NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1969 SESSION

CHAPTER 790

HOUSE BILL 1120

AN ACT TO AMEND G.S. 77-14 CONCERNING OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREAMS AND DRAINAGE DITCHES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  G.S. 77-14 is hereby rewritten to read as follows:

"G.S. 77-14.  Obstructions in streams and drainage ditches. If any person, firm or corporation shall fell any tree or put any slabs, stumpage, sawdust, shavings, lime, refuse or any other substances in any creek, stream, river or natural or artificial drainage ravine or ditch, or in any other outlet which serves to remove water from any land whatsoever whereby the natural and normal drainage of said land is impeded, delayed or prevented, the person, firm or corporation so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined up to five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned for up to six months, or both, in the discretion of the court: Provided, however, nothing herein shall prevent the construction of any dam or weir not otherwise prohibited by any valid local or State statute or regulation."

Sec. 2.  G.S. 77-14, as hereby rewritten, shall apply to all counties, and all exemptions from said section are hereby repealed.

Sec. 3.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 4.  This Act shall become effective upon its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 12th day of June, 1969.