North Carolina General Statutes

ARTICLE 25B.

State Nature and Historic Preserve Dedication Act.

This Article shall be known and may be cited as the State Nature and Historic Preserve Dedication Act. (1973, c. 443, s. 1.)

It is the purpose of this Article to prescribe the conditions and procedures under which properties may be specially dedicated for the purposes enumerated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution ("Conservation of Natural Resources"), accepted by the General Assembly for said purposes, and thereby constituted part of the State Nature and Historic Preserve. (1973, c. 443, s. 2.)

§ 143-260.8. (Effective until passage of constitutional amendment -- See Editor's note) Procedures.

(a) Within the meaning of this section:

(1) "Local governing body" means, as the case may be, the board of commissioners of a county, the city council (or equivalent legislative body) of a city, or the board of aldermen or board of commissioners (or equivalent legislative body) of a town.

(2) "Local government" means a county, city or town.

(3) "Properties" include any properties or interest in properties acquired by purchase or gift.

(b) The Council of State may petition the General Assembly to adopt a resolution pursuant to Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution, accepting any properties owned by the State of North Carolina (or proposed for gift to or purchase by the State) and designated in said petition for inclusion in the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(c) The governing body of any local government, or any combination of two or more such bodies may petition the General Assembly to adopt a resolution pursuant to Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution, accepting any properties owned by said local government (or proposed for gift to or purchase by said local government) and designated in said petition for inclusion in the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(d) The petition referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall identify the properties sought to be included in the Preserve. The General Assembly may then by joint resolution accept the designated properties in the Preserve and adoption of said resolution by the General Assembly shall constitute the special dedication and acceptance of the designated properties in the State Nature and Historic Preserve contemplated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution.

(e) In order to provide accessible information to the public concerning the State Nature and Historic Preserve, every resolution accepting properties in the Preserve shall be codified in the General Statutes. A certified copy of every resolution accepting properties in the Preserve shall be transmitted by the Secretary of State to the register of deeds in each county wherein said properties, or any part of them, are located, for filing and indexing in the grantor index.

(f) This Article shall constitute an exclusive procedure only for placing properties in the State Nature and Historic Preserve, and shall not preclude the dedication of properties by other means for purposes identical or similar to those enumerated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution.

(g) It is the intent of this Article to complement any applicable provisions of federal and State law and regulations relating to dedication or acceptance of properties for purposes similar to those enumerated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution. The Council of State is hereby authorized to adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Article, including rules and regulations consistent with this Article to comport with applicable federal and State law and regulations. A copy of this Article, and of any such rules or regulations affecting properties owned by local governments shall be filed by the Council of State with the chairman of the local governing body of every county, city and town within 30 days after ratification or adoption as the case may be. (1973, c. 443, s. 3.)

§ 143-260.8. (V2)(Effective upon passage of constitutional amendment -- See Editor's note) Procedures.

(a) Within the meaning of this section:

(1) "Local governing body" means, as the case may be, the board of commissioners of a county, the city council (or equivalent legislative body) of a city, or the board of aldermen or board of commissioners (or equivalent legislative body) of a town.

(2) "Local government" means a county, city or town.

(3) "Properties" include any properties or interest in properties acquired by purchase or gift.

(b) The Council of State may petition the General Assembly to enact a law pursuant to Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution, accepting any properties owned by the State of North Carolina (or proposed for gift to or purchase by the State) and designated in the petition for inclusion in the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(c) The governing body of any local government, or any combination of two or more such bodies may petition the General Assembly to enact a law pursuant to Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution, accepting any properties owned by the local government (or proposed for gift to or purchase by the local government) and designated in the petition for inclusion in the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(d) The petition referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall identify the properties sought to be included in the Preserve. The General Assembly may then enact a law to accept the designated properties in the Preserve and enactment of the law by the General Assembly shall constitute the special dedication and acceptance of the designated properties in the State Nature and Historic Preserve contemplated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution.

(e) In order to provide accessible information to the public concerning the State Nature and Historic Preserve, every law accepting properties in the Preserve shall be codified in the General Statutes. A certified copy of every law accepting properties in the Preserve shall be transmitted by the Secretary of State to the register of deeds in each county wherein these properties, or any part of them, are located, for filing and indexing in the grantor index.

(f) This Article shall constitute an exclusive procedure only for placing properties in the State Nature and Historic Preserve, and shall not preclude the dedication of properties by other means for purposes identical or similar to those enumerated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution.

