§ 113A-241. State to Preserve One Million Acres; Annual Report. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 113A‑241.  State toPreserve One Million Acres; Annual Report.

(a)        The State of NorthCarolina shall encourage, facilitate, plan, coordinate, and support appropriatefederal, State, local, and private land protection efforts so that anadditional one million acres of farmland, open space, and conservation lands inthe State are permanently protected by December 31, 2009. These lands shall beprotected by acquisition in fee simple or by acquisition of perpetualconservation easements by public conservation organizations or by privateentities that are organized to receive and administer lands for conservationpurposes.

(b)        The Secretary ofEnvironment and Natural Resources shall lead the effort to add one millionacres to the State's protected lands and shall plan and coordinate with otherpublic and private organizations and entities that are receiving andadministering lands for conservation purposes.

(c)        The Secretary ofEnvironment and Natural Resources shall report to the Governor and theEnvironmental Review Commission on or before 1 October of each year on theState's progress towards attaining the goal established in this section. (2000‑23, ss. 2, 3;2001‑452, s. 2.2; 2004‑195, s. 2.3.)