G8 News Stories For the Week of April 19, 2004

Earth Day
Thursday, April 22
Tourism - Georgia Draws International Attention with
Tour de Georgia, G8

The second annual Dodge Tour de Georgia kicks off Tuesday, April 20, and runs through Sunday, April 25. The six-day professional biking stage race and spectator festival will travel across the state of Georgia bringing an elite group of the world's top professional cyclists, $20-30 million in economic impact, up to one million spectators, and a cancer prevention message to the host cities of Macon, Thomaston, Columbus, Carrollton, Rome, Dalton, Dahlonega, Athens, Hiawassee/Young Harris, Dawsonville and Alpharetta. Sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (international governing body) and USA Cycling (domestic governing body), the race will feature 120 professional cyclists from 15 international teams. 

The Dodge Tour de Georgia is America 's premier, professional cycling stage race, and series of community festivals. It will cover 653 miles/1,045 kilometers of scenic roads and byways across Georgia .  There will be seven stages held over six consecutive days with 59,000 feet (17,983 meters) of climbing throughout the week and 10 King of the Mountain climbs.  The Tour raises funds and proactively promotes the objectives of the Georgia Cancer Coalition, a public-private partnership dedicated to cancer research, education, prevention, early detection and treatment.

Contact: Kevin Langston (Georgia Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism)

(404) 651-8578 or klangston@georgia.org

Tourism - GDOT "Keeps Georgia Beautiful" for G8 Summit

With the G8 Summit less than two months away and "Keep Georgia Beautiful" Month currently underway, the Georgia Department of Transportation has stepped up its beautification efforts on Georgia 's coast.  In an effort to enhance the natural beauty of Georgia 's coastal region, the DOT has planted wildflowers along State Routes and Interstates that should be in full bloom during the G8 Summit.  The Department has also committed approximately $38,000 to Glynn County for continuing beautification efforts at the local level.  In addition, Georgia DOT has reduced the amount of litter on coastal Georgia 's state routes by picking up a total of 78,580 pounds of litter, or 11,159 bags in the last couple of months.  The concentrated litter pickup will continue in three week cycles from now until June on Interstate 95, SR 17 and other coastal area roadways, with approximately 60 employees assigned to litter pickup.  Mowing efforts have also been enhanced for this high profile event and Georgia DOT crews recently recoated barrier walls and performed brush and tree trimming along Interstate 95. 

Contact : Vicki Gavales (Georgia DOT Director of Communications)

(404) 463-6462 or vicki.gavalas@dot.state.ga.us

Environment - Environmental Leadership Helps Georgia Businesses Go Green - State Also Working With G8 Planners to Reduce Waste and Conserve Georgia's Natural Resources

For more than 10 years, Georgia businesses have been reducing waste and saving money thanks to help from the State of Georgia through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD).  P2AD was established in 1993 as a non-regulatory branch of DNR with the mission of reducing pollution at its source.  Since that time, P2AD has worked with a broad range of businesses and public-sector organizations to reduce both waste streams and operating costs.  More recently, the agency has been working with G8 planners to reduce waste in conjunction with the upcoming Sea Island Summit and to ensure that Georgia's natural resources, such as coastal dunes and marshlands are protected.

Contact: Suzanne Burnes (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

(404) 657-5686 or suzanne_burnes@dnr.state.ga.us

Environment - G8 Spotlights New Vision for Land-Use Planning in Coastal Georgia

Coastal Georgia was selected as the site for the upcoming G8 Summit in part because of its beautiful natural setting.  However, this region of Georgia has seen huge increases in population in the last two decades, making the protection the regions' natural resources challenging.  Smart Growth is growth that serves the community, the economy, and the environment. Whether you are a growing city, or building a new subdivision, Smart Growth balances activity with protection of the natural environment. While Smart Growth represents a new vision for land-use planning, more and more developers, planners, and citizens alike, are embracing this movement, and its practices can be seen in several communities throughout coastal Georgia. 

Contact: Lea King (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

(912) 264-7218 or lea_king@dnr.state.ga.us