Water
Scientific research suggests
that in order to protect water quality, all streams should be protected
by riparian buffers of at least 50 feet in width. Do you support
increasing minimum buffer widths (under the Georgia Erosion and
Sedimentation Act) from 25 feet to 50 feet?
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| Cowsert
(R) |
Kidd (D)
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| Cowsert
Yes. Other than taking effective actions to prevent pollutants from
storm water run-off from being dumped directly into our streams and
rivers, an effective buffer is the most effective method of protecting
the water quality of our streams and rivers. I believe that the arguments
raised by developers and home owners that a 50 ft. buffer may effectively
prevent development and home building in urban areas can be dealt
with by allowing variances under certain circumstances. Any such request
for a variance would have to take into account the topography of the
proposed building site, number of square feet of permeable surfaces,
and vegetation present since these factors contribute to the velocity
of any run-off which could invade the water supply. My suggestion
would be to allow variances only where the public could be assured
that there would be no negative impact on water quality. The best
natural barrier to water run-off and the best filter for pollutants
is appropriate vegetation. If a home owner or developer agrees to
plant appropriate vegetation, as suggested and approved by the EPD,
to ensure that run-off is not allowed to enter the waterway, a variance
could be granted. This seems to be an approach that could simultaneously
protect water quality without imposing onerous restrictions on property
rights. We should also encourage the use of conservation easements
for property adjacent to streams and rivers to limit development of
such property. |
Water quality
is of utmost importance to our health and well being. I would support
a two-zone buffer system depending on the level of existing development,
i.e. 25 ft. buffers for already highly developed urban areas and
75 ft. buffers for suburban and rural areas.
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Greenspace Protection
Do you favor establishing
a designated funding source for the preservation of greenspace?
If so, what kind of funding source do you propose?
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| Cowsert
(R) |
Kidd (D)
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| Yes.
I would suggest that we consider a nominal property transfer tax fee
which could be designated for the purchase of conservation easements
or greenspace. We could also dedicate at least a portion of funds
collected through enforcement activities of the EPD for this purpose.
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I would restore
funding of the Community Green Space Program initiated under
Governor Barnes, that provides state grants for communities to preserve
undeveloped lands. I would like to investigate additional ways to
fund the program and work to add increased tax credits and other
incentives for conservation easements and other green space preservation
initiatives.
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Pollution control
Fees collected through
the Scrap Tire Management Program, the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund
and the recently revised Erosion and Sedimentation Act have been
diverted to the state's general fund, rather than earmarked for
their intended purposes. Consequently, the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division lacks the funds to adequately administer some
of its environmental protection programs. Do you favor a constitutional
amendment requiring that funds raised through such pollution control
fees be earmarked for pollution control purposes?
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| Cowsert
(R) |
Kidd (D)
|
|
I would not oppose such an amendment, however, this could probably
be addressed through legislation requiring such fees to be kept separate
from the general fund in order to guarantee that they are used for
their intended purposes. In addition, we should allow the Georgia
EPD to retain all, or at least a significant portion, of funds raised
through pollution control fees or other enforcement activities of
the EPD. This would give the EPD an incentive to aggressively enforce
these laws and avoid the necessity of additional funding for the EPD
from the general fund for enforcement purposes. This is not to suggest
in any way that I would favor reducing appropriations to the EPD.
Rather, it would create additional funding for the EPD. |
Yes.
Fees collected through specific programs should not go in to the state's
general fund. Funds raised through pollution control fees should be
earmarked for pollution control purposes. We can't sacrifice our environment
during difficult economic times. The EPD must have the resources needed
to enforce our laws even during tight budget years. |
Transportation
Transportation decisions
made by GDOT and MACORTS that affect Athens-Clarke County are often
at odds with local values and with our Comprehensive Land Use Plan,
effectively undermining local land use decisions. What will you
do to help ACC have a stronger voice in the transportation decisions
that affect us?
