The commission is accepting nominations through the end of January for areas deemed worthy of preservation.
As part of its Plan 2035, the NEGRC will develop a plan for the "protection and management" of Regionally Important Resources (RIR) in Northeast Georgia.
Lee Carmon, Planning Director and General Counsel for the NEGRC, said an RIR "is a natural or heritage resource that is of sufficient size or importance to warrant special consideration by the local government having jurisdiction over the resource."
Carmon added an RIR designation will not make an area off limits to development or create a new regulatory requirement" but does suggest that they should have an "enhanced level of management and careful consideration should be given to new development in the area."
A workshop on RIRs will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 11:00-12:30 at the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission offices in Athens. At that time, detailed information will be available about RIRs, the nomination process, selection criteria and more.
The counties served by the NGRC are: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/11/225026