NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1977 SESSION
CHAPTER 612
SENATE BILL 816
AN ACT TO CREATE THE WANCHESE HARBOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND TO ESTABLISH THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL.
Whereas, the project to create the largest fishing harbor on the east coast of the United States at Wanchese will begin in the near future; and
Whereas, the citizens of Wanchese recognize that the project will have a tremendous impact upon the quality and the tranquility of life in their community; and
Whereas, the citizens of Wanchese recognize the unique characteristics of their village and environs, and are justly concerned over the impact of the project; and
Whereas, the citizens of Wanchese desire that the development of their community and surroundings be undertaken in an orderly manner that will least interfere with the high quality and peaceful life that they presently enjoy; and
Whereas, the citizens of Wanchese are in a unique position to review the project and to examine the increase in industry and population on a day-to-day basis; and
Whereas, the recommendations and suggestions of the citizens of Wanchese would be helpful to the agencies governing the project in protecting and preserving the quality of the style of life presently being enjoyed by those citizens; and
Whereas, in light of the above it is appropriate that a procedure be established to provide a method whereby the citizens of Wanchese may examine the impact of the project on a continuing basis and present their recommendations to the proper authorities; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. There is hereby established the Wanchese Harbor Citizens Advisory Council, which shall consist of nine members appointed by the Governor and who must be citizens of Wanchese and have permanently resided within Wanchese for a minimum of three years to be selected as follows: two members to be nominated by the Dare County Board of Commissioners; one to be an ocean or outside fisherman and one to be a sound or inside waterman; two members to be nominated by the Wanchese United Methodist Church, one male, one female; two members to be nominated by the Wanchese Assembly of God Church, one male and one female; two members to be nominated by the Wanchese Civic Association, one male and one female; one member at large to be selected by the Governor from the Village of Wanchese.
In the event any of the organizations entitled to representation fail to nominate persons to the Governor's office by December 1, 1978, and each two years thereafter, the Governor shall then appoint members at large from the Village of Wanchese. The members of the council shall be appointed prior to January 1, 1978. The appointments shall be for a two‑year term. The chairman shall be selected by the members of the council for a two-year term.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Wanchese Harbor Citizens Advisory Council to meet quarterly to study the impact of the enlargement of the harbor at Wanchese, to identify the concerns of the citizens of Wanchese, and to adopt an annual report to the Governor which will set forth the recommendations of the council in regard to an orderly development of Wanchese and ensuring the quality and tranquility of life in Wanchese and its surrounding area.
Sec. 3. A copy of the annual report of the council shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development and a copy of the report shall be forwarded to the Dare County Board of Commissioners.
Sec. 4. The members of the Wanchese Harbor Citizens Advisory Council shall serve without compensation or reimbursement for their services although it is recognized that in the future such service may be so extended as to justify compensation or reimbursement or both.
Sec. 5. This act shall become effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 17th day of June, 1977.