Our Issues

Regional Transit

Wake County’s population will double in just two decades, and we must have a great transit system in place to help move people from home to work and recreation. Recommendations for a regional transit system were recently released by the Special Transit Advisory Commission. Local elected officials will soon consider adopting these recommendations, and the NC General Assembly will consider transit legislation at the beginning of 2009.

The Capital Group has joined an alliance of community organizations, business, and civic leaders to form the Capital Area Friends of Transit to send the message that the Triangle needs a first rate transit system. We are working to build momentum with elected officals for a local funding option to help build a competitive transit system to guide growth in our region

Raleigh Comprehensive Plan

The City of Raleigh is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan to help guide growth for the city and region as it expects to double in size in the 25 years. The plan will encompass all aspects of city ordinances and inter-governmental agreements to facilitate Raleigh as a leader in sustainable growth practices.

Jordan Lake Rules

This is a regional issue that affects Cary, Apex, and Morrisville since drinking water for those municipalities comes from Jordan Lake. Action on the Jordan Lake Rules will likely set the stage for regulation in the Falls Lake watershed and thus affect Raleigh and municipalities dependent on Raleigh for potable water.

The Jordan Lake Rules were approved by the NC Rules Review Commission on November 20, 2008. This brings to a close a very long process that started with the Division of Water Quality convening a stakeholder group to craft the rules in 2003, a long public comment period, and the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) approving them earlier in 2008. The rules that have emerged from this process are strong, fair, and sensitive to economic conditions. The work is not over, however; the rules will now have to be passed as law by the NC General Assembly, due to continued objections led by Burlington, Greensboro, Durham, and homebuilder and realty lobbies.

Water and Solid Waste Reduction.

We know that water issues and waste reduction remain important concerns for our members. We’re still in a drought and public education about water conservation and stormwater runoff will continue to be key. And while residential recycling has been successful, multi-family, commercial, construction and county recycling needs to be addressed. We must make it easier to reduce and recycle than to add to our waste stream.

What you can do:

The Capital Group's environmental activists make up the Conservation & Political Committees. These committee's keep vigil over local conservation issues, and maintains liaisons with government agencies and non-government organizations in our area.

The Conservation & Political Committees work to protect our local environment. Feel free to bring your own items to highlight, join in discussion of other topics, or simply learn about the issues with which Capital Group activists are involved.

Find out how you can help with our campaign:

Join the Conservation Committee for a drink and conversation. Contact conservation-cg@sierraclub-nc.org for more information.
Join the Political Committee. Contact political-cg@sierraclub-nc.org for more information.