(g) It is the intent of this Article to complement any applicable provisions of federal and State law and regulations relating to dedication or acceptance of properties for purposes similar to those enumerated by Article XIV, Sec. 5 of the North Carolina Constitution. The Council of State is hereby authorized to adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Article, including rules and regulations consistent with this Article to comport with applicable federal and State law and regulations. A copy of this Article, and of any rules affecting properties owned by local governments shall be filed by the Council of State with the chairman of the local governing body of every county, city and town within 30 days after ratification. (1973, c. 443, s. 3; 1999-268, s. 6.)

The dedication of property to the State Nature and Historic Preserve shall not prevent the administering State agency or local governing body from carrying out normal maintenance and improvement of existing structures or facilities that are appropriate to, and consistent with, the purpose for which the property in question was obtained by the State agency or local governing body. (1973, c. 443, s. 4.)

§ 143-260.10. Components of State Nature and Historic Preserve.

The following are components of the State Nature and Historic Preserve accepted by the North Carolina General Assembly pursuant to G.S. 143-260.8:

(1) All lands and waters within the boundaries of the following units of the State Parks System as of April 6, 1999: Baldhead Island State Natural Area, Bay Tree Lake State Park, Boones Cave State Park, Bushy Lake State Natural Area, Carolina Beach State Park, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Chowan Swamp State Natural Area, Dismal Swamp State Natural Area, Duke Power State Park, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Fort Macon State Park, Goose Creek State Park, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hemlock Bluffs State Natural Area, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Jones Lake State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lumber River State Park, Medoc Mountain State Park, Merchants Millpond State Park, Mitchells Millpond State Natural Area, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Pettigrew State Park, Pilot Mountain State Park, Raven Rock State Park, Run Hill State Natural Area, Singletary Lake State Park, Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area, and Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve.

(2) All lands and waters within the boundaries of William B. Umstead State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of Tract Number 65, containing 22.93140 acres as shown on a survey prepared by John S. Lawrence (RLS) and Bennie R. Smith (RLS), entitled "Property of The State of North Carolina William B. Umstead State Park", dated January 14, 1977 and filed in the State Property Office, which was removed from the State Nature and Historic Preserve by Chapter 450, Section 1 of the 1985 Session Laws. The State of North Carolina may only exchange this land for other land for the expansion of William B. Umstead State Park or sell and use the proceeds for that purpose. The State of North Carolina may not otherwise sell or exchange this land.

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 1999-268, s. 2.

(4) All lands within the boundaries of Morrow Mountain State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tract: That certain tract or parcel of land at Morrow Mountain State Park in Stanly County, North Albemarle Township, containing 0.303 acres, more or less, as surveyed and platted by Thomas W. Harris R.L.S., on a map dated August 27, 1988, and filed in the State Property Office, reference to which is hereby made for a more complete description.

(5) Repealed by Session Laws 1999-268, s. 2.

(6) All land within the boundaries of Crowders Mountain State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tract: The portion of that certain tract or parcel of land at Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County, Crowders Mountain Township, described in Deed Book 1939, page 800, and containing 757.28 square feet and as shown in a survey by Tanner and McConnaughey, P.A. dated July 22, 1988 and filed in the State Property Office.

(7) All lands owned in fee simple by the State at the New River Scenic River as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tract: That certain tract or parcel of land at the New River Scenic River in Alleghany County, Piney Creek Township, described in Deed Book 112, page 610, containing 16.54 acres, and consisting of lots #12 through #19 on the survey by Dudley and Zeh, R.L.S. dated September 21, 1979, recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 94, and filed in the State Property Office.

(8) All lands and waters within the boundaries of Stone Mountain State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tract: The portion of that certain tract or parcel of land at Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes County, Traphill Township, described as parcel 33-02 in Deed Book 633-193, and more particularly described as all of the land in this parcel lying to the west of the eastern edge of the Air Bellows Road, as shown on the National Park Service Land Status Map 33 dated March 24, 1981 and filed in the State Property Office, containing approximately 72 acres. The tract excluded from the State Nature and Historic Preserve under this subdivision is deleted from the State Parks System in accordance with G.S. 113-44.14.

(9) All lands and waters located within the boundaries of the following State Historic Sites as of January 1, 1999: Alamance Battleground, Charles B. Aycock Birthplace, Historic Bath, Bennett Place, Bentonville Battleground, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson, C.S.S. Neuse and Governor Caswell Memorial, Charlotte Hawkins Brown Memorial, Duke Homestead, Historic Edenton, Fort Dobbs, Fort Fisher, Historic Halifax, Horne Creek Living Historical Farm, House in the Horseshoe, North Carolina Transportation Museum, James K. Polk Memorial, Reed Gold Mine, Somerset Place, Stagville, State Capitol, Town Creek Indian Mound, Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace, and Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

(10) All lands and waters within the boundaries of Gorges State Park as shown on the map entitled "Boundaries of Gorges State Park" prepared by the Division of Parks and Recreation, dated May 27, 1999, and filed in the State Property Office, which lands and waters are a portion of the lands and waters acquired by the State of North Carolina on April 29, 1999, the purchase of which was approved by the Council of State at its meeting on March 2, 1999.

