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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > January > 25 > Entry
Perdue proposes land conservation program
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Palmetto — Gov. Sonny Perdue today announced a Republican-style conservation program that will rely heavily on local governments and private landowners to preserve the state’s disappearing landscapes.
Without raising or adding new taxes, Perdue wants to set up a $100 million fund for cities, counties and the state to use to protect land from development. Most of the money would come from state and federal government. The rest — $25 million — would be donated by the private sector.
Some of the conservation money would be given as grants; the rest would be put in a revolving loan program.
Cities, counties and the state would compete for the loans and grants, which would be doled out based on the conservation value of the land under consideration. An old-growth forest surrounding the headwaters of several streams, for example, would have a higher value than timberland without significant water resources.
Partnerships would matter too. The more entities involved in protecting a piece of land, from the federal government to the local neighborhood association, the more likely it would be to receive a loan.
Perdue is calling his packet of legislative proposals the Georgia Land Conservation Act, which the Georgia General Assembly would need to approve to move forward.
“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 in a statement. “This legislation is more far-reaching than any previous conservation efforts. It encourages creative partnerships that will allow us to stretch our conservation dollars further.�
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