The Nature Conservancy Applauds President's Support for Conservation of North Georgia's Forest Lands in FY 2007 Budget

Atlanta—February 27, 2006—The Nature Conservancy in Georgia applauded President Bush's request to fund the conservation of north Georgia's forests with $1.5 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Fiscal Year 2007.

If approved, this funding will support the protection of approximately 540 acres of critical mountain forests, which will ultimately be added to the Chattahoochee National Forest for the enjoyment of all Georgians.

"This funding will help ensure that the vital north Georgia mountain forests, essential for wildlife and the health of our rivers and streams, will continue to be safeguarded," Tavia McCuean, director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "By working with private landowners and our federal and state partners, The Nature Conservancy is able to preserve north Georgia's natural heritage for generations to come."

Along with applauding the Bush administration for including funding for north Georgia in his budget, McCuean also commended Sen. Johnny Isakson, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Rep. Nathan Deal and Rep. Charlie Norwood for their longtime support of The Nature Conservancy's work in Georgia.

"We tremendously appreciate the Administration's request to fund conservation projects in north Georgia," said McCuean. "We will continue to work with the community and our partners to ensure that this funding remains in the budget as Congress works through the appropriations process.

About the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Established by Congress in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is one of the nation's most successful conservation programs. It is the principal source of federal funding for additions to national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and other public lands.

The LWCF has been responsible for protecting some of America's greatest national treasures, including the Great Sands Dunes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Everglades. The Bush Administration's LWCF budget request is part of the President's budget request for the Department of the Interior and US Forest Service.

The total Fiscal Year 2007 LWCF budget request totals $85 million, the lowest level in many years. As recently as Fiscal Year 2002, Congress appropriated $446 million to acquire important additions to National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges and Bureau of Land Management areas.

In late 2004, a $1 million federal appropriation was allocated to the Chattahoochee National Forest to fund land acquisition. The appropriation allowed The Nature Conservancy to work with the U.S Forest Service to purchase critical tracts of land located within north Georgia's Conasauga River and Etowah River watersheds, two of The Nature Conservancy's priority areas.

"We are hopeful that Congress will restore funds to LWCF, one of the federal government's most successful land protection programs," said Jimmie Powell, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy. "Numerous key additions to our country's heritage of protected areas will only be protected if Congress increases funding for this program."