GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 688

Short Title:  Funds/Dry Hydrant Pilot Program.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Culp; Barbee, Dockham, Goodwin, Hightower, Shubert, Sutton, Tallent, and Yongue.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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March 31, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR A PILOT PROJECT FOR THE RURAL COUNTIES OF ANSON, MONTGOMERY, MOORE, RANDOLPH, RICHMOND, AND UNION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NONPRESSURIZED DRY FIRE HYDRANTS.
Whereas, there are approximately 80 rural volunteer fire departments serving over 3,670 square miles of privately owned land and property in Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, and Union Counties; and
Whereas, many areas of the State lack water mains and domestic fire hydrants, which causes a delayed response time to fire emergencies; and
Whereas, nonpressurized dry hydrants can be placed on existing natural and nonnatural water sources such as ponds, rivers, creeks, drainage canals, and lakes to provide dependable fire protection in all weather conditions; and
Whereas, dry hydrants provide safe water intake points for volunteer fire-fighting personnel; and
Whereas, the use of dry hydrants will increase rural fire protection capability and efficiency and may save lives and reduce property loss; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1997-98 fiscal year to be allocated to the North Carolina Resource Conservation and Development Association to provide the rural counties of Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, and Union with materials and equipment to install approximately 400 dry hydrants to pilot test and demonstrate for the State the effects and benefits of these systems.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1997.