GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 368

Short Title:  N.C. Aquarium Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Payne, J. Crawford, and S. Hunt.
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Referred to:  Basic Resources.
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February 27, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUMS.
Whereas, the three North Carolina aquariums have experienced a sixteen percent (16%) increase in visitation per year; and
Whereas, the aquariums contribute much to the State's educational curriculum by providing over 1,600 public programs in which over 50,000 school students have participated; and
Whereas, the aquariums have experienced a thirty-five percent (35%) increase in school group attendance per year; and
Whereas, the aquariums offer much to the public by providing many programs geared toward family participation, such as wild food weekends, nature hikes through salt marshes, and crabbing, sea turtles, and trolling programs; and
Whereas, the aquariums have experienced a thirty-eight percent (38%) increase in public program participation; and
Whereas, the aquariums strive to increase environmental awareness by offering programs to the public on topics such as beach erosion and ocean pollution; and
Whereas, the aquariums are  understaffed to handle the increase in community and educational participation with the current ratio of one staff member to 50,000 visitors; and
Whereas, the aquariums have faulty heating and cooling systems that need repairing or replacing; and
Whereas, pipes, light fixtures, and ventilation systems in the aquariums are rusted from the salt air and need repairing; and
Whereas, the aquarium at Roanoke Island is threatened by shoreline erosion caused by the failure to repair the old bulkheads constructed at the aquarium in the 1940's; and
Whereas, the old siding at all three aquariums is falling away from the buildings and rotting around the window sills;  Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration, the Marine Affairs Division, the sum of two million three hundred thirteen thousand five hundred seven dollars ($2,313,507) for the 1989-90 fiscal year and the sum of two million two hundred fifty-five thousand eight hundred seventy-eight dollars ($2,255,878) for the 1990-91 fiscal year for the operating expenses of the three North Carolina aquariums.  These amounts shall become part of the continuation budget of the Department of Administration.
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration, the Marine Affairs Division, the sum of six hundred sixty-three thousand eight hundred dollars ($663,800) for the 1989-90 fiscal year to be used for capital projects at the three North Carolina aquariums such as constructing and paving the parking lots, replacing the old siding on the buildings, repairing the bulkheads at the Roanoke Island Aquarium, and building energy enclosures at the aquariums.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration, the  Marine Affairs Division, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 1989-90 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 1990-91 fiscal year to be used for architectural site designs and exhibit plans for the three North Carolina aquariums.
Sec. 4.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.