Congratulations, Lanier County, for getting a GOSP grant to enhance Banks Lake!

Lanier County
Improving Recreation & Water Quality; $1,491,057

Lanier County will construct a new campground and recreation facility that would serve the visitors to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This project features wildlife viewing platforms, new waterway access and kayak launch, disc golf course, walking trail, boardwalk, and green space. The proposed campground will be equipped with full utility hookups, sanitary sewer, and shower and laundry facility.

This project also includes invasive species removal at Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Lanier County new campground, and recreation facility, beside Banks Lake NWR, $1,491,057 from GOSP 2024-03-21

This was the only GOSP grant awarded in the Suwannee River Basin.

Lanier County applied in several previous years, and finally got the grant.

If I am not mistaken, this project will mostly be on county-owned land east of Banks Lake Boat Ramp, west of the Rivers Farm House.

Lanier County land on Banks Lake –Tax Assessors Map

WWALS paddles on Banks Lake every full moon.

Banks Lake Boat Ramp and Lanier County Land in the WWALS map of the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT)

DNR News Release, Atlanta, Thu, 03/21/2024 – 12:00, Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program to fund 12 conservation projects, totaling more than $46 million,

ATLANTA (March 21, 2024) — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the selection of the 2023-2024 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grants for conservation and outdoor recreation projects. Selected applicants will advance to the second-level application, marking the final level of the application process for their proposals. This funding cycle will allocate an impressive $20.6 million to support local parks and trails systems and state-owned lands. Notably, these grantees have pledged an additional estimated $26 million in matching funding.

Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and Chairman of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees, Walter Rabon, expressed the significance of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program stating, “By supporting projects aimed at the acquisition, development, and stewardship of local parks, trail systems, and conservation areas, we are not only protecting the natural heritage but also enhancing the recreational opportunities for our communities. This investment will ensure that Georgians can continue to enjoy and connect with the outdoors for generations to come.”

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program is Georgia’s first source of dedicated funding for the conservation of priority lands, the stewardship of state parks and wildlife management areas, and the support of local parks and trails. The competitive 2023-2024 grant cycle produced 34 submissions requesting a total of $63 million dollars in funding. Eligible applicants included local governments, recreation authorities, state agencies, and non-profit organizations. The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees reviewed all projects and selected a slate of proposals, which was subsequently approved by the Board of Natural Resources and the Appropriations Subcommittees of the State House of Representatives and State Senate over DNR.

Of the 12 selected projects, five were awarded to local governments and non-profit organizations for the acquisition, development or stewardship of local parks or trail systems. Three proposals center on the acquisition of conservation lands by DNR, while four are designated for stewardship projects on state lands. The full list of selected projects is below. For more information about the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and these grants, please visit www.gadnr.org/gosp.

2023-2024 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Selections

[…]

ABOUT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The mission of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to sustain, enhance, protect, and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources for present and future generations, while recognizing the importance of promoting the development of commerce and industry that utilize sound environmental practices. For more information, please visit www.gadnr.org.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (GOSA) was approved by the Georgia General Assembly in 2018 and later overwhelming approved by Georgia voters with 83% support. This is the state’s first dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails as well as protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia. Since the program’s establishment in 2019, GOSA has allocated over $97 million of funding to 50 conservation and outdoor recreation projects across Georgia. Grantees have committed more than $175 million to match these grant funds, for a total investment of almost $300 million.

For more information, contact

Taylor Brown Fisher, Chief of Grants – 404-463-8601 – Taylor.Brown@dnr.ga.gov

Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for spotting this award.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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