---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-3-91. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose.
collection: code
id: 12-3-91
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-3-91 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-3-91
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-3-91.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-3-91/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=119
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/12-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-3-90.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 / PARKS, HISTORIC AREAS, MEMORIALS, AND RECREATION / NATURAL AREAS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-3-91. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose.

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:

(1) Identify natural areas in the State of Georgia which are of unusual ecological significance;

(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:

(A) Be studied scientifically;

(B) Be used for educational purposes;

(C) Serve as examples of nature to the general public; and

(D) Enrich the quality of our environment for present and future generations; and

(3) Recommend areas or parts of areas for recreational use.

## History

Ga. L. 1969, p. 750, § 2; Ga. L. 1972, p. 1015, § 1511.