GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1327

Short Title:  Scientific Advisory Council.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Rand, Albertson, Perdue, Hoyle, Cooper, Odom, and Warren.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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May 27, 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WATER RESOURCES AND COASTAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143-215.22J. Scientific Advisory Council on Water Resources and Coastal Fisheries Management established; membership, compensation.
(a)	The Scientific Advisory Council on Water Resources and Coastal Fisheries Management (hereinafter 'Council') is created in the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources.
(b)	The Council shall have eight members, including the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, who shall chair the Council, and the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences of North Carolina State University.  The members of the Council shall elect a vice-chair from among the Council membership.  The Chair of the Council shall solicit three recommendations from the scientific community including private scientists representing industrial and environmental concerns, as well as the academic community for each of the six appointees and shall select members from among those recommendations.  Members shall have the following qualifications:
(1)	One member with expertise and training in water quality;
(2)	One member with expertise and training in coastal or marine fisheries;
(3)	One member with expertise and training in resource economics;
(4)	One member with expertise and training in physical modeling;
(5)	One member with expertise and training in wetlands; and
(6)	One member with expertise and training in the social sciences.
The members shall be appointed for staggered two-year terms and may be reappointed for subsequent terms.  Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(c)	To the extent that funds are made available, members of the Council shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138-5.
(d)	A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business.
(e)	The Council may use funds allocated to it to employ an administrative staff person to assist the Council in carrying out its duties.  The Secretary shall provide clerical and other support staff services needed by the Council.
(f)	The Council shall meet quarterly, or more frequently at the request of the Chair or three members of the Council.
"§ 143-215.22K.  Scientific Advisory Council on Water Resources and Coastal Fisheries Management; functions and responsibilities.
(a)	The Council shall have the following responsibilities:
(1)	Review a plan prepared by the Department concerning the statewide implementation of an interagency comprehensive coordinated water resources and coastal fisheries management programs.
(2)	Discuss the limitations and problems associated with existing laws, regulations, programs, and services related to water resources and coastal fisheries.
(3)	Evaluate trends and conditions of the State's water quality resources and coastal fisheries management.
(4)	Oversee the development of a comprehensive monitoring program including:
a.	Participating in the overall design of the plan relating to the collection and use of data;
b.	Evaluating statewide and national water resource and coastal fisheries programs;
c.	Coordinating funding sources for programs;
d.	Evaluating and developing research to address water quality and fisheries issues; and
e.	Reviewing procedures for awarding grants to local agencies providing services.
(5)	Identify research and outreach needs and to commission studies to respond to those needs.
(6)	Assist in developing and maintaining interagency training and technical assistance in the provision of water resource and coastal fisheries programs.
(b)	The Secretary shall seek the advice of the Council on issues involving changes in water quality and fisheries management.
(c)	The Council shall submit a written annual report not later than October 1 of each year, to the Secretary, the Governor, the Environmental Review Commission and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.  The report shall address the progress in implementation of a coordinated water resources and coastal fisheries management program.  The report shall include an accounting of funds expended and anticipated funding needs for full implementation of recommended programs."
Sec. 2.  Effective upon ratification, the Secretary shall appoint three members of the Council to one-year terms and the remaining three members to two-year terms.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for expenses of the Council.
Sec. 4.  This bill becomes effective upon ratification.