The water plan and the stewardship act both notably call for significant outreach and extension to encourage the voluntary adoption of water conservation practices among water utilities, industry, farmers, and the general public to reduce water demand. Water stewardship act executive summary senate bill 370 sb 370, enacted in the 2010 session of the georgia general assembly and signed by governor perdue on june 1, is commonly referred to as the water stewardship act. The agricultural stewardship program works with farmers and local soil and water conservation districts to resolve water quality problems reported to the virginia department of agriculture and consumer services vdacs concerning nutrients, sediment and toxins from agricultural activities. Georgia water stewardship act water conservation and.
Georgia passes legislation requiring water submetering. The water stewardship act is intended to demonstrate georgia s deep commitment to the conservation of critical freshwater supplies. Reaffirms the imminent need to create a culture of water conservation in the state of georgia based on recommendations of water contingency task force and supported by details of the wcip. A bill to be entitled an act to amend title 12 of the official code of georgia annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, so as to repeal and reenact chapter 6a, relating to land conservation. Water use schedule below initially established in the water stewardship act of 2010. The georgia outdoor stewardship program became active on july 1, 2019, ushering in the inaugural 20192020 funding cycle. Georgia outdoor stewardship act georgia conservancy. The georgia outdoor stewardship act gosa coalition came together in 2010 for one simple purpose to secure a vibrant and healthy future for our state one that balances the needs of our environment and our economy. Columbus public library, macon road from 2pm 4pm georgia water stewardship act.
Our state currently lacks a dedicated funding mechanism for the conservation for priority lands, the stewardship of state parks and. Georgia has been at the forefront of statewide water conservation and. Many of the proposals in the georgia water stewardship act of 2010 are based on recommendations from the governors. The 2010 georgia water stewardship act uga cooperative. The proposed act was introduced as bills in both the house and the senate. Level 1 drought response across 103 georgia counties including bartow county and. In february, during the 2017 legislative session, the georgia house of representatives introduced the georgia outdoor stewardship act gosa in the form of house bill 332 and the accompanying house resolution 238. Stepping up water loss control lessons from the state of georgia.
The state legislature enacted the georgia water stewardship act gwsa of 2010 sb 370hb 1094 with the intention of creating a culture of water conservation and efficiency in the state of georgia. The state of water and agriculture in georgia a report by the georgia water coalition november, 2017 click here to download a pdf of the report or scroll through the pdf below. Columbus, georgia 31901 customer service 706 6493410 general information 706 6493400 automated account information 706 6493311 visit our website at. Representatives burns of the 159 th, watson of the 172 nd, smith of the 70 th, gaines of the 117th, rhodes of the 120th, and others a bill to be entitled an act 1 to amend chapter 6a of title 12 of the official code of georgia annotated, relating to. For customers of the macon water authority, their outdoor water use also benefits from proper longterm planning by the mwa board members and staff, who continue. House bill 1094 was introduced by representative lynn. In june of 2010, the georgia water stewardship act the act was signed into law in an effort to create a culture of water conservation throughout the state of georgia. This law contained several proactive steps to promote responsible water use throughout the state. The law included establishing our current outdoor water use schedule, which allows outdoor watering anytime between the hours of 4. The legislation proposes that 75% of the existing sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment be dedicated to the protection of the states water, wildlife and quality of life. The 2004 comprehensive statewide water management planning act mandated the development of a statewide water plan that supports a farreaching vision for water resource management. Georgia outdoor stewardship coalition georgia wildlife. Lastly, georgias epd has issued rules pursuant to the water stewardship act of 2010. As a result of the georgia water stewardship act becoming effective on june 2, 2010, mwa customers have been able to enjoy daily watering of their landscapes.
