A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the addition of Elk Knob state natural area and beech creek bog state natural area to the state parks system, As recommended by the Environmental Review Commission.
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; 
Whereas, the General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act in 1987, declaring that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological, 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;
Whereas, Elk Knob in Watauga County is a component of a nationally significant ecosystem with many rare species and natural communities, and has been found to possess biological, geological, and scenic resources of statewide significance; and
 Whereas, Beech Creek Bog in Watauga County is an excellent example of a Southern Appalachian Bog which is a very rare natural community type in North Carolina, and the bog has been found to possess biological resources of statewide significance; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add Elk Knob State Natural Area to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add Beech Creek Bog State Natural Area to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.