§ 113A-251. Purpose. - North Carolina Statutes

Article 18.

Clean Water ManagementTrust Fund.

§ 113A‑251.  Purpose.

The General Assemblyrecognizes that a critical need exists in this State to clean up pollution inthe State's surface waters and to protect and conserve those waters that arenot yet polluted. The task of cleaning up polluted waters and protecting theState's water resources is multifaceted and requires different approaches,including innovative pilot projects, that take into account the problems, thetype of pollution, the geographical area, and the recognition that thehydrological and ecological values of each resource sought to be upgraded,conserved, and protected are unique.

It is the intent of theGeneral Assembly that moneys from the Fund created under this Article shall beused to help finance projects that specifically address water pollutionproblems and focus on upgrading surface waters, eliminating pollution, andprotecting and conserving unpolluted surface waters, including urban drinkingwater supplies. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that moneysfrom the Fund also be used to build a network of riparian buffers and greenwaysfor environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. While the purpose ofthis Article is to focus on the cleanup and prevention of pollution of theState's surface waters and the establishment of a network of riparian buffersand greenways, the General Assembly believes that the results of these effortswill also be beneficial to wildlife and marine fisheries habitats. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18,s. 27.6(a); 2003‑340, s. 1.3; 2007‑549, s. 1.)