Lobbyist to lead state's top environmental agency

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A lobbyist and lawyer who once worked for former Gov. Sonny Perdue will lead the state's top environmental agency

The choice was immediately razzed by environmentalists who aren't happy with the agency to begin with.

Gov. Nathan Deal said Thursday he chose Jud Turner to become the new director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division because he had "a wealth of experience, expertise and leadership."

Turner will replace two-year EPD Director Allen Barnes, who took the post having worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional office in Atlanta. The appointment must be approved by the board of the state Natural Resources Department, which next meets Dec. 7. Turner would begin work the first week in January.

Deal knows Turner from his work on the state's ongoing battle with Alabama and Florida over the use of Lake Lanier as a drinking water source for metro Atlanta.

Turner, who served as Perdue's chief legal advisor from 2007-08, once also worked as general counsel for the state Education Department. He is a registered lobbyist who three years ago co-founded the public affairs firm Georgia 360. His clients include the powerful Metro Atlanta Chamber, The Walt Disney Company and Honeywell, according to state records.

"Whether it is the severe budget cuts or the lack of political will or both, EPD has not been doing its job to protect our rivers and the people of Georgia," said Sally Bethea, executive director of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper environmental group. "The new EPD Director, who apparently has no background in environmental issues, has a formidable challenge before him, especially given the intense pressure from the industries that EPD regulates."