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CONSERVATION/OPEN SPACE
Financing (H 1264 Finance Vital Projects/Studies)
The bill authorizes the issuance of special indebtedness (certificates of participation) for various capital projects, including the financing of parks projects. The bill sets a cap on the maximum indebtedness of twenty million dollars for land near military bases and twenty five million dollars for parks and gamelands. Up to $32 million (of the total $45 million) in special indebtedness may be issued in 2004-2005.
Conservation Tax Credit (H 1602 Delays Dollar Limit on Credit for Partnership)
The bill extends the current conservation tax credit level for partnerships for one year, until January 1, 2006. The bill also directs the Revenue Laws Study Committee to study the coordination between DENR and the Department of Revenue in administering the credits and the criteria by which DENR determines whether a donation provides public benefits.
Wetlands Mitigation (S 933 Wetlands Reimbursement/Local Tax Base)
Requires state agencies that acquire property for the purposes of wetlands mitigation to reimburse the county in which the property is located for twenty years of property taxes. Only Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties are eligible for reimbursement. The reimbursement requirement does not apply when the land purchased by the state agency and the wetlands permitted to be lost are located in the same county.
MARINE FISHERIES
Saltwater Fishing License (H 831 Saltwater Fishing Fund)
The bill establishes the Saltwater Fishing Fund and requires individuals engaging in recreational fishing in coastal waters to obtain a saltwater fishing license. Investment income from the Fund will be distributed by a Board of Trustees, which is comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tem. Those entities eligible for grants from the Fund include state agencies, local governments and non-profit organizations. Eligible funding purposes include:
· Resource and habitat enhancement, restoration and enhancement of submerged aquatic vegetation and creation and restoration of oyster habitat;
· Grants to fund fisheries management research;
· Acquisition of land for the enhancement of fishery habitat;
· Purchase or construction of public beach access areas and public marinas;
· Emergency dredging for the restoration of access to public fishing areas;
· Establishment of scholarships for individuals pursuing degrees in marine science; and
· Administrative and operating expenses of the Board.
Money from the Fund may not be used for law enforcement. The saltwater fishing license would cost $15 a year; a 7-day license will be available for one dollar. The bill allows for the purchase of a lifetime license (similar to those currently available from the Wildlife Resources Commission for inland waters). Persons under 18 years of age are exempt from the license requirements. The license requirement will take effect Jan. 1, 2006.
Start-Up Funding for Saltwater Fishing License (HB 1414 Budget Act 2004)
The legislature appropriated $450,000 to the Division of Marine Fisheries and $300,000 to the Board of Trustees as start-up money for the licensing program. Those funds must be repaid from license revenues by July 1, 2008.
PARKS
Park Additions (H 1574 State Parks System Additions and Study (Ch. SL 2004-24)
This bill adds Lower Haw River State Natural Area to the state parks system and directs DENR to study the feasibility of establishing a State Recreation Area at Blewett Falls Lake, on the border between Anson and Richmond Counties.
Removals (H 1607 State Natural and Historic Preserve Removals)
Removes a small portion of land in the Hemlock Bluffs State Park from the State Nature and Historic Preserve and state parks system for a right-of-way to widen Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. The bill also removes the Horne Creek Living Historical Farm located within Pilot Mountain State Park from the state parks system to allow the property to be reallocated to the Department of Cultural Resources for use as a state historic site.
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