NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1969 SESSION

CHAPTER 1164
HOUSE BILL 1101

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMERCIAL AND SPORTS FISHERIES TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE ESTUARIES OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  The Commissioner of Commercial and Sports Fisheries is hereby directed to study the estuaries of North Carolina with a view to the preparation of a comprehensive and enforceable plan for the conservation of the resources of the estuaries, the development of their shorelines, and the use of the coastal zone of North Carolina. In connection with such study and plan, the Commissioner may call upon affected State and local agencies for advice and assistance; may accept grants, contributions, and appropriations from any public or private source; may arrange for consultant studies and research and for other professional services; and may designate one or more advisory committees to assist and advise in carrying out the study and planning. Such study may include an analysis of all characteristics of the coastal zone, including: the quality, quality and movement of estuarine waters, the ecological balance of the estuaries, and the economic interests of the coastal zone. Such study may examine all present and proposed uses of the estuaries and coastal zone; may give consideration to the plans of cities, counties, and regional and State agencies for the coastal zone; and may take into account varying needs, problems and resources of the respective estuarine regions of North Carolina. In preparing the comprehensive estuarine plan the Commissioner shall consider and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations and controls, existing land acquisition programs, and other existing governmental programs affecting estuarine resources; and shall recommend such modification in these regulations and controls and programs, or adoption of additional regulations, controls and programs, as he deems desirable.
Sec. 2.  The Comissioner shall file an interim report by January 1, 1971, and a final report by November 1, 1973, with the Director of the Department of Conservation and Development for transmission by the Governor to the General Assembly.
Sec. 3.  The final report shall contain:
(a)	The results of the Commissioner's detailed studies.
(b)	The comprehensive plan proposed by the Commissioner for the conservation of the resources of the estuaries, the development of their shorelines, and the uses of the coastal zone.
(c)	The Commissioner's recommendations of the appropriate agency or agencies to maintain and carry out the comprehensive plan.
(d)	The Commissioner's estimate of the approximate sums of money that will be needed to maintain and carry out the comprehensive plan.
(e)	Such other information and recommendations as the Commissioner deems desirable.
Sec. 4.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Conservation and Development for the conduct of the study and preparation of the comprehensive plan authorized by this Act the sum of ninety-four thousand dollars ($94,000.00) for the 1969-71 biennium.
Sec. 5.  General Statutes Subsection 146-64(3) is hereby amended by inserting therein in line 2 of such subdivision following the word "easements," and before the word "and" the word "options," so that said subdivision as so amended will read as follows:
"(3)	'Land' means real property, buildings, space in buildings, timber rights, mineral rights, rights-of-way, easements, options, and all other rights, estates, and interests in real property."
Sec. 6.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 7.  This Act shall become effective July 1, 1969.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 30th day of June, 1969.