The georgia outdoor stewardship act became effective july 1, 2019. Stepping up water loss control lessons from the state of georgia stepping up water loss control. Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the states. It allows daily outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 p. Georgia s future relies on the sustainable management and protection of the states limited water supplies. In april 2010 georgia passed the georgia water stewardship act. Posts about georgia water stewardship act written by pottygirl. This act is a multifaceted approach to water conservation and it requires specific action by water providers serving 3,300 or. Georgia water stewardship act how is georgia water. Many of the proposals in the georgia water stewardship act of 2010 are based on recommendations from the governors water contingency task force, which met in the fall and winter and featured more than 80 business, government and environmental leaders from around georgia.
March 2, 2017 the natural resources committee of the georgia house of representatives unanimously approved house bill 332, the georgia outdoor stewardship act, earlier today. Georgias water loss manual was modeled off of awwa. This publication provides an overview of the water stewardship act s major provisions affecting georgia farmers and their use of the states most precious resource. This publication provides an overview of the provisions and obligations for local governments, public systems and state agencies. An act 1 to enact and revise provisions of law relating to water supply and water conservation. Thanks to the water stewardship act of 2010, which appears headed to perdues desk in the next few weeks, georgia s citizens now have a plan in place to reach that longterm solution and the.
Representatives watson of the 172 nd, burns of the 159 th, nimmer of the 178 th, smith of the 70th, frye of the 118th, and others a bill to be entitled an act 1 to amend title 12 of the official code of georgia annotated, relating to conservation and. Based on recommendations from the 2009 governors water contingency task force, the legislation begins a process for developing new fresh water supply sources while also reaffirming the imminent need to create a culture of water. Water stewardship act of 2010 wsa was enacted by 2010 general assembly. Stepping up water loss control lessons from the state of. This act is a multifaceted approach to water conservation and it requires specific action by water providers serving 3,300 or more in population. The new subsection establishes three 3 categories of farm use surface water withdrawal permits. The water stewardship act adds a new subsection to section 12531 of the ga code. The georgia water stewardship act view of chattahoochee river from the riverwalk in bibb city on june 2, 2010, the georgia water stewardship act went into effect. Land and water conservation fund state assistance program manual the state bears primary responsibility for the administration and success of each grant, including performance by third parties under subagreements made by the state for accomplishing nonconstruction and construction project objectives. The idea of the act is a comprehensive proposal that will encourage water conservation, reduce wasteful usage and incentivize innovation in both increasing water supply and lessening demand.
General assembly enacted the georgia water stewardship act during the 2010 legislative session. This newly founded grant program will provide 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 of georgia. Senators tolleson of the 20th, bulloch of the 11th, cowsert of the 46th, hooks of the 14th, weber of the 40th and others as passed a bill to be entitled an act 1 to enact and revise provisions of law relating to water supply and water conservation. The georgia water stewardship act went into effect statewide on june 2, 2010. In june of 2010, the georgia water stewardship act the. To enact and revise provisions of law relating to water supply and water conservation. This publication provides an overview of the major provisions affecting georgia farmers and their use of the states most precious resource. Georgia outdoor stewardship program gosp educational workshop. Middle ocmulgee regional water plan, at 25 and fig. During the 2018 general election, gosa georgia outdoor stewardship act was passed by voters with 83% voter approval. If you are an entitled government entity pursuant the georgia administrative procedures act, o. Water stewardship act of 2010 water conservation and. The proposed act not only encourages water conservation, but also reduces wasteful loss and incentivizes innovation in increasing water supply. The georgia outdoor stewardship act dedicates 40% of existing sales and use taxes on outdoor sporting goods to fund stewardship projects for existing state and local parks, acquire and develop new state and local parks, and acquire and protect new lands critical to the protection of our wildlife and clean water.
Two key provisions of the water stewardship act affect georgia farmers use of surface and. Georgia water system audits and water loss control manual. The georgia w ater stewardship act of 2010 requires builders to. Outdoor stewardship act would set aside millions for. In june 2010, the georgia water stewardship act was signed into law. Water conservation welcome to bartow county, georgia. To enable georgia to proceed in a culture of conservation designed to address longterm water needs of its citizens, both present and future, and to provide the framework for the conservation, capture and control, as well as current and future supply, of this precious resource so.
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