDOTscandal.blogspot.com : 

Here's an interesting story from WRAL about stolen/lost/damaged state property:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/wral_investigates/story/6999284/

Buried within is this:

"Yet another high dollar loss for the state comes from damaged property. For the Department of Transportation, much of that damage happens on the side of the road.  'Trees are considered as assets,' said DOT engineer Ted Sherrod.  The DOT has reported hundreds of thousands of dollars in tree losses, mostly from businesses clearing around signs in the right of way.  'We'll have about as many as 50 cases a year,' Sherrod said."

Good to hear that DOT considers trees assets.  Let's hope they start treating them that way.