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Senate subcommittee approves $24.5 million slate of Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grants
Summary
The subcommittee unanimously approved the GOSA trustee-recommended slate of 12 projects totaling roughly $24.5 million in state funding, which the department said will leverage $61 million including local matches; approval came by voice vote after trustee and board-of-natural-resources sign-offs.
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources voted to approve a slate of Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSA) grants on March 18, advancing trustee recommendations for the 2024–25 funding cycle.
The funds: Department of Natural Resources staff said the recommended slate includes 12 projects totaling more than $24,500,000 in state funds and that the recipients’ matching funds and other leveraged dollars would bring the total conservation investment to roughly $61,000,000. The slate includes five locally managed parks and trails projects of regional significance, four state land acquisitions, and three state stewardship projects.
Why it matters: GOSA was approved by Georgia voters in February 2018 and is funded by a portion of the sales-and-use tax on outdoor sporting goods. DNR said the program has supported 62 projects across 56 counties, acquired more than 50,000 acres and leveraged roughly $318 million in matching funds across five funding cycles.
Vote and procedure: Chairman Walker asked for a motion; Senator Anderson moved approval, Senator Gann seconded. The committee approved the slate by voice vote; multiple members responded "Aye." DNR staff requested the committee’s approval to move the trustee-approved slate forward.
Next steps: DNR said the program will proceed to grant closings for approved projects; grantees must meet matching and statutory requirements before funds are disbursed.
Ending: Chairman Walker closed the item after the voice vote and invited the next presenter to the table.
