2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 17 - Conservation, Farmland, And Open Space Protection And Coordination.

Article 17.

Conservation, Farmland, And Open Space Protection And Coordination.

§ 113A‑240.� Intent.

(a)������ It is the intent of the General Assembly to continue to support and accelerate the State's programs of land conservation and protection, to find means to assure and increase funding for these programs, to support the long‑term management of conservation lands acquired by the State, and to improve the coordination, efficiency, and implementation of the various State and local land protection programs operating in North Carolina.

(b)������ It is the further intent of the General Assembly that the State's lands should be protected in a manner that minimizes any adverse impacts on the ability of local governments to carry out their broad mandates. (2000‑23, s. 2.)

 

§ 113A‑241.� State to Preserve One Million Acres; Annual Report.

(a)������ The State of North Carolina shall encourage, facilitate, plan, coordinate, and support appropriate federal, State, local, and private land protection efforts so that an additional one million acres of farmland, open space, and conservation lands in the State are permanently protected by December 31, 2009. These lands shall be protected by acquisition in fee simple or by acquisition of perpetual conservation easements by public conservation organizations or by private entities that are organized to receive and administer lands for conservation purposes.

(b)������ The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall lead the effort to add one million acres to the State's protected lands and shall plan and coordinate with other public and private organizations and entities that are receiving and administering lands for conservation purposes.

(c)������ The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall report to the Governor and the Environmental Review Commission on or before 1 October of each year on the State's progress towards attaining the goal established in this section. (2000‑23, ss. 2, 3; 2001‑452, s. 2.2; 2004‑195, s. 2.3.)

 

§§ 113A‑242 through 113A‑250.� Reserved for future codification purposes.