GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE BILL 183*

Short Title:  Cape Fear River Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Rand; Albertson, Ballance, Ballantine, Dalton, Dannelly, Jenkins, Jordan, Kinnaird, Lucas, Phillips, Reeves, Shaw of Cumberland, Soles, and Weinstein.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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February 19, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE CAPE FEAR RIVER, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMISSION.
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Watershed is the largest river basin entirely within the State of North Carolina, draining 27 counties, containing approximately twenty-seven per cent (27%) of the State's population; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River is an important drinking water supply and is the most industrialized river basin in the State; and
Whereas, current proposed standards affecting point source discharges, primarily from large manufacturing facilities, are based on previous data that are inconclusive and incomplete; and
Whereas, there is a need for data regarding nonpoint source discharges, including animal operations, into the Cape Fear River Watershed; and
Whereas, more realistic and logical future effluent limitations for users of the Cape Fear River can best be determined from uniform, accurate data; and
Whereas, implementing the Cape Fear River Program will help scientists recognize trends and enable government agencies to adjust regulations as appropriate to protect the river basin; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Program will allow for the placement of sampling stations throughout the Cape Fear River Basin for uniform collection of data; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Program  is supported in part by private contributions from industry, foundations, and local governments; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Program will be conducted under the guidance and direction of boards representing industry; local governments; the conservation community; the academic community; civic organizations; and local, State, and federal agencies from the lower, middle, and upper geographical areas of the Cape Fear River Basin; and
Whereas, the monitoring and scientific components of the Cape Fear River Program will be conducted by coordinators as designated by the respective advisory boards; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Assembly, Inc.,  is designated as the basinwide receiving agency for funds approved by the General Assembly on behalf of the Cape Fear River Program for defined and approved projects; and
Whereas, project data will be used to form the first comprehensive model of its kind for basinwide management to protect and enhance the economic development use of the Cape Fear River as a vital natural resource; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Cape Fear River Assembly, Inc., the sum of three million eight hundred thirty-six thousand dollars ($3,836,000) for the 1997-98 fiscal year and the sum of three million eight hundred thirty-six thousand dollars ($3,836,000) for the 1998-99 fiscal year for programs to monitor and improve water quality in the Cape Fear River.
Section 2.  The Cape Fear River Assembly, Inc., shall report by 1 October 1997 and quarterly thereafter to the Environmental Review Commission and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the use of the funds appropriated by this act.
Section 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.