GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 419*

 
 
     Sponsors:	Representatives Warwick, McComas, Rayfield, Redwine, Smith;  Allen, Allred, Baddour, Barbee, Barefoot, Bonner, Bowie, Boyd-McIntyre, Brubaker, Cansler, Cox, Crawford, Culp, Cunningham, Davis, Decker, Dedmon, Eddins, Edwards, Gibson, Goodwin, Grady, Gulley, Haire, Harrington, Hensley, Hill, Hurley, Johnson, Justus, Luebke, McCombs, McLawhorn, Mitchell, Morris, Nesbitt, Nye, Owens, Preston, Rogers, Russell, Saunders, Setzer, Sexton, Sherrill, Sutton, Tolson, Tucker, Underhill, Wainwright, Warner, G. Wilson, Wright, and Yongue.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
March 1, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY NORTH CAROLINA'S TOURISM INDUSTRY AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEWIDE.

Whereas, the popularity of North Carolina's coast, piedmont, and mountains as recreational and tourism destinations, and as places to live and work has increased dramatically in recent years; and
Whereas, the State's vision for the twenty‑first century is that it will continue to be a desirable place to live a productive, rewarding, and satisfying life in which each of its citizens will have a shared sense of place, stewardship, and values; and
Whereas, according to a recent study conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the economic impact of tourism in the coastal and mountain areas has risen from $5 billion in 1986 to more than $10 billion in 1999; and
Whereas, the study also indicates that population data show that North Carolina's population has grown by more than 1,000,000 people since 1990 and projections indicate that the population will grow almost 500,000 over the next five years; and 
Whereas, the State's natural resources are essential to the health and well‑being of its citizens and communities, as well as an integral part of ongoing economic growth; and
Whereas, erosion, air pollution, and other deteriorating and polluting forces threaten North Carolina's precious natural resources; and 
Whereas, it is in the public interest that an immediate statewide effort be made to identify and address the natural and manmade elements that threaten the State's vital natural resources and its economic well‑being; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study issues relating to:
(1) 	The tourism industry in the coastal, piedmont, and mountainous regions of the State and the statewide economic impact of that industry.
(2)	The threats posed to the coastal, piedmont, and mountainous regions by erosion, air pollution, and other natural and manmade elements that deteriorate, pollute, or otherwise detract from the natural beauty of those areas.
(3)	The various options available to address those threats, the success of those options, the economic feasibility of those options, and the economic impact on the State if no action is taken regarding erosion, water and air pollution, and other deteriorating, polluting, and detracting forces.
(4)	Any other issues relevant to this study.
SECTION 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may make its recommendations and submit an interim report to the 2001 General Assembly, Regular Session 2002, and may make a final report to the 2003 General Assembly.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.