Section 51-17-30 - PurposeThe Heritage Trust Program is created to achieve the following goals by protecting lands and making them available to state agencies, educational institutions, and public and private groups for the following purposes:
1. For research in such fields as archeology, agriculture, conservation, ecology, forestry, genetics, geology, history, paleontology, pharmacology, soil science, taxonomy, and similar fields by governmental employees, educational and scientific groups as well as by private individuals.2. For the teaching of archeology, biology, conservation, ecology, geology, history, natural history, and other subjects.3. As habitats and places for maintaining plant and animal species in communities.4. As reservoirs of natural and cultural materials.5. As places of natural and cultural interests and beauty whereby through visitation the public may observe, value, and enjoy natural and cultural processes and events. Unique recreational opportunities of a type not generally available through the existing State Park System may be provided, including outdoor sporting usage such as hunting and fishing as well as aesthetics, where wholly compatible and consistent with the character of the area or feature.6. As benchmarks against which to measure such processes or events as well as the environmental degradation from natural and unnatural influences.7. To promote the understanding and appreciation of the aesthetic, cultural, and scientific values of such areas and features by the people of the State.8. For the preservation and protection of Heritage Preserves and Sites against modification or encroachment resulting from occupation, development, or other uses which would destroy their natural and cultural character.9. As places for maintaining representative lands and related structures which illustrate periods, events, styles, and uses of the land in our state's historic and cultural heritage.1993 Act No. 181, Section 1282, eff 7/1/1994; 1976 Act No. 600 Section 3.