AN ACT to authorize the addition of the FONTA FLORA LOOP TRAIL in Burke County TO THE STATE PARKS SYSTEM.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly finds that a hiking and biking trail around Lake James in Burke County would provide a multitude of economic, recreational, health, environmental, community and transportation benefits. The General Assembly further finds that a number of federal, State, local and private partners have expressed substantial interest in completing such a trail; that such a trail would be a recreational resource of statewide significance; and that including such a trail in the State Parks System as a State Trail would be beneficial to the people of North Carolina and further the development of North Carolina as "The Great Trails State."
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add the Fonta Flora Loop Trail to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113‑44.14(b). The Department shall support, promote, encourage, and facilitate the establishment of trail segments on State park lands and on lands of other federal, State, local, and private landowners. On segments of the Fonta Flora Loop Trail that cross property controlled by agencies or owners other than the Department's Division of Parks and Recreation, the laws, rules, and policies of those agencies or owners shall govern the use of the property.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 15th day of June, 2015.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	_____________________________________
		 Pat McCrory
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2015