ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) and State Senator Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla), along with members of the House and Senate Natural Resources and Environment committees, participated in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Legislative Environmental Policy Academy to strengthen their understanding of key environmental issues facing Georgia’s coast. Members of the committees participated in a four-day meeting, which included various site visits and presentations.
“Understanding issues, such as how saltwater intrusion affects coastal water resources, requires continual engagement with experts and resource managers,” said Rep. Smith. “We must educate ourselves regularly as we manage and monitor our water resources.”
“Connecting natural resource management to community values and economic development makes Georgia stronger,” said Sen. Harper. “Land conservation efforts, such as the Altama Wildlife Management Area, can protect habitat while also providing outdoor recreational opportunities that bring hunters, anglers, hikers and birdwatchers to our more rural areas.”
The Academy provided members of the Georgia General Assembly with relevant information about current and developing environmental issues that affect people in Georgia. During the program, the committee members received personal instruction and made site visits to learn more about topics, such as living shorelines, flood protection, land conservation and oyster aquaculture.
The committee members visited the Altama Wildlife Management Area, Jekyll Island, Little Saint Simons Island and Sea Island, where they discussed land conservation, living shorelines, shore protection and coastal resilience efforts led by local governments and the Coastal Resources Division. The committee members also visited Sapelo Sea Farms, where they visited a clam aquaculture lease and discussed oyster aquaculture, as well as the University of Georgia’s Marine Institute at Sapelo, where they learned about resilience measures implemented to protect the institute from hurricanes and flooding. They also received briefings on the capsized vessel, the Golden Ray, in St. Simons Sound.
The Academy is led by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and is supported by the generosity of the Dobbs Foundation. The curriculum helps citizen legislators make informed decisions about complicated environmental issues.
*Editor’s note: Photos of Rep. Smith and Sen. Harper participating in the program are attached.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment and Rules committees.
Senator Tyler Harper represents the citizens of District 7, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Coffee, Irwin, Pierce and Ware counties and portions of Charlton and Wilcox counties. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee and Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Committee and Rules Committee.
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