When the Georgia Wildlife Federation calls for action, I jump to it!
Most especially when someone threatens my beloved saltwater marshes, I respond.
Ah... I do so love their smell!!!
That always speaks of home to me.
And now, again, there are developers out there trying to pave that paradise to put up yet another parking lot...
but they're being tricky about it.
That's okay - the Camo Coalition knows their tricks!
Here was the call to action for me.
***
Dear Faustina,
Public ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands may be at risk. Votes taking place Monday, March 6, are imperative – please take action immediately.
HB 370, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee last week, substantially reduces the burden required to claim ownership of coastal marshlands. The current procedures maintain a high standard that is very appropriate to keep critical marshes under public ownership while allowing a person to assert and prove if they have a legitimate claim to the property.
Under the current public trust doctrine, Georgia’s coast is unparalleled in its quality. It is without question the best functioning coastal marshland along America’s Atlantic coast. HB 370 fundamentally changes the burden of proof to benefit petitioners that want to assert their personal ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands.
Ask your Representative to protect our coastal marshlands by voting NO on HB 370. Take action immediately to stop HB 370 from advancing.
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
MORE INFORMATION
HB 370 establishes an expedited process for the establishment of title to coastal marshlands (Kings Grants & State Grants). It would require a petitioner to provide the State Properties Commission an abstract attesting to the tracing of title to a King’s Grant. The State Properties Commission either agrees with this tracing or, after 180 days the tracing of the grant is affirmatively established and it becomes an affirmative factor in a special master evaluation. If the State Properties Commission does not accept the tracing and a subsequent court ruling establishes that not accepting the tracing is without just cause, the State must pay for the court proceedings. This type of ruling would be used in subsequent legal proceedings as an affirmation of the petitioner’s claims.
This legislation appears to favor the petitioner substantially in successfully claiming ownership of coastal marshlands and adjacent uplands…ostensibly to ensure they are protected for the future by securing them under conservation use of some type. Currently, coastal marshlands that are not designated as part of a King’s Grant are owned by the people of Georgia and are held in trust by Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, thus they are already protected. Under the current public trust doctrine, Georgia’s coast is unparalleled in its quality. It is without question the best functioning coastal marshland along America’s Atlantic coast. This legislation fundamentally changes the burden of proof to benefit petitioners that want to assert their personal ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands.
These evaluations of claims of Kings Grants and State Grants of private ownership are fraught with complicate details and stipulations over property grants that might date from the 17th or 18th century. 180 days is simply not enough time for the State to adequately evaluate all aspects of these claims…the current system works, as is exemplified by the fact successful applications are regularly processed and granted.
Sincerely,
Mike Worley
President & CEO
Georgia Wildlife Federation
Public ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands may be at risk. Votes taking place Monday, March 6, are imperative – please take action immediately.
HB 370, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee last week, substantially reduces the burden required to claim ownership of coastal marshlands. The current procedures maintain a high standard that is very appropriate to keep critical marshes under public ownership while allowing a person to assert and prove if they have a legitimate claim to the property.
Under the current public trust doctrine, Georgia’s coast is unparalleled in its quality. It is without question the best functioning coastal marshland along America’s Atlantic coast. HB 370 fundamentally changes the burden of proof to benefit petitioners that want to assert their personal ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands.
Ask your Representative to protect our coastal marshlands by voting NO on HB 370. Take action immediately to stop HB 370 from advancing.
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
MORE INFORMATION
HB 370 establishes an expedited process for the establishment of title to coastal marshlands (Kings Grants & State Grants). It would require a petitioner to provide the State Properties Commission an abstract attesting to the tracing of title to a King’s Grant. The State Properties Commission either agrees with this tracing or, after 180 days the tracing of the grant is affirmatively established and it becomes an affirmative factor in a special master evaluation. If the State Properties Commission does not accept the tracing and a subsequent court ruling establishes that not accepting the tracing is without just cause, the State must pay for the court proceedings. This type of ruling would be used in subsequent legal proceedings as an affirmation of the petitioner’s claims.
This legislation appears to favor the petitioner substantially in successfully claiming ownership of coastal marshlands and adjacent uplands…ostensibly to ensure they are protected for the future by securing them under conservation use of some type. Currently, coastal marshlands that are not designated as part of a King’s Grant are owned by the people of Georgia and are held in trust by Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, thus they are already protected. Under the current public trust doctrine, Georgia’s coast is unparalleled in its quality. It is without question the best functioning coastal marshland along America’s Atlantic coast. This legislation fundamentally changes the burden of proof to benefit petitioners that want to assert their personal ownership of Georgia’s coastal marshlands.
These evaluations of claims of Kings Grants and State Grants of private ownership are fraught with complicate details and stipulations over property grants that might date from the 17th or 18th century. 180 days is simply not enough time for the State to adequately evaluate all aspects of these claims…the current system works, as is exemplified by the fact successful applications are regularly processed and granted.
Sincerely,
Mike Worley
President & CEO
Georgia Wildlife Federation
1 comment:
Dear Faustina,
HB370 did not make the “crossover” deadline in the General Assembly yesterday. It was never placed on the House Rules Calendar and THAT was largely a function of the work of the Camo Coalition. When I got to the Capitol yesterday morning I was already hearing feedback from legislators about the contacts our members were making to their representatives.
In a 24-hour period, Camo Coalition members made a real difference in maintaining the protection for our coastal marshlands. This is a tremendously complicated issue and our team was able to impress upon lawmakers that we are paying attention and we care. Throughout the day our team at the Capitol responded to legislator inquiries, provided immediate response to concerns and communicated talking points to allies.
This issue has come up before and we’ve prevailed. We will be vigilant as always in protecting our natural resources and the outdoor traditions we all value. We’ll monitor what is going on at the Capitol and make sure we are on top of issues…and we always know Camo Coalition stands ready to stand up!
In a very compressed time frame, on an important issue protecting Georgia’s critical coastal marshlands, Camo Coalition members stood tall and carried the day. Thank you all for being members, thank you all for your commitment to protecting our rich traditions of our outdoor life. Thank you for caring about protecting and enhancing our natural resources so they are around for future generations.
In awe of your work,
Mike Worley
President & CEO
Georgia Wildlife Federation
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