27 February 2002

Mr. G. Robert Kerr, Director
Pollution Prevention Assistance Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Suite 450
7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334-9004

Dear Mr. Kerr:

The Georgia Urban Agriculture Coalition (GUAC) is pleased to provide a response to the proposed State Drought Management Plan presented as a draft on 3 January 2002.  We also are pleased that this proposed plan incorporates input from the Coalition and includes the GUAC in the development of specific state actions and responses.

The GUAC is an organization of urban agricultural associations in Georgia.  Representatives from 16 associations along with The University of Georgia and the Department of Agriculture focus resources and talents on challenges and opportunities that confront all of the state’s urban agribusiness sectors.

One such challenge/opportunity is the water crisis that Georgians are facing with the state’s growing population and our demand for water.  The crisis has been exacerbated by the 4-year drought we are experiencing.

The GUAC responded with the formation of a Water Task Force in August 2000.  This Task Force is proactively addressing a multitude of water issues in concert with several entities and agencies including the Environmental Protection Division, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Joint House/Senate Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee, and the newly-forming water policy centers across the state.  The Task Force is chaired by Andy Hull with members Ken Morrow, Jerry Lee, and Brendan Smith.  Ken Hendry, Matt Hoydar, Wade Thomas, Karen White, and many others have assisted with various aspects of the ongoing multi-faceted approach.

Urban agriculture in Georgia is BIG business!  In fact, a recent survey estimates that urban agricultural enterprises contribute $5.67 billion each year to the state’s economy!  The professional landscape industry employs more than 42,000 Georgians and contributes $3.4 billion of this yearly revenue.  Golf courses (now 436) in the state employ almost 15,000 full-time and earn an estimated $1.2 billion each year.  The estimated annual farm gate revenue of producers is $60 million for turf grass, $139 million for plant nurseries, and $152 million for greenhouse operations.  The almost 1500 retail garden centers in Georgia earn $350 million annually.  The value-added economic benefits from urban agriculture may be as large as these direct expenditures.  These include enhancement of property values, tourism, and economic diversification.

The benefits of urban agriculture in Georgia extend well beyond revenues and the state’s economy.  As reported in the Journal of Environmental Quality, properly installed and managed turf grasses, landscape plants, and trees stabilize topsoil, reduce soil erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, reduce surface water runoff, improve surface water quality, increase organic chemical decomposition, improve and restore soil structure, dissipate solar heat, dissipate dust and allergens, produce oxygen, and reduce noise pollution.  Urban agriculture professionals are truly environmentalists who work in concert with Nature.

The GUAC Water Task Force and Coalition members have reviewed the draft of the proposed State Drought Management Plan and offer the enclosed response for your consideration in developing your final report.  Coalition members and the urban agricultural professionals in this state look forward to working with you on several aspects of this plan, including the development of a professional certification program as outlined in the document. If we can provide any additional information or clarify any points in this response, please contact me at the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture (telephone 770-233-6107;email wgardne@griffin.peachnet.edu). 

Sincerely,

Wayne A. Gardner
Coordinator