Some items to watch for the rest of the legislative session related to conservation and outdoor recreation:
Many organizations have staff at the capitol, lobbying on behalf of this or that issue and their organization’s mission. For conservation and outdoor recreation in Georgia, the most visible organization at the capitol is likely the Georgia Conservancy. They are following a number of issues at the capitol this year, most notably an expansion of the funding for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP). Passed in 2018, the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act uses taxes from outdoor sporting goods to fund projects in existing state and local parks, develop new state and local parks, and acquire and protect new conservation lands to protect wildlife and clean water.
That tax funding is used for grants to projects that are developed and applied for largely through local initiatives. A statewide committee of officials and stakeholders then selects the slate of projects every year. That slate then goes before the Board of Natural Resources of the Department of Natural Resources and also receive final approval from the Appropriations subcommittees of the House and Senate. These projects are all permanently funded based off the tax sales so it has some independence from individual legislative sessions. Governor Brian Kemp’s proposed budget for this year would allocate more than $30 million to the Conserve Georgia Grant that is also run through GOSP.
A number of other issues do come up during session however and the Conservancy and other groups will be following them closely, among them:
- House Bill 370: Determining ownership of salt marsh – Sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-99 Duluth), the bill would allow private parties who claim ownership of the salt marsh via a centuries-old crown or state grant to present their evidence to the State Properties Commission. They must make a determination within 180 days or else the title defaults to the party claiming ownership. The Georgia Conservancy notes the current system has “provided Georgia with consistent and constant political and regulatory enforcement of marsh protection measures for nearly 55 years.” Something is working as Georgia’s coast is among the most preserved on the Atlantic. The Conservancy is concerned that 180 days, though it is a few months, is too short of a timeframe to assess property documentation that could potentially date back 250 years when crown grants were being given. The Conservancy strongly opposes the passes of HB 370.
- House Resolution 519: The House Study Committee on fishing access to freshwater resources – The resolution was aimed at providing clarity regarding landowner rights to freshwater rivers and whether these rights extend to limiting public river access. This resolution was introduced last year and four hearings were held by the Study Committee since last session. Legislative action may be likely based off the recommendations from the Study Committee’s report. The recommendations boiled down to a couple key items, notably, determining the navigability of Georgia’s rivers and stream and ensuring right of passage for navigable streams. Stiffening penalties for trespass were also included, among other recommendations.
- House Bill 71: The Okefenokee Protection Act – Sponsored by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-173 Thomasville), the bill would prohibit the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection (EPD) from allowing mining in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Rep. Taylor introduced the bill last year but it did not advance out of committee. The bill is unlikely to receive much of a hearing this year either but there may be other bills that would restrict Okefenokee mining. The Georgia Conservancy, and really all conservation groups in Georgia, support any effort to restrict mining in the region.
These are the most notable current pieces of legislation that conservation groups or outdoor enthusiasts will be paying attention but, of course, other legislation may crop up right down to the last minute of the session.
