RALEIGH, N.C. -- State programs intended to offset environmentaldamage from development have spent roughly $140 million on work that is failing, needs significant repair or is too far away from distressed sources of drinking water.
Dozens of projects launched by the state Ecosystem Enhancement Program and its predecessors have not produced the expected improvements for streams and wetlands, which filter water on its way to lakes and reservoirs.
Some projects have damaged water quality by dumping sediment into waterways, a McClatchy investigation shows. The state also has lost track of some projects. And it paid twice for one, spending almost$700,000 extra.
