{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-143b-285.23","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-285.23","heading":"Powers and duties of the Secretary of Environmental Quality.","body":"The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall:\n(1)\tEstablish an Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs to:\na.\tServe as a clearinghouse of environmental information for the State.\nb.\tPlan for the Department's future needs for environmental education materials and programs.\nc.\tMaintain a computerized database of existing education materials and programs within the Department.\nd.\tMaintain a speaker's bureau of environmental specialists to address environmental concerns and issues in communities across the State.\ne.\tEvaluate opportunities for establishing regional environmental education centers.\nf.\tAdminister the Project Tomorrow Award Program to encourage school children to discover and explore ways to protect the environment.\ng.\tAssist the Department of Public Instruction in integrating environmental education into course curricula.\nh.\tDevelop and implement a grants and award program for environmental education projects in schools and communities.\n(2)\tCoordinate, through technical assistance and staff support and with participation of the Department of Public Instruction and other relevant agencies, institutions, and citizens, the planning and implementation of a statewide program of environmental education.\n(3)\tBe responsible for such matters as the purchase of educational equipment, materials, and supplies; the construction or modification of facilities; and the employment of consultants and other personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this Part.\n(4)\tEncourage coordination between the various State and federal agencies, citizens groups, and the business and industrial community, in the dissemination of environmental information and education.\n(5)\tUtilize existing programs, educational materials, or facilities, both public and private, wherever feasible. (1993, c. 501, s. 28; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2010-31, s. 13.1A(d); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)","path":["Chapter 143B. Executive Organization Act of 1973.","Article 7. Department of Environmental Quality.","Part 4B. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_143B/GS_143B-285.23.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T18:22:43Z","sha256":"59bc21e03fe576b8942c72a4859f0548ce7f681ad42829df39990a7ee3d29a2b","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-143b-285.22","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-143b-285.24"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}