S477 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Agency Bill. (SL 2025-10)

Overview: Section 8 of S.L. 2025-10 (Senate Bill 477) adds North Peaks State Trail to the State Nature and Historic Preserve (Preserve). This section also excepts from dedication and removes certain small parcels from the Preserve that are located at Mayo River State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, New River State Park, and Fonta-Flora State Trail.

The removals from the Preserve are all minor deletions, as follows:

• Mayo River State Park: Excepts four small tracts totaling approximately .394 acres needed for a permanent easement for a highway construction project.
• Chimney Rock State Park: Excepts three small tracts totaling approximately 0.43 acres adjacent to US Highway 64 & 74A in Bat Cave that were destroyed by Helene. 
• Chimney Rock State Park: Excepts approximately 5.78 acres needed for a permanent communications easement.
• New River State Park: Excepts a small tract totaling approximately 10,014 square feet needed for a permanent drainage easement for a highway construction project.
• Fonta-Flora State Trail: Excepts a small tract totaling approximately 4,417 square feet needed for an access easement.

This section became effective June 13, 2025.