The first House bill to make it over to the Senate this session is being sponsored by Sen. Chip Pearson.  Pearson brought House Bill 98, the Governor’s Land Conservation Plan, before the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Thursday. 

This bill broadens and replaces the Community Greenspace Program.  The intent is to provide funding and an administrative framework that promotes partnerships between local governments, the Department of Natural Resources, other state and federal agencies as well as private landowners for the conservation of the State’s valuable natural resources, while keeping land in private ownership whenever possible. 

It will allow private land owners to place their land in conservation and permanently protect it from development. 

The bill has seen an enormous amount of bi-partisan support and passed the Committee unanimously.  It will soon be before the full Senate for a vote, and is expected to receive overwhelming approval. 

“This is a great step in preserving our diverse ecosystems from our beautiful mountain forests up here in North Georgia to the dense swampland of South Georgia,” stated Pearson.   “Agriculture and development rights were something that I campaigned on.  I am very proud to be a part of this effort to preserve these lands for our children, grand-children and future generations to enjoy.”

The text of House Bill 98 may be viewed online at

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/sum/hb98.htm .