Legislative Findings — Purpose — Liberal Construction
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It is hereby found and determined that:
There is an immediate need to conserve Doe Mountain, an iconic eight thousand six hundred (8,600) acre forested mountain presently under threat from economic distress;
It is through conservation of these same Appalachian Mountains, in particular, Doe Mountain, that will give rise to an unparalleled location for family-oriented, multi-use outdoor recreation, job creation, and economic growth;
The conservation of Doe Mountain and the proper development of multi-use recreational opportunities on the mountain requires partnerships between state and local government, the private sector, conservationists, and an engaged local community to preserve the mountain's unique nature and realize its economic potential;
In many instances, effective cooperation between these parties has been hampered by inadequate statutory authority and management expertise. An authority vested with the full range of necessary statutory powers is, therefore, needed to ensure the success of Doe Mountain's conservation and to realize its full economic potential for the citizens of this state; and
Realizing that the economic development potential of newly acquired conservation lands calls for a new mechanism to manage these lands for multi-use outdoor recreation opportunities and to make the public aware of these opportunities, the general assembly, therefore, intends to vest an authority with the powers set forth herein to prepare comprehensive, long-range, site-specific master plans and to ensure compliance with such plans; to conserve the land, waters, and wildlife of Doe Mountain in a manner protective of the resource, including, where applicable, transfer of lands management for natural areas and/or wildlife management areas; and to foster economic development for the people by the development and operation of multi-use, family-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities.
It is the purpose of this chapter to address these findings by providing for the establishment of the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority to protect and conserve the natural resources of Doe Mountain through planning, promoting, financing, constructing, managing, and developing multi-use recreational opportunities for public participation and enjoyment that will create jobs and facilitate economic development.
This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with its purpose.