Action Alert: Houston County Sportsmen Must Speak Out To Save Oaky Woods From Development

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Houston County Sportsmen Must Speak Out To Save Oaky Woods From Development You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom. This Camo alert is to strongly encourage the Houston County Commissioners to oppose a request for a sewage plant to serve the proposed development and to investigate a taxpayer supported bond issue for the purchase of Oaky Woods WMA. Located in Houston County, the 17,700 Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area has been a popular area for sportsmen since the late 1960s. Oaky Woods contains the third largest population of black bear in the state and abounds with other wildlife such as deer, turkey, wild hogs and small game. Oaky Woods is along the Ocmulgee River and parts of Big and Little Grocery Creek and Big Indian Creek pass through it. It also borders Beaver Creek, conserving natural resources associated with these botanically rich waters where steep topography exists. Thousands of visitors come each year to hunt, fish, hike, mountain bike and observe nature, which has a positive quality of life impact on local citizens and a positive financial impact on the local economy. Several years ago the Weyerhaeuser Company put all their Georgia properties on the market, including Oaky Woods, which was leased and managed by the state Department of Natural Resources. The State failed to act to purchase Oaky Woods and it was bought by private developers who want to build a large lake on Big Grocery Creek along with thousands of homes in the area. In the past the state considered a public fishing area on big Grocery creek, but the idea was quickly dismissed because the area was considered too ecologically diverse, too valuable as a natural habitat and too critical to the Central Georgia black bear population. If Oaky Woods is developed the loss of this important habitat may very well threaten the continued existence of the Central Georgia black bear population and many of you will also lose forever your favorite place to hunt and enjoy nature. Although time appears to be running out on Oaky Woods, there is a opportunity to conserve this critical wildlife habitat and green space for future generations if a coalition of local, state, federal and private funding sources can be brought together to purchase the property. Citizens in Paulding County recently passed a bond issue to raise funds for Paulding Forest WMA which will be combined with state, federal and private funds to purchase the land in their County. The same action needs to occur in Houston County so that Oaky Woods WMA can be preserved for future generations! This Camo alert is to strongly encourage the Houston County Commissioners to oppose a request for a sewage plant to serve the proposed development and to investigate a taxpayer supported bond issue for the purchase of Oaky Woods WMA. In addition to acting on this camo alert, if you wish to participate in this effort, please contact local Camo Coalition member John Trussell at 478-953-9320. Your message will be sent to each of the following targets: Dianne Sweat Ned Sanders A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending. Protect Oaky Woods WMA Dear Chairman Sanders and Houston County Commissioners As you are aware, the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area in Houston County has been purchased by private developers and is in imminent danger of being developed unless the county, state, federal and private groups team up with a joint funding plan to purchase the property. As a resident of Houston County, I would strongly support the commissioners action to allow our citizens to vote on a bond issue to raise a portion of the funds for the purchase of Oaky Woods WMA, similar to the bond issue that was recently passed in Paulding County with a resounding 71% "yes" vote. Oaky Woods is a unique property and a popular place where citizens can hunt, fish, camp, walk, hike, bird watch or observe nature. Green space lands are being lost across Georgia at an alarming rate and this issue is very important to me as a citizen and voter. It has been stated that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it is really a once in forever opportunity, since this WMA will cease to exist if no action is taken and the WMA will be lost to all future generations. Oaky Woods WMA is home to a multitude of wildlife, including bald eagles, wild turkey, whitetail deer, and a very diverse bird population. Of major concern is the WMA's black bear population, estimated at 300 animals. This population is isolated in middle Georgia and the loss of habitat by developing this property will likely be the demise of this black bear population. It is also a very important area for our county residents to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities it provides. We can not allow this area to be lost. In the near future, the developers will be requesting a zoning variance to place a ground sewage application facility near Kovac Road and I am strongly opposed to this request as it will lead to the demise of Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area. Please do not approve this zoning request and take immediate action to study and implement funding options for the purchase of Oaky Woods WMA. Your name and address here This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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