Georgia's River Care 2000 Program

Abstract

Georgia's 70,000 miles of rivers and streams face many challenges from the changes in land use which the state's rapid growth is bringing. In response, Governor Zell Miller in 1995 established the River Care 2000 Program, which is designed to improve the knowledge and management of Georgia's rivers. The program has three elements: an assessment of rivers, an evaluation of the current regulatory and non-regulatory tools for managing rivers, and a program of land acquisition which is currently funded at $15.6 million. Four groups of citizen advisors, totaling more than 100 people, are developing the program, which is being implemented by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.