Georgia County Government - March 2008 - (Page 22)

Elements of the State’s Comprehensive Coastal Plan ryan County officials stress their allegiance to working within the overall framework of the state’s recently unveiled Coastal Comprehensive Plan, which the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) says “seeks to navigate a future that it is as bright as possible” for this special region. Indeed, all the county’s planning efforts are designed to dovetail with the Plan, which officials in Bryan agree is fundamental to the region’s success, particularly for its focus on preserving unique natural resources and bringing the six coastal counties into alignment with a common vision for the region. Fast-growing, but rich in history, culture and unique natural resources, Georgia’s coast requires, perhaps as no other region in the state, a balance among competing interests, particularly with regard to development. To achieve a unified vision for the region, DCA was charged by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2005 with the task of developing a Comprehensive Plan for Georgia’s six coastal counties: Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn and Camden. DCA’s Office of Planning and Quality Growth (OPQG) was the lead state entity in the effort, coordinating with other state departments and agencies, local governments, nonprofits and business leaders. Finished this past fall, the final document is found at www.georgiaplanning.com/coastal.htm, along with links to related sites. B The Coastal Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CCPAC), chaired by DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, advised OPQG during the Comprehensive Plan’s development. Composed of 35 members, including 31 from the six coastal counties, the committee represented government, business and environmental interests. The plan utilized as its foundation the Coastal Zone Management Plan, created in June 2003 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but is broader in scope and its conclusions. Because water is a primary and growing concern on the coast, work accomplished by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District was also consulted, as was the Coastal Sound Science Initiative. The Comprehensive Coastal Plan is designed to balance various interests appearing to compete, such as economic development versus the environment, new subdivisions versus affordable housing, and longtime residents versus an influx of newcomers. The plan strives for a holistic and regional approach to problems and to facilitate the working together of local governments, institutions and organizations that must cooperate on regional solutions to the larger challenges all coastal counties face. A major tenet of the plan is that neither local governments, nor institutions, can solve the challenges acting alone; coordination and cooperation are needed. 22 353863_Jordan.indd GOVERNMENT GEORGIA COUNTY 1 11/7/07 11:22:27 AM http://www.georgiaplanning.com/coastal.htm http://www.jjg.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - March 2008

Georgia County Government - March 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Guest Editorial: Our Future Depends On Statesmanship Bryan County in Step With State Coastal Plan Solid Waste Management in Georgia Hazardous Waste Management in Georgia Extension News: Georgians Growing Older, Fatter County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - March 2008

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