North Carolina WF: Oversight Bill Dismantle is not in Best Interest of Balance, Oversight or the Peoples’ Public Trust Resources
OutdoorHub 02.06.13
Senate Bill 10, the “Government Reorganization and Efficiency Act,” which cleared the Senate Rules committee today, effectively terminates all existing members of the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, N.C. Environmental Management Commission, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
The language of the bill changes from 6-year to 2-year terms for Governor appointments to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission leaving no staggered terms which the Federation points out is not positive for continuity for the Commission charged with helping to create and maintain laws and regulations governing hunting, fishing and boating activities in North Carolina.
“Under the guise of efficiency and effectiveness, a bill has been introduced that is neither. More so, this bill reeks of political shenanigans,” stated Tim Gestwicki, CEO of the nonprofit North Carolina Wildlife Federation. “The bill is basically a ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater’ maneuver that shifts the balance of power from the executive branch to the legislative branch for some of the appointments in what appears to be a massive violation of public trust.”
“This special interest grab undoes oversight boards comprised with specific skill sets and expertise, versus slots for those with clear opportunities for conflicts of interest and monies to be gained at the expense of the people’s natural resources.”
“Citizens from the mountains to the coast should be outraged and should urge their elected officials to ‘scotch this bill on its misguided tracks,” said Gestwicki.
