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Natural Heritage to Pay Off Justice Debt
The TLC Board of Directors knew it was taking a chance in July 2003 when it approved the purchase of the Justice Lands in Chatham County for $3.1 million. TLC had secured $1.8 million in funding from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund but had not identified a source for the remaining $1.3 million, due by the end of 2005. Still, the Board knew it could not pass up the opportunity to buy 760 crucial Deep River acres, and knew that somehow TLC would find a way to come up with the money. In September 2004, TLC found the way. Or rather, Jeff Masten, Director of Conservation Strategies, found the way. Jeff crafted a “can’t miss” proposal to the NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF) for the remaining funding. On September 30, the NHTF approved the proposal that will pay this year’s $400,000 installment. And with the commitment of funding this year, it is nearly certain that NHTF will fund the final $900,000 installment next year. Removing this $1.3 million liability from TLC’s books is one side of the story. Ensuring the conservation of this important natural area—which protects water quality with more than 4 miles of Deep River and tributary buffers—is the other side. “TLC owes a huge ‘thank you’ to the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund,” says Executive Director Kevin Brice. “With the support of our members we aggressively purchased the Justice Lands for its incredible benefit to water quality and as a natural treasure for the Triangle. Clean Water’s initial support and this new funding from Natural Heritage tell us that we made the right decision, and now this place will forever remain a natural Eden.”
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