A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to change the name of the north carolina national park, parkway and forests development council and to appropriate funds to the department of Environment and Natural resources.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Part 17A of Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Part 17A. WNC Public Lands Council.
"§ 143B‑324.1.   WNC Public Lands Council; creation; powers; duties.
The  WNC Public Lands Council is created within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The  WNC Public Lands Council shall:
(1)	Endeavor to promote the development of that part of the Smoky Mountains National Park lying in North Carolina, the completion and development of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the development of the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests, and the development of other recreational areas in that part of North Carolina immediately affected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Pisgah or Nantahala national forests.
(2)	Study the development of these areas and to recommend a policy that will promote the development of the entire area generally designated as the mountain section of North Carolina, with particular emphasis upon the development of the scenic and recreational resources of the region, and the encouragement of the location of tourist facilities along lines designed to develop to the fullest these resources in the mountain section.
(3)	Confer with the various departments, agencies, commissioners and officials of the federal government and governments of adjoining states in connection with the development of the federal areas and projects named in this section.
(4)	Advise and confer with the various officials, agencies or departments of the State of North Carolina that may be directly or indirectly concerned in the development of the resources of these areas.
(5)	Advise and confer with the various interested individuals, organizations or agencies that are interested in developing this area.
(6)	Use its facilities and efforts in formulating, developing and carrying out overall programs for the development of the area as a whole.
(7)	Study the need for additional entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, together with the need for additional highway approaches and connections.
(8)	File its findings in this connection as recommendations with the National Park Service of the federal government, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
(9)	Advise the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources upon any matter the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources may refer to it.
"§ 143B‑324.2.   WNC Public Lands Council – members; selection; officers; removal; compensation; quorum; services.
The  WNC Public Lands Council within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor. The composition of the Council shall be as follows: one member shall be a resident of Buncombe County, one member a resident of Haywood County, one member a resident of Jackson County, one member a resident of Swain County, three members residents of counties adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Pisgah or Nantahala national forests. The appointment of members shall be for terms of four years, or until their successors are appointed and qualify. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Council shall elect a chairman, a vice‑chairman and a secretary. The chairman and the vice‑chairman shall all be members of the Council, but the secretary need not be a member of the Council. These officers shall perform the duties usually pertaining to such offices and when elected shall serve for a period of one year, but may be reelected. In case of vacancies by resignation or death, the office shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired term of said officer.
The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Council from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B‑16 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
Members of the Council shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 143B‑15 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
Five members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
"§ 143B‑324.3.   WNC Public Lands Council – meetings.
The  WNC Public Lands Council shall meet monthly and may hold special meetings at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon written request of at least a majority of the members."
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the 2010‑2011 fiscal year to be used to implement this act.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2010.