GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2003

SESSION LAW 2004-24

HOUSE BILL 1574

AN ACT to authorize the addition of the lower haw river state Natural Area to the state parks system, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMISSION, and to direct the division of parks and recreation of the department of environment and natural resources to study the feasibility and desirability of establishing a state RECREATION AREA at blewett falls lake.

Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of North Carolina states that it shall be a proper function of the State of North Carolina to acquire and preserve park, recreational, and scenic areas, and in every other appropriate way to preserve as a part of the common heritage of this State, its open lands and places of beauty; and

Whereas, the 1987 General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act, which declares that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological, geologic, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and that these resources are part of the heritage of the people of the State, which should be preserved and managed by the people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants; and

Whereas, the Lower Haw River in Chatham County is considered nationally significant for its biological resources, including several rare species and possesses biological, scenic, and recreational resources of statewide significance; and

Whereas, the Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has identified the Lower Pee Dee, which includes Blewett Falls Lake, as the highest ranked candidate for establishment of a State Recreation Area; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add the Lower Haw River State Natural Area to the State Parks System as provided by G.S. 113-44.14(b).

SECTION 2.  The Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall study the feasibility and the desirability of acquiring land and establishing a State Recreation Area at Blewett Falls Lake.  The study shall include estimates of the cost of developing the proposed recreation area.  The Division shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the Environmental Review Commission on or before 1 December 2005.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 17^th day of June, 2004.

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 12:07 p.m. this 25^th day of June, 2004