ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) and State Senator Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla), chairs of the House and Senate Natural Resources and Environment committees, recently participated in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Legislative Environmental Policy Academy. Chairmen Smith and Harper were joined by members of the respective committees to strengthen their understanding of key environmental issues facing West Georgia.
“Promoting environmental quality requires long-term planning and thoughtful engagement with the community, technical experts and a variety of stakeholders,” said Rep. Smith. “Educating ourselves regularly helps us make better decisions about managing our natural resources.”
“Every region in Georgia has a unique environment that provides opportunities and challenges,” said Sen. Harper. “We do our jobs better when we learn firsthand how our land and forest managers, private citizens and communities work together.”
The Legislative Environmental Policy Academy provides members of the Georgia General Assembly with relevant information about current and developing environmental issues that affect people in Georgia. Members of the House and Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committees receive personal instruction and make site visits to learn more about topics such as storm water management, land conservation, habitat and wildlife protection, prescribed fire, the importance of clean water to economic development, as well as sustainable transportation.
During the three-day meeting, committee members participated in various site visits and presentations across Troup County. The committees visited West Point Lake, Weiler Forestry Products and the city of LaGrange. Committee members learned how the Oakfuskee Conservation and Conference Center planned for Pyne Road Park in Troup County, which involved multiple partnerships and built upon decades of efforts to improve water quality and increase recreational opportunities at West Point Lake.
Committee members also toured The Ray, an 18-mile stretch of I-85 in Troup County that incorporates technological innovations designed to demonstrate highway safety and sustainability. Committee members learned about a right-of-way solar project involving Georgia Power and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). These House and Senate members also learned about a joint project involving GDOT, The Ray and Panasonic that tests data technology to promote connected vehicles, safety and reduce carbon emissions. At The Ray, committee members rode a Blue Bird electric school bus and discussed reducing fuel and maintenance costs while producing zero emissions using electric vehicles. Blue Bird buses are manufactured in Fort Valley, Georgia.
The importance of the Chattahoochee River was another important theme of the event. Hosted by Columbus Water Works, committee members visited a combined sewer vortex and toured the North Columbus Water Resources Center. Committee members also learned how the city of Columbus has worked since the 1990s to manage its combined sewer system and involved multiple partners from the public, private and philanthropic sectors. These efforts contributed to the development of the city’s RiverWalk, trail system and whitewater rafting course.
Committee members also visited Chattahoochee Fall Line Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Marion County, Georgia, which is a significant part of the Army Compatible Use Buffer and a conservation partnership involving several state and federal agencies and conservation groups. At this site visit, committee members also heard from the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Finally, committee members had the opportunity to participate in a site visit at Fort Benning to learn more about how the U.S. Army works with the state to ensure environmental compliance and land and species protection while promoting voluntary conservation efforts outside of the installation.
This 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. The theme of the event was the importance of public, private and philanthropic partnerships to develop and sustain conservation efforts.
*Editor’s Note: Photos from the Legislative Environmental Policy Academy’s three-day meeting are attached.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Special Committee on Election Integrity, Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Creative Arts & Entertainment 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 Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Appropriations Committee and Rules Committee.
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