WakeUP Wake County Applauds NC Senate for Advancing Mass Transit and Falls Lake Cleanup

For immediate release: Contact: Karen Rindge, Executive Director, WakeUP WakeCounty, 828-3833, 637-4271 (C)Date:     August 6, 2009 Triangle residents stand to gain from two significant actions by the N.C. Senate yesterday. Amidst the flurry of legislative activity yesterday, as the NC General Assembly prepares to wrap-up its 2009 session, the Senate passed HB 148, legislation that will allow plans to build a regional mass transit system in the Triangle. The bill, almost identical to one passed by the NC House of Representatives in April, authorizes referenda in Triangle counties to fund a transit system through a half cent sales tax, and authorizes other funding measures for transit. The Senate also approved environmental legislation (HB 1099) that included provisions to start the cleanup process for Falls Lake. "As the Triangle continues to grow, two quality of life issues will be very important to all of us - effective transportation and a clean drinking water supply," said Karen Rindge, Executive Director, WakeUP Wake County. "WakeUP Wake County applauds the Senate and especially Wake Senators Richard Stevens and Josh Stein for their critical leadership in planning for growth here at home," stated Rindge. Senator Stevens (R-Wake) was the chief sponsor in the Senate for HB 148, and took the lead in shepherding the legislation through the Senate. Stevens worked closely with Representative Deborah Ross (D-Wake) on the bill. Freshman Senator Josh Stein (D-Wake) led efforts to bring together key stakeholders of Falls Lake, including the cities of Raleigh, Durham and Butner, Triangle legislators and the state. Approved provisions direct rules for Falls Lake cleanup to be in place by January of 2011, and would put new controls for reducing sediment in place by the end of the year. The House of Representatives is expected to act on this legislation this week. "Rapidly increasing population and development are straining our water supply and transportation systems. WakeUP Wake County has long advocated or action to reduce pollution in Wake's major drinking water reservoirs and for a mass transit system," said Yevonne Brannon, WakeUP's board chair. "WakeUP will continue to speak up for a better quality of life for all citizens," she added. ###