Governor highlights the conservation benefits of fall planting

ATLANTA – Today Governor Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue planted an Athena Elm on the grounds at the Governor's Mansion, replacing a tree previously destroyed by thunderstorms earlier this year. The Governor and First Lady were joined by Mary Kay Woodworth, President of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council and Dr. Gil Landry, Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture, University of Georgia.   The Athena Elm was donated by Select Sustainable Tree Trust (SSTT).

"Fall planting of trees and shrubs is one of the practices we want to encourage in building a culture of conservation," said Governor Perdue. "By planting drought-resistant and disease-resistant trees, Georgians will be able to conserve our resources and keep our state beautiful."

Governor Perdue today signed an Executive Order that replaces an order that halted installation of new landscaping at state facilities. The new Executive Order continues to call on state agencies to follow water conservation practices. The order also establishes the "Governor's Water Conservation Challenge." Governor Perdue is challenging businesses, local governments and school systems to match the state’s commitment to reducing water usage by 5 percent over the next two years and by 2 percent every year thereafter.

After Governor Perdue and the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director Carol Couch asked for a 10 percent water conservation goal last year, residents of North Georgia have far exceeded that goal. Water usage in September was down 18 percent from September of last year. Today’s event and new water challenge is just the latest initiative of the Governor's Conserve Georgia campaign, announced this past April. The goal of the campaign to create a lasting culture of conservation in Georgia that promotes programs and practices that conserve land, water, energy and other resources. More information on the Conserve Georgia campaign can be found at www.conservegeorgia.org .

The fall season is an environmentally sound and important time of year to plant.   Mild temperatures during the winter season allow trees, shrubs and many plants to root with a minimum of watering. A well-rooted plant will require significantly less water in the spring and summer when temperatures begin to rise. For this reason, many Georgia gardeners have long preferred fall and early winter planting.

The Athena Elm tree is the first in a series of shade and ornamental trees that will revolutionize tree planting in the Southeast and nation. This particular selection has been propagated and grown in locales from New Jersey to Texas to Oregon. The Athena Elm is now being commercially produced by licensed growers across the state.   The tree is easy to transplant, does well in dry conditions and is resistant to Dutch elm disease.

For more information regarding the Athena Elm or fall and winter planting, please visit www.urbanagcouncil.com .

The text of the Executive order is below:

WHEREAS, The government of the State of Georgia should lead by example in adopting, implementing and promoting water conservation practices; and

WHEREAS, The State of Georgia is currently implementing a State-wide Water Management Plan to help ensure that Georgia’s use of water is sustainable and protects water quality; and

WHEREAS, The government of the State of Georgia is a large business enterprise and a substantial consumer of water, and water expenses represent a substantial operating cost of State Government; and

WHEREAS, The current drought in Georgia continues and droughts will periodically occur in the future, it is important to implement water conservation practices during all conditions in order to sustain resources and forestall water shortage and consequent emergency; and

WHEREAS, Many of Georgia's communities, industries and agencies have exceeded the challenge of reducing water waste, water loss and non-essential water use during the on-going drought. 

WHEREAS, The National Weather Service reports that while recent rains and scattered showers brought some relief to drought stricken areas of our state, a severe to extreme drought prevails over most of North, East Central and Central Georgia.

WHEREAS, Increased water conservation efforts by the agencies and departments of the State of Georgia will result in economic and environmental benefits to the residents of Georgia, including:

• Reducing water consumption from Georgia's water resources
• Reducing dollars spent on water production and utility costs
• Extending the life of existing water supplies
• Protecting the environment, including river flows and aquifer levels and the species dependant on them
• Demonstrating responsible use of shared waters

NOW, THEREFORE, BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED, The Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with other state agencies, professional associations and volunteers, shall develop a water conservation implementation plan that outlines water conservation goals, benchmarks and practices for Georgia state facilities and water conservation goals, benchmarks and practices for Georgia’s diverse water use sectors, citizens and businesses.

             IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That state facilities shall continue to execute the following water conservation practices to reduce non-essential water use, water waste and water loss:

• Conduct periodic checks of facility restrooms, boiler rooms, etc, to ensure appliances are working at maximum efficiency;

• Comply with any outdoor water use schedule or regulations that have been put in place by the local governing authority where the facility is located;
• Optimize recovery and use of condensate, where possible;
• Limit the use of water used in cleaning state facilities and vehicles, when possible;

             IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That state agencies and authorities will implement practices that help reduce water usage by 5% over the next 2 years and 2% annually thereafter through the year 2020. Reductions will be calculated on a per square foot basis, using the year 2007 as baseline.

             IT IS FURTHER ORDERED  The Governor's Water Conservation Challenge to local governments, school systems, and businesses will encourage these groups to match the states commitment by reducing their own water usage by 5% over the next 2 years and 2% annually thereafter through the year 2020. Reductions will be calculated on a per square foot basis, using the year 2007 as baseline.

October 31, 2008                               Sonny Perdue, Governor

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