NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1979 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1054

HOUSE BILL 1181

 

 

AN ACT TO CREATE A TRIAD PARK COMMISSION AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ITS OPERATION.

 

Whereas, the 1977 General Assembly of North Carolina created the State Parks Study Commission to report on parks and recreational areas of the State; and

Whereas, the State Parks Study Commission recognized the problems related to the Triad area, to wit: urban sprawl, lack of protection of watersheds, lack of recreational areas, and lack of greenways to serve as growth buffer zones and for aesthetic values; and

Whereas, the State Parks Study Commission recommended that the General Assembly create a Triad Park Commission made up of members of local governments of the Triad area and directed the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development to work with the Triad Park-Commission, on a consultation basis, to give technical assistance and to help obtain federal funds to match local funds and State appropriations for the work of the Triad Park Commission; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  The Triad Park Commission is created, to consist of 15 members to be selected as follows: The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the Guilford County Board of Commissioners shall each appoint two members; the City Council of each of the principal cities in the Triad area - Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville, and Winston-Salem - shall each appoint two members; the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint one member-at-large, the Speaker of the House shall appoint one member-at-large; and the Governor shall appoint one member-at-large. The Governor shall designate one member to serve as chairman. All appointments shall be made in time for the Commission to begin its work not later than August 1, 1979.

The Commission may elect from its membership other officers which it deems appropriate, and may adopt rules of procedure governing its meetings. The Commission may utilize the expertise of appropriate local agencies in performing its duties, and the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development may assist the Commission in its work.

Sec. 2.  The Commission shall:

(1)        recommend to the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development the types and locations of any State parks, recreation areas, open spaces, and greenways to be established in the Triad area so as to minimize the problems caused by urban sprawl, lack of watershed protection, inadequate recreational areas and greenways, and similar conditions resulting from increased population and development in the area; and shall make an initial report to the Department by December 15, 1979;

(2)        hold public hearings and conduct such other activities as the Commission deems necessary to carry out its duties under this act;

(3)        subject to the availability of operating funds, employ such staff assistance as the Commission deems necessary.

Sec. 3.  Subject to the availability of funds, members of the Commission who are also State employees shall be paid the allowances authorized by G.S. 138-6; members of the Commission who are also members of the General Assembly shall be paid subsistence and travel allowances authorized by G.S. 120-3.1; all other members of the Commission shall be paid the per diem and allowances authorized by G.S. 138-5.

Sec. 4.  The Triad Park Commission shall terminate on September 1, 1985.

Sec. 5.  For the purposes of Article 3 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, the Triad Park Commission is a public authority.

Sec. 6.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1979.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 8th day of June, 1979.