GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1818

Short Title:  Funds/Hamlet Cleanup.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Goodwin; Alexander, Berry, Blue, Bonner, Earle, Gibson, Hunter, Insko, Luebke, Melton, Michaux, Oldham, Warren, and Wright.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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May 30, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE CLEANUP OF THE ABANDONED AND HAZARDOUS IMPERIAL FOODS FACILITY IN HAMLET, NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, in September 1991 North Carolina experienced its worst industrial disaster when the Imperial Foods processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, was destroyed by fire; and
Whereas, although the building and property have been abandoned by the former owners of Imperial Foods, efforts to prevent access to the site and building by the general public have been hampered by bankruptcy and other legal proceedings and concerns; and
Whereas, the site includes a dilapidated and unstable building extensively littered with broken glass, jagged metal, food sources for rodents and other vermin, and standing pools of water; and
Whereas, there is evidence that individuals have occupied the building by the presence of bedding material, drug paraphernalia, and the odor of urine; and
Whereas, there is also evidence that the site has become an attractive nuisance to neighborhood children, posing a serious threat to their health and safety; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used for the purpose of razing, removing, and cleaning up the abandoned building and site of the Imperial Foods facility in Hamlet, North Carolina. The abandoned property has become a public health hazard and a public nuisance to families and survivors of the Imperial Foods fire who live near the site. The Department shall contract for and oversee provision of services to conduct the activities authorized under this section.
Section 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2000.