Georgia County Government - January 2009 - (Page 28)

ROBERT FARRIS continued from page 27 signing an agreement designed to conserve wildlife and natural habitats while promoting sustainable development. Another GFC entity that routinely reaches to partners for joint solutions is the Sustainable Community Forest Program. The SCFP is solely dedicated to meeting the challenges of urbanization by developing effective “forestry solutions.” It is currently utilizing the fi rst installment of a $103,700 U.S. Forest Service grant by launching initiatives that bring local, regional, and state conservationists to the table on growth planning issues. Comprehensive plans will be sought that address growth management and resource conservation across geographical and jurisdictional boundaries. The grant, which specifically targets the coastal region of Georgia, is expected to aid in the prioritization and mapping of significant landscapes, green space and transportation corridors. It may also illuminate landscapes at risk of catastrophic wildfi res and enable the development of effective Community Wildfi re Protection Plans and the incorporation of Firewise practices at the community level. Fire is a subject about which Farris is passionate – and it’s an element that publicly placed him on the radar of citizens across Georgia. Farris was at the helm as interim director during the South Georgia wildfires in the spring of 2007. The blazes left behind some $60 million in damages on well over a half-million acres, along with some important revelations. “We saw fire behave in some incredible ways,” said Farris. “We learned a lot about tactics to take during these kinds of events, and the resources necessary to bring them under control. I was extremely proud of our GFC Professionals and the colleagues that came in from across the country to help.” One of the lessons left behind concerns the value of prescribed fire. GFC Professionals say fewer acres might have been impacted, had prescribed fire been routinely used in the area. “Prescribed fire is a critical forest management tool,” said Farris, “and I believe more people understand that in the wake of the south Georgia fires. In fact, I want to extend kudos to the county commissioners and the ACCG for signing off on the Prescribed Fire Resolution that’s been accepted by 157 of 159 Georgia counties. That’s huge.” The resolution recognizes prescribed fire as a proactive measure that applies a natural process, ensures ecosystem health, and reduces wildfire risk. Farris said that fire is of great concern in the interface, the rapidly expanding area where urbanization is spreading into previously uninhabited wildlands. A GFC goal is to help establish at least one Firewise Community in each Georgia county. The Firewise program provides information about ways neighborhoods can build homes and plan landscapes to help mitigate losses to fire. It also fosters relationships with local emergency responders and provides a variety of proactive firefighting methods. Another GFC initiative being launched is the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The GFC will work with county partners to map action plans designed to reduce the incidence and Aviation Services Design-Build-Operate Drinking Water Facilities & Geotechnical Engineering Information Management Program Management Wastewater Water Resources 5 A www.cdm.com Atlanta, Georgia 404 720-1400 407321_Camp.indd 1 ® ® 4 11/16/08 10:50:52 AM Valdosta, Georgia 229 259-9501 28 GEORGIA COUNTY 367912_StreetSmarts.indd 1 GOVERNMENT 358640_GBT.indd 1 11/19/08 3:15:40 PM 11/25/08 8:22:20 AM http://www.cdm.com http://www.streetsmarts.us http://www.gbtengineers.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - January 2009

Georgia County Government - January 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters Forward-Thinking Bulloch County Leaders Put Progress on the Front Burner Robert Farris: Champion for Georgia’s Forests ACCG, BCBS of Georgia Work Together to Improve County Employee Health Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: McIntosh County Extension News: Cooperative Extension Generates ROI Research Corner: How Does Your County Rate? County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - January 2009

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