Governor Perdue Announces Land Conservation Grants, Loans

Rockdale and Bibb Counties, Cities of Roberta and East Ellijay Receive Awards

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today two cities and two counties as recipients of Georgia Land Conservation Grants and Loans.   Rockdale and Bibb Counties and the cities of Roberta and East Ellijay will receive land conservation grants.  Bibb County was also approved for a land conservation loan.  Individual grant and loan amounts, as well as project descriptions are listed below. 

"Conservation works best when local and state governments both have some skin in the game," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "I'm pleased cities and counties are embracing this collaborative approach to conservation and are working to preserve local natural resources for generations to come." 

In April 2005 Governor Perdue signed into law the Georgia Land Conservation Act, an initiative to encourage the long-term conservation and protection of Georgia's natural, cultural and historic resources.  The legislation established an initial trust fund and a revolving loan fund of $100 million in state, federal and private funding, available to local governments and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the purchase of conservation lands and conservation easements.  Thus far the program has endorsed 28 projects totaling over 36,000 acres.  The Governor's FY07 budget included an additional $5 million for grants to local government land conservation projects and the Governor has proposed an additional $50 million in the supplemental FY 07 budget for projects of statewide significance. 

All land conservation grant and loan applications are reviewed collaboratively by officials from three state agencies: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), and The State Properties Commission (SPC).  According to Georgia statute, conservation lands are permanently protected lands that are undeveloped and meet one or more of the goals of the Land Conservation Act.  These goals include water quality protection, flood protection, wetlands protection, reduction of erosion, protection of riparian buffers and areas that provide natural habitat and corridors for native plant and animal species, protection of prime agricultural and forestry lands, protection of cultural and historic sites, scenic protection, recreation including boating, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting and the connection of areas contributing to these goals.

Applications for land conservation grants or loans are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.  Applications can be found at www.glcp.org.