HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLEANUP HAZARDOUS SOLID WASTE SITES
A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of
Augusta, Georgia, Expressing Support for Full
Funding of State and Local Efforts to Cleanup
Hazardous and Solid Waste Sites, Properly
Address Waste-related Activities, and Control
Erosion and Sedimentation; and Strongly Urging
That All Proceeds Generated through
Statutorily-Dedicated Fees for Critical State
and Local Environmental Initiatives Be
Appropriated Only to Those Uses for Which the
Funds Were Created.
WHEREAS, in order to protect public health and the environment and enhance the quality of
life for Georgians, state and local governments must properly control threats posed by hazardous and
solid waste sites and activities, and sources of erosion and sedimentation; and
WHEREAS, Augusta, GA believes that effective and efficient cleanup of hazardous and solid
waste sites and control of erosion and sedimentation relies on a cooperative approach between the
state and local governments, utilizing established tools and funds designed for these purposes; and
WHEREAS, success in protecting public health and our environment, as well as
improvements in the quality of life, are directly tied to adequate funding for cleanup of hazardous
waste and solid waste sites, mitigation of waste-related activities, and erosion and sedimentation
control programs; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of these duties, state law establishes dedicated
funding sources through fees and fines to assist in addressing hazardous and solid waste sites, waste-
related activities, and erosion and sedimentation control; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly has substantially redirected these fees' proceeds
for other uses in recent years, rendering state and local efforts to cleanup hazardous and solid waste
sites, address waste-related activities, and control erosion and sedimentation significantly
understaffed and unsatisfactorily funded; and
WHEREAS, the redirection of fee proceeds collected specifically for management ofthese
critical environmental programs negatively impacts Georgia's communities, public health, and
environment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Augusta Commission as follows:
SECTION 1. The members of the Augusta Commissioner steadfastly support the full
utilization of all dedicated environmental revenues for state and local efforts to cleanup hazardous
and solid waste sites, properly address waste-related activities, and control erosion and
sedimentation.
SECTION 2. The members ofthe Augusta Commission, on behalf of the citizens of Augusta,
GA, strongly urge the Governor to recommend a budget that appropriates all proceeds generated
through statutorily-dedicated fees for these critical environmental initiatives only to those uses for
which the funds were set aside, and that the General Assembly's appropriations reflect such
dedication.
SECTION 3. The members of the Augusta Commission urge that any future fees and funds
collected for specific environmental programs be directed only to those purposes for which they are
statutorily authorized.
SECTION 4. A copy of this resolution shall be provided to the Governor, each member of
the Georgia General Assembly representing any portion of Augusta, GA, and to the Association of
County Commissioners of Georgia.
This ~ day of c..fr1~
,2006.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
(W.~-~
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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E OF C ISSION
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