(11) All lands and waters located within the boundaries of Eno River State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tracts: The portion of that tract or parcel of land at Eno River State Park in Durham County, Lebanon Township, described in Deed Book 1626, Page 854, required for the right-of-way and easements for the expansion of Guess Road and more particularly described in a Department of Transportation drawing entitled "Sketch Showing a Portion of the Property of State of North Carolina, North Carolina Parks and Recreation, Durham County", for TIP U-2102, Project 8.1351302, parcel 155, dated June 8, 1999 and filed in the State Property Office; and the portion of that tract or parcel of land at Eno River State Park in Durham County, Lebanon Township, described in Deed Book 1945, Page 773, required for the right-of-way and easements for the expansion of Guess Road and more particularly described in a Department of Transportation drawing entitled "Sketch Showing Proposed Right of Way, Property of State of North Carolina (Formerly Association for the Preservation of the Eno), Durham County" for TIP U-2102, Project 8.1351302, parcels 159 and 163, dated June 1, 1999 and filed in the State Property Office. These two tracts excluded from the State Nature and Historic Preserve under this subdivision are deleted from the State Parks System in accordance with G.S. 113-44.14.

(12) All lands and waters located within the boundaries of Hanging Rock State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tract: The portion of that tract or property at Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County, Danbury Township, described in Deed Book 360, Page 160, for a 30-foot wide right-of-way beginning approximately 183 feet south of SR 1001 and extending in a southerly direction approximately 1,479 feet to the southwest corner of the Bobby Joe Lankford tract and more particularly shown on a survey entitled, "J. Spot Taylor Heirs Survey, Danbury Township, Stokes County, N.C.", by Grinski Surveying Company, dated June 1985, and filed in the State Property Office. The tract excluded from the State Nature and Historic Preserve under this subdivision is deleted from the State Parks System in accordance with G.S. 113-44.14.

(13) All lands and waters located within the boundaries of South Mountains State Park as of April 6, 1999, with the exception of the following tracts: The portion of that tract or property at South Mountains State Park in Burke County, Lower Creek Township, described in Deed Book 862, Page 1471, required for the right-of-way and easements for the relocation of SR 1904 within the park and lying generally between the Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation right-of-way and the southern property boundary of the park, as described in the drawing entitled "Survey for State of North Carolina", dated January 28, 1999, prepared by Suttles Surveying, P.A., bearing the preparer's file name 12455.dwg and filed in the State Property Office; and the portions of land at South Mountains State Park that lie south of the centerline of the CCC road as shown on the drawing entitled "Land Trade between South Mountains State Park and Adjacent Game Lands along CCC Road" prepared by the Division of Parks and Recreation, dated March 15, 1999, and filed in the State Property Office and that lie within: (i) the tract or property in Burke County, Lower Fork Township, described in Deed Book 495, Page 501; (ii) the tract or property in Burke County, Lower Fork and Upper Fork Townships, described in Deed Book 715, Page 719; or, (iii) within the tracts or property in Burke County, Upper Fork Township, described in Deed Book 860, Page 341, and Deed Book 884, Page 1640. The tracts excluded from the State Nature and Historic Preserve under this subdivision are deleted from the State Parks System in accordance with G.S. 113-44.14. The State of North Carolina may only exchange this land for other land for the expansion of South Mountains State Park or sell this land and use the proceeds for that purpose. The State may not otherwise sell or exchange this land. (1979, c. 498; 1989, Joint Res. 23; c. 146, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 30; 1999-268, s. 2.)

§§ 143-260.10A, 143-260.10B: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 146, ss. 3, 4.

§ 143-260.10C. Removal of land in Hemlock Bluffs from the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143-260.10(1), the tract identified as a portion of the property legally described in Deed Book 3135, Page 937, Wake County Registry, containing 14.4 acres, as shown on a survey prepared by A. Roger Barnes (RLS) and entitled "Proposed Exchange of 14.4 Acres From the State of North Carolina to the Town of Cary," dated August 19, 1988, is removed from the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

The State of North Carolina may only exchange this land for other land to expand Hemlock Bluffs Natural Area or sell the land and use the proceeds for that purpose. The State of North Carolina may not otherwise sell or exchange this land.

The removal of the portion of Hemlock Bluffs under this section achieves the requirements and purposes of Article 2C of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes and constitutes a deletion from the State Parks System as required by G.S. 113-44.14. (1989, c. 384.)

Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143-260.10(1), the tract identified as a portion of the property legally described in Deed Book 414, Page 607, Onslow County Registry, containing 0.063 acres; beginning at a point located S 25°19'50" W, 60.86 feet, thence S 02°10'40" E, 33.61 feet from the southeast corner of above reference property, proceeding from said beginning point S 02°10'40" E, 32.73 feet, thence S 69°12'45" W, 176.47 feet to a point, thence N 59°47'25" E, 189.47 feet to the point of beginning; as shown on a survey prepared by John P. McLean Engineering Associates and entitled "Exhibit Map Showing Land Swap Between N.C. Park Service and Hammocks Point" dated June 29, 1990, is removed from the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

The State of North Carolina may only exchange this land for other land for inclusion in Hammocks Beach State Park or sell the land and use the proceeds for that purpose. The State of North Carolina may not otherwise sell or exchange this land.

The removal of the portion of Hammocks Beach State Park under this section achieves the requirements and purposes of Article 2C of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes and constitutes a deletion from the State Parks System as required by G.S. 113-44.14. (1991, c. 318; 1991, c. 318.)

§ 143-260.10E. Utility easement at William B. Umstead State Park.

(a) The State of North Carolina may grant a utility easement to Carolina Power and Light Company across a tract of land within William B. Umstead State Park. The easement shall be 100 feet wide, extending 50 feet on each side of the following-described survey line: Lying and being in Leesville township, Wake County, North Carolina; BEGINNING at point B2 as shown on the Drawing hereinafter referred to, the point B2 being located in a southern property line of Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (formerly Continental Mortgage Investors) and a northern property line of the State of North Carolina; the point B2 also being located North 87 degrees 01 minute 31 seconds West 834.04 feet from a concrete monument making a southeastern corner of Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (formerly Continental Mortgage Investors); and runs thence South 02 degrees 01 minute 53 seconds East 3508.00 feet to point A2 on the Drawing, the location of Point A2 having North Carolina Coordinates Y=773, 193.769 and X=2,069,162.420, the Point A2 being located at the terminus of Carolina Power and Light Company's existing 100 foot wide right-of-way strip, as shown and described on Carolina Power and Light Company Drawing No. RW-A-5246, dated September 1977, which Drawing also shows the respective complementing sidelines going to make up the easement.

(b) The State of North Carolina may only use the proceeds from the easement described in subsection (a) of this section to acquire property at any State park.

(c) The grant of the easement within William B. Umstead State Park to Carolina Power and Light Company under this section constitutes authorization by the General Assembly that the described tract of land may be used for a utility easement, which is a purpose other than the public purposes as specified in Article XIV, Section 5, of the Constitution, Article 25B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, and Article 2C of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes. (1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 907, s. 1.)

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143-260.10, the State of North Carolina may convey a road right-of-way to the Department of Transportation across lands within Pilot Mountain State Park. The right-of-way for the road shall begin 71.9 feet S 70° 41' 12" E of park corner number 94 as shown on the June 1, 1968, Pilot Mountain State Park survey by Southern Mapping & Engineering Company. From point of beginning N 70° 41' 12" W for 71.9 feet, then following the centerline of the existing road SR 2068 N 02° 31' 21" E for 24.13 feet, then N 25° 17' 28" E for 225.06 feet, then N 35° 31'48" E for 139.35 feet, then with the northern boundary of the park S 55° 48' 51" E for 30.0 feet, then along new right-of-way line for approximately 350 feet as shown on Department of Transportation Plat of SR 2068, Shoals Road - McKinney Cut, Surry County, W.O. 6.742488 dated August 28, 1992, to point of beginning. The area of this right-of-way is approximately 17,850 square feet.

(b) The property described in subsection (a) of this section is removed from the State Nature and Historic Preserve and deleted from the State Parks System.

(c) The State shall only use the proceeds from this right-of-way to acquire lands for the expansion of Pilot Mountain State Park. (1993, c. 457.)

§ 143-260.10G. Removal of land in Crowders Mountain State Park from the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143-260.10(6), the portion of that certain tract or parcel of property at Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County, Crowders Mountain Township, described in Deed Book 1240, Page 451, and containing 225 square feet and as shown in a survey by R&W Engineering and Surveying entitled "Conveyance of 0.0052 acres owned by Crowders Mountain State Park, Gaston Co., NC" and dated January 18, 1995, is removed from the State Nature and Historic Preserve.

(b) The property described in subsection (a) of the section is deleted from the State Parks System pursuant to G.S. 113-44.14.

(c) The State may only exchange this property for other property for the expansion of Crowders Mountain State Park or sell this land and use the proceeds for that purpose. The State shall not otherwise sell or exchange this land. (1995, c. 131, s. 1.)