The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources doesn't plan the same old boring report when it publishes its annual state-of-the-environment update this year.

Instead, The News & Observer of Raleigh reports the agency plans a coffee table book.

Deputy Secretary Bill Laxton wrote in an e-mail this summer he
wants the report about how the agency has reduced waste and protected species to be so nice that employees will want to share
it with family and friends.

State law requires the reports, which taxpayers can get for free.

The agency will not know how much the nicer report will cost because it hasn't been sent to the printers.

The report should be published in December.