Published: Monday, January 13, 2014 at 4:04 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, January 13, 2014 at 4:04 p.m.

The Environmental and Conservation Organization will host a public forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at the City Operations Center, 305 Williams St. in Hendersonville, to focus on North Carolina's roll back of environmental protections.

According to a news release from ECO, some of the issues of concern include new billboard rules that could seriously damage the area's tree canopy; new laws that delay energy efficiency standards, which could result in a substandard housing stock; and recent acts by the General Assembly to remove Asheville's control over its water system.

According to DJ Gerken, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center and one of the forum's presenters, North Carolina has thrived (for decades) under laws that fostered both a healthy environment and vibrant economy but in the past several years the legislature has set about dismantling those laws under the false premise that we have to choose between jobs and the environment.

Gerken will be joined by Chuck McGrady, N.C. House of Representatives, and co-director Julie Mayfield of the Western North Carolina Alliance. Each panelist will speak individually on their understanding of the bills, as well as the long-term implications of the legislation.

Discussion will specifically cover HB 74 (Regulatory Reform Act of 2013), HB 120 (Building Codes: Local Consistency/Exempt Code), and HB 488 (Regionalization of Public Utilities).

Call ECO at 828-692-0385 or visit http://www.eco-wnc.org for more information.

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ECO to host public legislative forum