Early in November, President Obama signed the 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill, which includes $713,000 to buy land surrounding Catawba Falls in Western North Carolina. The massive bill invests $32.24 billion in our public lands and includes the Catawba purchase, which was introduced by N.C. representative Heath Shuler to permanently provides access to the 70-foot waterfall. With the funding, Pisgah National Forest will also likely improve the trail to the falls and enhance parking.

Find out more here.