A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide onetime compensation to swain county for its loss of ad valorem taxes that directly results from the 2004 acquisition of swain county property by the state to be used as state GAME LANDS for outdoor recreation.
Whereas, Swain County is designated as a Tier One Enterprise County under G.S. 105‑129.3, based on a combination of its high unemployment, low average per capita income, and percentage growth; and
Whereas, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Nantahala National Forest, and the Tennessee Valley Authority are wholly or partly located in Swain County; and 
Whereas, approximately 87% of the land in Swain County is publicly owned; and
Whereas, in 2004, with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Resources Commission acquired approximately 3,431 acres in Swain County, the Needmore property located on the Little Tennessee River; and 
Whereas, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will manage this property as State game lands for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities; and
Whereas, as a result of this acquisition, Swain County will lose annual ad valorem taxes of $15,097; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Board of Trustees of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund may provide a onetime grant of up to thirty‑five thousand seven hundred six dollars ($35,706) to Swain County for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year as compensation to the County for the loss of ad valorem taxes associated with the fee simple purchase by the Wildlife Resources Commission of the 3,431‑acre Needmore game lands property located on the Little Tennessee River in Swain County, which grant shall be used to provide public services to the residents of Swain County.
SECTION 2.  The Ecosystem Enhancement Program within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources may provide a onetime grant of up to forty thousand two hundred sixty‑four dollars ($40,264) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year as compensation to the County for the loss of ad valorem taxes associated with the fee simple purchase by the Wildlife Resources Commission of the 3,431‑acre Needmore game lands property located on the Little Tennessee River in Swain County, which grant shall be used to provide public services to the residents of Swain County.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.