§ 143-491. Article I. Findings and Purposes.
§ 143‑491. ArticleI. Findings and Purposes.
(a) The party states find that the South has a sense ofcommunity based on common social, cultural and economic needs and fostered by aregional tradition. There are vast potentialities for mutual improvement ofeach state in the region by cooperative planning for the development,conservation and efficient utilization of human and natural resources in ageographic area large enough to afford a high degree of flexibility inidentifying and taking maximum advantage of opportunities for healthy andbeneficial growth. The independence of each state and the special needs ofsubregions are recognized and are to be safeguarded. Accordingly, thecooperation resulting from this Agreement is intended to assist the states inmeeting their own problems by enhancing their abilities to recognize andanalyze regional opportunities and take account of regional influences inplanning and implementing their public policies.
(b) The purposes of this Agreement are to provide:
(1) Improved facilities and procedures for study, analysis andplanning of governmental policies, programs and activities of regionalsignificance.
(2) Assistance in the prevention of interstate conflicts andthe promotion of regional cooperation.
(3) Mechanisms for the coordination of state and localinterests on a regional basis.
(4) An agency to assist the states in accomplishing theforegoing. (1973, c. 200, s.1.)