Governor Perdue Orders Creation of Coastal Management Plan

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue has issued an executive order directing the implementation of a Comprehensive Master Development Plan for the Coastal Georgia region. The plan will guide the future development of Georgia’s coast, while addressing the needs for environmental stewardship and the development of tourism and business assets.

“Our coastal areas are vital to Georgia’s future, not only for the economic activity they stimulate, but for the quality of life they offer our citizens and the heritage they hold for visitors and our children,” said Governor Perdue. “This plan will identify ways to resolve the often conflicting interests that have a stake in Georgia’s coastal resources. This plan will enable stakeholders in Georgia’s coast to find ways to complement each other.”

The Comprehensive Master Development Plan will outline guidelines for sustaining economic development without compromising the quality of life enjoyed by residents and the natural appeal that attracts coastal visitors. It will broaden the scope of the current plan, which was prepared by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and allow expanded input from a variety of stakeholders on issues such as housing, transportation and development that are facing Georgia's coast. The plan will also allow for the integration of existing management plans for coastal-area entities such as Jekyll Island, the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center and other governmental bodies. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is charged with developing the new plan by October 2007.