Action Alert: Our Sportsman Governor: Creating a Culture of Conservation

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Our Sportsman Governor: Creating a Culture of Conservation You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom. Let’s thank our Representatives and Senators for passing the Governor's water conservation bills while we encourage Governor Perdue to sign this landmark legislation into law. Your support will promote a culture of conservation for all of Georgia. After years of drought, interstate disputes over water and federal action potentially limiting the use of Lake Lanier, Governor Perdue called on a host of stakeholders to make contingency plans for the use of water in Georgia. His goal…to create a culture of conservation as it relates to how we use water throughout Georgia. The Georgia Water Coalition provided extensive input to the Governor's Water Contingency Task Force to support and encourage passage of legislation urging true water conservation measures to be implemented for all of Georgia. On August 25, 2009, Governor Perdue invited more than thirty representatives from the 175 member groups of the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC), including the GWF Camo Coalition staff and other sportsmen representatives, to his conference room in the State Capitol. That day he listened to these water resources professionals who provided a four part plan developed specifically to address water conservation goals sought by the GWC in previous years. Not only did he listen, he acted on his desire to help create a culture of conservation through the legislative process. To that end, HB 1094 and SB 370 were introduced on his behalf by the Senate and House Natural Resources Chairs, Senator Ross Tolleson and Representative Lynn Smith. The bills became known as the "Water Stewardship Act of 2010.” Both bills quickly passed committee and on March 18, 2010, the House passed Senate Bill 370 to bring true water conservation one step closer to being law. It only needs the Governor’s signature to become law. The GWC four part plan contained many water conservation and management options that would be the least cost scenario to the tax payers of Georgia while being the most expeditious to implement. Some of the GWC goals and priorities were included in the Governor’s initiative including: • Permanent outdoor watering schedule restricting watering between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. • Requires new construction after July 1, 2010 to install high-efficiency plumbing fixtures. • Requires high-efficiency cooling systems for new construction after July 1, 2012. • Requires public water systems to conduct water audits and implement water loss detection programs according to standards set by the International Water Association. • Requires the installation of sub-meters on all multi-tenant residential, commercial and industrial buildings beginning July 1, 2012. This measure will assure customers will be billed according to their individual water use. • Encourages state agencies to consider water conservation practices and incentives. Let’s thank our Representatives and Senators for passing these bills while we encourage Governor Perdue to sign this landmark legislation into law thereby creating the beginning of his culture of conservation for all of Georgia. Your message will be sent to each of the following targets: Governor Your State Representative Your State Senator A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending. Thank You For Your Work In Conservation Dear Governor, As a Georgia sportsman living in your district I want to thank you and the General Assembly for passing legislation supported by Governor Perdue known as the Water Stewardship Act of 2010. With the passage of SB 370 in the House of Representatives, Georgia will be put on the path to creating a culture of water conservation. By copy of this email, I will be encouraging Governor Perdue to sign this bill into law. Thank you for your public service and commitment to conserving one of Georgia’s most precious public natural resources….WATER! Sincerely, Your name and address here This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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