GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 140
Short Title: Authorize Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Iler and Miller (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the
House
February 18, 2025
*H140 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ADD THE GULLAH GEECHEE GREENWA Y/BLUEWAY HERITAGE T RAIL 2
TO THE STATE TRAILS SYSTEM. 3
Whereas, the history of the Gullah Geechee culture is an important part of the story 4
and formation of the United States; and 5
Whereas, the Gullah Geechee peoples of coastal Africa were forcibly brought 6
centuries ago to the coastal areas and the sea islands of southeastern North Carolina, South 7
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida because of their experience in rice cultivation, and the rice 8
plantations that formerly lined the western side of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County thus 9
became the focal point of Gullah Geechee culture in this State; and 10
Whereas, many reminders of the Gullah Geechee culture remain on the west side of 11
the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, including Reaves Chapel, Moore's Chapel, former 12
rice plantations, and pine tar pits used to repair wooden ships; and 13
Whereas, numerous local governments and regional organizations, including 14
Brunswick County, the Towns of Navassa, Leland, and Belville, the Wilmington Area 15
Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Cape Fear Council of Governments have partnered 16
with many local and regional nonprofit entities to delineate and sponsor sites important to Gullah 17
Geechee culture along or near the west bank of the Cape Fear River; and 18
Whereas, this partnership has led to the creation of the Gullah Geechee 19
Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail, which will include 9 segments utilizing existing 20
rights-of-way stretching 21 miles from northern Brunswick County to the Brunswick Nature 21
Park; and 22
Whereas, the extensive planning envisions a multiuse trail for bicycle and pedestrian 23
use, as well as points of historical interest, such as the restored Reaves Chapel; and 24
Whereas, the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail can become a part 25
of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, a National Heritage Area established by the 26
U.S. Congress, to recognize the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people; and 27
Whereas, benefits of the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail include 28
tourism, economic development, transportation mobility, and the connection of communities, 29
which are important to this traditionally economically disadvantaged area; Now, therefore, 30
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 31
SECTION 1. The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and 32
Cultural Resources to add the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail (Heritage 33
Trail) in Brunswick County to the State Parks System as a State trail, as provided in 34 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 140-First Edition
G.S. 143B-135.54(b). The Department shall support, promote, encourage, and facilitate the 1
establishment of trail segments on State park lands and on lands of other federal, State, local, and 2
private landowners. On segments of the Heritage Trail that cross property controlled by agencies 3
or owners other than the Department's Division of Parks and Recreation, the laws, rules, and 4
policies of those agencies or owners shall govern the use of the property. The requirement of 5
G.S. 143B-135.54(b) that additions be accompanied by adequate appropriations for land 6
acquisition, development, and operations shall not apply to the authorization set forth in this 7
section; provided, however, that the State may receive donations of appropriate land and may 8
purchase other needed lands for the Heritage Trail with existing funds in the Land and Water 9
Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and 10
other available sources of funding. 11
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 12