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| Cowsert
(R) |
Kidd (D)
|
| The
current system does not give local governments or citizens adequate
voice in transportation decisions since they are largely made by the
DOT which is appointed by the legislature and then functions independently
of the legislature. The only way to change this scenario would be
to pass legislation requiring the DOT to follow priorities set forth
by the legislature. I would certainly favor this since citizens and
local governments would at least indirectly have more influence in
these matters by electing representatives to support their views. |
The
MACORTS committee should have proportional representation from each
city/county based on population. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan for
each city/county should be the guiding principle for any new
development recommended by MACORTS. |
Transit
ACC residents have expressed
a desire for more funding for transit. The Georgia Transit Association
has proposed changes to Georgia law that would improve funding for
transit, including a .25% sales tax for metropolitan transit authorities
outside of Atlanta; a state transportation infrastructure fee on
fuel purchases; and making state funds available for transit systems.
Do you support these initiatives?
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| Cowsert
(R) |
Kidd (D)
|
| I
am generally opposed to the imposition of any new taxes. I have no
problem with including a .25% sales tax for transportation funding
if it is a designated portion of local special option sales taxes.
A portion of our SPLOST receipts are currently allocated to transportation
infrastructure improvements, however, it might be a good idea to make
it a set percentage rather than random amounts recommended by the
SPLOST committee. We should also attempt to address our state transportation
infrastructure problems from a regional or statewide perspective rather
than on a county by county basis. Therefore, any such expenditures
should probably be coordinated with the DOT and MACORTS provided that
local government is able to ensure that they are in accordance with
local values. |
Yes. I support
an amendment to the state constitution that allows metropolitan
transit authorities outside of Atlanta to be able to collect revenues
to support local public transportation.
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Addendum:
I have a long
and extensive record of involvement in environmental advocacy groups.
During my six years as a city council member in Lavonia, GA, I served
on the state Georgia Clean and Beautiful Advisory Committee. As
Director of Development for six years at the State Botanical Garden
of Georgia, I was on the state board of Georgia EarthShare, a consortium
of environmental groups that advocate workplace giving for their
organizations. In that role, I was the Athens Clarke County representative
who helped solicit payroll deduction gifts from all state and federal
employees in Athens.
I've served
on the Board of Athens-Clarke Co. Clean and Beautiful Commission,
and I am a member of the Friends of the State Botanical Garden.
As campaign chairman of the SPLOST 2000 Committee, I worked to get
over 40 community improvement projects passed including 14 projects
directly related to park creation, greenway expansion and land acquisition,
storm water drainage, bicycle paths and other alternative transportation
improvements. I continue to serve on the SPLOST 2000 Advisory Committee
that monitors the projects and makes recommendations to the ACC
Commission. *
I am legislative
committee chair of Classic City Gardeners, a member of the Garden
Clubs of Georgia that continues to challenge the Ga. DOT and billboard
industry over billboard proliferation on our highways. My husband,
David and I are members of Georgia PIRG, the Broad River Watershed
Association, and David is currently chairman of the Athens-Clarke
Community Tree Council presently promoting a tree ordinance for
the county. He and I are also certified Master Tree Farmers.
I believe that
actions speak louder than words. My long history of interest and
advocacy for the environment are more than words on a slick piece
of paper. My work on behalf of our environment reflects my deep
respect and dedication to environmental quality.
* SPLOST 2000
projects that benefit our environment
- East Athens/Lay
Park Community Centers and Other Park Facility Renovations
- Environmental
Compliance and Remediation
Memorial Park Operations Center
- Bus Stops
Improvements (Shelters)
- Athens Multimodal
Transportation Center
- Bicycle
Transportation Improvements
- Storm Drainage
Improvement Program
- East Athens
Community Park (Phase 2)
- Southeast
Clarke Community Park (Phase 2)
- Greenway
Land Acquisition
- Winterville
Park
- Sandy Creek
Greenway / Buffer Expansion and Improvements
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