AN ACT to appropriate funds for the development of a trail on the South side of the Catawba River connecting the eastern terminus of the Fonta flora trail to the Western terminus of the Hickory Trail.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The sum of one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year and one hundred eighty‑five thousand dollars ($185,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2022‑2023 fiscal year is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management to provide a directed grant to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments for the development and planning for a proposed trail along the south side of the Catawba River connecting the eastern terminus of the Fonta Flora Trail to the western terminus of the Hickory Trail. The funds appropriated by this act may be used for equipment, supplies, contract for services, or the hiring of temporary employees for any of the following:

(1)        Route development, planning, design, or permitting.

(2)        Outreach and negotiations with landowners regarding easements or fee simple acquisition of land for trail segments.

(3)        Engineering and construction of bridges, boardwalks, and parking lots for trail segments.

(4)        Technical assistance and coordination with local governments and with nonprofit groups for development of the trail and of connecting trails and trail spurs providing access from the trail to communities or tourist attractions.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.