---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-16-2. Legislative findings.
collection: code
id: 12-16-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-16-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-16-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-16-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-16-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=1221
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-16.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-16-1.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND REGULATIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-16-2. Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The protection and preservation of Georgia’s diverse environment is necessary for the maintenance of the public health and welfare and the continued viability of the economy of the state and is a matter of the highest public priority;

(2) State agencies should conduct their affairs with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, land, water, plants, animals, and environmental, historical, and cultural resources;

(3) Environmental evaluations should be a part of the decision-making processes of the state; and

(4) Environmental effects reports can facilitate the fullest practicable provision of timely public information, understanding, and participation in the decision-making processes of the state.

## History

Code 1981, § 12-16-2, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1728, § 1.