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New conservation initiative kicked off in Palmetto

By BEN NELMS
bnelms@theCitizenNews.com

The scenic, rolling landscape of the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy in southwest Fulton County provided a visually stunning backdrop for Gov. Sonny Perdue’s announcement Tuesday of the Georgia Land Conservation Act. The initiative is designed to encourage long-term conservation and protection of Georgia’s natural resources.

Escorted to the podium by Chattahoochee Hill Country President Stacy Patton, Perdue told the audience of nearly 200 that the legislation will establish a trust fund and a revolving loan fund of $100 million in state, federal and private funding. The funds will be available to local governments and Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) for the purchase of conservation lands throughout Georgia.

“This legislation is more far-reaching than any previous conservation effort. It encourages creative partnerships that will allow us to stretch our conservation dollars further,” Perdue said. “The Georgia Land Conservation Act is an investment in our future. It is a commitment to our children and grandchildren to preserve a statewide network of land and water resources, prime agricultural and forestry lands and natural, historic and recreational areas for them to enjoy.”

Perdue said the conservation fund will feature $75 million in state funds. The remaining $25 million will come from private contributions. The Governor’s legislation creates the Georgia Land Conservation Trust Fund and the Georgia Land Conservation Revolving Loan Fund. The funds will be managed by Georgia Environmental Facility Authority (GEFA) to provide a variety of funding options for local governments or DNR to purchase conservation easements or fee simple interest in land for eligible projects.

Perdue’s legislation also establishes the Georgia Land Conservation Council (GLCC), which will be responsible for reviewing all project proposals and making recommendations for the distribution of funds. The council will include the State Property Office, the DNR Commissioner, the Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Executive Director of the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and four additional members appointed by the Governor.

Under the legislation, DNR is responsible for establishing a state land geographic information system that will serve as a comprehensive database of all conservation activities. DNR, in cooperation with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and Georgia Municipal Association, will provide technical support to all local governments. Conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Wildlife Federation, the Georgia Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land and others will play a lead role by working with state and local government officials to identify lands for protection and assisting in the development of project proposals, Perdue said.

“Conserving our natural resources through land conservation is one of the best ways to protect water quality and to maintain healthy and diverse wildlife populations is Georgia,” DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb said earlier. “Not only will this act allow us to add to our outstanding network of state lands such as parks, public fishing areas and wildlife management areas for public enjoyment, but it will also encourage additional interaction between our agency and city and county representatives for local land conservation efforts.”

Using the pastoral setting of Chattahochee Hill Country for his announcement provided the physical link for Perdue’s reflection of his own roots on a farm in Houston County and his father’s admonition that if you take care of the land it will take care of you.

“And we have to care enough to take care of Georgia and its land resources,” Perdue said. “The Georgia Land Conservation Act will stand as a commitment to the active role of permanently protection of the land.”

Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to implement an innovative land use plan to protect the ecological health and quality of life in a 65,000-acre area in south Fulton and surrounding counties.

Chattahoochee Hill Country was one of only four new communities nationwide to be selected last week to receive a grant through the Smart Growth Leadership Institute’s Implementation Assistance Program.