JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. –-(Ammoland.com)- Georgia’s five wildlife license plates will soon cost less and provide more support for conserving Georgia wildlife, from bald eagles to bobwhite quail.
Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 881 into law today at Jekyll Island.
The legislation rolls back the cost of buying or renewing a wildlife plate to $25 and dedicates more than 75 percent of fees to the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division programs that depend on them. Passed in this year’s General Assembly and sponsored by Rep. Bubber Epps (R-Dry Branch) and Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), the changes are scheduled to take effect July 1 2014.
“I want to thank Gov. Deal, the General Assembly and our stakeholder groups for their support of this legislation and Georgia’s wildlife programs,” said Mark Williams, DNR commissioner.
The plates sporting an eagle, quail, trout or hummingbird provide vital funds for conserving rare and other wildlife such as gopher tortoises and swallow-tailed kites. Tags have helped acquire thousands of acres of wildlands open to Georgians, restore bobwhite quail and habitats, and enhance trout fisheries. Since Wildlife Resources Division work focused on quail and nongame – wildlife not legally fished for or hunted – receives no state appropriations, tag sales and renewals are the main source of local funds.
In 2013, DNR, along with Gov. Deal, unveiled new wildlife tags featuring eye-catching designs of the eagle, trout and quail (www.georgiawildlife.com/
“I hope these very positive pricing changes, along with our new designs, will encourage Georgians to purchase these license plates and support Georgia’s wildlife,” said Dan Forster, DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division director.
These changes will make it easier for more Georgians do what nongame plates say: Give wildlife a chance. Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/
ON THE NET
The Wildlife Resources Division, part of the state Department of Natural Resources, is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia’s wildlife resources. More online:
- www.georgiawildlife.com
- Nongame Conservation Section, www.georgiawildlife.com/
conservation - Bobwhite Quail Initiative, www.georgiawildlife.com/node/
2210 - Trout management, www.georgiawildlife.com/
fishing