GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE BILL 720

Short Title:  NC Museum of Forestry.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Soles; and Warren.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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April 7, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF FORESTRY IN COLUMBUS COUNTY TO EXHIBIT FORESTRY RESOURCES AND FORESTRY PRODUCTS FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION OF OUR CITIZENS AND VISITORS TO THE SOUTHEAST.
Whereas, forests and forestry products industries have played an integral role in the development of North Carolina and its economy since the founding of the State; and
Whereas, forests abound in the State and the beauty of the State's forests attract people to live in North Carolina and to visit the State; and
Whereas, North Carolina is a national leader in manufacturing, export, and distribution of products derived from its forests; and
Whereas, North Carolina has educational institutions, industries, and governmental and civil groups dedicated to the preservation, growth, and enjoyment of our forests and their products; and
Whereas, a museum dedicated to forestry would exhibit forestry resources and forestry products for the education and enjoyment of the State's citizens and millions of its visitors; and
Whereas, Columbus County is strategically located in close proximity to major vacation destinations and transportation access, ensuring the exposure and accessibility needed for a successful museum; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Museum of Forestry Board of Directors was formed as a nonprofit corporation to coordinate all planning efforts with State agencies and other involved organizations; and
Whereas, this Board of Directors selected a building located in Whiteville, North Carolina, in Columbus County, that provides an excellent property for a museum location and can be acquired under favorable terms for this purpose; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Forestry Association; the Division of Forest Resources, Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources; the Columbus County Board of Commissioners;  the Columbus County School Board of Education; Southeastern Community College; various local banks; and International Paper, the largest taxpayer in Columbus County, endorse the establishment of the North Carolina Museum of Forestry in Columbus County; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 143B-279.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B-279.2.  Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources – duties.
It shall be the duty of the Department:
(1)	To provide for the protection of the environment.
(1a)	To administer the State Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Task Force and coordinate State participation activities in the federal outer continental shelf resource recovery programs as provided under the OCS Lands Act Amendments of 1978 (43 USC §§ 1801 et seq.) and the OCS Lands Act Amendments of 1986 (43 USC §§ 1331 et seq.).
(2)	To provide for the protection and enhancement of the public health.
(2a)	To provide and keep a museum or collection of the natural history of the State and to maintain the North Carolina Biological Survey.
(3)	To provide for the management of the State's natural resources.
(4)	To provide and keep a museum of forestry that is an agency of the State within the Department, that is located in the southeastern part of the State, and that acquires, preserves, and exhibits forestry resources and forestry products for the education and enjoyment of the people of the State."
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1997.