Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia Department 305 - GEORGIA LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL
🟢 Department 305 – Georgia Land Conservation Council
Chapter 305-1: Georgia Land Conservation Program Rules
🔹 Purpose and Background (Rule 305-1-.01)
The Georgia Land Conservation Council was established to protect and preserve Georgia's natural resources, including:
Forests
Rivers and streams
Wetlands
Agricultural lands
Scenic and historical areas
The purpose is to maintain the ecological, cultural, and recreational value of these lands for current and future generations, while supporting sustainable development.
🔹 Program Name (Rule 305-1-.02)
The official name of the initiative is the Georgia Land Conservation Program.
🔹 Legal Authority (Rule 305-1-.03)
The program is authorized under Georgia state law—specifically the Georgia Land Conservation Act, which provides the legal framework for acquiring and protecting land for conservation purposes.
🔹 Program Scope and Goals (Rule 305-1-.04)
The program aims to:
Permanently protect land and water in their natural or near-natural states.
Encourage the conservation of:
Drinking water sources
Riparian buffers (vegetated areas along waterways)
Wetlands and floodplains
Agricultural and forest land
Historic and scenic areas
Recreational and trail corridors
Promote collaboration among government entities, nonprofits, and private partners.
Use strategic conservation planning tools, including geographic information systems (GIS), to prioritize projects.
🔹 Eligibility and Application (Rule 305-1-.05 and .06)
Eligible Applicants:
Cities and counties
State agencies
Conservation commissions and authorities
Nonprofit organizations
These groups can apply for grants or loans to fund land conservation projects.
Eligible Activities:
Purchasing land outright for conservation
Acquiring conservation easements (legal agreements that restrict development while allowing land to remain privately owned)
Supporting planning and transaction costs
🔹 Funding Sources
The program uses two primary funds:
Georgia Land Conservation Trust Fund
Provides grants for approved conservation projects.
Typically requires matching funds from applicants.
Georgia Land Conservation Revolving Loan Fund
Offers low-interest loans to acquire conservation property.
Helps local governments and nonprofits make land acquisitions that they can later convert into grants or other funding.
🔹 Roles of Oversight Agencies
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA):
Reviews financial and technical aspects of applications.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
Provides technical support and ensures conservation standards are met.
Georgia Land Conservation Council:
Final authority on approving or denying funding applications.
🔹 Conservation Criteria (Rule 305-1-.07)
Projects must meet minimum standards, including:
Permanent Protection:
Land must be legally protected in perpetuity through deed restrictions or easements.
Public Benefit:
Must provide ecological, recreational, or cultural value to the public.
Local and Regional Alignment:
Projects should complement local land-use plans, zoning laws, or regional conservation strategies.
Connectivity:
Preference is given to projects that connect to existing protected lands to form larger conservation corridors.
🔹 Program Oversight and Mapping
The state maintains a GIS-based map of all lands protected under the program.
All acquisitions must be reported and recorded with the state for transparency and long-term tracking.
✅ Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Georgia Land Conservation Program |
| Purpose | Permanent protection of natural, cultural, and recreational land |
| Eligible Applicants | Local governments, state agencies, nonprofit organizations |
| Funding Types | Grants (Trust Fund) and Loans (Revolving Loan Fund) |
| Key Criteria | Permanent conservation, public benefit, legal compliance |
| Oversight Bodies | GEFA (financial review), DNR (technical support), Land Conservation Council |
| Legal Protection | Land must be conserved in perpetuity with legal safeguards |
| Project Focus Areas | Water resources, forests, farmland, historic sites, trails, and more |
🔚 Conclusion
The Georgia Land Conservation Council, through its rules in Department 305, plays a vital role in preserving Georgia’s environmental and cultural assets. By providing funding, oversight, and legal protection mechanisms, it ensures that land conservation efforts are strategic, permanent, and aligned with public interests.
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