2018 Georgia Code
Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources
Chapter 6A - Outdoor Stewardship
§ 12-6A-6. (Effective July 1, 2019) Grants; conditions of eligibility; loans
(a) From within the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, moneys shall be made available in each fiscal year for grants to any city, county, department, agency, or nongovernmental entity of this state having a project proposal which has been approved by the department. As a condition of eligibility for any such grant, a project proposal shall have as its primary purpose one of the following conservation objectives:
(1) To support state parks and trails. Funds disbursed for the purposes of this paragraph shall be used to aid in the improvement and maintenance of currently owned state parks and trails;
(2) To support local parks and trails of state and regional significance. Funds disbursed for purposes of this paragraph shall be grants to local governments to acquire and improve parks and trails within the jurisdiction and under the control of such local governments;
(3) To provide stewardship of conservation land. Funds disbursed for purposes of this paragraph shall be used for maintenance or restoration projects of the department to enhance public access, use, or safe enjoyment of permanently protected conservation land; or
(4) (A) To acquire critical areas for the provision or protection of clean water, wildlife, hunting, or fishing, for military installation buffering, or for natural resource-based outdoor recreation. Real property shall only be acquired pursuant to this chapter under the following circumstances:
(i) Where such property is, at the time of acquisition, being leased by the state as a wildlife management area;
(ii) Where such property adjoins state wildlife management areas, state parks, or would provide better public access to such areas;
(iii) Lands identified in any wildlife action plan developed by any agency of the state;
(iv) Riparian lands so as to protect any drinking water supply; or
(v) Lands surrounding any military base or military installation.
(B) Acquisitions of real property or any interests therein pursuant to this chapter shall not be made through condemnation.
(b) From within the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, moneys may also be made available in each fiscal year for loans to any city, county, or nongovernmental entity to defray the costs of conservation land or of conservation easements placed upon property that ensure its permanent protection as conservation land. Any such loan shall bear interest at a rate established by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.
(c) From within the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, moneys shall also be made available in each fiscal year for grants as authorized by Code Section 12-6A-12.
