GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 1999 



I 



1 Whereas, a Mountains to Sea Trail across North Carolina 



2 would offer outstanding recreational opportunities to the State's 



3 citizens; would protect riparian buffers and corridors of 



4 wildlife habitat along its route; and would possess biological, 



5 scenic, and recreational resources of statewide significance; 



6 Now, therefore, 



7 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 



8 Section 1. The General Assembly authorizes the 



9 Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add the 



10 Mountains to Sea State Park Trail to the State Parks System as 



11 provided in G.S. 1 13-44 . 14 (b) • The State Park Trail shall be 



12 comprised only of those lands or easements which are or will be 



13 allocated for management to the Division of Parks and Recreation 



14 for this purpose. The Division shall promote, encourage, and 



15 facilitate the establishment of dedicated connecting trails 



16 through lands managed by other governmental agencies and non- 

 17 profit organizations in order to form a continuous trail across 



18 the State. 



19 Section 2. Article 2 of Chapter 113 of the General 



20 Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: 



21 "§ 113-34.1. Power to acquire conservation lands not included in 



22 the State Parks System. 



2 3 The Department of Administration may acquire and allocate to 

 24 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for 

 2 5 management by the Division of Parks and Recreation lands that the 

 26 Department of Environment and Natural Resources finds are 

 2 7 important for conservation purposes but which are not included in 



28 the State Parks System. Lands acquired pursuant to this section 



29 are not subject to the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 113 of 



30 the General Statutes and may be traded or transferred as 



31 necessary to protect, develop, and manage the Mountains to Sea 



32 State Park Trail, other State Parks, or other conservation 



33 lands." 



34 Section 3. This act is effective when it becomes law. 



Paae 2 ERCOO-SGZ-008 . 03 (5.4 



