AN ACT to extend the deadline by which coastal habitat protection plans must be adopted.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Section 6.9 of S.L. 1997‑400 reads as rewritten:
"Section 6.9.  All of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plans required by G.S. 143B‑279.8, as enacted by Section 3.1 of this act, shall be adopted no later than December 31, 2004.  The Coastal Resources Commission, the Environmental Management Commission, and the Marine Fisheries Commission shall make the first report on progress in developing and implementing Coastal Habitat Protection Plans, as required by G.S. 143B‑279.8(e), as enacted by Section 3.1 of this act, on or before 1 September 1999.  The Secretary of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources shall make the first report on progress in developing and implementing Fishery Management Plans, as required by G.S. 113‑182.1(f), as enacted by Section 3.4 of this act, on or before 1 September 1999."
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 11:26 a.m. this 31st day of May, 2003