A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the addition of carvers creek state park to the state parks system, and to authorize the addition of a state park in the hickory nut gorge/chimney rock area 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, Carvers Creek and surrounding lands in Cumberland County include rolling hills, ravines, and narrow stream bottoms; support many rare plant and animal species; and possess biological, scenic, and recreational resources of statewide significance, and thus represent an excellent example of the natural features of the Sandhills Region of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Hickory Nut Gorge/Chimney Rock area in and near western Rutherford County includes spectacular cliffs, rugged mountains, fissure caves, and waterfalls; supports many rare plant and animal species; and possesses biological, geological, scenic, and recreational 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 Carvers Creek State Park to the State Parks System as provided by G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add a State park in the Hickory Nut Gorge/Chimney Rock area to the State Parks System as provided by G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.