N.C. Gen. Stat. § 146-17: Mapping and discovery agreements.

The Department of Administration, acting on behalf of the State, for the purpose of discovering State lands, may, with the approval of the Governor and Council of State, enter into agreements with counties, municipalities, persons, firms, and corporations providing for the discovery of State land by the systematic mapping of the counties of the State and by other appropriate means. All expenses incurred by the Department incident to such mapping and discovery agreements shall be paid from the State Land Fund, unless otherwise provided by the General Assembly. (1959, c. 683, s. 1.)