AN ACT to authorize the addition of GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STATE PARK to the state parks system.

Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution states that it shall be a proper function of the State of North Carolina to acquire and preserve park, recreational, and scenic areas and, in every other appropriate way, to preserve as a part of the common heritage of this State its open lands and places of beauty; and
Whereas, the General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act in 1987, declaring that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological, geological, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and that such resources are part of the heritage of the people of the State to be preserved and managed by those people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants; and
Whereas, Grandfather Mountain in Watauga, Avery, and Caldwell Counties is known to be nationally significant for its excellent examples of many rare high elevation natural communities and an exemplary assemblage of rare plant and animal species; and
Whereas, Grandfather Mountain is an internationally recognized terrestrial ecosystem and is therefore designated as a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Programme on Man and the Biosphere; and
Whereas, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically diverse and significant sites in the Southern Appalachian region; and
Whereas, rare species found at Grandfather Mountain include Spreading avens, Roan Mountain bluet, Heller's blazing star, Blue Ridge goldenrod, Virginia big‑eared bat, Carolina northern flying squirrel, the Spruce‑fir moss spider, and many others; and
Whereas, Grandfather Mountain is also one of North Carolina's most important scenic landmarks and offers outstanding opportunities for wilderness recreation; and
Whereas, Grandfather Mountain has been found to possess geological, biological, and scenic resources of statewide significance; and
Whereas, the Council of State approved the purchase of Grandfather Mountain, to be operated as a State Park, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations approved the report of the State Property Office regarding acquisition of Grandfather Mountain by the State; and
Whereas, the proposal is for the acquisition of Grandfather Mountain to be funded through the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add Grandfather Mountain to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113‑44.14(b).
SECTION 2.  The State shall purchase Grandfather Mountain with existing funds in the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, as previously approved by the Council of State and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. During the 2009‑2011 fiscal biennium, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall, with funds available, operate Grandfather Mountain State Park.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 30th day of March, 2009.

	s/	 Walter H. Dalton
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 Governor

Approved 3:05 p.m. this 31st day of March, 2009