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Governor to push green space program The Associated Press ATLANTA - After successfully pushing his transportation superagency through the Legislature last year, Gov. Roy Barnes is back again with another environmental proposal aimed at controlling explosive growth in Georgia counties.
This time the governor is focusing on the state's need for green space as the number of people, cars and businesses continues to grow. Barnes said Friday he will ask lawmakers this year to budget $30 million for grants to help local governments buy and preserve undeveloped land. While many details of the program are still uncertain, it will start out as a voluntary option for Georgia's most rapidly developing counties, said Joselyn Butler, Barnes' spokeswoman. Counties applying for the grants will have to submit a plan that conforms to state-mandated guidelines. While the grants could be spent to purchase land for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping or fishing, ballparks and other manmade recreational facilities would be off-limits, Butler said. Many local officials fear that such a plan, if it becomes mandatory, would deny local governments the right to manage development in their counties. "The bottom line is that counties have the constitutional mandate for home rule for being able to determine how growth is in their areas," said Chris DeVinney of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Barnes' green space plan comes after former Gov. Zell Miller's Preservation 2000 program, which brought at least 100,000 acres of the state's green space, a small amount compared to the statewide need, under protection. "I think this governor is going to be much more aggressive for the environment," said Rep. Charlie Smith, D-St. Marys, Barnes' House floor leader. Barnes plans to ask for the $30 million in his budget request for fiscal year 2001. In addition, Barnes has asked for $20 million to buy land along the Chattahoochee River corridor as part of his midyear budget adjustment for 2000. "It's a significant start on a much-needed state green space program," said Mark Woodall, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club of Georgia. Many details are still fuzzy. A committee formed by the governor to examine how the state could work with local governments to protect green space is recommending funding in part come from a new community green space fund, which would be supported by "annual appropriations from the General Assembly and any other available monies." The committee recommended requiring counties with large populations to participate, and making it voluntary for smaller counties. It's unclear how much of the committee's recommendations Barnes will incorporate into legislation. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia is waiting until legislation is drafted before announcing a position, DeVinney said. The ACCG has recommended making the green space program voluntary with financial incentives. Smith said he feels confident that the final legislation will make everyone happy. "I think when we see the final product, the environmentalists will be very pleased and I don't think the local governments will have a whole lot to complain about," he said. The governor's program could face opposition by Republicans, concerned about the possibility of new taxes and local government losing authority over land use. GOP lawmakers are pushing legislation that would create a land, water, wildlife and recreation heritage fund. In 1998, voters rejected the heritage fund, but Republicans are trying to revive the measure - this time without raising taxes to pay for it. Their proposal would dedicate about 80 percent on the annual property taxes that already go to the state into the program. Senate Republican Leader Eric Johnson speculated that Barnes' plan would pass "overwhelmingly," if it is funded "like we want it, with existing revenue and letting local government set policies." In Cherokee County, where residents voted out pro-growth commissioners after acres of land were gobbled up by development, Commissioner Ilona Sanders said she is concerned over the decaying power of local officials. "Personally, I believe those decisions are best left up to local governments. We're the closest to the people," she said. Al Crace, manager of Athens-Clarke County and a member of Barnes' green space committee, welcomes the idea. His county incorporated a plan to preserve 20 percent of undeveloped land into its comprehensive plan in 1998. "I think you're going to see some communities be able to do some interesting things that give them a personality and sense of place," he said. In addition to the debate over green space, some other issues regarding pollution, traffic and water quality may come up during the 2000 Georgia Legislature. The Department of Natural Resources has recommended that drivers in six additional counties - Bartow, Carroll, Hall, Newton, Spalding and Walton - submit to emissions tests already required in 13 counties around Atlanta. Rep. Len Walker, R-Loganville, opposes the emissions plan because he's not convinced it will help air quality. While automobile emissions have decreased dramatically over the years, the numbers of manufacturing plants, power plants and factories have continued to increase, he said. "We're all for clean air," Walker said. "We want clean air. We demand clean air. It's not a negotiable issue. We just want to be assured. If we're going to foot the bill on this thing, give us some assurance."
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