ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), Chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, recently chaired the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Legislative Environmental Policy Academy from Dec. 2 – 4, 2016, at the University of Georgia in Athens.
“The Academy provided a tremendous opportunity for the Natural Resources and Environment Committee members to utilize UGA’s valuable resources and to grow in our understanding of issues that are likely to come before us during the 2017 legislative session,” said Chairman Smith. “The Academy was well attended by committee members, and the feedback was very positive. I look forward to continue working alongside my colleagues in the General Assembly to protect and strengthen our state’s environment and natural resources.”
Five years ago, Chairman Smith, in conjunction with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, organized the inaugural Legislative Environmental Policy Academy. Chairman Smith continues to work with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government annually to coordinate the event, and State Senator Frank Ginn (R- Danielsville) also assisted in planning this year’s program.
The House Natural Resources and Environment Committee has faithfully attended the Academy since its first year. This event, funded in part by the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation, provides legislators with up-to-date and impartial information on Georgia’s pressing environmental issues prior to the start of the legislative session. This year’s sessions covered several topics including the importance of protecting the gopher tortoise habitat, the conditions of Georgia’s dams, reports and observations on the progress of the regional water councils and new rules and regulations regarding the safe storage of coal ash.
For more information on the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Legislative Environmental Policy Academy, please click here.
*Editor’s Note: Photos of Chairman Smith attending the Legislative Environmental Policy Academy’s Infrastructure and the Environment session have been attached to this release for your convenience. Chairman Smith is pictured with State Representatives Chuck Williams (R-Watkinsville) and Buddy Harden (R-Cordele), as well as State Senator Frank Ginn (R- Danielsville).
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, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees.
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