AN ACT to authorize the addition of haw river state Park to the state parks system.

Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of North Carolina states that it shall be a proper function of the State of North Carolina to acquire and preserve park, recreational, and scenic areas, and in every other appropriate way to preserve as a part of the common heritage of this State, its open lands and places of beauty; and
Whereas, the 1987 General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act, which declares that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological, geologic, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and that these resources are part of the heritage of the people of the State, which should be preserved and managed by the people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants; and
Whereas, the Haw River in Guilford and Rockingham Counties supports a large collection of wetlands, high quality upland forests, and rare plant and animal species and possesses biological, archaeological, and scenic resources of statewide significance; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add Haw River State Park to the State Parks System as provided by G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21st day of May, 2003.

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Richard T. Morgan
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 11:18 a.m. this 31st day of May, 2003