Resources to protect Georgia’s Remaining Green Spaces Threatened by Congressman Broun

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Environment Georgia

Yesterday, Congressman Broun (Athens) offered an amendment to the House Interior Appropriations bill that would have eliminated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, threatening Georgia’s most scenic  trails and green spaces.

 “We are extremely disappointed that Congressman Broun would propose an amendment so damaging to Georgia’s treasured natural places and the people who depend on them,” said Jennette Gayer, Advocate with Environment Georgia. “Without the resources in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, private land along or just beyond treasures like the Appalachian or Benton MacKaye trails could easily be lost to development, which would threaten the beautiful views and pristine streams that we all enjoy.”

Fortunately, the Broun amendment was voted down in the House of Representatives last night. But Environment Georgia warned that the bill moving through congress still rolls back critical environmental protections and slashes funding that goes toward protecting Georgia’s forests, trails and green spaces. Several proposed projects in Georgia, including the Chattahoochee Recreation Area and the  Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, are in need of additional funding to protect land that might otherwise be lost to development.

Georgians are speaking up about their natural treasures. Environment Georgia just delivered over 2700 petitions to Senator Johnny Isakson asking for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, following a successful summer of petition gathering and public outreach.

“Senators Isakson and Chambliss are in a great position to make sure our treasured natural spaces are protected,” Gayer added. “Environment Georgia urges them to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund – and fight to put those dollars to work protecting Georgia’s remaining green spaces.”

 

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