GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION

CHAPTER 412
HOUSE BILL 673

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STREAM WATCH PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 10.  Stream Watch Program.
"§ 143-215.74F.  Program authorized.
The Department of Natural Resources and Community Development may establish a Stream Watch Program to recognize and assist civic, environmental, educational, and other volunteer groups interested in good water resources management and protection.  The goals of the Stream Watch Program are to encourage volunteer groups to adopt streams and other water bodies and to work toward their good management and protection; to increase public awareness of and involvement in water resources management; and to promote cooperative activities among volunteer groups, local government, industry, the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, and other agencies and entities for improved protection and management of water resources.
"§ 143-215.74G.  Applications.
The Department may accept and approve applications to affiliate with the Stream Watch Program from volunteer groups willing to adopt a specific body of water and to conduct at least one project each year to promote the protection of the adopted body of water or to increase public understanding of water resources.
"§ 143.215.74H.  Assistance.
The Department may provide technical, organizational, and financial assistance to stream watch groups from such resources as may be available to the Department.
"§ 143-215.74I.  Projects.
The Department may encourage and assist stream watch groups to carry out projects for stream cleanup and restoration, stream surveillance and water quality monitoring, public education, the establishment of trails and greenways, recreational use of water bodies, and other activities in furtherance of the goals of the Stream Watch Program."
Sec. 2.  The act shall become effective July 1, 1989.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22nd day of June, 1989.