ATLANTA – State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah), chairman of the House Human Relations & Aging Committee, today announced a major conservation success to preserve Green Island, which is a 450-acre island located along the south Chatham County coastline and owned by Savannah’s Lewis family. Two years ago, Rep. Petrea began working to secure sustainable funding and a preservation plan for Green Island.
“I want to thank Mr. Curtis Lewis and his entire family for their desire to see this island protected permanently,” said Chairman Petrea. “As a native coastal Georgian, I cannot think of any better environmental success than to preserve more sensitive land along our beautiful coast for future generations.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 22, Rep. Petrea revealed that state has secured a $3 million grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act program for the Green Island Nature Reserve project. In addition to funds provided by Chatham County for green spaces, this state grant funding would help preserve and protect this coastal island. Involved parties will continue to work with the Lewis family to determine a plan to fully purchase the island. The Georgia coastline is one of the most protected coastlines in the country.
During the 2018 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238 to establish the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. In November 2018, the constitutional amendment for this program was approved by Georgia voters with 83 percent support. This grant program was launched in 2019 and provides a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails and protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation across the state.
A video of the press conference can be found here.
Representative Jesse Petrea represents the citizens of District 166, which includes portions of Bryan and Chatham counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as Chairman of the Human Relations & Aging Committee and as Secretary of the Game, Fish & Parks Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and the Health, Industry and Labor, Natural Resources & Environment and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.
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