A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the addition of deep river state trail to the state parks system.
Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution 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 General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act in 1987, declaring that the State of North Carolina offers unique archeological, geological, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and that such resources are part of the heritage of the people of the State to be preserved and managed by those people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants; and
Whereas, the General Assembly enacted the North Carolina Trails System Act in 1973, declaring that trails should be established in natural, scenic areas of the State, and in and near urban areas, in order to promote public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor, natural, and remote areas of the State; and
Whereas, the State Trails Act provides that trails may be designated and managed as units of the State Parks System; and
Whereas, the Deep River in Randolph, Moore, Lee, and Chatham Counties is considered nationally significant for its biological resources, including globally rare species of fish and mussels; and
Whereas, the Deep River is used extensively by paddlers and fishermen, and has considerable potential to support recreational uses and to attract tourism to the four‑county area; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add Deep River State Trail to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113‑44.14(b). The Department may acquire and manage lands and easements for this purpose, and shall promote, encourage, and facilitate the establishment of connecting trail segments by other federal, State, local, and private landowners. On segments of the Deep River State Trail that cross property controlled by agencies or owners other than the Division of Parks and Recreation, the laws, rules, and policies of those agencies or owners shall govern the use of the property.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.