THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502100518
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
University of North Carolina system leaders this year are going against the cost-cutting tide with a proposal to develop not one but three marine science centers along the coast.
Their plan, costing nearly $50 million, calls for teaching and research facilities in Wilmington, Morehead City and an undetermined site on or near the coast in the north.
The proposal is getting the support of some high-ranking legislators, including Sens. Marc Basnight of Manteo and Beverly Perdue of New Bern, whose districts would each be home to one of the centers.
Proponents say North Carolina needs three centers because its coastline is divided into three distinct ecosystems, each requiring special attention.
They also say the centers are needed to gather information about the state's dwindling fish stock and fragile coastal environment.
Critics contend the proposal reeks of pork-barrel politics. They also question the judgment of the UNC Board of Governors in drafting the plan after having already asked for a $306 million increase in UNC's two-year budget.
``I've lost a lot of faith in the university people, and this just continues that erosion,'' said Rep. Robert Grady, a Jacksonville Republican who served with Perdue on a two-year study commission of the UNC system.
But eastern North Carolina's most powerful legislator spoke out for the plan.
``You need to have one site in the Northeast,'' said Basnight, D-Dare, in an interview in his office Thursday afternoon. ``The hands-on research is there.''
Basnight said that for the university to center its marine research in Wilmington and not include plans for a research center in Northeastern North Carolina - home of the nation's second-largest estuary - would make significant scientific probing in the region difficult and would be an unwise use of state money.
``I would argue quickly with you that Wilmington is not the place for that research,'' he said.
Basnight, one of the most powerful members of the General Assembly, ranked a northeastern marine research center among his top spending priorities for the coming legislative session.
But two eastern North Carolina legislators who head the House committee that oversees appropriations for education - including the University of North Carolina - say three research centers are probably not needed on the state's coast.
``I don't think we need to duplicate the research that is already going on in other areas,'' said Rep. Jean Preston, a Republican from Carteret County whose district includes a marine research center in Morehead City.
Legislators on Wednesday and Thursday filed bills to appropriate $23 million to the university's Board of Governors for 1995-96 to build the marine sciences and education center at UNC-W - an amount originally requested by the board in meetings with lawmakers before the session.
The plan for three centers proffered this week would cost an additional $27 million.
Rep. W. Robert Grady, R-Onslow, who co-chairs the education appropriations committee with Preston, said he was concerned that the Board of Governors would consider changing their original request.
``I would question the process that they are using to come up with the request,'' he said.
``There has to be some type of effort to promote the coastal economy and the resources we have,'' Perdue said. ``It's the future of the country and the world. Some day when our grandchildren talk about where food comes from, it will all come from the ocean.'' by CNB