O utdoor s

and appreciate their value. They may not realize, however, that WMAs serve a similar role in providing public access to the outdoors. An important concept to emphasize is that state conservation areas create significant public recreational opportunities that did not exist when the land was formerly in private ownership. Most state conservation areas are now accessible for popular activities such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, bike riding, hiking, and camping. Conserving these areas both protects the natural habitats within them and opens them up for area residents and visitors to enjoy.

A 2013 Georgia DNR study found that visitors to Georgia’s WMAs supported more than 3,700 jobs statewide, generating labor income of $118 million. WMAs contribute an estimated $206 million to the state’s GDP and generate $60 million in tax revenue across the state each year.3 That spending occurs locally in two ways: “near home” where the resident lives, and in the county where the WMA is located. The report concluded that, “on average, 71% of spending occurs near home in the county of residence and 29% occurs in the county where the WMA is located.”4 Relatively fewer economic impact studies focus on WMAs than on state parks. More research is needed in this area, especially given the uptick in visitation in recent years.

GEORGIA STATE PARK and WMA ASSETS in PROJECT STUDY AREA

The Chattahoochee Fall Line Wildlife Management Area

Florence Marina State Park

Providence Canyon State Park

Change to: Hannahatchee Creek Wildlife Management Area

Sandhills Wildlife Management Area

Big Lazer Creek Wildlife Management Area

Sprewell Bluff Wildlife Management Area

Uchee Creek Confluence

Marion and Talbot Counties

Stewart County

Stewart County

Stewart County

Taylor County

Talbot and Upson Counties

Meriwether, Talbot and Upson Counties

A regional asset map that includes arts and culture, recreational, historic, and economic assets is available at www.rivervalleyccd.com.

Russell County