{"data":{"id":"us-ga/o.c.g.a.-12-3-91","jurisdiction":"us-ga","citation":"O.C.G.A. § 12-3-91","heading":"Legislative findings and declaration of purpose.","body":"The General Assembly finds that there is an increasing nation-wide concern over the deterioration of man’s natural environment in rural as well as urban areas; that there is a serious need to study the long-term effects of our civilization on our natural environment; that while the State of Georgia is still richly endowed with relatively undisturbed natural areas, these areas are rapidly being drastically modified and even destroyed by human activities; that it is of the utmost importance to preserve examples of such areas in their natural state, not only for scientific and educational purposes but for the general well-being of our society and its people. Therefore, it shall be the purpose and function of the Department of Natural Resources to:\n(1) Identify natural areas in the State of Georgia which are of unusual ecological significance;\n(2) Use its influence and take any steps within its power to secure the preservation of such areas in an undisturbed natural state in order that such areas may:\n(A) Be studied scientifically;\n(B) Be used for educational purposes;\n(C) Serve as examples of nature to the general public; and\n(D) Enrich the quality of our environment for present and future generations; and\n(3) Recommend areas or parts of areas for recreational use.","path":["TITLE 12 Conservation And Natural Resources","CHAPTER 3 Parks, Historic Areas, Memorials, and Recreation","Article 4 Natural Areas"],"source_url":"https://archive.org/download/gov.ga.ocga.2018/release86.2022.11/gov.ga.ocga.title.12.odt","current_through":"Release 86 (2022-11)","vintage":"Public.Resource.Org bulk O.C.G.A., Release 86 (2022-11), retrieved 2026-09-17","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T19:34:57Z","sha256":"a9816b9ff0e6907795ff648cdaa0204aa3b7fadd7d5b9c0ba820197bcf700628","source_id":"us-ga","stale":false,"prev":"us-ga/o.c.g.a.-12-3-90","next":"us-ga/o.c.g.a.-12-3-92"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}