Georgia is blessed with unique environmental riches along the coast, including almost a third of the eastern seaboard’s salt marshes and thousands of acres of rare tidal freshwater wetlands. However, without careful planning, rapid growth and development activities are on a collision course with protection of drinking water supplies and coastal habitats. The Georgia Conservancy (pictured) supports:

• Protection of Jekyll Island through preserving the existing low impact uses at the south end of the island, prohibiting land uses that would have a destructive impact on surrounding salt marshes, turtle nesting grounds, and bird habitat, and providing affordable access to the Island’s accommodations and amenities.
• Strengthening of marshland protections from stormwater runoff beginning with the scientifically accepted, cost-effective and readily available option of expanding buffers.

Protect Our Land

More than 39,000 acres of Georgia’s forests, farmland and coastal wetlands are being replaced with concrete, asphalt or another impervious surface every year. Along with the land, we are losing features that maintain a high quality of life by helping to filter pollution out of our air and water and maintaining a strong economy by attracting new industries and workers. The Georgia Conservancy supports:

• The Governor’s proposal to appropriate $50 million to the Georgia Land Conservation Program for help protect land rated highly for ecological significance, funding leveraged from other sources and immediate threat of development.
• A permanent, dedicated source of funding for land conservation.

Conserve and Diversify Our Energy

The average Georgia resident uses 25% more electricity and pays 9% more each month than the national average. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective and rapidly deployed resources available to Georgians, and has the added benefit of reducing the health and environmental impact of energy consumption. The Georgia Conservancy supports:

• Incentives to expand our use of clean, homegrown energy and fuels, including cellulosic ethanol.
• Creation of a revolving loan fund to help generate revenue for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for state and local governments and schools.

Ensure Enough Clean Water for All

Georgia is blessed with more than 70,000 miles of waterways. We must protect and care for our waters. Smart water management is key to sustainable growth, allowing economic development and conservation to thrive side by side. Unfortunately, too much water goes to waste and too much dirt, oil, bacteria and other runoff is entering our streams. The Georgia Conservancy supports:

• Funding for comprehensive long term monitoring of water quality and water quantity.
• Allocation of 100% of land disturbance fees collected for the hiring of erosion and sedimentation inspectors.